Macro filters or extension tubes ?

[Hyena]

Hey guys,

What are the best options for a cheap macro solution ?
I only just bought my first DSLR this week so I'm not looking to spend hundreds on macro lenses.

Looking around on ebay I've seen both macro filters/lenses such as these

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Close-Up-Lens-Se ... dZViewItem

and extension tubes such as these

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Extension-Tubes- ... dZViewItem

both seem to go for around the $50 mark

I thought the extension tubes might be a better option as there's no additional (cheap) glass in the way which might affect the image, but by all means correct me if I'm wrong


Cheers

Jay

[phillipb]

With the extention tubes you will loose all metering and focusing.
Depending on how much macro you want to achieve, you can get second hand lenses such as the 35-105 macro I got off Ebay for around the same price as the tubes but it won't give you 1:1 macro.

[MATT]

Or get the 50 and reverse it onto the another very cheap macro!!!

But having done this , buy a cheap macro lens the results will be a1K times better

MATT

[Hyena]

With the extention tubes you will loose all metering and focusing

Oh you lose focus too, I didn't realise that. So are the macro filters not much chop ?

Matt I'll be getting a 50 f1.8 shortly and I'd read about reversing them but sounded a little tricky!

[phillipb]

Loosing auto focus is not a big problem because at macro level you're probably better off using manual focus anyway, but loosing metering may be more problematic. If you're shooting flowers for example, it me be ok because you have lots of time to adjust exposures but an insect may be well and truly gone by the time you get the exposure right.
Reversing the 50mm lens is easy but will have the same problems as the tubes, plus I'm not too keen on having the rear element of the lens exposed.

[DionM]

I kept Auto-focus and metering fine with my Kenko tubes for my Canon, as they pass all the contacts through.

My vote is for tubes - no glass to affect the image.

[Hyena]

Reversing the 50mm lens is easy but will have the same problems as the tubes, plus I'm not too keen on having the rear element of the lens exposed.

Yeah getting muck in the back is the main reason I didn't want to reverse it.

Manual focus is ok, I thought you were saying you lost focus all together (which from what I can gather is what happens when you reverse the lens ?)

DionM, looking around the kenko tubes are a fair bit more pricey, I'd probably be better hunting around for a 2nd hand macro lens?

[phillipb]

The Nikon 35-105 macro I mentioned earlier cost me $49.95 + $15.00 delivery from a guy in Perth.
These photos were taken with it.

[Hyena]

Nice. was that a fluke buy or is that the price these typically go for ?
I'll make a WTB post in the for sale forum when I have enough posts.

[rookie2]

whats the name of this plant?


I used kenko tube (20mm) with the kit lens while doing a bit of experimenting with macro recently - this is the best of a very bad bunch!

cheers

R2

[Yi-P]

Extension Tubes : Maintain lens quality at sacrifice of light.

Autofocus may be possible, metering is available as well I guess (Kenko's Auto-Extension Rings) they are rigged with focus screw and array of IC for camera to talk to the lens. Make sure you have stable platform with this setup.
Recommendation: Kenko's Auto-Extension rings for Nikon

Close-up filter: Maintain 'usability' at sacrifice of quality.

Due to additional optical element in front of the lens which alters the way and focusing formula of the lens, it will degrade quality at some ways. You will retain all function built into your lens, VR, AF, etc. Will not lose any light and maintains your maximum aperture (f/1.8, 2.8 etc).
Recommendation: Canon 500D Close up lens filter.


Reversing ring: You will not lose light, nor image quality from lens. At sacrifice of metering and autofocus.

EXTREMELY CHEAP SHARP! Compatible with ANY lenses. Reproduction ratio goes up to 3x - 5x life-size with wide angle primes (28mm-20mm), 1x with 50mm.
Recommendation: Nikon BR-2A [52mm] (doesnt matter much IMO, other 3rd party rings are available)

Dedicated macro lens: All of the above, at a sacrifice of wallet's weight.


I have used my lenses with the reversing ring and have been very happy with my results so far.

Some samples:

http://yiph.zenfolio.com/p269137388

50/1.8D Reversed


28/2.8 Reversed (3x life size magnification)

[phillipb]

Nice. was that a fluke buy or is that the price these typically go for ?
I'll make a WTB post in the for sale forum when I have enough posts.

A quick check of Ebay sales recently shows that an AF model sold for $82.00 2 days ago and a manual focus one attached to an Ft3 in mint condition failed to even get a bid with a starting price of $30 on July 19th.

[Steffen]

Dedicated macro lens: All of the above, at a sacrifice of wallet's weight.

Unless you buy 2nd hand, of course. There are heaps of Micro Nikkors on eBay quite frequently. I bought a 55mm f/2.8 in as new condition for US$129 not long ago. You pay heaps more for gimmicks (like AF).

Cheers
Steffen.

[Yi-P]

Dedicated macro lens: All of the above, at a sacrifice of wallet's weight.

You pay heaps more for gimmicks (like AF).

A brand new 105/2.8G VR can kill your week's spending in an instant.

[Big Red]

by far the best option is a 1:1 macro lens ... you'll end up buying one anyway so you may as well save the mucking around.
you can get incredibly small depth of field with a reversing ring.

The Tamron SP 90 mm f2.8DI is a beauty that i can personaly recommend but i have gone on to a Pentax 200mm which is a better focal length.[and a better Lens but harder to use]

You will see some stunning images from Sliders 180 sigma macro too.

[greencardigan]

I've tried all the various macro options including bellows.

A dedicated macro lens is by far the best way to go if you're planning to take more than a few macro shots.

Nevertheless, mucking around with bellows or reversed lenses can be great fun.

[Hyena]

Nice shots Yi-P!

OK, seeing as we're steering towards 'proper' macro lenses, how do the telephoto lenses with macro compare to smaller dedicated macro lenses ?

I'll be looking for a cheap telephoto shortly anyway so it might be worth killing 2 birds with one stone

[Yi-P]

Longest dedicated macro I think they go up to 200mm

But with a telephoto lens with macro feature (the sigma 70-300 or newer 70-200), it will not focus down towards 1:1 ratio, maybe a 1:2 ratio somehow.

By being with the budget and cheap glass with great quality, its hard to get it for macros.


A Tamron 90/2.8 Di can do the job pretty well. You get a 90mm medium telephoto and a dedicated macro lens as well.


More cash to spend will be a Nikon 105/2.8VR or Sigma 150/2.8

[phillipb]

I have a Sigma 105 f2.8 macro I think you can get them for around $450 new. I used it to take these photos.