Macro lens for an EF-S Mount - sub £100
- Thread starter snips86x
- Start date
Don't think there's much at that price range. I think you're better off looking at reversing rings etc so you can reverse the kit lens. This can give pretty good results for macro from what I've seen.
This thread includes quite a lot of info:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/we-need-you-in-draft-want-to-get-into-macro.551944/
There's cheaper manual reverse rings but this seems to let you use AF:
http://srb-photographic.co.uk/canon-eos-auto-focus-reversing-ring-5904-p.asp
This thread includes quite a lot of info:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/we-need-you-in-draft-want-to-get-into-macro.551944/
There's cheaper manual reverse rings but this seems to let you use AF:
http://srb-photographic.co.uk/canon-eos-auto-focus-reversing-ring-5904-p.asp
Alternatively extension tubes. You can get ones with electronic connections (to change aperture) for about £60 used and I think around £100 new. You stick them between your normal lens and camera. I used to use a manual set with a 70-300 and got good results.
If electronic ones are too expensive then manual ones can be had for £20. You will have to do some jiggery pokery to chane apertures though.
If electronic ones are too expensive then manual ones can be had for £20. You will have to do some jiggery pokery to chane apertures though.
The problem with tubes is that they don't add a massive amount of magnification but do allow you to get closer. That's not a massive benefit unless you've got a longer lens but the kit lens does seem to handle being reversed quite well 
That thread I posted also reminded me of the Raynox lenses which seem to produce some decent enough pics.
That thread I posted also reminded me of the Raynox lenses which seem to produce some decent enough pics.
I guess it depends on the magnification you're looking for. Extension tubes are more like your traditional macro lens whereas reversal tubes are more the extreme macro lenses like the Canon MP-E 65. Electronic extension tubes are also going to be easier day to day.
Could be wrong though...
Could be wrong though...
A lot depends on what you want to shoot.
If you want to shoot insects then you need a longer focal length and you likely want to retain autofocus, but a 1:1 ratio is mostly sufficient for casual use. A standard macro lens is 1:1, and means you can fill the frame with soemthing the same size as the sensor. the sensor in the Canon EF-S cameras is about 21x13mm.
If you want to shoot smaller things than the size of the sensor then you will need a reverse lens.
For static things then you can use a shorter focal length like 50mm.
If you want to shoot insects then you need a longer focal length and you likely want to retain autofocus, but a 1:1 ratio is mostly sufficient for casual use. A standard macro lens is 1:1, and means you can fill the frame with soemthing the same size as the sensor. the sensor in the Canon EF-S cameras is about 21x13mm.
If you want to shoot smaller things than the size of the sensor then you will need a reverse lens.
For static things then you can use a shorter focal length like 50mm.
Used on it's own? Reversed? Do you know what she wants to photograph?With some extension rings it is not a bad macro setup but will push you way over budget and doesn't give much more than what the kit lens would offer if you added extension rings. The thing with macro is you stop down a lot anyway to get a workable depth of focus so being a fast prime doesn't help you much.
The cheapest setup you can do it just a set of extension rings to use on the kit lens. Manual focus rings are OK because macro is typically done with manual focus anyway, but auto focus is useful for beginners or casual shooting.
The other thing to consider is it is extremely hard to get good macro results hand hold. Because the depth of focus is so small and the subject so small, the slightest movement will see that your subject is out of focus. A tripod and head makes this much easier. If I was doing macro on a budget from your position I would plow most of the money in to the tripod + head and buy some cheap manual focus extension rings second hand.
The key to good macro is light as with everything else in photography. At the budget end reversed lens or macro tubes (electronic not manual tubes) is probably the way to go depending upon her existing kit. But for effective macro you're going to need a flash + diffuser (flash bender or similar) as well, that way you can stop down the lens f8 - f16 and beyond (if supported) to get greater in focus elements.
I've played a bit with extension tubes and reversing rings (and both combined). Best results were with the 50mm reversed on a 21mm ring. I sold the kit a long time ago so not sure how it compares.
Some samples here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajyoung/sets/72157633478599026/
Some samples here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajyoung/sets/72157633478599026/
Unless you have an old lens with the aperture ring on the lens then electronic extension tubes are the way to go. The do add autofocus but also the ability to change the aperture on the fly (rather than having to press the preview button when removing the lens...). Manual tubes will only allow you to shoot with the lens wide open.
Also a zoom lens allows you to focus with the zoom mechanism as well as rocking backwards and forwards. It's the reasons I found the best lens to use was the 70-300.
With regards to focusing I've always found that, other than still life, shooting by hand is the best way to do it. It gives you more freedom to move around and allows you to move a bit more if there is any wind. Multiple exposures while rocking backwards and forwards slightly should give you a few shots with the focus in the right place. I always found with a tripod that by the time you set it up and got the right field of view and composition whatever you were planning to shoot had flown/walked away or the wind had moved it out of shot. Indoors, yes, tripods are useful. Outside free hand all the way IMO.
Macro is my thing, its what I do and love!
set of tubes on kit lens will work well. Dont worry about tripod, use a garden cane/stick as a monopod (you grip around it and onto the camera/off hand use it).
With macro you want to be shooting at f11 or so... So LOTS of light is what you need. A flash is a huge help, or worklights of some sorts.
Its a slippery slope, before long she will want a macro lens to go with the tubes, a flash with off camera cord, diffuser etc etc... And will develop an interest in gardening (to the extent of what plants attract pretty insects)
set of tubes on kit lens will work well. Dont worry about tripod, use a garden cane/stick as a monopod (you grip around it and onto the camera/off hand use it).
With macro you want to be shooting at f11 or so... So LOTS of light is what you need. A flash is a huge help, or worklights of some sorts.
Its a slippery slope, before long she will want a macro lens to go with the tubes, a flash with off camera cord, diffuser etc etc... And will develop an interest in gardening (to the extent of what plants attract pretty insects)
