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QUESTION
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Should i use my 18 to 55
or my 70 to 300
lese for macro shotstrying to get into this type of photogrpahy for a trial sun see how it goes
Theres a few options:
1. Buy macro extension tubes that go between the lens and body
2. Buy macro filters (pretty cheap on ebay to get you started)
3. You can buy a bellows
4. Buy a dedicated macro lens.I’ve never used extension tubes or a bellows so I can’t comment. I have used the filters and they work pretty good and you’ll get close to 1:1 magnification.
Currently I use a dedicated 100mm f2.8 l is macro lens which can focus at a min distance of 0.3m so its 1:1 magnification.
No need for cropping.I’d have a look for a macro filter and go from there. Should be about €10 on a 58mm lens like you 18-55mm.
Hope this helps somewhatHi David,
Alan covered all your options there, I would love a dedicated macro lens like his Canon 100mm L IS but I’ll have to settle for macro extension tubes for the moment.
€50 including postage for a set of 3 tubes, 13mm, 21mm & 31mm. I would advise you go for ‘AF’ tubes that support auto-focus and TTL (even when manually focusing, AF confirm is very useful). These tubes have metal contacts that maintain the electronic/electrical connection between body and lens for the functions I’ve already mentioned but probably the most important function is aperture control, without electronic/electrical connection to your lens, it will always shoot wide open, resulting and a very shallow DOF…………….which is already challenging in macro photography.
Unless you intend using a fully manual lens, I would rule out the use of bellows……….for the reasons above.I only have my macro tubes for a little over a month, so I’m speaking here from limited experience.
I seem to always use the 31mm tube with a 28-75 f2.8 at the long end f11 and above, I’ve also used a 18-200mm at the long end…..with some good results. I tried a 50mm prime with all combinations of the tubes and very quickly binned that idea.
I’m still experimenting, but a Speedlite seems to do the trick most of the time, I have an LED macro ring-flash but that has produced mixed results……..so far!!Hope this is of some help.
I think you are trying to get to close with your 18-55, there is a minimum focus distance
with any lens and if you push it to much you wont get sharp shots, this one is a little on the
soft side, I think there is a macro function on the 70-300 lens which I used to use before
getting my dedicated macro lens. It wasnt to bad either. If you are very keen to get into
the macro then you cant beat having a proper lens for it, and if you buy wisely then it is
quite a versatile lens that can also be good for general portrait use. I have the Sigma 105mm
and am very happy with it.You can also get reversing rings that allow you to use the lenses you have back to front and
that can work out ok, but like I say if you are keen then go for a proper lens.
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