Cheap Macro Photography: Tips & Tricks
Exploring the World Up Close: Macrophotography on a Budget
Macrophotography, the art of capturing images at extremely high magnification, offers a uniquely rewarding photographic experience.
However, the cost associated with specialized macro lenses can often be prohibitive for enthusiasts.
Affordable Techniques for Stunning Macro Shots
Fortunately, it’s entirely possible to delve into the captivating realm of macrophotography without a significant financial investment.
This guide will detail several low-cost methods and techniques that allow you to achieve impressive results on a limited budget.
Utilizing Extension Tubes
Extension tubes are a cost-effective alternative to dedicated macro lenses.
These hollow tubes fit between your camera body and existing lens, reducing the minimum focusing distance and effectively increasing magnification.
They don't contain any optical elements, so they won't degrade image quality.
Reverse Lens Macrophotography
An unconventional, yet remarkably effective technique involves mounting a standard lens in reverse.
This is typically achieved using a reversing ring, which screws into the filter thread of your lens and allows you to attach it backwards to the camera body.
Reversing a lens dramatically increases magnification, enabling extreme close-up shots.
Close-Up Filters
Close-up filters, also known as diopters, screw onto the front of your existing lenses like any other filter.
They function similarly to magnifying glasses, reducing the minimum focusing distance and allowing for closer focusing.
These are available in various strengths (+1, +2, +4, etc.), with higher numbers indicating greater magnification.
DIY Macrophotography Solutions
Creative solutions can also be employed to achieve macrophotography on a budget.
For example, a drop of water placed on the front of your lens can act as a makeshift magnifying glass, creating interesting distortions and magnification.
Tips for Successful Budget Macrophotography
- Stability is Key: Use a tripod to minimize camera shake, especially at high magnifications.
- Lighting Matters: Adequate and even lighting is crucial for sharp, detailed macro images.
- Manual Focus: Manual focus often provides more precise control than autofocus in macrophotography.
- Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different techniques and settings to discover what works best for you.
By embracing these affordable techniques, you can unlock the fascinating world of macrophotography and capture stunning images without breaking the bank.
The Appeal of Affordable Macro Photography
Investing in specialized macro photography equipment can be expensive; a single, high-quality macro lens can easily exceed $800 in cost. For those uncertain about committing significant funds to this photographic pursuit, or for photographers who enjoy resourceful solutions, numerous methods exist to experience the magnification of macro photography without substantial financial strain.
While we acknowledge that professional-grade macrophotography—such as selling images of insects for income—benefits from dedicated, precisely engineered lenses, these techniques offer a fun and effective alternative for enthusiasts. Crucially, the methods detailed in this guide require a parts investment of $25 or less, with the potential to acquire components for all techniques for under $50.
Exploring DIY Macro Solutions
Before delving into specific techniques, we strongly recommend exploring examples of work created using these affordable and DIY macro setups. The sample images used in this tutorial prioritize demonstrating changes in a baseline image as lenses and techniques are altered, rather than showcasing exceptional photographic skill.
To witness the impressive results achievable with reversed lenses, macro extension tubes, and other cost-effective methods, we suggest browsing Flickr and searching for these techniques. Consider, for example, the captivating photograph by Thomas Shahan:
To begin your research, here are some helpful links:
- Explore extension tube photos sorted by popularity.
- Discover images captured with reversed lenses, also sorted by popularity.
- View examples of stacked lens photography arranged by interest.
Examining photographs and reviewing their accompanying notes and tags provides valuable insight into how others utilize their equipment.
Essential Equipment for Macro Photography
To effectively follow the steps outlined in this tutorial, specific equipment will be required, varying depending on the technique employed. Our demonstrations utilize a Nikon camera paired with a 50mm prime lens as the foundational setup for macro image capture. Users with different camera systems or lenses should adjust specifications, particularly concerning reversing rings, to align with their equipment’s lens size and thread diameter.
Core Requirements for All Techniques:
- 1 (D)SLR camera
- 1 lens (a prime lens, such as a 50mm, is preferred)
Beyond these basics, additional items are needed for each specific method:
Lens Reversal Technique:
- 1 Reverse Ring Camera Mount ($5)
Alternatively:
- 1 Reverse Ring Kit ($25) (Strongly recommended; this kit provides mounting hardware and safeguards for the lens assembly during reversal.)
Extension Tube Method:
- 1 Macro Extension Tube Set ($13)
Lens Stacking Approach:
- 1 Reversing/Coupling Ring ($7)
- A secondary lens
Optionally:
- 1 Reverse Ring Kit ($25) (Recommended for enhanced protection of the secondary lens assembly when reversed.)
Furthermore, we highly advise the use of a tripod and a remote shutter release – either a wired cable or a wireless remote – as macro photography demands a stable camera and precise adjustments to the subject-lens distance.
