macro lenses Archives - DIY Photography

Just how good are cheap extension tubes and do they really compare to an expensive dedicated macro lens?

December 11, 2020 by John Aldred 7 Comments

Macro photography is some of the most fun you can have with a camera. But good macro lenses can be very expensive. There are other things we can do, however, to get macro-like images with our regular lenses, though, without actually having to buy a macro lens. There are close-up filters, reversing rings and extension tubes, for example.

But the latter of those three options, extension tubes, is generally thought to give the best results. But how do they really compare to a true macro lens? In this video, Karl Taylor takes a look at true macro lenses vs extension tubes on both Sony full-frame and Hasselblad medium format systems to see how the two techniques stack up against each other.

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Five reasons why you need a vintage macro lens – especially if you’re new

August 11, 2020 by Dunja Djudjic 4 Comments

Do you still need vintage lenses even in 2020? Well, yes, you do, despite all the modern ones out there. Vintage lenses can be awesome for video, or for portrait photography. And if you’re new to macro photography, they’re a perfect choice for you, too. In this video, Mark Holtze will give you five reasons why vintage macro lenses should be your choice if you’re just starting out.

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New Mitakon 85mm f/2.8 is a super macro lens with 1-5x magnification and long working distance

November 28, 2019 by Dunja Djudjic 4 Comments

Zhongyi Optics has released Mitakon 85mm f/2.8 1-5x, a new super macro Lens for full frame cameras. It features a wide magnification range for photographing subjects at different sizes. It also offers a very long working distance, so you don’t scare away your subjects by getting too close.

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How to make a DIY phone macro lens from an old DVD player

August 5, 2019 by Dunja Djudjic 2 Comments

I pretty sure most of us have an old DVD player lying around and collecting dust. I know I do. Well, if you want to repurpose the outdated, broken or unused DVD player, photographer Raj Khepar will show you how to use one of its parts and make a DIY macro lens for your smartphone.

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This rare medical lens shoots super-sharp macro photos

February 12, 2019 by Dunja Djudjic 3 Comments

Non-photographic lenses such as projector or spy lenses can be used for taking some stunning photos. But have you considered using a medical lens? Mathieu Stern got to test an Elicar 90mm f2.5 Macro Medical V-HQ, a relatively rare lens that was used by medical professionals in the ‘80s. And it turns out that it’s super sharp and great for close-up shots.

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First look at the new Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art, 70mm f/2.8 Art Macro lenses & E Mount release schedule

April 3, 2018 by John Aldred 1 Comment

One of the things I was most interested in checking out during The Photography Show were the new Sigma lens offerings. Those are the 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens, aimed primarily at portrait photographers, and the 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art. So, I sat down for a chat with Paul Reynolds of Sigma Imaging UK. I wanted to find out why the 70mm f/2.8 wasn’t available for Nikon, and I also hoped to get some insight on a release schedule for the new Sony E Mount versions of their existing and new prime lenses.

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Sigma launches the 70mm f/2.8 Macro – their first Art series macro lens

February 27, 2018 by John Aldred 1 Comment

This is the first of a number of new announcements from Sigma today. They’ve finally added a macro lens to their Global Vision Art series lenses. That lens is the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art. With an aperture range of f/2.8 to f/22 and offering up to 1:1 magnification, this lens is likely going to be a big hit with macro fans.

While this is a full frame lens, it may be of particular interest to APS-C shooters. On Sony crop bodies, for example, it will offer the same field of view as the popular Nikon 105mm f/2.8VR Micro-Nikkor does on full frame. But it does it with a little more of that depth of field which is oh so scarce at macro distances. Unlike previous Sigma Art series lenses, this one’s available for native Sony E-Mount, too. Although, surprisingly, not Nikon, according to the press release.[Read More…]

The macro lens is the Swiss Army knife of lenses, and this is why you should own one

September 11, 2017 by John Aldred 6 Comments

Macro lenses are often seen as this weird special purpose thing, that only those interested in shooting bugs should buy. But they’re so much more than that. Photographer Peter McKinnon believes everybody should own one. In this video, Peter talks about the versatility of a macro lens. That it can be used for so much more than typical “macro” use.

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