Macro photography on a shoestring: Okay, this may be an insane idea, but bear with me. I just purchased a Canon 80D, so the treasury is a bit depleted. I would like to get back into...

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

Okay, this may be an insane idea, but bear with me.
I just purchased a Canon 80D, so the treasury is a bit depleted. I would like to get back into Macro Photography at the lowest possible pain point and still be satisfied with the outcome.
My idea is to purchase a bellows with the EFS mount on the camera end of the bellows, use a Canon FD to EFS adapter on the lens end of the bellows and mount my old Canon 50mm f 1.8 lens from my old AE1 Program.
First, are there any reasons it wouldn't work? Secondly, is there a better solution?
One other option rattling around in my head is to use one of the lenses from my old Chromega enlarger, but I'm not too keen on that idea since they are designed for flat field applications.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Better get an old FL bellows and an adapter for the bellows to the camera. This allows all your old FD/FL lenses to be used for macro like a 135mm or 200mm and if you don't have that one of these for macro at further distances. These lenses can be had for 20-30. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-135mm-1-3-5-FD-Camera-Lens-SLR-Japan-Case-BS-55-Hood-S-C-/352145319185?hash=item51fd7f2511:g:flQAAOSwxh1ZmIfH

I have the bit more expensive Canon Auto Bellows and do the same thing on my EOS cameras.
The 100mm FLM was made back in the 60's. Or get a Leica thread adapter and mount an enlarging lens if you have any. The combinations are nearly limitless as you could use old Nikkor macro lenses on the bellows, Exacta lenses, Minolta lenses and on and on. See some of this in the photos attached of what I use.
Good luck with your efforts and yes you can do some pretty incredible work with an old Canon bellows adapted to your camera and many other lenses.

7D with Auto Bellows and old FD 50mm Macro

(Download)

7D with Bellows and 100mm FLM Very old Canon Macro.

(Download)

7D Bellows and enlarger lens 50mm Componon-S

(Download)

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

Thanks for sharing your experience. You've given me more ideas.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Not an insane idea at all. These set ups are mostly for magnifications that go over 1:1, and are pretty much meant to take pictures of objects that are not moving around. If that is what you are going for, then you and Architect1776 are on the right track.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Mark Sturtevant wrote:

Not an insane idea at all. These set ups are mostly for magnifications that go over 1:1, and are pretty much meant to take pictures of objects that are not moving around. If that is what you are going for, then you and Architect1776 are on the right track.

The 100mm FLM actually goes from near infinity to 1:1 on the EOS set up. On FD cameras it does go to infinity.
Tack sharp lens and a dream to use, so it is good for "close up photography as well as macro. Also different enlarger lenses of greater focal lengths give different magnification options.
If a few extra bucks is in the budget I would snag one up in a heart beat, this is a bit pricey but they come on EBAY once in a while and for less but could be in poor condition.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-Makrokopf-FLM-4-0-100-/401289111052?epid=1651250083&hash=item5d6eb1e60c:g:jx0AAOSwtlhWGBii

bobgreen Loc: Maryland

I am in the same boat financially speaking. In my film camera days with Canon I had a macro lens. I now own a,Nikon d7100 and would like to do some close up work. Is it naive to consider extension tubes? One issue is portability. Or am I off base? Perhaps there are no adaptors for your lens though.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

bobgreen wrote:

I am in the same boat financially speaking. In my film camera days with Canon I had a macro lens. I now own a,Nikon d7100 and would like to do some close up work. Is it naive to consider extension tubes? One issue is portability. Or am I off base? Perhaps there are no adaptors for your lens though.

Extension tubes are a good choice. Of course you should get ones that keep the electronic connections to the camera so that you can have control over the aperture.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Wow you sound just like me starting macro/close up on a S.S. $ budget.
Was gifted a Large Canon film collection - bought a used Canon Xt Rebel body and a couple FD to EOS converter mounts, extention tubes,
lens reverse rings, 4 way slide all on Amazon at very low prices.
THEN - got and followed lots of good advice from the Macro group here on UHH and I got results that I had only dreamed of.
I'll P.M. you some photos of my results and of my setup.

Almost forgot an item - a ring light that has several lens size fitting for good close up lite-
Harvey in The Sierras

ejones0310 wrote:

Okay, this may be an insane idea, but bear with me... (show quote)

bobgreen Loc: Maryland

Thanks Harvey. Soooooooo good to read about your experiences. I look forward to your PM

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

bobgreen wrote:

I am in the same boat financially speaking. In my film camera days with Canon I had a macro lens. I now own a,Nikon d7100 and would like to do some close up work. Is it naive to consider extension tubes? One issue is portability. Or am I off base? Perhaps there are no adaptors for your lens though.

I have looked in to the plan more this week end and I find that there is an FD lens to EF mount adapter, and I've been pointed to the Canon Auto Bellows that will mount the FD lens on the front of the bellows. With the adapter on the rear, it should fit nicely on the 80D.

Thanks all for the encouragement and direction.

Curve_in Loc: Virginia

A while back, I got a used 105 manual macro lenes for my D7000. The plan was to upgrade in a few months. Well, 3 years later and I'm still very happy and don't feel a big need to make a change. If you don't have a off camera flash, look for one with good guide numbers.

bobgreen Loc: Maryland

Thanks for the advice! Something to look into.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

ejones0310 wrote:

I have looked in to the plan more this week end and I find that there is an FD lens to EF mount adapter, and I've been pointed to the Canon Auto Bellows that will mount the FD lens on the front of the bellows. With the adapter on the rear, it should fit nicely on the 80D.

Thanks all for the encouragement and direction.

Do not get one with the adjustment glass in it. Not needed for what you are doing and there is a bit of degradation of the image. Personal experience.

bobgreen Loc: Maryland

Architect1776 wrote:

Do not get one with the adjustment glass in it. Not needed for what you are doing and there is a bit of degradation of the image. Personal experience.

Thanks!

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Focusing using a bellow or macro rail takes care of the need for that glass.

.

Architect1776 wrote:

Do not get one with the adjustment glass in it. Not needed for what you are doing and there is a bit of degradation of the image. Personal experience.