Wet Day Macro

[ahmahippo]

I see. Actually, you can start off with a simple budget setup by buying a Raynox 250 DCR +8 diopter magnification lens to stack on to your 18-55 and turn it into a macro lens instantly.

For macro shooting, it is always recommend to shoot in manual mode so that you can play around with the exposure and iso. I mainly use manual focus (MF) for macro shots as I find it easier and faster to get to the focus of the subject. With MF, there is no need to ensure that the point of focus is in the AF spots to wait for the beam.

If you are using flash, you can also create a DIY flash diffuser for better lightings. Search around the forum / net and you will be able to get some ideas on how to do it.

Hope the above helps as I'm still learning as well.

Hi,
thanks for your time in replying me.
I saw the Raynox 250 DCR +8 len you mentioned here, i will try to get it but maybe got to wait for my next coming pay.
just wondering where could I get a better idea on how to make full use of my 18 - 55mm len alone as currently I am using Auto setting.

i am trying to set the iso etc, but always failed lol.

 

[NovJoe]

Hi,
thanks for your time in replying me.
I saw the Raynox 250 DCR +8 len you mentioned here, i will try to get it but maybe got to wait for my next coming pay.
just wondering where could I get a better idea on how to make full use of my 18 - 55mm len alone as currently I am using Auto setting.

i am trying to set the iso etc, but always failed lol.

When you use Auto settings, the camera will take control over the photographer, therefore you will not be able to do any manual settings, likewise if you use Macro mode on the camera.

For me, I use manual mode even with my 18-200mm lens so I can do my settings for the ISO, shutter speed, aperture. Also do try to start off with Auto focus and place the subject you want to focus in one of the AF assist point, then press half shutter for the focus beam to get subject in focus. Once you see the red beam, you can press full shutter to capture the shot. Once you are familiar with how the camera works, you can convert to Manual focusing and start trying out various angles and position of the shots.

 

[Christan99]

The third one looks really interesting.
Nice shots!

But did I got that right?
you used only one hand? wow, that's hard. :bigeyes:

 

[NovJoe]

The third one looks really interesting.
Nice shots!

But did I got that right?
you used only one hand? wow, that's hard. :bigeyes:

Thanks Christan99!

Yep, I used one hand to shoot the JS shots. Can be done.

 

[Lawlezz]

I see. Actually, you can start off with a simple budget setup by buying a Raynox 250 DCR +8 diopter magnification lens to stack on to your 18-55 and turn it into a macro lens instantly.

For macro shooting, it is always recommend to shoot in manual mode so that you can play around with the exposure and iso. I mainly use manual focus (MF) for macro shots as I find it easier and faster to get to the focus of the subject. With MF, there is no need to ensure that the point of focus is in the AF spots to wait for the beam.

If you are using flash, you can also create a DIY flash diffuser for better lightings. Search around the forum / net and you will be able to get some ideas on how to do it.

Hope the above helps as I'm still learning as well.

I bought the Raynox 250DCR, but can't seem to take good enough macro pictures. I'm using the raynox with my 50mm f/1.4 and 70-300mm f4.5~5.6 lenses.

May I know how how will the apeture affect the DOF if I'm using the Raynox 250 DCR?
Going down to f/9 to f/16, seem like flash light is a must for macro photography right?

Any tips for me?

Thanks

 

[NovJoe]

I bought the Raynox 250DCR, but can't seem to take good enough macro pictures. I'm using the raynox with my 50mm f/1.4 and 70-300mm f4.5~5.6 lenses.

May I know how how will the apeture affect the DOF if I'm using the Raynox 250 DCR?
Going down to f/9 to f/16, seem like flash light is a must for macro photography right?

Any tips for me?

Thanks

Once you stop down to f8 and above with iso at 100 to 200, it's pretty much a must to use flash. When stacking a raynox 250 DCR, the DOF will become quite thin. I suggest that you either use a tripod or a monopod to gain extra stability to prevent shakes or learn to breath through to half shutter followed by full shutter.

