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daventryh

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Helen Daventry
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I have 2 lens:

Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6

Canon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6

I am a newbie but seem to be struggling with these 2 as I either cannot get close enough to the birds or cannot zoom in close enough to get good detailed pictures of insects and the like.

I do enjoy photographing wildlife from afar but also getting up close to flowers.

Trying to stay within the lower bracket of money what lenses do you recommend?
 
100mm sigma EX macro.
 
I was, and still am, thinking the same thing. Have you considered trying reversing rings or extension tubes to use with your current lenses? They are a much cheaper way to try out macro photography to see if you like it.
The reverse rings just allow you to mount your current lens backwards using the filter thread on the front of the lens. They cost about £5 and allow you to focus MUCH closer :)
Extension tubes are just hollow tubes that go between your camera and lens and reduce the minimum focus distance, again allowing you to get much closer.
I have some examples on my Flickr page,
Reverse ring @20mm:
Woodlouse head filling the frame: http://www.flickr.com/photos/56025993@N03/6777379349/
Normal table salt: http://www.flickr.com/photos/56025993@N03/6684066795/
Extension tubes with 70-200mm, (shorter lenses allow you to get closer so not the best example)
50% crop: http://www.flickr.com/photos/56025993@N03/6882167434/
 
For wild birds you need a long (expensive) lens to get a frame filling shot, maybe use feeders in the garden and try a shed or similar as a hide. Could also use the camera tripod mounted, aimed at a pre-focused point and fired with a wireless shutter release or tethered to a laptop

Never tried extensions or reversing rings, but the info above seems to suggest its more than possible on a budget
 
I'm liking the idea of extension tubes, it has never crossed my mind. What lenses have you added those to?

Lower bracket being up to £350, although can't see I will get anything for capturing wild birds as I would like.

I'm sure i am not the only one who wishes they could just capture the detail of those birds who just don't come close enough.
 
Andy_S said:
I was, and still am, thinking the same thing. Have you considered trying reversing rings or extension tubes to use with your current lenses? They are a much cheaper way to try out macro photography to see if you like it.
The reverse rings just allow you to mount your current lens backwards using the filter thread on the front of the lens. They cost about £5 and allow you to focus MUCH closer :)
Extension tubes are just hollow tubes that go between your camera and lens and reduce the minimum focus distance, again allowing you to get much closer.
I have some examples on my Flickr page,
Reverse ring @20mm:
Woodlouse head filling the frame: http://www.flickr.com/photos/56025993@N03/6777379349/
Normal table salt: http://www.flickr.com/photos/56025993@N03/6684066795/
Extension tubes with 70-200mm, (shorter lenses allow you to get closer so not the best example)
50% crop: http://www.flickr.com/photos/56025993@N03/6882167434/
Click to expand...

Ah I can see the camera size in the captions there!

Andy, that is just what I'm looking to do. That is capable with an extension tube and my lens?
 
The 2nd hand market will be your friend :)
 
I can't help but worry about if they have been dropped or not if 2nd hand :$

I guess I just don't feel confident in knowing what I am looking at in 2nd hand lenses!
 
Buy from a shop or someone close enough that you can inspect it first. Shops will give a warranty with it...
 
daventryh said:
cannot zoom in close enough to get good detailed pictures of insects and the like.
Click to expand...
iirc in Macro mode the Tamron should give you 1:2 reproduction, so 1/2 life size.
That should be OK for reasonable sized insects.
 
daventryh said:
Ah I can see the camera size in the captions there!

Andy, that is just what I'm looking to do. That is capable with an extension tube and my lens?
Click to expand...

Yes, Just taken this one for you for example. 1p coin using the 18-55mm kit lens and ~52mm extension tubes. Uncropped:


1p coin. by Andy_S_C, on Flickr

This one is a 25% crop taken at 200mm + tubes (different lens but you should be able to get the same with the tamron)


Ladybird in garden-5.jpg by Andy_S_C, on Flickr

The salt crystals and woodlouse above would also be possible as they were shot at 20mm which you have covered.
For comparison, using just the Tamron 70-300mm (no tubes/adaptors.)
The Robin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56025993@N03/5976261890/) Slight crop, ~95% original size. And a ladybird with a heavier crop: http://www.flickr.com/photos/56025993@N03/5971490057/ ).

Using the reverse ring and manual tubes there is no electrical contact to the lens; So no auto focus or aperture controll. To get around this you can attatch the lens normally, set the aperture needed, hold the DoF button by the lens and disconnect the lens* before mounting it on the adaptor. Focussing can be done manually from the lens or moving the camera.

The usual problems with macro photography also apply. Tiny depth of field makes focussing on stationary bugs hard enough but moving targets on a plant with a gentle breeze :bang: Also, using small apertures and getting too close and blocking light may require external, off camera lighting to be used. I used an adjustable desk lamp for the 1p shot above so it doesn't need to be a propper camera flash.

(*Prob not reccomended by the manufacturer, but I've not had or read of any problems doing it.)
 
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Seems like the op is stuck with the same anoying situation as me (you poor sod this is going to cost a fortune in the long run ;))

My starting suggestions would both be second hand from here as I've not had a differ yet as people respect their reputations here, but enough waffle.

For macro get the Canon 100mm (non is version as optically they are very close) and the sigma 150-500 for your long range needs, if you're lucky enough some copies are almost as good as the 100-400.

Each lens would probably be about £450 I would guess.
 
Thank you for the examples, it's amazing how close you can get to an object.

Ok...

I think I will start of experimenting with either an extension tube or ring and then see if i get the quality I am after.

Photography is a very expensive hobby!
 
That it is - oh, another thank to look at if you're sticking with the cheap end (and I can't blame you) is a DCR-250, as it sits on the end of you;re lens its more forgiving that reverse mounting a lens as you keep autofocus.
 
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