Raynox 150 not giving me better macro :(

SirJangly · 09-23-2010, 03:02 PM

Hey guys! I got my Raynox 150 in the mail today. I've tried it with my pentax 50-200, and sears 135mm lens on my K-X, and it seems like I'm having to move even further away to focus on objects! I am very sure I put it on correctly, as it matches what is on the box.

Anyone know what could be the culprit? Thanks in advance

SirJangly · 09-23-2010, 03:16 PM

Actually it does give me close pictures, but the DOF is VERY VERY shallow

lowspark86 · 09-23-2010, 03:19 PM

Stop down and use a shorter focal length until you geta better handle on using it. DOF will look very thin when focusing because the aperture will be wide open, but will improve when the lens stops down for the photo.

newarts · 09-23-2010, 03:51 PM

Originally posted by SirJangly

Actually it does give me close pictures, but the DOF is VERY VERY shallow

That is the nature of the beast. At 1:1 magnification at f:10 you can expect a DOF of about 1mm.

At f:20 it'll be about 2mm, but maybe not as sharp because of diffraction effects.

Dave in Iowa

PS it is the result of lens optics - The only thing you can do is to stack multiple images if you must have more depth at the same horizontal resolution - or abandon traditional lens type optics.

Last edited by newarts; 09-23-2010 at 03:57 PM.

Marc Sabatella · 09-23-2010, 05:00 PM

Welcome to the world of macro! As Dave says, yes, DOF is very shallow. i'd suggest getting a book on the subject, or just browsing aorund - there are some decent online references on the subject as well. No one ever said it would be easy...

SirJangly · 09-23-2010, 05:28 PM

Thanks guys

I know I should do more reading, but as I'm in my second year of nursing school, I tend to do little reading and a lot of complaining

I will go outside and use the tripod, I find the slight movements while doing his by hand make it near impossible to keep what I want in focus

JeffJS · 09-23-2010, 05:49 PM

This is an attempt at doing closeup/macro with an FA31mm Ltd on an extension tube (A 2x TC with the glass removed). The lens glass was nearly touching the part in the center. Taken at f8.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

Banjo · 09-23-2010, 06:08 PM

Originally posted by SirJangly

Thanks guys

I know I should do more reading, but as I'm in my second year of nursing school, I tend to do little reading and a lot of complaining

I will go outside and use the tripod, I find the slight movements while doing his by hand make it near impossible to keep what I want in focus

There is quite a lot of learning and practice required for good results wth close-up or Macro (I do only close-up) photography because:

DOF becomes very shallow.

Light falls away, so have to use wider aperture, which makes DOF even shallower.

Subject movement (due to wind) intrudes, so need faster shutter speed (which means a wider aperture, so shallower DOF)

(Of course, using digital, you can simply increase the ISO and use stacking in PP)

With handheld, you really have to polish up your focusing and shutter release technique (as well as your ability to gauge subject movement and prevent camera shake -VR &SR are useful here)

I simply use film (hand-held) and just try harder.

All good fun: you do improve with practice.

yeatzee · 09-23-2010, 06:25 PM

When shooting macro's its a constant battle against DOF, light, sharpness, colors, bokeh, etc.

More so than any other type of photography I can think of

Its not easy, but it sure is fun

SirJangly · 09-23-2010, 09:26 PM

Would I be better off getting an older macro lens, or should I just stick with the raynox?

Marc Sabatella · 09-24-2010, 10:56 AM

Everything that has been said about the difficulties of macro shooting apply to *all* methods of macro shooting. The Raynox is no different. Well, DOF might be even shallower, but still, no matter *what* you use, you have to accept that you will need to stop way own to get much DOF, and that means you will need to figure out how to get enough light and how to hold the camera steady enough, etc.

09-23-2010, 03:02 PM	#1
SirJangly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Antioch, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 197	Raynox 150 not giving me better macro :( Hey guys! I got my Raynox 150 in the mail today. I've tried it with my pentax 50-200, and sears 135mm lens on my K-X, and it seems like I'm having to move even further away to focus on objects! I am very sure I put it on correctly, as it matches what is on the box. Anyone know what could be the culprit? Thanks in advance

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09-23-2010, 03:16 PM	#2
SirJangly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Antioch, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 197 Original Poster	Actually it does give me close pictures, but the DOF is VERY VERY shallow

09-23-2010, 03:19 PM	#3
lowspark86 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southwest Photos: Albums Posts: 157	Stop down and use a shorter focal length until you geta better handle on using it. DOF will look very thin when focusing because the aperture will be wide open, but will improve when the lens stops down for the photo.

09-23-2010, 03:51 PM	#4
newarts Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ames, Iowa, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 2,965	Originally posted by SirJangly Actually it does give me close pictures, but the DOF is VERY VERY shallow That is the nature of the beast. At 1:1 magnification at f:10 you can expect a DOF of about 1mm. At f:20 it'll be about 2mm, but maybe not as sharp because of diffraction effects. Dave in Iowa PS it is the result of lens optics - The only thing you can do is to stack multiple images if you must have more depth at the same horizontal resolution - or abandon traditional lens type optics. Last edited by newarts; 09-23-2010 at 03:57 PM.

09-23-2010, 05:00 PM	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Welcome to the world of macro! As Dave says, yes, DOF is very shallow. i'd suggest getting a book on the subject, or just browsing aorund - there are some decent online references on the subject as well. No one ever said it would be easy...

09-23-2010, 05:28 PM	#6
SirJangly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Antioch, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 197 Original Poster	Thanks guys I know I should do more reading, but as I'm in my second year of nursing school, I tend to do little reading and a lot of complaining I will go outside and use the tripod, I find the slight movements while doing his by hand make it near impossible to keep what I want in focus

09-23-2010, 06:08 PM	#8
Banjo Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 207	Originally posted by SirJangly Thanks guys I know I should do more reading, but as I'm in my second year of nursing school, I tend to do little reading and a lot of complaining I will go outside and use the tripod, I find the slight movements while doing his by hand make it near impossible to keep what I want in focus There is quite a lot of learning and practice required for good results wth close-up or Macro (I do only close-up) photography because: DOF becomes very shallow. Light falls away, so have to use wider aperture, which makes DOF even shallower. Subject movement (due to wind) intrudes, so need faster shutter speed (which means a wider aperture, so shallower DOF) (Of course, using digital, you can simply increase the ISO and use stacking in PP) With handheld, you really have to polish up your focusing and shutter release technique (as well as your ability to gauge subject movement and prevent camera shake -VR &SR are useful here) I simply use film (hand-held) and just try harder. All good fun: you do improve with practice.

09-23-2010, 06:25 PM	#9
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	When shooting macro's its a constant battle against DOF, light, sharpness, colors, bokeh, etc. More so than any other type of photography I can think of Its not easy, but it sure is fun

09-23-2010, 09:26 PM	#10
SirJangly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Antioch, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 197 Original Poster	Would I be better off getting an older macro lens, or should I just stick with the raynox?

09-24-2010, 10:56 AM	#11
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Everything that has been said about the difficulties of macro shooting apply to all methods of macro shooting. The Raynox is no different. Well, DOF might be even shallower, but still, no matter what you use, you have to accept that you will need to stop way own to get much DOF, and that means you will need to figure out how to get enough light and how to hold the camera steady enough, etc.