Macro help

[rasputin]

Newbie moving from compact to DSLR.

My new Sony DSLR says "Macro" on the lense. But the closest it can focus is around 10cm. Looking at all the Macro lenses on eBay - none seem to be able to focus closer than about 10cm.

My Canon compact can focus from 1cm when in "Macro" mode.

So what am I missing? Why can't the DSLR Macro lenses focus close-up?

[RobDickinson]

Because it wont be a true macro lens - and TBH your P&S probably wasnt either.

Macro is defined as 1:1 (sensorbject), ie the object is the same size on the sensor as in reality. So a 2mm object takes up 2mm of the sensor.

A pseudo macro dSLR lens is probably 1:2 to 1:5 ish

A true macro is 1:1

The canon mpe-65 can do up to 5:1

[SamHH]

^That

Some manufacturers put the word "macro" on lenses that aren't what most people would consider a true macro lens. If you want to do proper macro, you need either a dedicated lens which will almost certainly be a prime, or one of the options I mentioned in your other thread.

[Simpo Two]

What he said. Macro is determined by magnification, not distance from lens. Unfortunately you've been duped by the marketing department who stick the word 'macro' on any lens with gay abandon.

A real macro lens is quite a specialist beast, but can also make a good prime portrait lens (they're not zooms). However, because of the magnification the depth of field can be very shallow and so they take some getting used to.

Here you go:
www.warehouseexpress.com/search/?q=sony%20macro

Sony 100mm f2.8 D Macro Lens £499
Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 DI Macro Lens - Sony/Minolta Fit £335
Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX DG Macro Lens - Sony/Minolta Fit £384
Sony 50mm f2.8 D Macro AF Lens £408
Sigma 70mm f2.8 EX DG Macro Lens - Sony/Minolta Fit £384
etc.

They will all give the same magnification, but a 105mm lens will give you a longer (sometimes more useful) working distance than a 60mm.

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 29th May 09:35

[VxDuncan]

Am afraid a true "macro" lens is going to set you back at least £150, But there are other options - extension tubes/bellows, lens reversing adapters, teleconverters and close up screw in lenses.

With any of the above things very tricky technical very quickly do to lack of light and no control over focusing and aperture. Simple cheap way to start would be a screw in type macro lens (filter) off the bay (screws into the thread on the end of your lens). This will allow you to play and probably get better shots than the P&S with full auto control and minimal loss of light, but don't expect miracles (purple-fringe tastic!).

[rasputin]

Thanks for that. Makes more sense now.

On a very tight budget at the moment - so think I will start by trying some macro filters ( this type of thing)

Although TBH all I'm trying to do is replicate the ability of my P&S - maybe I should just keep using the P&S then

Also, during Googling/eBaying, I thought that an M42 adapter sounds like a good idea. Would be fun to get some old decent quality manual lenses. Any downsides to this? (other than loss of auto controls)

Edited by rasputin on Friday 29th May 11:14

[Simpo Two]

rasputin said:

On a very tight budget at the moment - so think I will start by trying some macro filters ( this type of thing)

That's what I'd do in your position, yes.

[AndyKH]

I have a set of those, they do the job but don't expect anything anywhere near what 4hero posts up.
This is with my +10 'filter'.


And this is with all 4 screwed together

[rasputin]

Exactly the sort of thing I'm after!

[rasputin]

Got them. £15ish off eBay for +1, +2, +4 and +10 diopters, a free mini tripod (can't quite hold up my DSLR ) and a protective carry-case for them which is actually very handy.

Results:

+10 full frame at 70mm (f/20, 1 sec exposure and ISO 100):


Same as above, 100% crop:


This is with all 4 diopters stacked and f/5.6 - depth of field was a bit small for me (was on tripod but hand-holding it in place) so focus not good, but it looks promising... Just need to keep practicing. This is full frame:


Here is the flower with a 2p coin for "real size":


So... 23mm wide sensor... ~10mm wide flower... and it fills 72% (16.5mm)... 1.6:1 macro then?

I'm pretty happy with that for the price!

(Now just to figure out how the heck AndyKH got such a sharp image with all four stacked!?? )

Edited by rasputin on Sunday 7th June 23:33

[Starfighter]

Closser that 10cm, is that for real?

Macro focussing ranges are measures from the film plate / sensor wich would make 10cm inside the lens on my 40D + 100mm set up. Closest focus is around 30cm on this rig with a depth of field measure in microns!