Tubes, "filter" optic, invert lens or what else do you use?

[Asher Kelman]

I'm interested in taking handheld macro shots with a tad more magnification with my current lenses.

I have an the Canon 50mm and recently purchased the new version of the Canon 100mm IS Macro lens. In addition there's the 77 mm 500 D close up lens for my 24-105mm L IS and the 70-200 2.8L IS. I could get adapters for the Canon Macro lenses.

I'd love to know what others use for macro work and what the limits are for handheld work without a ring flash.

Asher

 

[Tom Robbins]

Asher, I started out shooting macros with a 500D, switched to Canon's 100mm macro lens, then got their 180mm macro lens to get a narrower field of view. Lately have been using the 90mm t/s with a 25mm extension tube for macro stuff, but mostly because I haven't felt like hauling the 180mm around unless I intend to use it.

Your question about shooting macro handheld without ring flash is interesting. I've found the macro realm to be especially challenging because the narrow depth of field, even with small aperture settings. Using a tripod, setting the focus exactly where it should be can be tricky to accomplish, which is why macro rails are sometimes used. If necessary, one can increase ISO and open the aperture to get reasonable shutter speeds without ring flash, but shooting hand held (with flash or without) means your focus point will change with all slight movements toward and away from the subject. Folks manage to get good hand held macro results, but they must be incredibly steady.

 

[Michael Nagel]

I tried a lot of different setups for macro.

Past:

Bellows, reverse mount, sometimes combined. Tripod used all the time.

Current:

90mm Macro lens (1:1), sometimes extension tubes, close focus of some lenses (yielding up to 1:3).
Tripod has become the exception, I shoot almost exclusively hand-held.
The macro function of the X10 is quite good as well.

Best regards,
Michael

 

[Asher Kelman]

I tried a lot of different setups for macro.

Past:

Bellows, reverse mount, sometimes combined. Tripod used all the time.

Current:

90mm Macro lens (1:1), sometimes extension tubes, close focus of some lenses (yielding up to 1:3).
Tripod has become the exception, I shoot almost exclusively hand-held.
The macro function of the X10 is quite good as well.

Best regards,
Michael

Good to hear news of the X10, Michael.

I presume that the 90mm Macro might be the Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro for perhaps a Canon or Nikon? oDes that have image stabilization too?

Asher

 

[Michael Nagel]

Asher, it is actually the PK-A version of this lens on a Pentax body, K-5 being the most recent one. Image stabilization is achieved through sensor shift in the body. Hand held works down to 1:1 when being careful.

The lens has also a nice OOF rendering as can be seen here and here.

Best regards,
Michael

 

[jake klein]

I've gotten a lot of information from "Lord V", a member of a couple other forums and avid macro photographer.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=807056

Lord V's flickr page.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/

 

[Asher Kelman]

I've gotten a lot of information from "Lord V", a member of a couple other forums and avid macro photographer.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=807056

Lord V's flickr page.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/

Jake,

This fellow really knows his stuff and deserves attention. He's so generous in sharing technique.

Asher

 

[Rachel McLain]

I shoot mostly macros. I almost never use a tripod or a flash unless it is a composed shot. Most of my stuff is shot crawling around in my yard, so it's just too much trouble to bother with a tripod.

I use a +10 filter on my 18-55mm kit lens for my Nikon. The +10 filter shortens your dof quite a lot which is both fun to play with and tricky to shoot well.

Last year I rented a Nikon 60mm lens and discovered what I got with that was very similar to what I get with the +10 filter on the 18-55mm lens. I've toyed with the idea of renting it again and seeing what happens with a +10 filter on it (my current filter wouldn't fit the 60mm lens so I would have to get a different one). It's hard to know what is the best move, but I do have to shoot on a budget.

You can see my work here: http://rachelmclain.com/

Rachel

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Rachel,

I shoot mostly macros. I almost never use a tripod or a flash unless it is a composed shot. Most of my stuff is shot crawling around in my yard, so it's just too much trouble to bother with a tripod.

I use a +10 filter on my 18-55mm kit lens for my Nikon.

An auxiliary lens, not a filter.

Best regards,

Doug