"EXTREME MACROS" for $ 4.49!

[Viky]

Hi,

As you can see in my Gear List, I don't have a Macro Lens:-(, neither was i willing to spend more on camera gear...

I had read about this technique wherein you can reverse mount a 50mm lens on a 75-300 zoom lens by means of some "macro coupler rings" and get some insane magnification shots! So, off I went and ordered a 58-58mm and a 58-52mm coupler ring for $ 4.49 each of ebay. Today they arrived:D

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/1-3.jpg


http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/2-4.jpg



This is how my setup looked like:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/3-3.jpg



Here's the 50mm reverse mounted on the filter thread of my 70-300IS:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/4-2.jpg



Then i went searching for a 'subjet';) Found this little bugger. About 3mm long and 1.5mm wide. Shot with the 50mm at closest focusing distance.

1/60, f/5.6, ISO 100, about 50% crop
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/5-1.jpg



This is the first picture with the 70-300 at about 70mm, giving a magnification of about 1.4:1 (70mm/50mm). The DOF is wafer thin and its very difficult to find focus. The minimum focus distance is very little, with the front element of the lens only about 10-15mm from the subject.

1/60, f32, ISO1600, uncropped
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/6.jpg

[Viky]

Slowly, I started to Zoom in... this is at about 100mm, 2:1 magnification..

1/60, f/32, ISo 1600
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/8.jpg



These are with the 70-300 zoomed all the way to the 300mm position, providing a magnification of about 6:1 (300mm/50mm). The DOF is unbelievably thin. Would you believe, these pics are taken in the region of f/16 to f/22:eek: Another major issue is camera shake, even with the solid tripod, mirror lockup and remote, there was tremendous camera shake. Finding focus is insanely difficult. Keeper ratio was about 2 out of 10:rolleyes:

1/60, f/16, ISO 1600
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/9.jpg

1/60, f/22, ISO 1600
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/10.jpg

1/30, f/18, ISO 1600
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/11.jpg


Since this was my first attempt at this technique, i think i got pretty 'encouraging' results. With practice however, the output can be improved greatly.

Now, i must rest.... have a really sore back:o



P.S. Any tips, suggestions from veterans who have 'been there, done that' will be highly appreciated:-)

[David Metsky]

Cool results, thanks for sharing this.

[Lilchilichoco]

Agree. Cool results. Way to go Viky!!






Best Regards

[Viky]

Cool results, thanks for sharing this.

Thanks for looking David & Bella!

I'm definitely going to try again, and I'll keep this thread updated when i have more to share:)

[iamaelephant]

Is it just me or is there an insane amount of chromatic aberration?

[Viky]

Is it just me or is there an insane amount of chromatic aberration?

No, its not you!

There IS a very high amount of CA in these pics, and now I've sort of found ou the reason behind the same.

1) I was using veryyyyyyy small apertures in the range of f/16 -f/36, and when shooting such high magnification shots, its advisable to stick to f/8 - f/11.

2) I was shooting INTO a very bright direct sunlight, whereas i should have been shooting AWAY from the sun.

Armed with this knowledge, I'm now again on the prowl for a suitably cooperative subject!