DIY Macro lens

[Big_Als_London]

[quote author=Big_Als_London link=topic=4201.msg38471#msg38471 date=1359670327]
Ok so what do I need to buy? Without spending a lot of money.

What's your budget?

And duke it depends on lens really. It could be a 50mm still have to stand back to get a picture that's in focus.
[/quote]

15 bucks lol
I would want to use something either with my 50-250 lens of the kit lens 18-55

 

[Duke]

[quote author=Big_Als_London link=topic=4201.msg38471#msg38471 date=1359670327]
Ok so what do I need to buy? Without spending a lot of money.

What's your budget?

And duke it depends on lens really. It could be a 50mm still have to stand back to get a picture that's in focus.
[/quote]

True... But the nifty fifty he has doesn't have that issue.. It's a super fast and crisp lens

 

[Duke]

Shot with the stock 18-55 ism kit lens.. At like 30mm max.. you guys know that the actual size of the photos is much bigger than a computer monitor right? Crop your photos down to size you'd be surprised when you see them at 100%.

 

[Big_Als_London]

Shot with the stock 18-55 ism kit lens.. At like 30mm max.. you guys know that the actual size of the photos is much bigger than a computer monitor right? Crop your photos down to size you'd be surprised when you see them at 100%.

show off

 

[Duke]

More like showing than showing off... Bring your camera to work next time I make the trip and ill show u how I take photos... I have no idea if there's a proper way.. But I have an idea of what works good for me, ill maybe it could help u. You need to be shooting I am manual mode... And Imo you need to getting your white balance close on the camera.

 

[Big_Als_London]

More like showing than showing off... Bring your camera to work next time I make the trip and ill show u how I take photos... I have no idea if there's a proper way.. But I have an idea of what works good for me, ill maybe it could help u. You need to be shooting I am manual mode... And Imo you need to getting your white balance close on the camera.

oh I know and am jealous of the camera skills. I also know I need to set custom white balance but it just sucks when shooting in multiple tanks. I will bring my camera next time you come for sure. Thank you.

 

[Salty Cracker]

See I don't know how you can do a slow shutter speed, the polyps should be moving everywhere and blurry.  I find if I simply crop, it comes out grainy, and I'm at top resolution RAW + L jpeg.

Maybe the Canon eos just isn't very good.  Maybe I should be lookin' for a nicer camera.  maybe. 

 

[Duke]

See I don't know how you can do a slow shutter speed, the polyps should be moving everywhere and blurry.  I find if I simply crop, it comes out grainy, and I'm at top resolution RAW + L jpeg.

Maybe the Canon eos just isn't very good.  Maybe I should be lookin' for a nicer camera.  maybe.

i thought the same thing.. its all in the settings, are you using Manual mode?

 

[Salty Cracker]

[quote author=Salty Cracker link=topic=4201.msg38514#msg38514 date=1359679240]
See I don't know how you can do a slow shutter speed, the polyps should be moving everywhere and blurry.  I find if I simply crop, it comes out grainy, and I'm at top resolution RAW + L jpeg.

Maybe the Canon eos just isn't very good.  Maybe I should be lookin' for a nicer camera.  maybe.

i thought the same thing.. its all in the settings, are you using Manual mode?
[/quote]

No I leave it auto, but maybe this weekend I'll look into manual settings.  To think I used to be able to develop my own film...now can't take a decent picture lol.

 

[Duke]

[quote author=Duke link=topic=4201.msg38538#msg38538 date=1359685516]
[quote author=Salty Cracker link=topic=4201.msg38514#msg38514 date=1359679240]
See I don't know how you can do a slow shutter speed, the polyps should be moving everywhere and blurry.  I find if I simply crop, it comes out grainy, and I'm at top resolution RAW + L jpeg.

Maybe the Canon eos just isn't very good.  Maybe I should be lookin' for a nicer camera.  maybe.

i thought the same thing.. its all in the settings, are you using Manual mode?
[/quote]

No I leave it auto, but maybe this weekend I'll look into manual settings.  To think I used to be able to develop my own film...now can't take a decent picture lol.
[/quote]


manual mode is where its at.. shoot in the 1/60 to 1/250 range at iso200-400 F2 up to F8 and every where in between.. youll find out what works and what doesnt pretty quick, your little 50mm is a fast lens so lots of light gets in, at 1/250 you can freeze anything moving sharply. i posted a great link that explains everything about reef photography on M mode really well. you should check it out.

http://www.ximinasphotography.com/

 

[Salty Cracker]

[quote author=Salty Cracker link=topic=4201.msg38542#msg38542 date=1359686265]
[quote author=Duke link=topic=4201.msg38538#msg38538 date=1359685516]
[quote author=Salty Cracker link=topic=4201.msg38514#msg38514 date=1359679240]
See I don't know how you can do a slow shutter speed, the polyps should be moving everywhere and blurry.  I find if I simply crop, it comes out grainy, and I'm at top resolution RAW + L jpeg.

Maybe the Canon eos just isn't very good.  Maybe I should be lookin' for a nicer camera.  maybe.

i thought the same thing.. its all in the settings, are you using Manual mode?
[/quote]

No I leave it auto, but maybe this weekend I'll look into manual settings.  To think I used to be able to develop my own film...now can't take a decent picture lol.
[/quote]


manual mode is where its at.. shoot in the 1/60 to 1/250 range at iso200-400 F2 up to F8 and every where in between.. youll find out what works and what doesnt pretty quick, your little 50mm is a fast lens so lots of light gets in, at 1/250 you can freeze anything moving sharply. i posted a great link that explains everything about reef photography on M mode really well. you should check it out.

http://www.ximinasphotography.com/
[/quote]

I actually re-posted that link somewhere, I have it bookmarked, and was what I was going to use to figure out the manual settings

Tsk, i thought I was going to have a justification for a nice new $$$ camera!  8)

 

[Salty Cracker]

I can't believe this works.  I turned the lens around and just held it in place and I was getting really close photos.  I ordered a reverse adapter for $4 from china.  I actually got a couple of not bad ones just holding everything loosely, so if I hook it all up with the right settings and a tripod we might be cooking with gas here.

 

[jroovers]

Awesome, get some pics up when you can!

 

[Salty Cracker]

this was a real quick shot, just trying to hold it. 

 

[Salty Cracker]

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/52mm-Macro-Reverse-Adapter-Ring-4-CANON-Rebel-XT-XTi-XS-/220509972606?pt=US_Lens_Adapters_Mounts_Tubes&hash=item33576b287e&_uhb=1#ht_2552wt_1163

$3.39 CAN shipped to your door.  LOL.  No need to chop up a lens cover.

 

[jroovers]

Wow, that is a pretty good start.

 

[AdInfinitum]

The real downside of reversing lenses is the very small working distance, usually less than two inches.

If you get a double male filter adapter to reverse stack your 50prime onto your 300mm telemacro, you will get crazy .magnification microscope range but same working distance. I keep an old K mount 50mm for that reason.

BTW my 18-55mm yields close to 1:3.5 may but my 50mm prime is around 1:6 and a much longer minimum focus distance.