Comments on: Alternatives to Buying a Dedicated Macro Lens for your DSLR http://www.digital-photography-school.com/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr Discover how to use your digital camera with our Digital Photography Tips. We are a community of photographers of all experience levels who come together to learn, share and grow in our understanding of photography. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:58:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: v r veluri http://www.digital-photography-school.com/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/comment-page-1#comment-206363 v r veluri Sun, 04 Sep 2011 16:47:37 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/#comment-206363 can one use closeup lenses of yore with sony alpha 330 dslr? if so how to? if not why not? help appreciated can one use closeup lenses of yore with sony alpha 330 dslr? if so how to? if not why not? help appreciated

]]> By: Ram Iyer http://www.digital-photography-school.com/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/comment-page-1#comment-173683 Ram Iyer Sat, 30 Apr 2011 06:36:55 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/#comment-173683 http://www.flickr.com/photos/ram_iyer/5668300909/in/photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/ram_iyer/5668888210/in/photostream the above two shots was taken using screw-in 10+ lens and extension adapter with 18-55 std lens. pls. comment http://www.flickr.com/photos/ram_iyer/5668300909/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ram_iyer/5668888210/in/photostream

the above two shots was taken using screw-in 10+ lens and extension adapter with 18-55 std lens. pls. comment

]]> By: CathyP http://www.digital-photography-school.com/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/comment-page-1#comment-45069 CathyP Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:19:40 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/#comment-45069 Miriam, you didn't make a mistake by purchasing a macro lens. I have one for my film SLR and love it. I just got a DSLR and am looking to get a macro lens. I'm curious as to whether anyone has used a lensbaby. You can purchase a set of 2 macro filters to go with it. The whole thing would be about $300, close to the budget I have set for a macro lens. Also, anyone have any suggestions as to whether or not to go with a telephoto macro lens as opposed to a straight macro? Also, what brands would you recommend. I'm not sure I'm prepared to spend over $700 for a 105 mm macro. Should I save my pennies until I can afford that? Thanks so much! Miriam, you didn’t make a mistake by purchasing a macro lens. I have one for my film SLR and love it. I just got a DSLR and am looking to get a macro lens.

I’m curious as to whether anyone has used a lensbaby. You can purchase a set of 2 macro filters to go with it. The whole thing would be about $300, close to the budget I have set for a macro lens.

Also, anyone have any suggestions as to whether or not to go with a telephoto macro lens as opposed to a straight macro? Also, what brands would you recommend. I’m not sure I’m prepared to spend over $700 for a 105 mm macro. Should I save my pennies until I can afford that? Thanks so much!

]]> By: miriam http://www.digital-photography-school.com/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/comment-page-1#comment-34595 miriam Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:02:12 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/#comment-34595 are you available to discuss using a macro lense. i just bought one and i'm afraid i made a mistake. are you available to discuss using a macro lense. i just bought one and i’m afraid i made a mistake.

]]> By: Ion Ditoiu http://www.digital-photography-school.com/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/comment-page-1#comment-22572 Ion Ditoiu Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:24:36 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/#comment-22572 Ok, guys, so everybody knows all these alternatives to a real dedicated macro lens, MF or AF: reversed lenses, tubes (MF or AF), bellows, compact digicams, using regular taking lenses or, better, enlerging lenses. And there are zillions of sites describing one, two or all these alternatives. In (almost) all the above alternatives, there is always one or more challenges: narrow depth of field, short working distance and lack of AF. But I've never read, heard or seen the best alternative of all: an enlarging lens (usually a Rodagon or a Schneider) combined with "somethimg" that makes the entire rig to work AutoFocus, and to give you a very confortable working distance (somewhere between 18 and 25cm), a triple (yes, you read right: triple!) depth of field and a total price under $70. Yeup,I did build such a rig and, believe me, it is better than any 100mm (90 or 105, or even a 150mm) AF dedicated lens under all these requirements: working distance, AF, price, depth of field and, possibly, resolution, since we're talking a Rodagon 80mm f/4. Try it, just try it hard, and you'll see it.... It is true, it took to me almost one year of work with trials and errors, but finally, i did it. Ok, guys, so everybody knows all these alternatives to a real dedicated macro lens, MF or AF: reversed lenses, tubes (MF or AF), bellows, compact digicams, using regular taking lenses or, better, enlerging lenses. And there are zillions of sites describing one, two or all these alternatives. In (almost) all the above alternatives, there is always one or more challenges: narrow depth of field, short working distance and lack of AF.
But I’ve never read, heard or seen the best alternative of all: an enlarging lens (usually a Rodagon or a Schneider)
combined with “somethimg” that makes the entire rig to work AutoFocus, and to give you a very confortable working distance (somewhere between 18 and 25cm), a triple (yes, you read right: triple!) depth of field and a total price under $70.
Yeup,I did build such a rig and, believe me, it is better than any 100mm (90 or 105, or even a 150mm) AF dedicated lens under all these requirements: working distance, AF, price, depth of field and, possibly, resolution, since we’re talking a Rodagon 80mm f/4.
Try it, just try it hard, and you’ll see it…. It is true, it took to me almost one year of work with trials and errors, but finally, i did it.

