Entries Tagged 'lenses' ↓

I’ve previously mentioned that one of the more reasonable ways to add a macro capability to a SLR is through the use of extension tubes.

Extension tubes work by reducing the minimum focus distance of the lens, allowing you to get closer to your subject and still be in focus. This can sometimes be a bit of a disadvantage with things that notice you coming, such as insects!

Recently, I decided to take a look at some of the options available for my Canon Digital SLR. Canon make a 12mm and 25mm tube, however, another Japanese company, Kenko, make sets for most of the major lens mounts; and they are well worth looking at.

I did briefly consider the Canon, but only very briefly, the Kenko set offers more flexibility for around the same cash as one of the Canon tubes.

The set contains 12, 20 and 36mm tubes which can be connected together to give an enormous 68 mm extension, used alone or in combination. Extreme close ups here we come!

Playing around with them, (I mounted the new 50mm lens on top) you soon realise that depth of field is pretty heavily reduced, but they are fantastic fun. They do make for a slightly darker image when reading from the camera’s meter. So, to compensate, you might lower the shutter speed, or use the bracketing function of your camera to get a nicely lit shot.

On the whole if you’re interested in taking some macro shots, and you don’t want to splash out on a dedicated lens, they’re a good option. One word of warning though some lenses may not fit or indeed work, for example the standard 18-55mm lens which comes with the consumer Canon SLRs won’t. Lenses with lower focal lengths (below 35mm) may not focus at all, even though they fit the arrangement, since the focal distance is so reduced.

Treat yourself to the 50mm lens mentioned previously instead. They’re a great combination, and the variety of shots you can make with them is amazing (Not just macro).

The 50mm lens is a classic piece of kit, it’s basically the WYSIWYG of the lens world. The idea being that it will give an image that correlates to what your eyes see, albeit at a reduced field of view.
The lens was a standard fitting on most 35mm cameras for a number of years, and made famous by many of the great photographers in particular Cartier-Bresson and Elliott Erwitt. There’s a good article here on shutterbug.com with some more info.

I recently picked up Canon’s EF 50mm f1/8 II Lens, and I have to say it’s a really fantastic. I am completely taken with it, and have had it attached to my 350D body for the past few days. In comparison to the (approximate) 50mm setting on the EFs 18-55 lens that comes with the 350/400Ds as standard there really is just no comparison!
With an aperture going to f1/8, it lets in plenty of light. It’s great for available light portraits and candid shots.
This aperture gives a shallow depth of field, helping to removed any background mess, which can be very effect in close up portraiture.
One negative is the plastic enclosure and general build which does feel a little cheap, but for the price maybe that’s to be expected; and given just how inexpensive (trust me, it’s pretty cheap!) it is, it’s hardly a complaint.

It really is very difficult to find fault with the lens, and I’d highly recommend it to any Canon users out there, particularly if you’re moving away from the EFS 18-55 that came with your camera and looking for that first prime lens to start the lens collection. It’s an opinion shared by a good many others, take a look at the discussion here on fredmiranda.com.

It’s also available to buy on amazon; Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens