Cheap macro solution?

jmbower · 08-15-2007, 03:00 PM

I shoot with a k100d, and am interested in delving into macro a little. Unfortunatly I have enough things to buy (and a wedding to help pay for) at the moment that I can't afford to run out and buy a "real" macro lens.

however, I am inclined to want better macro than the type one can produce with the "macro" on a telephoto zoom lens.

I have been recommended all manner of solutions from reversing rings to extension tubes to cardboard tube with duct tape

Can any recommend to me the best poor man's macro? reversing ring? extension tubes? other? benefits/disadvantages versus a "real" macro lens?

The lenses I have that could potentially be pared with any sort of set up are:
manual 50 mm 1.7
manual 28mm 2.8
da 18-55 kit lens
af sigma 28-105 4-5.6

any ideas?

**Marc Langille** · 08-15-2007, 03:28 PM

A fast 50mm lens with a 2x Macro Focusing Teleconverter. One of the best is the Vivitar. It's a great way to start.

You must buy it used, LNIB, etc. on an auction site, a camera store that sells old equipment, or someplace similar.

You already own the 50mm...

Cheers,
Marc

Entropy · 08-15-2007, 04:26 PM

The $15 eBay macro extension tubes from sellers like Fotodiox work reasonably well with non-DA lenses. (i.e. anything that has a real aperture ring.)

Mike Cash · 08-15-2007, 04:46 PM

Taken with a $20 SMC Takumar 55/1.8 on the end of 57mm of $25 of circa 1960 extension tubes. Flash reflection courtesy of the aluminum foil my wife wrapped my lunch in that day.

Cheap enough for ya?

If you're on a budget and want to do macro nothing beats extension tubes.

ccallana · 08-15-2007, 05:14 PM

Another option for extension is to get an old 2x or 3x cheap teleconverter by Sears or anybody - they can be had for pretty cheap usually, then take the glass out

I saw an example of that over on steves....

Only problem with the cheap tubes from places like fotodiox is many of them do not pass the aperture lever, so you can't do open aperture metering and focusing, which can be a pain in Macro....

fletcherkane · 08-15-2007, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by 35mmfilm_user

A fast 50mm lens with a 2x Macro Focusing Teleconverter. One of the best is the Vivitar. It's a great way to start.

You must buy it used, LNIB, etc. on an auction site, a camera store that sells old equipment, or someplace similar.

You already own the 50mm...

Cheers,
Marc

What he said. The vivitar macro focusing tele is great. I use it with a M 1.4, which makes it a 100mm 2.8f. It will focus down to 1:1 macro.

If you mess with the two focus rings you can create some pretty cool soft focus macros like this one. The effect is done by placing the converter at 1:1 macro and focusing the lens out to infinity.

Soft Focus Macro Hosta Plant 1/500s, f1.4, Pentax-M 50mm 1.4, 2x Macro Tele-Converter. K100D

dantuyhoa · 08-15-2007, 08:07 PM

I saw a couple SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro @ Ebay now for less than 100 USD . Never know how much it will go up though !

stewart_photo · 08-16-2007, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by jmbower

(snip) Can any recommend to me the best poor man's macro? (snip)

The cheapest solution you'll likely find is the close-up diopters filter sets. These range in price from $15 to $50 US dollars, attaching to the front of your lens just like a filter. Since they are, in effect, a filter, they'll work just fine with both auto-focus and manual lenses. I didn't look up the filter size of your lenses, but instead just provided a link here to a 55mm size set as an example.

Amazon.com: Bower Digital Macro Filter Kit 55mm +1 +2 +4 Close Up Lenses with Lens Cap & Cap-Keeper - For Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax & Sony Lenses with 55mm Filter Size: Electronics

Search using the word "closeup" along with your needed filter size to find others (example, "closeup 58mm").

I've used Tiffen closeup filters for many years, the most recent purchased from B&H. Hoya and B&W filters are just fine also.

By the way, since "Bower" appears to be your name (or at least part of your user id), you should like the "Bower" set linked to.

stewart

Andrew Faires · 08-16-2007, 08:48 AM

You could also look at a Raynox DCR250. They're on $40.00 US at B&H and will work on lenses with a filter diameter between 52 & 67mm IIRC.

This was done with a Tamron 70-300mm set to 260mm with the Raynox attached. Aperture was F/22.

The shortcomings are that anything over 200mm in focal length results in a very narrow depth of field - even at f/22. Holding it steady is another challenge. Also, while the sharpness is okay, it's obviously not as sharp as true macro lenses or reversing-ring set-ups.

The advantages are that it's usable on a lot of different lenses and it's still reasonably sharp for the cost.

matiki · 08-16-2007, 09:40 AM

Originally posted by stewart_photo

The cheapest solution you'll likely find is the close-up diopters filter sets. These range in price from $15 to $50 US dollars, attaching to the front of your lens just like a filter. Since they are, in effect, a filter, they'll work just fine with both auto-focus and manual lenses. I didn't look up the filter size of your lenses, but instead just provided a link here to a 55mm size set as an example.

Amazon.com: Bower Digital Macro Filter Kit 55mm +1 +2 +4 Close Up Lenses with Lens Cap & Cap-Keeper - For Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax & Sony Lenses with 55mm Filter Size: Electronics

Search using the word "closeup" along with your needed filter size to find others (example, "closeup 58mm").

I've used Tiffen closeup filters for many years, the most recent purchased from B&H. Hoya and B&W filters are just fine also.

By the way, since "Bower" appears to be your name (or at least part of your user id), you should like the "Bower" set linked to.

stewart

You an also take an existing lens and reverse it, or put it reversed on the end of another lens on your camera body.

General Brand | Reverse Adapter Pentax K to 49mm | AV49PK | B&H

I just ordered this for my m50/1.4 & m135/3.5... I've tested it out holding the lenses together and it's ridiculously powerful (Lincolns head on a penny is 3/4 of a full image and slight variations and stains in the copper coating are easily seen):

General Brand | 49mm Macro Coupler (Male to Male) | ROKUNAR |

I got the idea from this website:

Plonsky - Macrophotography Article

roy · 08-16-2007, 11:31 AM

i took a body cap and bored a hole in it and then glued an adapter ring to it. works great for reversing a lens.

roy · 08-16-2007, 11:33 AM

i also took a rear cap and did the same so i could put acc. on it.

roy · 08-16-2007, 11:35 AM

i've got a set of ex. tubes that are aperture linked if you are interested. also a couple of 50mm lenses.

matiki · 08-16-2007, 11:47 AM

Originally posted by roy

i took a body cap and bored a hole in it and then glued an adapter ring to it. works great for reversing a lens.

That's a great idea. Obviously it works well too.

jmbower · 08-16-2007, 01:26 PM

Roy, I might be. My budget is kinda limited at the moment, but I'd be interested in hearing what they go for. I'm really jazzed about starting in on some macro..I've shot mostly wide angle landscape and architecture kinds of stuff up until now (Flickr: Photos from JMBower), so this is a whole new world for me.

08-15-2007, 03:00 PM	#1
jmbower Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 159	Cheap macro solution? I shoot with a k100d, and am interested in delving into macro a little. Unfortunatly I have enough things to buy (and a wedding to help pay for) at the moment that I can't afford to run out and buy a "real" macro lens. however, I am inclined to want better macro than the type one can produce with the "macro" on a telephoto zoom lens. I have been recommended all manner of solutions from reversing rings to extension tubes to cardboard tube with duct tape Can any recommend to me the best poor man's macro? reversing ring? extension tubes? other? benefits/disadvantages versus a "real" macro lens? The lenses I have that could potentially be pared with any sort of set up are: manual 50 mm 1.7 manual 28mm 2.8 da 18-55 kit lens af sigma 28-105 4-5.6 any ideas?

08-15-2007, 03:28 PM	#2
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,708	my suggestion... A fast 50mm lens with a 2x Macro Focusing Teleconverter. One of the best is the Vivitar. It's a great way to start. You must buy it used, LNIB, etc. on an auction site, a camera store that sells old equipment, or someplace similar. You already own the 50mm... Cheers, Marc

08-15-2007, 05:27 PM	#6
fletcherkane Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 299	Originally posted by 35mmfilm_user A fast 50mm lens with a 2x Macro Focusing Teleconverter. One of the best is the Vivitar. It's a great way to start. You must buy it used, LNIB, etc. on an auction site, a camera store that sells old equipment, or someplace similar. You already own the 50mm... Cheers, Marc What he said. The vivitar macro focusing tele is great. I use it with a M 1.4, which makes it a 100mm 2.8f. It will focus down to 1:1 macro. If you mess with the two focus rings you can create some pretty cool soft focus macros like this one. The effect is done by placing the converter at 1:1 macro and focusing the lens out to infinity. Soft Focus Macro Hosta Plant 1/500s, f1.4, Pentax-M 50mm 1.4, 2x Macro Tele-Converter. K100D Last edited by fletcherkane; 10-09-2007 at 10:52 AM.

08-16-2007, 07:28 AM	#8
stewart_photo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 1,864	Originally posted by jmbower (snip) Can any recommend to me the best poor man's macro? (snip) The cheapest solution you'll likely find is the close-up diopters filter sets. These range in price from $15 to $50 US dollars, attaching to the front of your lens just like a filter. Since they are, in effect, a filter, they'll work just fine with both auto-focus and manual lenses. I didn't look up the filter size of your lenses, but instead just provided a link here to a 55mm size set as an example. Amazon.com: Bower Digital Macro Filter Kit 55mm +1 +2 +4 Close Up Lenses with Lens Cap & Cap-Keeper - For Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax & Sony Lenses with 55mm Filter Size: Electronics Search using the word "closeup" along with your needed filter size to find others (example, "closeup 58mm"). I've used Tiffen closeup filters for many years, the most recent purchased from B&H. Hoya and B&W filters are just fine also. By the way, since "Bower" appears to be your name (or at least part of your user id), you should like the "Bower" set linked to. stewart Last edited by stewart_photo; 08-16-2007 at 07:34 AM. Reason: spelling

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08-15-2007, 04:26 PM	#3
Entropy Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 976	The $15 eBay macro extension tubes from sellers like Fotodiox work reasonably well with non-DA lenses. (i.e. anything that has a real aperture ring.)

08-15-2007, 04:46 PM	#4
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Taken with a $20 SMC Takumar 55/1.8 on the end of 57mm of $25 of circa 1960 extension tubes. Flash reflection courtesy of the aluminum foil my wife wrapped my lunch in that day. Cheap enough for ya? If you're on a budget and want to do macro nothing beats extension tubes.

08-15-2007, 05:14 PM	#5
ccallana Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Folsom, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 321	Another option for extension is to get an old 2x or 3x cheap teleconverter by Sears or anybody - they can be had for pretty cheap usually, then take the glass out I saw an example of that over on steves.... Only problem with the cheap tubes from places like fotodiox is many of them do not pass the aperture lever, so you can't do open aperture metering and focusing, which can be a pain in Macro....

08-15-2007, 08:07 PM	#7
dantuyhoa Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,245	I saw a couple SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro @ Ebay now for less than 100 USD . Never know how much it will go up though !

08-16-2007, 08:48 AM	#9
Andrew Faires Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 744	You could also look at a Raynox DCR250. They're on $40.00 US at B&H and will work on lenses with a filter diameter between 52 & 67mm IIRC. This was done with a Tamron 70-300mm set to 260mm with the Raynox attached. Aperture was F/22. The shortcomings are that anything over 200mm in focal length results in a very narrow depth of field - even at f/22. Holding it steady is another challenge. Also, while the sharpness is okay, it's obviously not as sharp as true macro lenses or reversing-ring set-ups. The advantages are that it's usable on a lot of different lenses and it's still reasonably sharp for the cost.

08-16-2007, 09:40 AM	#10
matiki Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 393	Originally posted by stewart_photo The cheapest solution you'll likely find is the close-up diopters filter sets. These range in price from $15 to $50 US dollars, attaching to the front of your lens just like a filter. Since they are, in effect, a filter, they'll work just fine with both auto-focus and manual lenses. I didn't look up the filter size of your lenses, but instead just provided a link here to a 55mm size set as an example. Amazon.com: Bower Digital Macro Filter Kit 55mm +1 +2 +4 Close Up Lenses with Lens Cap & Cap-Keeper - For Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax & Sony Lenses with 55mm Filter Size: Electronics Search using the word "closeup" along with your needed filter size to find others (example, "closeup 58mm"). I've used Tiffen closeup filters for many years, the most recent purchased from B&H. Hoya and B&W filters are just fine also. By the way, since "Bower" appears to be your name (or at least part of your user id), you should like the "Bower" set linked to. stewart You an also take an existing lens and reverse it, or put it reversed on the end of another lens on your camera body. General Brand \| Reverse Adapter Pentax K to 49mm \| AV49PK \| B&H I just ordered this for my m50/1.4 & m135/3.5... I've tested it out holding the lenses together and it's ridiculously powerful (Lincolns head on a penny is 3/4 of a full image and slight variations and stains in the copper coating are easily seen): General Brand \| 49mm Macro Coupler (Male to Male) \| ROKUNAR \| I got the idea from this website: Plonsky - Macrophotography Article

08-16-2007, 11:31 AM	#11
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	i took a body cap and bored a hole in it and then glued an adapter ring to it. works great for reversing a lens.

08-16-2007, 11:33 AM	#12
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	i also took a rear cap and did the same so i could put acc. on it.

08-16-2007, 11:35 AM	#13
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	i've got a set of ex. tubes that are aperture linked if you are interested. also a couple of 50mm lenses.

08-16-2007, 11:47 AM	#14
matiki Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 393	Originally posted by roy i took a body cap and bored a hole in it and then glued an adapter ring to it. works great for reversing a lens. That's a great idea. Obviously it works well too.

08-16-2007, 01:26 PM	#15
jmbower Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 159 Original Poster	Roy, I might be. My budget is kinda limited at the moment, but I'd be interested in hearing what they go for. I'm really jazzed about starting in on some macro..I've shot mostly wide angle landscape and architecture kinds of stuff up until now (Flickr: Photos from JMBower), so this is a whole new world for me.

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