Lens for lightbox shots?

mrmorrill · 10-30-2007, 08:35 PM

Sorry i need some info on macro lenses. Im looking to take shots in a home-made lightbox and i was wondering what lens i should get for that? I dont have much knowledge with shooting into a Light box but i think id need a macro lens right? But what kind should i get a zoom lens or no?I'm looking at the Tamron 75-300mm Macro lens but i dont think thats what i need. Any insight please?

clawhammer · 10-30-2007, 08:47 PM

none of the zoom 'macro' lenses can get to more than 2:1 reproduction ratio (meaning that the image as projected onto film is 1/2 life size), while a real 1:1 macro will project an image onto film (or digital sensor, as the case may be). This means that an object that is 10mm across in real life will be 10mm as measured on the sensor. That being said, the Macro on the 75-300 @ 300 is still pretty good. I would recommend finding a shop that has a 1:1 macro along with some of the 75-300's and taking some test shots, seeing if 2:1 is enough for you, cause if it is then you can save a fair amount of money.

**Eaglerapids** · 10-30-2007, 08:54 PM

I also made a lightbox and my Vivitar Series 1 105/2.5 macro works perfectly. I've experimented with other lenses with extension tubes. The M 135/3.5 works nicely and the M-50/1.7 works well although you start getting close to the subject the more you move in to higher magnifications. Then I tried the Super Takumar 28/3.5 with a doubler and all three tubes. I think the object had to be about 1/4" INSIDE the lens to focus!! lol. I took the doubler off and used only one tube, can't remember which one but I think it was the smallest one. I was taking a picture of a Mickey Finn, a streamer fishing fly that I had tied. The Super Tak got a really great capture, better, I think, than I got with the M-135/3.5 but it was tough because the fly was no more than about 3/4" from the front of the lens. I have a Sigma 70-300 macro but haven't experimented with it yet. The Viv series 1 105/2.5 is by far the best in the lightbox, more lens to subject distance enabling better lighting and it's a dedicated macro lens that does it's job very very well.

mrmorrill · 10-30-2007, 08:56 PM

Im just looking to get into shooting into a lightbox, I think ill pick up the tamron lens for a starter.

leadbelly · 10-30-2007, 09:15 PM

Originally posted by clawhamemr

none of the zoom 'macro' lenses can get to more than 2:1 reproduction ratio (meaning that the image as projected onto film is 1/2 life size), while a real 1:1 macro will project an image onto film (or digital sensor, as the case may be). This means that an object that is 10mm across in real life will be 10mm as measured on the sensor. That being said, the Macro on the 75-300 @ 300 is still pretty good. I would recommend finding a shop that has a 1:1 macro along with some of the 75-300's and taking some test shots, seeing if 2:1 is enough for you, cause if it is then you can save a fair amount of money.

Isn't it that 2:1 means double life size? Meaning an object 10mm across will measure 20mm on a film slide? I'm not too sure too, though...

frank · 10-31-2007, 01:50 AM

Originally posted by leadbelly

Isn't it that 2:1 means double life size? Meaning an object 10mm across will measure 20mm on a film slide? I'm not too sure too, though...

I guess you are right. 2:1 means double life size. I guess what clawhamemr meant was 1:2 instead

Back to the topic, for shooting small items in a light box/tent, better use a macro lens about 100mm focal range. 50mm would be too short, while 200mm would be too long. I've been using a DFA100/2.8 macro with a cheap light tent (bought for 20 bucks), kind like it.

Here is one photo I took with this setup:

Good luck.

mrmorrill · 10-31-2007, 05:19 PM

This is the lens i have in mind... Tamron | Zoom Telephoto AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD | AF276P700

clawhammer · 10-31-2007, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by leadbelly

Isn't it that 2:1 means double life size? Meaning an object 10mm across will measure 20mm on a film slide? I'm not too sure too, though...

You're right, that is what I meant *smacks head on table* You get the idea, though.

