Macro with the Canon f1.8 niffty fiffty (1 Viewer)

Orionthehunter · Aug 16, 2011

Hi All,

Just wanted to show what can be done with the niffty fiffty (Canon 50mm F.18) and a Macro Filter (52mm Macro Filter).

I had read lots of post over the net exclaiming the short comings of the 50mm f1.8 for Macro but went about trying a 20yr old Macro Filter someone had given to me a few years. To my surprise the results are really good imho the depth of field maybe not be great (Using the max F22 of the Lens) but at least it does produce a nice sharp image and pretty decent Macro/Magnification.

Only Downside is the working distance which in the following images/links were all taken around 1inch to 2 inches away..

All shots are handheld and mostly using the on-board flash of my Camera Cannon 550D.

Point of the post is really to show what can be done on the relative cheap and many Photographers own the 50mm f1,8 aka Niffty Fiffty maybe give it a whirl?.

Not the best images in the world of course but I think they are decent enough to dip ya toe's into the world of Macro on the cheap o

Adam69 · Aug 17, 2011

A great example of how versatile this cracking little lens is, Ive just brought my first dedicated Macro lens and it's very addictive!

Orionthehunter · Aug 17, 2011

Hi Adam, it is very addictive your right

Out of interest which Lens did you purchase?

Sandpiper · Aug 17, 2011

Hi James,

Thanks for sharing your selection of excellent images. You have proven that you do not need to invest in a dedicated macro lens to achieve great results. I have three old M42 lenses which I use with +1 and +2 close up filters on my 7D which give me great close up images.

Mike

Orionthehunter · Aug 23, 2011

Thank you Mike, indeed it's a versatile Lens and for the Money prob best sub 100gbp lens you can buy.

nick scarle · Aug 23, 2011

I'd be interested to hear what the effect of the Macro filter is ... what does it bring to the photos that you can't get with the naked lens?

Cheers, Nick

Sandpiper · Aug 23, 2011

Nick,

A macro (or close-up) filter allows the lens to focus much closer than normal. For example, by screwing on a +2 dioptre close up lens (filter) your lens will not focus beyond half a metre (50cms); by using a +4 it will not focus beyond a quarter of a metre (25cms). This is achieved without losing any f/stops which occurs when using extension tubes but depth of field is considerably reduced which means that you will have to stop down the lens to around f/16 to f/22 to keep all of the subject in focus.

Hope this answers your question.

Mike

The Actor · Aug 25, 2011

I've been using a macro filter with a bit of success, nothing exceptional but surprisingly decent for my ability. I'll keep at it and hope for better results.

kawwauser · Aug 26, 2011

great pics,i own a 550d myself the 50mm is my next lens ill have to get a macro filter too

gadus · Aug 26, 2011

Any recommendations for a particular macro filter?
Peter

Orionthehunter · Aug 27, 2011

gadus said:
Any recommendations for a particular macro filter?
Peter

Hi Peter,

You can get some on Ebay/Amazon pretty cheap and if your lucky a pack of 4 in a pouch +1+2+3+4 filters for around 15 pounds posted.

My Filter is a Hoya 52mm Macro Close Up Filter for reference.

Sure someone will chip in with a good recommendation but I will recommend a Hoya

Orionthehunter · Aug 27, 2011

Out of interest this is as close to a subject I can manage with the 550d+50mm+Macro Filter..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5597103948_35a44a9aae_b.jpg

gadus · Aug 28, 2011

Thank you. I will probably stick to known makes.
Peter

Orionthehunter · Aug 29, 2011

Let us know how you get on Peter and if you need any help just give me a shout

Orionthehunter · Oct 5, 2011

Just a little update on my Adventures with the 50mm f1.8 for Macro I have now got some Kenko extension tubes and did a little test today. Seems to work fine and decent results which I was suprised as I had read on Internet land this config doesn't work too well..

3 Pics from my test..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesdyson/6212731016/in/photostream/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesdyson/6212216567/in/photostream/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesdyson/6212732642/in/photostream/lightbox/

Macro with the Canon f1.8 niffty fiffty (1 Viewer)

More options

Orionthehunter

Well-known member

Adam69

Well-known member

Orionthehunter

Well-known member

Sandpiper

Mike Powell

Orionthehunter

Well-known member

nick scarle

Leo

Sandpiper

Mike Powell

The Actor

Well-known member

kawwauser

Well-known member

gadus

Well-known member

Orionthehunter

Well-known member

Orionthehunter

Well-known member

gadus

Well-known member

Orionthehunter

Well-known member

Orionthehunter

Well-known member

Similar threads

Users who are viewing this thread