Macro Equipment

S

Steve_o

Suspended / Banned
Messages
125
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi Experts,

I am wanting to know what equipment I need in order to increase magnification for macro shots.

I'm currently using a Canon 100mm Macro and I'd like to increase magnification so I can get full close up shots of insects etc. Spiders in full frame for example.

Do I need to spend big money on equipment to achieve this?

Thanks for the advice.
 
Well, you could buy an MPE-65 for about £800

But, TBH, you'll get pretty good results with a Raynox 250 like this.

Edit: Or, as Ken says, extension tubes. IMO you'll get better results with the Raynox though, and I've tried just about every permutation of tubes, Raynox and TCs.
 
Last edited:
You can get a set of auto extension tubes , which will give you around 2:1, but you'll lose around a stop go light. Or go for a MP-E and MT-24ex which will give you 5:1

Need to type faster. :-)
 
Last edited:
I'd really like to get the same magnification that you have got in your FlickR photos Dogfish. Is this achievable without spending £100's?

I'm not too concerned regarding quality as it's just for me at the end of the day. It's just something I'd like to try out and I don't think I'm putting my 100mm through it's paces.
 
I would really recommend some of the Kenko/Polaroid AF extension tubes to start with to see if you really want to take the macro thing further. It isn't as good an option as the MPE (very little else, if anything, actually is as good), but the extenstion tubes go a long way towards it for a fraction of the cost, and if all stacked together you can easily get a sharp, nearly frame-filling shot of an average sized insect (e.g housefly). You will also need good lighting (off camera flash etc if indoor) and perhaps a tripod.
 
simon ess said:
Well, you could buy an MPE-65 for about £800

But, TBH, you'll get pretty good results with a Raynox 250 like this.

Edit: Or, as Ken says, extension tubes. IMO you'll get better results with the Raynox though, and I've tried just about every permutation of tubes, Raynox and TCs.
Click to expand...

Does the Raynox 250 act as an extension tube? If so, would I be able to attach this to my 100mm Macro and get increased magnification?
 
Steve_o said:
Does the Raynox 250 act as an extension tube? If so, would I be able to attach this to my 100mm Macro and get increased magnification?
Click to expand...

With the raynox you will lose quality as its a supplemental lens, where as the tubes don't have any glass in them to affect IQ, having used both personally I'd go with the tubes.


Most of my images are with the mpe, but some are with tubes on a 100 / 150 mm macro

This is an old one with a sigma 105mm & tubes from 2009 or it could be a 150mm sigma and tubes


3449733646_93f0b1ebfa_o.jpg
[/url] Garden Dragon by HiddenNature, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
Last edited:
Paul's correct of course. With the Raynox you lose a bit of quality, with tubes you lose a bit of light.

There's always a payoff when you go for more magnification. You pays your money and takes your choice.

This is the Raynox

Raynox 3 by simon ess, on Flickr
 
I definitely would NOT go with a Raynox on the 100mm Macro lens.

The Raynox can only degrade what is a very sharp macro lens and as Dogfish Magnet says tubes are a much better alternative.

Here are some examples taken with a variety of lenses including the 100mm Macro and some are also taken with extension tubes added:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/sets/72157623715955928/

.
 
Just be aware with tubes its very fiddly and frustrating I've tried them with my 50mm f1.8 and gave up as I had to be virtually touching the object to focus.
Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I'm now on the prowl for a proper macro lens
 
Gr8Shot said:
Just be aware with tubes its very fiddly and frustrating I've tried them with my 50mm f1.8 and gave up as I had to be virtually touching the object to focus.
Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I'm now on the prowl for a proper macro lens
Click to expand...

That's because you were using on a 50mm lens and if your using a ful set you would be around 1.5:1 , try with a 100mm or a single tube. Macro lens suffer with the same problem , a canon 60mm has a working distance of 90mm, Tamron 90mm has MWD of 99mm and the canon 100mm has a MWD of 150mm.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top