Raynox 250 HELP

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jomantha

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I must be doing something wrong - all I can see with it attached is a blur!!
 
Which lens are you using it with?

The focal point is only a matter of inches away from the end of the lens and the longer the lens you have on the closer that point is.

You focus by moving the camera back and forwards till you find the sweet spot, not by using the focus ring.

To get an idea of how close to the subject you need to be, choose an object, point your lens about an inch away from it and slowly increase the distance until your subject comes into focus.

Try starting with a lens with a short focal length, about 50mm. When you get the hang of that you can then move onto longer focal lengths and therefore increased magnification.

HTH
 
With my 55-200. Ill try and have a play later, its pouring down and I have 2 under 4 so it may have to wait.

I hadnt realise it would be so difficult to use.
 
jomantha said:
With my 55-200. Ill try and have a play later, its pouring down and I have 2 under 4 so it may have to wait.

I hadnt realise it would be so difficult to use.
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Don't be downhearted - Bigvins advice is spot on and once you've generally got the hang of it you'll be fine :thumbs:

I remember the first time I tried to use my Raynox 150 & 250 - it promted this post: clicky

and then I had to learn all over again when I got my D60!

Definately don't attempt to use auto-focus but employ the "move back and forwards" technique to focus. Think very small movements and take it slowly. Let us know how you get on.
 
Thank you - just read this and the thread you linked - hopefully will be able to give it another try on Saturday.

I was trying to take pictures of buttercups, but I couldn't even see them - just yellow blurs, I am awaiting the delivery of a new tripod - so hopefully that will help!
 
make sure you're manual focussing, and try the above suggestions. You don't need a tripod, probably more-so if you have an external flash.

This was hand-held with a nissin flash:


Click for settings and good luck!
 
Echoing what has been said above. When i first got mine i was totally disheartened as i couldn't get a decent shot at all, but coming on here and searching through the various raynox threads helped me no end. Manual focus is the only way to use this lens, play about with any object to start with, i found coins the perfect way to practice.
 
Thanks again, I have never used manual focus - I'll have to get the manual out and read up on how to do it.
 
I saw the coins - that must have been you.
 
jomantha said:
Thanks again, I have never used manual focus - I'll have to get the manual out and read up on how to do it.
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Sam, no need for the handbook, just switch the lens to M. The focusing ring does very little when you're that close and you focus by moving the camera back and forth. A tripod can be a bit of a pain to set up unless you have time and a very cooperative subject.

Get very close to the subject and frame up roughly. You'll find the zoom ring adjusts both framing and focus at this distance. Then when you're in the approximate zone, hold everything very steady and just rock your body back and forth very very gently and watch the plane of sharpness move over the subject.

You will then see how little depth of field you have, with almost nothing sharp either side of the focused point. So you'll probably need a high f/number to get more of the subject sharp and that will run you into longer shutter speeds. That's when the tripod is really useful, or flash etc, unless you're in bright sun. Macro is tricky ;)
 
HoppyUK said:
Sam, no need for the handbook, just switch the lens to M. The focusing ring does very little when you're that close and you focus by moving the camera back and forth. A tripod can be a bit of a pain to set up unless you have time and a very cooperative subject.

Get very close to the subject and frame up roughly. You'll find the zoom ring adjusts both framing and focus at this distance. Then when you're in the approximate zone, hold everything very steady and just rock your body back and forth very very gently and watch the plane of sharpness move over the subject.

You will then see how little depth of field you have, with almost nothing sharp either side of the focused point. So you'll probably need a high f/number to get more of the subject sharp and that will run you into longer shutter speeds. That's when the tripod is really useful, or flash etc, unless you're in bright sun. Macro is tricky ;)
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Thats really really helpful, I did go out today, but with a 3 year old and 18 month old camera stayed in bag, I did twig though, that I was probably way too close.

I am going on an orchid walk at the local wetlands saturday, so perhaps I will have more luck then.
 
Why not try a few practice shots in the house?
 
odd jim said:
Why not try a few practice shots in the house?
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Thats even harder - I cant get anything done with the 2 of them in the house!
 
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