Macro methods: Greetings, I'm a newby to DSLR's and I'll likely trip all over myself with my questions, apologies in advance. I used to shoot film, mostly vintage aircraft photos, many...

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Macro methods

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Feb 26, 2019 16:22:19 #

CanonAbuser

Greetings, I'm a newby to DSLR's and I'll likely trip all over myself with my questions, apologies in advance.
I used to shoot film, mostly vintage aircraft photos, many years ago (Minolta SRT101). I've been imaging general photos with a Fujifilm S9900W bridge camera for the last two years and was recently gifted a Canon T6 in a 2 lens kit. I'd like to experiment with some macro photography on the T6. I'm on a serious budget and I'm curious about using either close up filters or an extension tube to get started. I also have available the 50mm 1.7 MD lens from the old SLR and a Fotodiox adapter with glass (to get focus to infinity).

I'd like to tap the vast knowledge base here for opinions. Right now a new or used macro capable lens is out of the question. Thanks for you patience and responses.

Chris

Feb 26, 2019 16:36:53 #

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

You might want to ask that question here:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html

Welcome!

Feb 26, 2019 16:45:37 #

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

Extension tube is a good start, costs not much, using your Minolta 50mm f1.7 MD with the extension tube can make a 1:1X macro image, but you need focus manually. You may also reverse mounted this lens with reversing ring on you camera, it's much cheaper. You may have to find a 49mm matching adapter ring to match your Canon.

Feb 26, 2019 16:54:14 #

CanonAbuser

Thanks I'll check that out.

Feb 26, 2019 17:03:03 #

CanonAbuser

Thanks for your reply. I was considering the MD lens as it requires manual aperture and focus on the T6 anyway. The Canon lens won't let me (I think) set the f stop prior to inserting the tube between the camera and lens , as the T6 has no DOF preview button, which begs the question, with the Minolta lens on the T6 body, would I be best served by inserting a tube between the adapter and the camera or between the adapter and the lens?

Feb 26, 2019 18:06:07 #

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Just remember that with this setup using either tubes or close up filters (these are actually lenses) is that in order to change the magnification ratio, you have to add or subtract tubes/filters. Not the best for convenience but you will get a taste for macro. The tubes will cost you light (meaning you have to open up the aperture more) and that affects the depth of field (which is pitifully short shooting macro anyway). The filters come in two iterations, single or multiple diopters. The single ones are pretty cheap but are only sharp in the center of the frame. As you go to the edges, aberrations and other defects appear. The dual diopters are better, but they cost more (of course). The least expensive way to go would be to use a reversing ring. One problem I see no matter which route you take is that you will likely be right on top of your subject matter and that makes lighting difficult. Good Luck !!!

Feb 26, 2019 18:06:07 #

User ID

`

The adapter with glass in it is for general photography.
Using it with your MD lens is redundant to your AF kit
lenses. But if you remove the glass and use it with the
50 MD then the 50mm will focus closer than its normal
close limit. BTW, don't regret removing the glass. Such
glass elements to restore infinity focus produce second
rate image quality, and worse if not stopped way down.

.

Feb 26, 2019 19:52:22 #

repleo Loc: Boston

CanonAbuser wrote:

Greetings, I'm a newby to DSLR's and I'll likely t... (show quote)

I recently attended a one day 'Creative Macro Photography' workshop by Charles Needle - http://www.charlesneedlephoto.com/workshops.html. His kit of preference is a 70-300 zoom with a Canon 500D Close-up lens (filter). The 500D Close-up lens has two achromatic elements to correct chromatic aberrations. The 500D is intended for 70-300 range. I think there is a 250D for shorter lenses. (The 'D' indicates double diopter).

I have a Sony 90mm Macro OSS G which according to DxOmark is the sharpest macro lens out there and for the price - it should be. However, I was really intrigued by some of the images Charles was able to produce with his combo. I checked eBay for a 500D and found a 'new in box' for $99. I grabbed it. It is probably not what you want for macros of flies eyes but it seems great for creative close-ups of flowers, shells, jewellery, table top still lifes etc. Check out Charles's site to see if it is something that would interest you.

Feb 26, 2019 21:37:55 #

TomV Loc: Annapolis, Maryland

There are Canon EF 100mm macro f/2.8 lenses that are going for about $200 used on ebay. Simplify the macro function with a specifically-designed lens. If you do not wish to experiment further then you can sell it back on ebay for about what you paid for it. A real macro lens will be much more useful since it will still be a good quality prime at 100mm. It will be more satisfying to use.

The other suggestions are just kludges that you will be wasting time and money on.

Feb 27, 2019 00:29:28 #

CanonAbuser

Thanks all. Lot's of good information to mull around.

Feb 27, 2019 04:01:02 #

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

CanonAbuser wrote:

Greetings, I'm a newby to DSLR's and I'll likely t... (show quote)

I will send to you the camera to male adapters if you send me your filters size in mm. Three dollars each and no shipping. And only a few day delivery lag. No slow boat from China. RSVP private if interested.
Reversed lenses work well.
Bill

Feb 27, 2019 07:19:08 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Extension tubes can work fine for macro photography. You don't need the expensive automatic tubes. I use the cheap manual ones, and they're fine.

https://smile.amazon.com/Mcoplus-Extnp-Focus-Extension-Cameras/dp/B00ORLQJR6/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=extension+tubes&qid=1551269912&s=electronics&sr=1-4
https://smile.amazon.com/INSEESI-Extension-Canon1D-5DMarkII-5DMark/dp/B01IR5CSV8/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=extension+tubes&qid=1551269931&s=electronics&sr=1-6

Feb 27, 2019 07:34:36 #

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I’ll tell you what the B&H rep told me when I had the same question. He told me that as I was just getting into macro that a good way to start was with close up filters that screw onto the front of your lens. And they can be stacked. It was an inexpensive solution that worked for me and I didn’t have to take a chance on not liking macro and being stuck with a lens I wasn’t going to use. I used them on a 50mm equivalent lens I already had. Extension tubes also work but you may lose autofocus, which is ok in macro, but you do lose light with them.

Feb 27, 2019 08:36:17 #

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

CanonAbuser wrote:

Greetings, I'm a newby to DSLR's and I'll likely t... (show quote)

Your Minolta lens would be a very good choice.
Remove the glass optic in the adapter seeing as you want to do macro as this will improve the image quality.
Then get inexpensive extension tubes, EF mount, seeing as you could use them with the adapted Minolta lens and your other Canon lenses.
Even with just the glass-less adapter it is like an extension tube.
You are fortunate in that all the Canon Cameras including yours meter even without a EF/EF-S lens on them.
Experiment with metering. I am successful in the P, A and M modes doing closeups like this.
Now go have lots of fun with your macro.

Feb 27, 2019 09:21:37 #

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

BassmanBruce wrote:

You might want to ask that question here:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html

Welcome!

Thanks... didn't know that was there. To the OP, welcome.

Dik

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