macro lens attatchment

[thebeard]

hi this is a bit vague but i'm hoping people can help.

i saw a photo on here which was taken with the aid of a macro lens attatchment, not sure its actually a lens, more just something that you can stick on the end of your lens to aid with macro photography. i'm looking to get one as i did do a bit of research, but now i can't remember what its called whatsoever!!! it was something like 'DCI' or something similar but that could be anything! i remember it was quite cheap like 50-100 quid...

anyway if anyone has any idea what i'm talking about i'd appreciate a name for it and whether its worth getting, got some crimbo money and i'm looking to get some gadgets for my camera, as i'm getting more into it now.


cheers
tom

[nutmeg]

It sounds like you're thinking of the Raynox DCR 150 or 250 attachments. I haven't used either, but have seen some excellent results from others.

I'm sure someone who does use them will be along to advise soon!

[thebeard]

thats the one yeah! i'll wait and see what people think, cheers!

[Jason Green]

Evening Tom,

Yes, the one you're thinking of is the Raynox DCR-250, a clip-on achromatic group of lenses that enables your camera to focus on near objects with the use of your camera's zoom. 'Squishy' uses one, and it seems pretty good.

Now, I have another one - made by Opteka, and is known as the 'Opteka 10x HD macro lens'. Again, like the Raynox it's made of four glass elements and so is 'achromatic', and so virtually eliminates purple fringing. It is best suited to a DSLR or pro-sumer camera though, that has a screw-on filter attachment. It is made in a few sizes to fit various models, so you will need the diameter of your camera's lens casing in order to get one that fits.

All my latest photographs in my Gallery and Image Archive that are of insects have been taken with the Opteka lens.

Here are my best ones with the lens:

All taken with the Opteka 10x HD lens
It's not a bad lens in my opinion

Just so you know, I use it with my Fuji FinePix S5600 and most of the optical zoom. I avoid using it fully as the resultant image ends up a little cloudy because of how close and secure-fitting the Opteka screws on. As with most macro photographs, sometimes a little cropping is used.

I got mine for £40 inc. postage, from the online ordering website that shares it's name with the world-famous rainforest

Following my purchase of it and first few WAB postings of the photos, Kayleigh bought one as well. Good luck with this important decision, and feel free to ask anything else. Tell me which camera you want to buy it for, and if you're interested in this lens I'll see if I can find out if one will fit yours

Take care,

Jason

[thebeard]

cheers jason, excellent info and photos! it'll be for my canon eos 350d, which i have just the regular 18-55mm lens it came with and a tamron 55-200mm macro. what lens would it be best to use one of these with?

cheers
tom

edit - just looked and i found one which fits EOS models, though its only £7.95... maybe got the wrong one, seems a bit cheap!

[Jason Green]

Hi Tom,

Thanks! Is the diameter 58mm across for lens attachments on your camera? I've found one that says it's suitable for the Canon EOS series, but have no idea if it would fit or work with the lenses you mentioned, or even if Canon EOS lenses have screw threads as I have never even touched a DSLR!

[thebeard]

the tamron is 52mm with a screw thread, my friend is bringing my other one to me tomorrow, left it at his house, though that is screw thread too, not sure on the diameter though, i'll have a look then!

cheers mate

[Jason Green]

Right, thanks. Well, the 52mm diameter is the same as mine, and also fits the Sony A200k DSLR. If the other screw thread is different you'll need another one of these lenses as these will only fit the exact diameter of the thread they screw on unlike the spring-loaded catch on the Raynox which presumably fits with a variance of a few mm.

As I said, other members may have other suggestions. Oh, and I've just seen your edit in post #5 probably made as I was editing my post #6 - that is the same as the one I was referring to. I'm not sure why it's that cheap - it is sold as New, but you couldn't go wrong with it at that price could you!

[squishy]

i use a raynox DCR 250 for close macro.
it's good quality, though a little tricky to use. It is best used at 150mm and up to minimise vignetting and get close focusing. i use mine on a fuji S9600, usually at around 200mm. i don't go all the way to 300mm, because the DoF is already very small, and the higher the focal length, the small the DoF gets. (also, my s9600 is sharper at 200mm then 300).



you need a tripod for 1:1 macro, or at least a monopod.

if it is for the screw thread at the front of the lens - i think they are lens and make universal. as in a 58mm filter will fit any 58mm thread.

[thebeard]

once again thanks for the info i still haven't got round to buying one but will report when i do!