Macros with a Point and Shoot

[jazzology]

Those of you shooting macros of moving subjects with a PnS camera are amazing... after my steal on a fuji s20 (makes excellent images btw) I find that the shutter lag usually gives enough time to inadvertantly move the camera before the shutter actually releases... most shots end up either completely out of focus or the in focus part is not where I intended... even a flower slightly moving in the breeze is quite a challenge. Not exactly my style to "stage" shots... but I am afraid that with this camera and a 50mm reverse mounted... a tripod and a steady subject are critical requirements to getting sharp focus. Still; for an investment of less than 200 dollars it's a pretty powerful tool and certainly a nice "beater" camera.

Best to all,

Jeff

[Athena]

I think the camera I am using has a comparitively short shutter lag. I've had a few cases where things have moved before I could capture them, but it's not been too bad. I've definitely been enjoying the weight difference between the G7 and the 5D with a macro lens attached!

[jazzology]

I am not having so much of a problem with the subject moving... but me moving... I shot a few this morning on auto focus which made for some interesting results... will post when I get motorvated... long night at work yesterday,,,

Jeff

[Fymoh]

Don't forget about DOF advantege that P&S cameras have towards the "big sensors". I enjoy my Fuji S6500fd very much, although those photos with MPE-65 and extension tubes make me want the DSLR more and more.

I was wondering - would it be possible to use an old 50 mm lens and turn it around on a G7 or my Fuji and try some macros that way? Or am I missing something. Obviously one would have to have 3, 4 or 5 hands to do everything but in theory it should work, right?

Regards

Fredy

[Athena]

Jazz - what about using a tripod? You should be able to get away with using a pretty lightweight one with a P&S.

Fredy - there is available for the G7 an adaptor that allows one to attach with a 58mm thread. I will likely get one to use a polarizing filter I already have. If I remember correctly, the adaptor is less than US$30. There are also macro and tele lenses available to attach to the adaptor. Right now though I have my eye on the underwater housing. Seems like that would be a lot of fun!

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by Fymoh

I was wondering - would it be possible to use an old 50 mm lens and turn it around on a G7 or my Fuji and try some macros that way? Or am I missing something. Obviously one would have to have 3, 4 or 5 hands to do everything but in theory it should work, right?

...not only in theory

You would probably need step up and/or step down rings and macro-conversion-rings that screw in both the adapter and the filterthread of the reversed lens, these are the hardest to get (in the Netherlands)

This was done with a 4 MP Canon PowerShot G3 and a Canon FD 50mm F1.4 ManualFocus lens reversed:



Inside a Blue Grape flower





For size comparisons:



and one more



And Be Warned: such a combination has EXTREME shallow DoF!



...*my* €0.02 worth...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[Fymoh]

That's some good news. My Fuji has a thread of 58 mm on the lens and I have kit of close-up lenses which I use. To use a reversed lens I just need the macro conversion ring to fit it on my camera lens and then screw the lens on it. And of course the lens. I must see in local shops if they have something like that. If they don't have the adaptor ring then I might make one myself - a friend of mine has a lathe and I could use some aluminium or some hard plastic or even teflon and just machine the necessary threads on each side. On your first photo - is that bottom part an extension tube? How that affects the weight? Will the reversed lens put to much pressure on the existing mounted lens as the tripod mount is on the bottom of the camera?

I expect the DOF to be very narrow - then I can learn another technique - stacking of photos.

BTW - great photos Max@home.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by Fymoh

That's some good news. My Fuji has a thread of 58 mm on the lens and I have kit of close-up lenses which I use. To use a reversed lens I just need the macro conversion ring to fit it on my camera lens and then screw the lens on it. And of course the lens.

Correct!

I must see in local shops if they have something like that. If they don't have the adaptor ring then I might make one myself - a friend of mine has a lathe and I could use some aluminium or some hard plastic or even teflon and just machine the necessary threads on each side.

...I used two Cokin rings used to attach the Cokin filterholder to a lens and glued and bolted them together, one bolt is visible in the first photo

On your first photo - is that bottom part an extension tube?

Yes, the Canon PowerShot G3 has no native lensthread, you have to connect a lensadapter first. This is the metal 52mm one from LensMate USA, they also make a 58mm for the G3

How that affects the weight? Will the reversed lens put to much pressure on the existing mounted lens as the tripod mount is on the bottom of the camera?

Well, you basically need a 28mm-55mm lens to reverse, these are not too heavy, but some caution is advisable The advantage of the G3-lensadapter system a.o. is that the weight of the lenses (macro or tele/wide conversion lenses) is on the body: the adapter bayonets to the body of the camera, not to the lens itself.

...hope this helps, €0.02 more...

Kindest regards,

Max@Home

[Fymoh]

Thanks Max@Home, Very helpful - will start experimenting.

[jazzology]

Hello All,
I have been remiss in posting some images of the "Po Boy" Macro rig... too busy having fun taking pictures (working )

The first illustrates the FujiS20 pro. with a vivitar 285hv flash... lots of diffusion in front of the flash.

The second shows a 135 reverse mounted (I could not find the 55 I''ve been using)... theoretically possible, but more of a microscope"

The first image is of an ant on a crown of thorns... done with a 55mm reverse mounted, no crop on this one, I'm not sure of the magnification but the flower is about 3mm across... Looks a bit soft and washed out. I'm not shure why ? diffraction ?


The second is just the built in lens on the "Macro" setting zoomed and auto everything... A much bigger and motionless subject as well

My "Lil buddy" here really was more of a gift than an expense... I have owned the pentax lenses for 37 years, and the camera was a gimme... the vivitar 285hv flash was also pre ebay mania and cost about 15$...

Total cost, i'm in for less than 200 dollars for a camera that is living in an igloo lunchbox in the back of my car... I think even if you were to pay mid market prices... this would certainly be a great way to get into macro... the prolifireration of last years 3-8mpx cameras is booming... and they all have their own "Look"... plus, I'm tired of getting sweat and rain all over my nikon these 100degree days... You guys n gals taking such beautiful shots with these cameras amaze me... They present some challenges that a more "instant" shutter takes care of...

i looked at this in preview and need some help in coding syntax and spelling...but the mistress of barbecue is calling

All the best of all that
Jazz to ya'll ..

Jeff

[Athena]

Thanks for posting pictures of your camera Jazz. I would post some of mine, but I'm afraid I've done nothing creative with it. All my macro with the brick shots are just the basic camera in macro mode. lol - today I actually shot with the 5D again after it's sitting in the case for literally weeks!