vermis Loc: Atlanta, GA

Hello,

I am new (about 2 years) to photography (as a hobby) and have been enjoying it so much (family, travel, city street etc). My question to you is: I just ordered an Optodio macro 8-in-1 52mm Kit: reverse ring, close-up lenses and metal extension tube all for about $30. Then, I read about the macro Tamron lens 90 mm 2.8 which is a lot more expensive than the tubes. Did I screw up by ordering tubes and these close up filter-like lenses (I am sure you guys know what I am talking about)? What I read does not really go into a lot of details about these tubes but they must work, right?

I am trying my best to have a reasonable gear for a big trip coming up (the camera is Nikon D5300 and I have about 6 lenses, speed light and a good tripod) and the only missing thing was the macro equipment, which I am really enjoying. No place to try these things in person anymore, it is all the internet and you guys.. Help! Thank you

Eric

agillot

no , i think you can experiment and learn from it .you may be surprise at the pictures .

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I once experimented in Macro. I purchased a Vello Extension Tube Kit because a macro lens was out of my budget at the time. I am not interested in macro anymore. I know a friend who owns the Tamron 90mm f2.8 with a 1:1 magnification. That is true macro on a lens. You can also use a macro lens for general photography, not just for macro. I discovered later, that I should have purchased a Kenko Brand Extension Tube Kit instead of the Vello Brand. The Kenko Kit is better quality. It's about $150, thereabouts. I've never used the closeup lenses. Others will have advice for you on that one. Good luck.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"The Kenko Kit is better quality..." Agreed, have them and all the lens functions work i.e. AF, Metering, etc.
The good news is they are feather light and take little room in your kit..

vermis extension tubes work appropriately with a normal focal length lens... a.k.a. 52mm
They are excellent to learn macro on... However do not try to attach them onto a heavy lens unless it has a tripod foot... The tube mounts may not withstand the abuse (stress loading) of a heavy lens... hope this makes sense...

btw, your tripod and speedlight will make an very useful adjunct to your extension tubes...

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

I have a Tamron 180mm f/3.5 macro lens & a set of extension tubes. Don't remember the brand right off the bat. They're still packed up from our move. Extension tubes are an inexpensive way to get into macro work. They work best with a prime lens. I use my 50mm f/1.4 and get very good results. The macro lens will do about double life size and even better putting an extension tube behind it. A ringlight will help with any lighting issues.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Eric: please stop by the UHH true macro forum. Lots of helpful info and some skilled macrophotographers to assist you.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I don't play in that realm, but if and when I have the time to play with macro I would go to a specialist forum. At least I would ( actually do) begin with a decent enough macro lens, good quality extension tubes, some good quality close up lenses and a decent enough tripod. Then it would all be up to me! For now I don't have the time!

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Eric - "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch." That particularly applies to macro-photography. Every 'cheat' or short-cut outside of a dedicated macro lens will have off-setting consequence. In the case of extension tubes, light loss will require increased exposure or increased ISO. Both situations complicate macro-photography.
I invite you to educate yourself on the possibilities of macro-photography, by reading Introduction to True Macro-Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-22447-1.html

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

dupe

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I bought an attachment so I can use my old Hasselblad lenses on my cameras. I have the Hasselblad extension tubes, and Hasselblad bellows. It is all manual focus and I love using them. There is some light loss but not enough to prevent me from hand holding when shooting outdoors. I have more fun using this set up than my macro lens which auto focuses. I also have a set of close up filters that I enjoy.
I think you will have fun with what you ordered.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

For $30.00 you didn't screw up. But if you want to be serious and you have a Nikon consider a Nikon 60MM f2.8 D AF, you can get these Mint off ebay for $250.00 and up. Sharp, sharp, sharp.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Tubes work best with lenses optimized for working at or near the minimum focus distance, though they can be used on other lenses to increase magnification by allowing a shorter working distance. Canon makes some great achromatic, 2 element closeup "filters" that do not appreciably diminish image quality. The 250D is intended for shorter focal length lenses, from 30-135mm, and the 500D is suggested for 70-300mm. Single element lenses will have a noticeable impact on image quality. Each costs $75.

I do have some questions:

1. Are you really intending on shooting at or near 1:1 or greater magnification?
2. If yes, how do you intend to hold your subjects steady - essential at high magnifications?
3. How do you intend to light your macro subjects?
4. Do your lenses have 52mm filter threads? Your kit's filters and reversing ring will only work on 52mm filter threads.
5. Do your lenses have manual aperture control rings? (otherwise you can't use the reversing adapter or the tubes with any aperture other than fully open, with correspondingly shallow depth of field)
6. Are you aware that you will get best results with prime lenses when using reversing rings?
7. Are you ok with mediocre results?

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

No, you didn't screw up. Go on to You Tube and look at how Thomas Shahan goes about taking macro images. His work is simply superlative and his kit is really rather basic. You may find the close up filters a bit naff, but the reversing ring is a good bit of kit. Take a look at the dedicated macro section of UHH for further tips on how to make best use of the reversing ring. The extension tubes will also be of value: but at the price you paid will probably have no electronic link to your camera. Again, UHH macro users will guide you - though You Tube presentations may be easier to follow.

cthahn

You obviously do not understand anything about macro photography and optics. You should take some photography classes and learn the basics of photography.