I've tried stacking my Carl Zeiss 50mm f1.4 Prime lens with my raynox and managed to take pretty good and sharp macros. Though said, I wasn't that comfortable with Raynox when I first bought it but after more practises with trials and errors, I managed to guage on how to handle the Raynox on both my 50mm f1.4 and my 100mm f2.8 macro.

Shoot more and post your shots here, I'm sure the you will be able to gather alot of good tips and pointers on room for improvements as your guide. I hope my little piece of info helps.

 

[heero23]

The focus in #5 is spot on the eyes. The water droplets add character to the picture too.

And oh, seeing ur macro pictures makes ur compliments on my red dragonfly all the more valuable. Definately can pick up more than a thing or two from your pictures .

 

[Lawlezz]

Once you stop down to f8 and above with iso at 100 to 200, it's pretty much a must to use flash. When stacking a raynox 250 DCR, the DOF will become quite thin. I suggest that you either use a tripod or a monopod to gain extra stability to prevent shakes or learn to breath through to half shutter followed by full shutter.

I've tried stacking my Carl Zeiss 50mm f1.4 Prime lens with my raynox and managed to take pretty good and sharp macros. Though said, I wasn't that comfortable with Raynox when I first bought it but after more practises with trials and errors, I managed to guage on how to handle the Raynox on both my 50mm f1.4 and my 100mm f2.8 macro.

Shoot more and post your shots here, I'm sure the you will be able to gather alot of good tips and pointers on room for improvements as your guide. I hope my little piece of info helps.

Thanks so much. Will hav to try a lot more. Really envy all the macro shots here.
I still need to know if there is any difference in f/1.4 vs f/16 for 50mm prime lens + Ranox 250dcr.

 

[NovJoe]

The focus in #5 is spot on the eyes. The water droplets add character to the picture too.

And oh, seeing ur macro pictures makes ur compliments on my red dragonfly all the more valuable. Definately can pick up more than a thing or two from your pictures .

Thanks heero23 ! In fact, there are alot of better macros than mine here which I'm also learning from .

 

[NovJoe]

Thanks so much. Will hav to try a lot more. Really envy all the macro shots here.
I still need to know if there is any difference in f/1.4 vs f/16 for 50mm prime lens + Ranox 250dcr.

There's difference definately, even with or without Raynox. With f1.4, the aperture is at it's widest for your 50mm f1.4 lens which allows the maximum lights the lens can allow through for higher shutter compensation. The downside is the DOF which is also at it's thinnest. As such, you need to have exact and precise focusing to spot on the subject's eyes which will be a real challange. However, when the lens is at f16, you get to have much better DOF to get the focus and if the subject is smal enough, you may probably be able to get the whole subject in focus with higher f stops. Now, there's a compensation for everything. The downside is, the higher your f stop is the smaller the aperture, which is to say the higher f stops, the lesser the lights are allow through the lens. When it comes to this, there are two ways around it. Either you use a slower shutter speed to compensate, else you need a camera flash to pump more light on the subject.

Hope the above explaination helps .

 

[denniskee]

3) Hey you! Who says you can take my handsome photo??!!

i like this one best, comical, especially with the eye ball.:bsmilie::bsmilie:

 

[NovJoe]

i like this one best, comical, especially with the eye ball.:bsmilie::bsmilie:

Thanks denniskee. I'm glad that it managed to lighten up your day .

 

[Joni Gusril]

Very Goooooood........
Really, really... very good.... :thumbsup::bheart::thumbsup:

 

[NovJoe]

Very Goooooood........
Really, really... very good.... :thumbsup::bheart::thumbsup:

Thanks alot Joni Gusril! Glad you like the shots .

 

[Lawlezz]

Thanks NovJoe.
Will play around with it and hopefully get some pics posted.

 

[NovJoe]

Thanks NovJoe.
Will play around with it and hopefully get some pics posted.

Don't mention it. Hope to see your shots soon .

 

[swee sin]

awesome set!!
have you ever try using 100mm with reynox??

 

[NovJoe]

awesome set!!
have you ever try using 100mm with reynox??

Thanks alot swee sin!

Yes. I have a Raynox 250 DCR myself but will only use it when time and distance allows . Below is a shot of a lynx spider which I captured some time back with my 100mm macro + Raynox 250 DCR.