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Hi All

I'm really enjoying my new 350D... Very happy with it and didn't take long to familiarise myself with many of its functions (as they are basically the sames as my old EOS500)

So far I have kit lense 18-55 ... the Bundled Zoom 75-300 and my trusty old 28-80 from my 35mm EOS (Must admit works really well with the 350D)...

I've pretty much blown my budget but would like Macro Ability and Some More light on my subjects... all without burning a larger hole in my pocket...

I don't want to compromise too much thus not having to upgrade next week... But do need to keep a tight rein on costs...

I'd really appreciate some feedback on

1) Suggested flash units - Pros & Cons and an estimate on what I'd expect to pay (If Possible)

2) Suggested means for Macro - Extension Tubes (With or without AF / AV Coupling or fully manual) or Diopter??? again pros & cons if you dont mind...

THank you all in advance

Regards

Bretski....

buy a nikon

Good luck finding out though, a few good purchases always inspires the mind!

Raskill wrote:buy a nikon

Good luck finding out though, a few good purchases always inspires the mind!

lol ... rat bag

Bretski,

Sorry for the late reply - busy with other stuff at home.

The best flash unit for the Canon EOS is the 580EX. I paid about $600 IIRC. However, the newer 430EX is also worth a look, has most of the features ('cept wireless master, I think) and is a bit cheaper (and less powerful).

Macro - well the Canon 100 mm macro (for $700ish on eBay) is excellent. If you can't afford, then Kenko aftermarket tubes are available on eBay for under $200. They work well - I'd use them rather than diopter.

Extension tubes are useful accessories to have in the long term, and I have a set of Kenko tubes I used to use with a 50mm/1.8 for macro work. They pass all the electrical contacts through and thus you maintain AF/etc. However, with most zoom lens designs the behaviour of the combination is going to be very non-intuitive. Once you add extension you will find that the focus control affects the zoom as much as the focus, and the zoom control affects both as well.

A good dual-element diopter such as the Canon 250D can sometimes be more convenient for macro work. I believe Nikon also makes a dual-element diopter (just in a different range of filter sizes) which will work fine with your lenses. The main drawback of a diopter is that you need a different one for each filter size (unless you play around with step-up/down rings).

As for a flash, any of the Canon 420EX/430EX/550EX/580EX units will be good (in approximately that order of increasing functionality). The older 380EX has a frustrating lack of twist (useful for bounce flash in portrait-format shots) and I would steer away from it.
I have a 420EX I've used for years (since the D30 came out) and am about to make it a slave to a 580EX. Whichever model you get, over time you'll want to play with an Off Shoe Cord 2 (so you can move the flash to one side for macro work) along with various diffusers/etc which you can buy or make yourself.

Whatever equipment you get, don't expect it to solve all your needs forever: you'll want to play with various accessories over time and eventually you'll have a better idea of exactly which components you need in your kit.

Thanks Guys... I appreciate the feedback...

The 430ex fits my Budget (Kinda ) so I think i'll give it a burl... I think it will do most of what I want (and probably more than I am capable of..lol)

I bought a cheap +4 Filter to start playing with... does the job for me at the mo... gives me something to start with... I think I'll save my hard earned and put it towards a dedicated Macro lens... Some of the stuff Sliders acheiving is just sensational...

if you want the best macro shots you will ultimately need the best tools

extension tubes
dedicated macro lens
reversed lens

like anything though, these can be acquired over time.
Steve

avkomp wrote:if you want the best macro shots you will ultimately need the best tools

extension tubes
dedicated macro lens
reversed lens

like anything though, these can be acquired over time.
Steve

Reversed Lens???

Please Eplain...

I can't exactly remember the effect it has, but I seem to recall talk of buying an adapter so you can literally reverse the lens. One of the macro guns will be able to enlighten you much more.

Paul is correct.

A reversing ring (or adaptor) has a lens mount on one side, and a filter thread on the other. It permits you to mount a lens (with a matching filter thread size) backwards on the camera, and these work a treat, and are not overly expensive.

If you want to get a preview of the sort of effect it has, just remove your lens and turn it around, holding it (reversed) in place and have a look through your viewfinder.

You will be pleasantly surprised.

I have even seen guys tape the second lens reversed in front of the first.
only works if you have two identicall filter diameters.

as gary has suggested though holding one lens reversed on front of the other will certainly show you what can be achieved.

Steve