Poor Man’s macro

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Jan 8th, 2008 by jeremy

Poor Man's Macro

Using a technique I read about online recently, I took my 50mm prime and held it backwards in front of my 24-105 lens to get this macro. This was done just in my office with natural light, but it didn’t turn out half bad. I would like to experiment with this technique a little more to see if I can get better at it. Of course in the long run I would like a 100mm macro like everyone else, but that is one of many goodies on my “want” list.

A Little More Detail

So did what I said not explain it well enough? It was a bit confusing to me at first as well. Obviously this only works if you have a separate lens you can hold in front of an already decent zoom lens. It also requires a bit of experimentation and patience, along with a dose of dexterity. I found myself moving around a bit until I could get things in focus. I think I may be able to get better at this with a little practice, so I am sure you can too.

The easiest way I found this to work, especially lining up with subject, was to first just look at the subject through the reversed lens in a way that allows you to rest your hand on a solid surface. It works just like a magnifying glass, which is both cool and tells me this same process should be possible with a high quality actual magnifying glass just that your lens is exactly that when turned around.

Once you have your subject framed in as you want, move your camera in until the lenses (lightly) touch. Obtain your focus and adjust framing as needed. Your main lens will need to be manually focused to the shortest macro setting as you will be manually moving in and out to get your focal point. I recommend taking many photos and try different focal points as once you get it on screen it is going to show a very shallow DOF on your details. A tripod would be very helpful had I taken the time to set this up with more precision.

Obviously with this much going on your subject needs to be inanimate, which this fly I am showing had already expired and was found on my office chair of all places. I guess you could say today’s post practically landed in my lap, or would have had I been sitting in my chair when this little guy kicked the bucket. Sorry, that was really bad.

Here is a closer (100% blow up) of another shot taken in the same sequence.