]]> By: Cheryl http://www.digital-photography-school.com/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/comment-page-1#comment-22263 Cheryl Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:40:05 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/#comment-22263 I have a Sigma 17-70mm f2.8 lens that is called a macro lens. I know it isn't a true macro, as the magnification is not 1:1, and it's a zoom. But I really like it, and the minimum focusing distance is 0.65 ft. This is what I use for macro photography. I have a Sigma 17-70mm f2.8 lens that is called a macro lens. I know it isn’t a true macro, as the magnification is not 1:1, and it’s a zoom. But I really like it, and the minimum focusing distance is 0.65 ft. This is what I use for macro photography.

]]> By: John http://www.digital-photography-school.com/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/comment-page-1#comment-21923 John Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:41:15 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/#comment-21923 After pricing a macro lens for my D70, I decided to purchase another camera. No, not to replace my D70. I purchased a Nikon point'n'shoot camera that has macro capability. As an added benefit, it is small enough that I can take it on extended bike rides. It is now a few years old and I use it primarily for taking pictures of "white board" discussions at the conclusion of business meetings. I also have some extension tubes and a reversal ring that I bought in 1970 for my Nikon FTN (A film camera... wow, 38 years ago and still works as good as ever... Somehow, I don't think the D70 will hold value as well as an FTN). I haven't used them yet, but have great plans... After pricing a macro lens for my D70, I decided to purchase another camera. No, not to replace my D70. I purchased a Nikon point’n'shoot camera that has macro capability. As an added benefit, it is small enough that I can take it on extended bike rides. It is now a few years old and I use it primarily for taking pictures of “white board” discussions at the conclusion of business meetings.

I also have some extension tubes and a reversal ring that I bought in 1970 for my Nikon FTN (A film camera… wow, 38 years ago and still works as good as ever… Somehow, I don’t think the D70 will hold value as well as an FTN). I haven’t used them yet, but have great plans…

]]> By: Louella http://www.digital-photography-school.com/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/comment-page-1#comment-21786 Louella Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:41:40 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/#comment-21786 I haven't gotten it right with the reverse lens technique so far. Nevertheless, I've bookmarked this page as one of my favorites. I'll keep trying. Thanks! I haven’t gotten it right with the reverse lens technique so far. Nevertheless, I’ve bookmarked this page as one of my favorites. I’ll keep trying. Thanks!

]]> By: Matthew http://www.digital-photography-school.com/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/comment-page-1#comment-21671 Matthew Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:58:30 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/#comment-21671 I've been having a lot of fun with my Nikon BR-2 reversal ring. Although a bit more difficult than a true macro lens, its a fun challenge! I’ve been having a lot of fun with my Nikon BR-2 reversal ring. Although a bit more difficult than a true macro lens, its a fun challenge!

]]> By: Lisa's Chaos http://www.digital-photography-school.com/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/comment-page-1#comment-21505 Lisa's Chaos Sun, 27 Jan 2008 04:50:51 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/alternatives-to-buying-a-dedicated-macro-lens-for-your-dslr/#comment-21505 I have the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!Here are a couple of my recent favs. :) <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2288/2213894802_4f2718688d.jpg" rel="nofollow">flower</a> <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2112/2099965100_80eaa78018.jpg" rel="nofollow">ornament</a> I have the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!Here are a couple of my recent favs. :)

flower

ornament

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