Best Macro Kit for Less than 1,000usd? - Photography - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

LeeROI · 11-28-2011, 08:38 PM

Any suggestions for a good macro setup for less than $1,000, new?

I have a Nikon S95 for point-and-shoot but would like something better for getting up close and personal with my plants.

DoobieDuck · 11-29-2011, 02:13 PM

LeeROI I would like to answer this for you, but before I do, can I ask? What do YOU consider macro? Macro is difficult, even with a good camera and lense there is much more involved.
Which of these would you like to be able to capture?
#1 Tom Hill X-18

#2 DoobieDuck Strawberry

#3 DoobieDuck Strawberry

11-29-2011, 02:16 PM

Do you have a dslr already

LeeROI · 11-29-2011, 07:16 PM

No DSLR yet, just some SLRs in the closet. I had photo example #1 in mind.

I have a tripod and I'll need light but I'm thinking Canon EOS T2i with Tamron G005 AF60mm f/2.0 Di II LD 1:1 Macro lens. After rebate on the lens, less than a grand, delivered from B&H. I'm getting older, though, and I sure like the idea of the fold-out LCD of the T3i for awkward shots.

11-29-2011, 08:15 PM

that sounds like you got your homework done. i will have to check those canons out. i just bought a nikon 3100 then 2 days later i went out and got there nikor micro 55mm-85mm lens and i am getting some nice closeups nothing like if i had $2000 just laying around and could spend it on a 200mm micro lens. thats what gets those incredible close trick shots. i am just a beginner myself . so in depth conversation might fly right over my head. but i will try and keep up.

DoobieDuck · 11-29-2011, 08:23 PM

LeeROI hey I have Canon 20D and a 50D. #1 was captured with the 50D and my favorite lens-a Sigma 17-70mm macro. I use this lens more than any in my bag and not only for cannabis pix...it remains on my camera most of the time. The T2I would do you good but I'd recomend a better lense than the Tamron. I use a set of Kenko extension tubes with my Sigma to get in closer and other lenses to get pix like #3 . Hope this helps...looking forward to your pixels..DD

foomar · 11-29-2011, 10:21 PM

Hi LeeROI , have stuck with Canon primarily due to their ancient but high quality SLR lenses working perfectly on current digital SLR models , few makers did this.

Those old slr,s in the closet may well have better glass than current kit lenses , rarely is auto focus in macro usefull so can use a high end FD lense via adapter or almost any other lense made since the great war.

Whatever you decide , old SLR macro equipment from the 1960 - 90 era is of impressive quality and good value , this vintage Pentax bellows cost a few pounds and is great when you get the lighting right , trucks and SLR ringlights/ringflash are often bargains.

LeeROI · 11-30-2011, 04:00 AM

Thank you all for the replies. My house is a mess but I went looking for the SLRs and found a Pentax "Bellows II" new in the box. It has threaded lens mounts so must be M42, I assume.

I have my dad's old KW Praktica (somewhere) from the 1950's that has a Carl Zeiss Biotar lens--sharpest pictures I ever took. So that would also be M42. Canon-to-M42 adapters are inexpensive and seem a better match than Nikon.

Sooo, I think I'll keep looking at Canon DSLR bodies. One thing I'm not real clear on is the APS-C cropping of the "full" 35mm image and the implications. Edit: this helped, https://www.bobatkins.com/photography...nd_lenses.html

foomar · 11-30-2011, 06:17 PM

This guy has tested a wonderfull collection of old glass mounted on a Canon 350D , he likes old zeiss.

https://galactinus.net/vilva/retro/index.html

I use this russian pancake as a carry lense most of the time , brilliant optics for a few pounds , all steel and glass from this era and no tacky plastic , the russian portrait lenses are good value too , spoilt for choice in M42.

Have to be carefull with some zoom designs as the glass can hit the mirror with expensive results , very few could do this but pays to measure first.

LeeROI · 01-12-2012, 07:30 PM

[Update (copied from another post of mine):]

My Xmas present to myself: Canon T2i (with "toy" zoom kit lens) $600; Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens $400.

My New Year's present: Canon Macro ring flash with 52mm filter ring $500.

Sooo . . . $1500 for the system with the caveat that the EF-S macro lens is not usable on a full-frame body (the T2i is aps-c format).

Edit: the "Canon 52C MACROLITE ADAPTER" ring isn't needed.

11-28-2011, 08:38 PM	#1
LeeROI Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 433	Best Macro Kit for Less than 1,000usd? Any suggestions for a good macro setup for less than $1,000, new? I have a Nikon S95 for point-and-shoot but would like something better for getting up close and personal with my plants.
	Quote

11-29-2011, 02:13 PM	#2
DoobieDuck Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Only where my disabilities allow me to be. Posts: 7,419	LeeROI I would like to answer this for you, but before I do, can I ask? What do YOU consider macro? Macro is difficult, even with a good camera and lense there is much more involved. Which of these would you like to be able to capture? #1 Tom Hill X-18 #2 DoobieDuck Strawberry #3 DoobieDuck Strawberry __________________ Please join me in my Summer 2018 All Black Grow Last edited by Doobieduck; 11-29-2011 at 08:17 PM.. Reason: spelling...
	Quote 4 members found this post helpful.

