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TrevorC · 10-07-2009, 08:11 AM

My kit is kind of limited, but wanted to test what kind of results I could get with the following set-up.

The only manual lens I have, pentax-a 50mm 1:2
A Raynox 150 macro lens
A cheapo extension tube set from ebay
and a Digital Concepts flash unit

all shots were taken at iso 100, f11, with flash (in manual mode) and some white paper to try and bounce the light around a little. Very crude in all, but the result are very good... I think. Oh, and all hand held, because I have no decent mini tripod.

The subject is a little toy (bobble head like), to give some scale, the width across the eyes is about 1/2 inch.

The photos are not cropped (just resized), but lighting and contrast was adjusted some.

#1 - 50mm with #1 tube only.

#2 - 50mm with #2 tube only

#3 - 50mm with #3 tube only

#4 - 50mm with #1, #2 & #3 tubes together

#5 - 50mm with #1, #2 & #3 tubes + raynox 150

What do you think... not bad? The reason for the testing is my father-in-law wants me to take pictures of his antiques and some are very small.

Thanks for looking,
Trevor

imtheguy · 10-07-2009, 08:55 AM

You can get sharp enough shots with the Raynox, I too have the 150, but I have never been able to match the DOF with the Raynox as I can even with my plastic fantastic Phoenix 100mm macro. Notice your last couple shots all blur the forground. Probably not acceptable for the shots your Father-in-Law needs. The first couple are fine though if you don't need more magnification than that.

TrevorC · 10-08-2009, 07:05 AM

Thanks for the feedback... i would love to have a dedicated macro lens, but, i guess i just don't know what to look for.

audiobomber · 10-08-2009, 07:45 AM

I agree, your results are very good, only a bit shallow in DOF as magnifications increase. Don't be afraid to use the smallest apertures with higher magnifications. The dreaded diffraction effect is a non-issue with macro shooting IME.

Have you tried the 55-200mm at 200mm with the Raynox? It will give you better than 1:1 macro, but will definitely need f/22-32 for any DOF.

Last edited by audiobomber; 10-08-2009 at 08:15 AM.

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10-07-2009, 08:11 AM	#1
TrevorC Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Central PA Posts: 12	Macro-ability - just some test shots... My kit is kind of limited, but wanted to test what kind of results I could get with the following set-up. The only manual lens I have, pentax-a 50mm 1:2 A Raynox 150 macro lens A cheapo extension tube set from ebay and a Digital Concepts flash unit all shots were taken at iso 100, f11, with flash (in manual mode) and some white paper to try and bounce the light around a little. Very crude in all, but the result are very good... I think. Oh, and all hand held, because I have no decent mini tripod. The subject is a little toy (bobble head like), to give some scale, the width across the eyes is about 1/2 inch. The photos are not cropped (just resized), but lighting and contrast was adjusted some. #1 - 50mm with #1 tube only. #2 - 50mm with #2 tube only #3 - 50mm with #3 tube only #4 - 50mm with #1, #2 & #3 tubes together #5 - 50mm with #1, #2 & #3 tubes + raynox 150 What do you think... not bad? The reason for the testing is my father-in-law wants me to take pictures of his antiques and some are very small. Thanks for looking, Trevor

10-07-2009, 08:55 AM	#2
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	You can get sharp enough shots with the Raynox, I too have the 150, but I have never been able to match the DOF with the Raynox as I can even with my plastic fantastic Phoenix 100mm macro. Notice your last couple shots all blur the forground. Probably not acceptable for the shots your Father-in-Law needs. The first couple are fine though if you don't need more magnification than that.

10-08-2009, 07:05 AM	#3
TrevorC Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Central PA Posts: 12 Original Poster	Thanks for the feedback... i would love to have a dedicated macro lens, but, i guess i just don't know what to look for.

10-08-2009, 07:45 AM	#4
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I agree, your results are very good, only a bit shallow in DOF as magnifications increase. Don't be afraid to use the smallest apertures with higher magnifications. The dreaded diffraction effect is a non-issue with macro shooting IME. Have you tried the 55-200mm at 200mm with the Raynox? It will give you better than 1:1 macro, but will definitely need f/22-32 for any DOF. Last edited by audiobomber; 10-08-2009 at 08:15 AM.

Macro-ability - just some test shots...

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