Teleconverter

[Pooky]

Hi, could I achieve better macro shots by attaching a teleconverter to a normal lens?

[bwana]

no - a teleconverter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleconverter) increases the effective range of the lens.

DIY - flip your lens around

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/503/medium/macroKit.jpg

[Pooky]

no - a teleconverter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleconverter) increases the effective range of the lens.

DIY - flip your lens around

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/503/medium/macroKit.jpg

Yeh I took a few shots like that today. Must say I'm quite impressed. Just a nuisance to keep holding the lens to the camera. Did you use a reversing ring?

[bwana]

Yeh I took a few shots like that today. Must say I'm quite impressed. Just a nuisance to keep holding the lens to the camera. Did you use a reversing ring?No - elastic band.

[Frankie]

Don't the extension tubes work for this?
Just heard about them but never tried it myself.

I have a 2X TC and it doesn't appear to have any macro qualities - actually a 2X TC is not for me, I'll look at trying a 1.4X TC and donate the 2X to a friend or family.

[bwana]

One day I'll get around to finally getting myself a TC. 5D has to be next though.

[Pooky]

Hmmm how did you attach it with an elastic?

[koffiejunkie]

You get reversal rings like this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Male-52mm-52mm-52-52-mm-Macro-Reverse-Ring-reversing_W0QQitemZ120295923095QQcmdZViewItem?hash =item120295923095&_trkparms=72%3A984%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C2 40%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14). They're pretty inexpensive, but you need one for each thread size, since they screw unto the front thread.

[bwana]

You get reversal rings like this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Male-52mm-52mm-52-52-mm-Macro-Reverse-Ring-reversing_W0QQitemZ120295923095QQcmdZViewItem?hash =item120295923095&_trkparms=72%3A984%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C2 40%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14). They're pretty inexpensive, but you need one for each thread size, since they screw unto the front thread.You also need two lenses to screw into each other.

[koffiejunkie]

Aah, I missed that on the link I posted. There are others that screw directly onto the mount.

[bwana]

The nice thing about the 50mm is it fits in snugly and doesnt slide around.

[Deep Thought]

A technique I discovered involves using a normal stepping ring to get the front of the reversed lens as close as possible in diameter to fit inside the primary lens.
The outer diameter of a 55mm ring is rather close to the inner diameter of a 58mm thread, and all you do is add PTFE tape to make up the difference.
Works very well, Screws in and out, and gives a really snug, centered mount.

In the linked image, I've reversed a 50mm prime lens and attached it to a 300mm zoom, which gives me a 6.5mm (hor. edge to edge) field of view.

What one must bear in mind, is that any macro work requires high F-stops to get decent depths of field, usually F8 or higher. I find F11 to be a nice average.
Vignetting usually does occur, and is lens primary dependant.
The higher the focal length - the higher the magnification, the shallower the depth of field, and the less vignetting occurs.

The image shows immature plant lice on a rose stem. 6.5mmFOV.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Wizzard30/Macro/3406-1024.jpg

[Pooky]

Are those afids?

[Deep Thought]

Yes. Aphids or plant lice. Just updated the post to indicate this.

BTW. if one uses a teleconverter to increase the focal length, you will increase magnification (etc.) but you'll lose 2 F-stops of exposure.