JPG: Stories: How To: Macro on the Cheap

How To

Macro on the Cheap

By Scott Baker

24 Sep 2008

I was in the photo store last year, looking at my options for a macro lens. The helpful shop owner could tell I didn't want to part with the money that was needed for one. He offered another idea - the close-up filter. As it turns out, there are filters that simply allow you to get closer to your subject - and they can be had at filter prices.

Mine is Quantary's +10 Macro. Not exactly sure what the 10 means, only that the higher the number, the closer your subject is. The day I picked this up is the day I took the pic of the dragon fly. I was hooked after that.

I was also advised to determine which of my existing lenses could get me the closest (without the filter) to an object. This would be the size filter to get. As it turned out my kit lens, which was not getting much use won this contest. So, now I keep my close-up on my kit lens and swap it on whenever I need it.

Before I take my shot, I typically zoom to the longest focal length and manually focus all the way down to the closest possible distance. Then, I compose my shot, using my body position to get the area of the picture I want into focus. This takes a pretty fast shutter speed to ward off any shake. Sometime it is necessary to jack up the ISO, to get that shutter speed.

Macro photography is one of those areas where there are no limits. With the right amount of imagination and motivation, you can do anything. The photo below of the MM's is something I just thought as I was walking through the aisle at the grocery store. It is also something you can do indoors at any time of the day. The environment is totally under your control.

I get the most satisfaction when I get a real good shot of something that is really very ordinary.

Hope it is helpful.

I was inspired to write this by JPG'r Casi Fleischman's story(http://www.jpgmag.com/stories/7721). Thanks Casi!

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6 responses

Patricia Shanahan gave props (25 Sep 2008):
The tips were great & very helpful ! Thanks !
Ian Beer said (25 Sep 2008):
you can also take a 50mm prime, focus it to infinity...
then take it off of the mount and hold it in place backwards. move closer and further away to achieve focus on your subject. voila! macro lens!
Lynn H gave props (25 Sep 2008):
Very helpful and interesting!!
Casi Fleischman added a link (25 Sep 2008):
Hey what a small world, just wrote an article similar to what Ian just said. This is when you know the economy is bad... ahhaa. Great article, Macro lens's are slowly going to go out of style... (www.jpgmag.com)
Scott Baker said (25 Sep 2008):
Actually, I should have given you credit here (just edited the story). I saw your story and was inspired to write this one. I have not tried reversing and holding the lens as you describe. Your pics are real good and proof that it works. Thanks!
Giselle Goloy gave props (28 Sep 2008):
thank you for this great tip. i have been meaning to get a macro lens. and i love the M&Ms!!!