An Inexpensive Macro Solution
Macro shots have become a favorite type of shot to take for me and my wife. Its amazing the detail that would otherwise be overlooked thats displayed in a good focused macro. Mundane objects take on new life, pollen sitting on a flower’s stamen look like individual pieces of art, and even creepy bugs can look cute. My wife, who hates spiders, mentioned to me that wolf spiders look almost pretty enough to pet viewed up close.
Unfortunately, on a DSLR frame a good macro setup can run into hundreds of dollars, with the good macro lens starting at $600. Then there are filters and remote flash gear to add which could run the total just for macro photography up to $1000+. I’ve been researching options on my new Rebel XS to duplicate the super macro mode of my Canon Powershot S5IS (which ran me just over $300) without the mortgage size price tag. I think I’ve found a solution that should last me a bit with some practice.
I start with a Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II lens. This lens works well due to the amount of light it lets in which is good for macros. This glass runs $99 new but you can normally find it used on various boards from anywhere to $60-$80. This makes for a great portait lens and seems to be a standard first additon to many DSLR user’s camera bag.
Next, instead of a macro lens or extension tube I went the filter route with the Promaster 52mm Close-up Set. Each filter in this set will enable the lens to focus closer than normal making almost any lens a macro lens. The filters are of varying strength of +1, +2, +4 and can be used individually or in combination. These filters run in the tens of dollars which makes for some great savings.
Lighting may be an issue with this gear so the investment into a remote flash may be worth it. The spider shot above was taken with these filters but I am unhappy with the lack of light available. When I turned my back for a second to make adjustments on the camera this unhappy fella scurried away (he’s probably waiting on me to go to sleep tonight).
Here is a set of test images I took in the store at the maximum closeness I could get it to focus:
Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II Lens only
Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II Lens with 1x Filter
Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II Lens with 2x Filter
Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II Lens with 4x Filter
This setup is going to take some practice to master to get the same quality of macro shots I could with the S5. With time and some luck though by next spring when all the new bugs come creeping I’ll be there to stick a camera lens in their itty bitty face.
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November 17th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Useful article. I have a 10x closeup filter, which may be a little TOO much magnification. Talk about shallow DOF!
November 20th, 2008 at 10:39 am
I love my Raynox DCR-250, they are going for $50-60 now. I shoot more with it than without. It is a +8 diopter, but the image quality is better than most I have seen. The edges of the photo often get blurry or distorted with the usual cheap closeup filters. DOF is really narrow with anything with that much magnification, that is why I use flash and narrow aperture for nearly all my macros.
November 20th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Actually Sherri and I discussed the DCR-250 and a Speedlite the other night. One of us might find those in our stockings this Xmas. Luckily they work on both of our cameras. Go Go Canon!
November 20th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Another cheap solution is the Cosina (also branded Vivitar or Phoenix) 100mm f3.5 for around $125. It feels that cheap with its light plastic body, but the glass is really good. With its matched adapter (closeup filter), it gets 1:1 magnification, but it looses infinity focus. Using it without the adapter gets you 1:2. I prefer the Raynox solution, especially since on my 300mm lens I get 2.6:1, but if you only want to experiment with a “real” macro lens it is much better than the full priced ones.
December 4th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
[...] The EF 50/1.8 II provides an opportunity to try a fast prime lens without breaking the bank. My current macro setup uses this lens with the 1/2/4x [...]