Macro Kits

[james_tigerwoods]

I'm pretty sure I've seen this covered, but the search is down...

Are "macro kits" actually any good? Specifically the ones you bolt on to your lens. I assume you lose autofocus capability when using these too?

Lastly - has anyone used them on/for Nikon Cameras (specifically D40s)?

[SamHH]

Do you mean screw-on lenses like this?



If so have look a here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Quality won't be as good as a dedicated lens but it's a good way of getting into macro photography on the cheap. Autofocus is retained but most people find that autofocus is useless for macro.

Edited by SamHH on Friday 12th June 15:51

[james_tigerwoods]

That's the thread that inspired this one - Unfortunately, I can't see those pictures as the Photo Bucket site is blocked from work....

[rasputin]

Took this with a generic (cheap from ebay) +10 filter on a kit 18-70 Sony lens:

Full frame:


Full size crop:


Size of flower:

[SamHH]

I'm sure there are loads of examples on the net. They're probably the cheapest way of getting macro ability whilst retaining aperture control, which is more important than retaining autofocus. If you get seriously into it then a proper macro lens will probably go on your wish list, otherwise you've only lost £15.

[Gemm]

SamHH said:

.... otherwise you've only lost £15.

Except that Canon one (500D pictured above) costs about £150 (?) but they say it is L lens quality.

[DIW35]

Have you considered extension tubes? As they don't introduce another piece of glass in to the equation, quality is usually better than an add on dioptre lens. They usually come in sets of three which means you can also vary the level of magnification.

This one was taken with the kit lens on my 40D and an extension tube.

[AndyKH]

DIW35 said:

Have you considered extension tubes? As they don't introduce another piece of glass in to the equation, quality is usually better than an add on dioptre lens. They usually come in sets of three which means you can also vary the level of magnification.

This one was taken with the kit lens on my 40D and an extension tube.

How much sharpening have you added to that?

Taken with +10 screw in type off ebay.
The flower is around 1.5-2cm from tip to tip.

[DIW35]

AndyKH said:

How much sharpening have you added to that?

Some, but I couldn't push it too far because the point of focus is not in quite the right place. You can see the focal plane on the post it is sitting on, and it's just short of being spot on.

[james_tigerwoods]

What kind of extension tube and where from?

[DIW35]

I got mine from eBay. Usually come in a set of three of differing lengths that can be used individually or in any combination of the three. I imagine most good photo shops would stock them.

[james_tigerwoods]

DIW35 said:

I got mine from eBay. Usually come in a set of three of differing lengths that can be used individually or in any combination of the three. I imagine most good photo shops would stock them.

Cheers - Does anyone have any recommended sellers at all? (I'm guessing photo shops will be a LOT more expensive...)

[_dobbo_]

Kenko do a decent range of extension tubes which retain metering and AF capabilities.

[richo_i]

_dobbo_ said:

Kenko do a decent range of extension tubes which retain metering and AF capabilities.

I'll second that, got mine off ebay for approx £50 and they are great but AF and macro really don't go

[james_tigerwoods]

richo_i said:

_dobbo_ said:

Kenko do a decent range of extension tubes which retain metering and AF capabilities.

I'll second that, got mine off ebay for approx £50 and they are great but AF and macro really don't go

So am I better off with the cheaper tubes then (I've seen some £4.99 ones - that can't be right?)? I note that the Kenko ones are expensive, but retain auto focus.

[SamHH]

james_tigerwoods said:

So am I better off with the cheaper tubes then (I've seen some £4.99 ones - that can't be right?)? I note that the Kenko ones are expensive, but retain auto focus.

The £4.99 ones are cheaper because they don't have the electrical contacts. This means that you don't have autofocus and if you're using a Nikon G lens or other lens without an aperture ring, you can't change the aperture without taking the lens off every time.

[LMC]

According to Warehouse express, the Kenko kits don't work on Canon EF-S lenses. Is that the case full stop, or in what way do they not work ?

[andy-xr]

Good job the OP has a Nikon then

James - I have those ebay screw on things (not the Kenko ones), they affect the quality a bit and bearing in mind you said MF could be an issue for you with the 50mm topic, I'd walk away from them. If you're after quality spend some money on a macro lens instead, but then you're back to the "D80/D90 shall I shan't I" dilemma unless things have changed recently with the body you're using.

[james_tigerwoods]

I've shelved the 50mm plan as it'll be too expensive, i've been getting some good results with my 55-200.

I'm not sure if i want to go for an expensive macro kit, so if i can try something inexpensive, it's something i want to try (like the cheap studio kit i've ordered)

I'm sure it could be argued that i should save up and buy once, but in some cases, i think that what i'm trying could be justified.

I'm willing to try manual focus, i'm just a little lazy. Saying that auto focus can be preferable as at least that yay i know the picture will be in focus (some photos this weekend that looked in focus turned out to not be when viewed on my laptop)

ETA - The D80 issue has been put to bed on cost grounds...

Edited by james_tigerwoods on Tuesday 16th June 08:21

[oobster]

LMC said:

According to Warehouse express, the Kenko kits don't work on Canon EF-S lenses. Is that the case full stop, or in what way do they not work ?

I would like to know this too - I have a 400D with the kit EFS 18-55 lense. Would a purchase of a set of kenko extension tubes be a waste?