10-30-2007, 08:35 PM	#1
mrmorrill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Southbridge MA Posts: 145	Lens for lightbox shots? Sorry i need some info on macro lenses. Im looking to take shots in a home-made lightbox and i was wondering what lens i should get for that? I dont have much knowledge with shooting into a Light box but i think id need a macro lens right? But what kind should i get a zoom lens or no?I'm looking at the Tamron 75-300mm Macro lens but i dont think thats what i need. Any insight please?

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10-30-2007, 08:47 PM	#2
clawhammer Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Logan, Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 971	none of the zoom 'macro' lenses can get to more than 2:1 reproduction ratio (meaning that the image as projected onto film is 1/2 life size), while a real 1:1 macro will project an image onto film (or digital sensor, as the case may be). This means that an object that is 10mm across in real life will be 10mm as measured on the sensor. That being said, the Macro on the 75-300 @ 300 is still pretty good. I would recommend finding a shop that has a 1:1 macro along with some of the 75-300's and taking some test shots, seeing if 2:1 is enough for you, cause if it is then you can save a fair amount of money.

10-30-2007, 08:54 PM	#3
Eaglerapids Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho,USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,619	I also made a lightbox and my Vivitar Series 1 105/2.5 macro works perfectly. I've experimented with other lenses with extension tubes. The M 135/3.5 works nicely and the M-50/1.7 works well although you start getting close to the subject the more you move in to higher magnifications. Then I tried the Super Takumar 28/3.5 with a doubler and all three tubes. I think the object had to be about 1/4" INSIDE the lens to focus!! lol. I took the doubler off and used only one tube, can't remember which one but I think it was the smallest one. I was taking a picture of a Mickey Finn, a streamer fishing fly that I had tied. The Super Tak got a really great capture, better, I think, than I got with the M-135/3.5 but it was tough because the fly was no more than about 3/4" from the front of the lens. I have a Sigma 70-300 macro but haven't experimented with it yet. The Viv series 1 105/2.5 is by far the best in the lightbox, more lens to subject distance enabling better lighting and it's a dedicated macro lens that does it's job very very well.

10-30-2007, 08:56 PM	#4
mrmorrill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Southbridge MA Posts: 145 Original Poster	Im just looking to get into shooting into a lightbox, I think ill pick up the tamron lens for a starter.

10-30-2007, 09:15 PM	#5
leadbelly Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 597	Originally posted by clawhamemr none of the zoom 'macro' lenses can get to more than 2:1 reproduction ratio (meaning that the image as projected onto film is 1/2 life size), while a real 1:1 macro will project an image onto film (or digital sensor, as the case may be). This means that an object that is 10mm across in real life will be 10mm as measured on the sensor. That being said, the Macro on the 75-300 @ 300 is still pretty good. I would recommend finding a shop that has a 1:1 macro along with some of the 75-300's and taking some test shots, seeing if 2:1 is enough for you, cause if it is then you can save a fair amount of money. Isn't it that 2:1 means double life size? Meaning an object 10mm across will measure 20mm on a film slide? I'm not too sure too, though...

10-31-2007, 01:50 AM	#6
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Originally posted by leadbelly Isn't it that 2:1 means double life size? Meaning an object 10mm across will measure 20mm on a film slide? I'm not too sure too, though... I guess you are right. 2:1 means double life size. I guess what clawhamemr meant was 1:2 instead Back to the topic, for shooting small items in a light box/tent, better use a macro lens about 100mm focal range. 50mm would be too short, while 200mm would be too long. I've been using a DFA100/2.8 macro with a cheap light tent (bought for 20 bucks), kind like it. Here is one photo I took with this setup: Good luck.

10-31-2007, 05:19 PM	#7
mrmorrill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Southbridge MA Posts: 145 Original Poster	This is the lens i have in mind... Tamron \| Zoom Telephoto AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD \| AF276P700

10-31-2007, 05:33 PM	#8
clawhammer Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Logan, Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 971	Originally posted by leadbelly Isn't it that 2:1 means double life size? Meaning an object 10mm across will measure 20mm on a film slide? I'm not too sure too, though... You're right, that is what I meant smacks head on table You get the idea, though.