Canon 500D screw on macro

[colincurry]

Apparently, this attachment screws onto the front of a lens and assists in macro shots. Reviews seem to suggest that the results are good and that it is a cheapish alternative to a dedicated macro lens.

Has anyone tried this, please; and with what results?

Thanks

Colin

[nightshade]

I have no experience of this but made by Canon for Canon should be
a reasonable bit of kit.There are other attachments recommended in
the photographic forum which could possibly do a better job though

[paulthomas]

I've seen some superb results using the 500D. It's not resticted to use on Canon kit either. Like all close-up fliters though it basically fixes the distance at which the lens focuses, which some people find awkward.

[danpen]

I have one, very rarely use it. As Paul says it fixes the distance at which you can focus, not too much of an issue as you can move in and out to get the subject in focus (a lot of people do this for macro anyway). However as you can't change the focal length you can't change the size of the subject either and that is an issue as it leaves you with limited options or composing the shot.

You can get some good results with a decent telephoto lens and a couple of extension rings, but basically nothing beats a proper macro lens for a combination of ease of use and quality.

cheers

Dan

[colincurry]

Hallo Dan

Thanks.

I thought it would be too good to be true, and probably false economy.

You get what you pay for.

Best

Colin

[Seajay]

Hi Colin, I don't know if you are aware of a wildlife photographer called Moose Peterson but this is one of his recommendations (have a look on his website at his work it speaks for itself). The Canon Close Up lens 500D is designed not only for Canon but for Nikon as well (the only thing that is as far as I am aware) and is reputedly a good piece of kit. What it does is allow you to get closer to your subject with a telephoto zoom lens. I have a Nikon 70-200mm VR lens and am going to get one for that. There are times when you don't want to be carrying a lot of gear i.e. when you want to be mobile. The 500D is apparently about 1" thick and very light so with that and a 2x converter I'd be well geared up for any bird, insect or flower I came across at my local nature reserve. Please note this is NOT from practical experience but what I have read. (Struggling along with a backpack full of gear is though).
I'll let you know when I try it. (The 2x converter and 70-200 VR is second to none - that's from experience).

[colincurry]

Hallo Seajay

I look forward to hearing/seeing how you get on. I have a Canon 30D and a 100-400 L IS USM. My first priority is a 1.4 extender for which I shall have to tape three pins to use AF. John from Coventry swears by this - see the Slimbridge thread and some of his results.

The second priority will be macro. I do have a Panasonic FZ30 and Raynox DCR 150 that I need to explore further, and can use in the meantime. I would imagine that this would be a similar situation to that with the Canon 500D in that the Raynox clips on the front of the FZ30.

I take your point about heavy kit. Mine seems heavy enough now, but no pain, no gain.

Welcome to WAB

Colin

[eeyore]

i started out in macro with with screw in close up filters and although they were good for dipping my toe in the water i quickly grew to the point where i wanted to do things they couldnt

i then moved to reversing a 50mm lens onto the front of my lens which allowed me to get grater magnification and more creative control - once this began to limit me i went to a set of jessops extension tubes (79 notes) and a F1.8 50mm lens (arrond 80 notes) and was happy with this set up for about another year

after that i bought a tamron 90 macro lens and have been happy with this ever since
although i am just starting to yearn for more expensive kit such as a 180mm macro

incidentally for an indepth view of all methods for macro i highly recomend "small things big" by paul harcourt davies - more details on which can be found in our review section here http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/re...uct/414/cat/68

[Seajay]

Originally Posted by colincurry

Hallo Seajay

I look forward to hearing/seeing how you get on. I have a Canon 30D and a 100-400 L IS USM. My first priority is a 1.4 extender for which I shall have to tape three pins to use AF. John from Coventry swears by this - see the Slimbridge thread and some of his results.

The second priority will be macro. I do have a Panasonic FZ30 and Raynox DCR 150 that I need to explore further, and can use in the meantime. I would imagine that this would be a similar situation to that with the Canon 500D in that the Raynox clips on the front of the FZ30.

I take your point about heavy kit. Mine seems heavy enough now, but no pain, no gain.

Welcome to WAB

Colin

Thanks Colin. The Canon 500D should arrive tomorrow or Monday so I will let all know how things go and I've got 5 days off now though the weather's not looking good. What I am hoping to use it for is when I go on a recce. I do have a 105mm Nikon f2.8 macro (not the new VR one) but find on the move a 70-200 VR and 2x converter no inconvenience whatsoever (in fact it's a pleasure to use) so all I need do with the Canon 500D close-up is stick it in my pack. I'm set up for most eventualities then. Anywhere I find needs further investigation I return with the big, or should I say heavy gear.
Thanks for the tip on the book Eeyore, I'll check that out.
PS A lovely thing happened today! I went to the hide halfway down the garden hoping to get some shots in (no joy as it turned out - dismal and started pouring down, nowhere near enough light) so I sat in there and just watched. My first chaffinch has been coming for a few days now, today she brought her mate! What a handsome chap! Only about 5' away. A real joy to watch. Can't wait for the right conditions.

[JRsbugs]

Hi Seajay,

I came across your pic of Helipholus pendulus as a random image from the Gallery. I was very impessed! My attention turned to your gear, so I googled the Canon 500D and ended up back here!

Nearly 2 years down the road, what would you recommend now? I noted you have the Nikon D300 which gives more MPs than my D40, and I'm using the 55-200mm VR lens. I want the 105mm f2.8 VR macro, cheapest I have found around £458! My problem is probably similar to yours, except I take pics mostly in and around my garden. I do want to be able to take good close-ups of small insects though as well as more distant birds without having to change lens, probably a tall order.

The 2x convertor I assume is Nikon? Does that reduce the distance from which you can take pics? With my lens the minimum shooting distance is abour 1.1m, I think the 70-200mm is more like 1.5m, is a very expensive prime f2.8 lens but takes the convertor. More money, lol. I have read on one site that the 105mmVR f2.8 macro lens takes the convertor too, not sure if this is correct though.

Janet