11-29-2011, 07:16 PM	#4
LeeROI Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 433	No DSLR yet, just some SLRs in the closet. I had photo example #1 in mind. I have a tripod and I'll need light but I'm thinking Canon EOS T2i with Tamron G005 AF60mm f/2.0 Di II LD 1:1 Macro lens. After rebate on the lens, less than a grand, delivered from B&H. I'm getting older, though, and I sure like the idea of the fold-out LCD of the T3i for awkward shots.
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

11-29-2011, 08:15 PM	#5
seedee Guest Posts: n/a	that sounds like you got your homework done. i will have to check those canons out. i just bought a nikon 3100 then 2 days later i went out and got there nikor micro 55mm-85mm lens and i am getting some nice closeups nothing like if i had $2000 just laying around and could spend it on a 200mm micro lens. thats what gets those incredible close trick shots. i am just a beginner myself . so in depth conversation might fly right over my head. but i will try and keep up.
	Quote

11-29-2011, 08:23 PM	#6
DoobieDuck Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Only where my disabilities allow me to be. Posts: 7,419	LeeROI hey I have Canon 20D and a 50D. #1 was captured with the 50D and my favorite lens-a Sigma 17-70mm macro. I use this lens more than any in my bag and not only for cannabis pix...it remains on my camera most of the time. The T2I would do you good but I'd recomend a better lense than the Tamron. I use a set of Kenko extension tubes with my Sigma to get in closer and other lenses to get pix like #3 . Hope this helps...looking forward to your pixels..DD __________________ Please join me in my Summer 2018 All Black Grow
	Quote

11-29-2011, 02:16 PM	#3
seedee Guest Posts: n/a	Do you have a dslr already
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

11-29-2011, 10:21 PM	#7
foomar Luddite Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Posts: 3,262	Hi LeeROI , have stuck with Canon primarily due to their ancient but high quality SLR lenses working perfectly on current digital SLR models , few makers did this. Those old slr,s in the closet may well have better glass than current kit lenses , rarely is auto focus in macro usefull so can use a high end FD lense via adapter or almost any other lense made since the great war. Whatever you decide , old SLR macro equipment from the 1960 - 90 era is of impressive quality and good value , this vintage Pentax bellows cost a few pounds and is great when you get the lighting right , trucks and SLR ringlights/ringflash are often bargains. __________________ A fine C99 cross from Head , Geisha girls Mmmmm Blackberry meets C99 in purple and gold Black Geisha Project MBS test run , and a dash of Blackberry
	Quote

11-30-2011, 04:00 AM	#8
LeeROI Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 433	Thank you all for the replies. My house is a mess but I went looking for the SLRs and found a Pentax "Bellows II" new in the box. It has threaded lens mounts so must be M42, I assume. I have my dad's old KW Praktica (somewhere) from the 1950's that has a Carl Zeiss Biotar lens--sharpest pictures I ever took. So that would also be M42. Canon-to-M42 adapters are inexpensive and seem a better match than Nikon. Sooo, I think I'll keep looking at Canon DSLR bodies. One thing I'm not real clear on is the APS-C cropping of the "full" 35mm image and the implications. Edit: this helped, https://www.bobatkins.com/photography...nd_lenses.html
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

11-30-2011, 06:17 PM	#9
foomar Luddite Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Posts: 3,262	This guy has tested a wonderfull collection of old glass mounted on a Canon 350D , he likes old zeiss. https://galactinus.net/vilva/retro/index.html I use this russian pancake as a carry lense most of the time , brilliant optics for a few pounds , all steel and glass from this era and no tacky plastic , the russian portrait lenses are good value too , spoilt for choice in M42. Have to be carefull with some zoom designs as the glass can hit the mirror with expensive results , very few could do this but pays to measure first. __________________ A fine C99 cross from Head , Geisha girls Mmmmm Blackberry meets C99 in purple and gold Black Geisha Project MBS test run , and a dash of Blackberry
	Quote

01-12-2012, 07:30 PM	#10
LeeROI Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 433	[Update (copied from another post of mine):] My Xmas present to myself: Canon T2i (with "toy" zoom kit lens) $600; Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens $400. My New Year's present: Canon Macro ring flash with 52mm filter ring $500. Sooo . . . $1500 for the system with the caveat that the EF-S macro lens is not usable on a full-frame body (the T2i is aps-c format). Edit: the "Canon 52C MACROLITE ADAPTER" ring isn't needed.
	Quote