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Best Macro Kit for Less than 1,000usd?
- Thread starter LeeROI
- Start date
LeeROI I would like to answer this for you, but before I do, can I ask? What do YOU consider macro? Macro is difficult, even with a good camera and lense there is much more involved.
Which of these would you like to be able to capture?
#1 Tom Hill X-18
#2 DoobieDuck Strawberry
#3 DoobieDuck Strawberry
Which of these would you like to be able to capture?
#1 Tom Hill X-18
#2 DoobieDuck Strawberry
#3 DoobieDuck Strawberry
Last edited:
S
seedee
Do you have a dslr already
LeeROI
Member
No DSLR yet, just some SLRs in the closet. I had photo example #1 in mind.
I have a tripod and I'll need light but I'm thinking Canon EOS T2i with Tamron G005 AF60mm f/2.0 Di II LD 1:1 Macro lens. After rebate on the lens, less than a grand, delivered from B&H. I'm getting older, though, and I sure like the idea of the fold-out LCD of the T3i for awkward shots.
I have a tripod and I'll need light but I'm thinking Canon EOS T2i with Tamron G005 AF60mm f/2.0 Di II LD 1:1 Macro lens. After rebate on the lens, less than a grand, delivered from B&H. I'm getting older, though, and I sure like the idea of the fold-out LCD of the T3i for awkward shots.
S
seedee
that sounds like you got your homework done. i will have to check those canons out. i just bought a nikon 3100 then 2 days later i went out and got there nikor micro 55mm-85mm lens and i am getting some nice closeups nothing like if i had $2000 just laying around and could spend it on a 200mm micro lens. thats what gets those incredible close trick shots. i am just a beginner myself . so in depth conversation might fly right over my head. but i will try and keep up.
LeeROI hey I have Canon 20D and a 50D. #1 was captured with the 50D and my favorite lens-a Sigma 17-70mm macro. I use this lens more than any in my bag and not only for cannabis pix...it remains on my camera most of the time. The T2I would do you good but I'd recomend a better lense than the Tamron. I use a set of Kenko extension tubes with my Sigma to get in closer and other lenses to get pix like #3 . Hope this helps...looking forward to your pixels..DD
Hi LeeROI , have stuck with Canon primarily due to their ancient but high quality SLR lenses working perfectly on current digital SLR models , few makers did this.
Those old slr,s in the closet may well have better glass than current kit lenses , rarely is auto focus in macro usefull so can use a high end FD lense via adapter or almost any other lense made since the great war.
Whatever you decide , old SLR macro equipment from the 1960 - 90 era is of impressive quality and good value , this vintage Pentax bellows cost a few pounds and is great when you get the lighting right , trucks and SLR ringlights/ringflash are often bargains.
Those old slr,s in the closet may well have better glass than current kit lenses , rarely is auto focus in macro usefull so can use a high end FD lense via adapter or almost any other lense made since the great war.
Whatever you decide , old SLR macro equipment from the 1960 - 90 era is of impressive quality and good value , this vintage Pentax bellows cost a few pounds and is great when you get the lighting right , trucks and SLR ringlights/ringflash are often bargains.
LeeROI
Member
Thank you all for the replies. My house is a mess but I went looking for the SLRs and found a Pentax "Bellows II" new in the box. It has threaded lens mounts so must be M42, I assume.
I have my dad's old KW Praktica (somewhere) from the 1950's that has a Carl Zeiss Biotar lens--sharpest pictures I ever took. So that would also be M42. Canon-to-M42 adapters are inexpensive and seem a better match than Nikon.
Sooo, I think I'll keep looking at Canon DSLR bodies. One thing I'm not real clear on is the APS-C cropping of the "full" 35mm image and the implications. Edit: this helped, http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/tutorials/crop_sensor_cameras_and_lenses.html
I have my dad's old KW Praktica (somewhere) from the 1950's that has a Carl Zeiss Biotar lens--sharpest pictures I ever took. So that would also be M42. Canon-to-M42 adapters are inexpensive and seem a better match than Nikon.
Sooo, I think I'll keep looking at Canon DSLR bodies. One thing I'm not real clear on is the APS-C cropping of the "full" 35mm image and the implications. Edit: this helped, http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/tutorials/crop_sensor_cameras_and_lenses.html
This guy has tested a wonderfull collection of old glass mounted on a Canon 350D , he likes old zeiss.
http://galactinus.net/vilva/retro/index.html
I use this russian pancake as a carry lense most of the time , brilliant optics for a few pounds , all steel and glass from this era and no tacky plastic , the russian portrait lenses are good value too , spoilt for choice in M42.
Have to be carefull with some zoom designs as the glass can hit the mirror with expensive results , very few could do this but pays to measure first.
http://galactinus.net/vilva/retro/index.html
I use this russian pancake as a carry lense most of the time , brilliant optics for a few pounds , all steel and glass from this era and no tacky plastic , the russian portrait lenses are good value too , spoilt for choice in M42.
Have to be carefull with some zoom designs as the glass can hit the mirror with expensive results , very few could do this but pays to measure first.
LeeROI
Member
[Update (copied from another post of mine):]
My Xmas present to myself: Canon T2i (with "toy" zoom kit lens) $600; Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens $400.
My New Year's present: Canon Macro ring flash with 52mm filter ring $500.
Sooo . . . $1500 for the system with the caveat that the EF-S macro lens is not usable on a full-frame body (the T2i is aps-c format).
Edit: the "Canon 52C MACROLITE ADAPTER" ring isn't needed.
My Xmas present to myself: Canon T2i (with "toy" zoom kit lens) $600; Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens $400.
My New Year's present: Canon Macro ring flash with 52mm filter ring $500.
Sooo . . . $1500 for the system with the caveat that the EF-S macro lens is not usable on a full-frame body (the T2i is aps-c format).
Edit: the "Canon 52C MACROLITE ADAPTER" ring isn't needed.
LeeROI congrats to you. Sounds sweeet, I can't wait to see you posting some pix..be well, DD
U
Ultra Current
So did you still use the Sigma 17-70mm macro lens and then add the extention tube to get the pic#3? Awesome pitures by the way! I have a Nikon D300s and what lens would you reccomend to get pics like your #3?
LeeROI..now your getting in the grove. Get yourself a piece of black felt, velour, or the like, for a background and to set the nugg on. I prefer dark as it reflects less light and may even help with how the cameras reads and sets the exposure. It dampens flash as well. UC #3 was with the Canon MPE-65mm Macro lens. You could get a Canon to Nikon adaptor and use that lens, I don't think it comes in a Nikon model. I rent it several times a year and have mountains of pixels with it yet to have time to go through and post. LR are you happy with those ^ ^ ? Peace..DD
LeeROI
Member
I have large hands so I can't say I'm happy with the grip of the T2i. I bought the Canon battery grip which helps a little. I like my kit overall. For sharpness, the lens needs to be manually focused in macro, as I expected. The lens is great for portraits.
I don't plan to be swapping lenses so by leaving out the stock zoom lens, the assembled camera fits perfectly with the Canon flash kit bag in a Lowepro Rezo 180 AW bag. It's pretty much a point-and-shoot system (and so much more) except a tripod is necessary. I tried a monopod (hiking pole) and I shake too much.
I don't plan to be swapping lenses so by leaving out the stock zoom lens, the assembled camera fits perfectly with the Canon flash kit bag in a Lowepro Rezo 180 AW bag. It's pretty much a point-and-shoot system (and so much more) except a tripod is necessary. I tried a monopod (hiking pole) and I shake too much.