You may be questioning the overall cost, considering the initial statement of keeping expenses under $50, especially if you lack a prime or secondary lens. This is a valid concern.
Firstly, acquiring a prime lens isn’t mandatory for this project. While prime lenses are advantageous due to their wider maximum apertures compared to zoom lenses, they aren’t strictly necessary.
Secondly, for popular camera brands like Nikon and Canon, a new 50mm prime lens can often be purchased for approximately $100. We consider these lenses an excellent investment even beyond macro photography, as they consistently deliver exceptional sharpness and value for the price.
Moreover, 50mm prime lenses are readily available. Older models, manufactured over the past three decades, can be found on platforms like eBay or at local camera stores for significantly reduced prices – typically between $25 and $40. In our lens stacking demonstration, we utilized a 50mm Nikon lens acquired from eBay for just $30.
Finally, if any of the equipment terms – such as the distinction between a reverse ring mount and a reverse ring – remain unclear, do not worry. Each component will be thoroughly explained, along with its function, within the corresponding section of this tutorial.
How to Utilize a Reverse Lens Adapter
Many individuals, during childhood, have experimented with binoculars, turning them around to observe objects in a different manner. This inversion of the lenses alters their function, causing distant objects to appear magnified instead of reducing their perceived distance.
A similar effect is achieved when a camera lens is reversed. A lens is engineered to reduce the size of a subject – like a person – to fit within the camera's sensor. This reduction encompasses both the subject and its surrounding environment.
An Example with a $5 Bill
Consider a photograph of a $5 bill taken with a 50mm lens. The image appears as expected, mirroring what the human eye would perceive at a similar distance – approximately a foot. Notably, the width of US currency, when photographed with a 50mm lens at its minimum focal distance, perfectly fills the frame.
Examining the same image at 100% magnification, cropped around President Lincoln’s eyes, reveals the maximum enlargement achievable with this standard 50mm lens setup. Further magnification would necessitate software-based enhancement, potentially compromising image quality.
Software enhancements have limitations; they cannot create detail that wasn't originally captured. Attempting to enhance a photograph to reveal details not present during capture, such as individual salt grains on almonds, is impossible.
Reversing the Lens for Enhanced Results
Reversing a camera lens can yield surprising results. A lens functions as a shrinking mechanism, reducing the scale of the world to fit onto a small sensor. When a photograph is taken, the lens reduces the reality of a subject to a size of roughly 1/4 of an inch on the camera’s film or sensor.
For highly detailed, close-up images, a lens with a 1:1 magnification ratio is required. Such a lens captures the image at life size or greater magnification on the sensor or film.
Reversing a 50mm lens provides a quick and affordable method to experiment with 1:1 reproduction. The process involves removing the camera lens and screwing it onto a reverse lens mount adapter via its filter threads.
If a full reverse mount kit, including a bayonet-to-filter adapter, is available, it should be attached at this stage. If not, keeping the lens’s plastic element cap in place when not shooting is advisable.
Open the lens aperture fully using the aperture adjustment ring. If the lens lacks a manual aperture ring, it may be necessary to mount the lens conventionally, set the aperture, and then remove the lens while the camera is off to maintain the wide-open setting.
Photographing President Lincoln with a Reversed Lens
With the lens reversed, close-up photographs can be taken. Let's examine an image of President Lincoln captured with the reversed 50mm lens (full frame width, cropped at the top and bottom).
A key observation is the limited depth of field. Macro lenses, whether reversed or professional, exhibit a significantly reduced depth of field as magnification increases. Slight variations in the subject’s surface, such as the curvature of the $5 bill, can result in portions of the image being out of focus.
The reversed 50mm lens captures a smaller area – around 2 inches – compared to the standard lens’s 6 inches at its minimum focal distance. This magnification is comparable to the 100% crop of the standard 50mm image, achieving a similar level of detail without digital enlargement.
Here is a 100% crop from the reversed lens image, illustrating the increased magnification:
Reversing the lens alters its function. Instead of reducing a large scene, it magnifies a small portion of it. Details not visible with the standard lens, such as the raised cotton fibers on Lincoln’s iris, become apparent.
The definition of macro photography is reproducing a subject on the film or sensor at a 1:1 ratio or greater, a feat accomplished by simply reversing a 50mm lens. This setup, including the $5 reversing ring, provides a cost-effective way to explore macro photography.
Testing Magnification Ratio
To verify the magnification ratio, photograph a ruler with the setup. Determine the sensor size of your camera (e.g., 23.6mm for a Nikon D90) and compare it to the ruler’s image. A 1:1 ratio means the visible portion of the ruler will be 23.6mm or less. A ratio greater than 1:1 indicates higher magnification. Conversely, if more than 23.6mm of the ruler is visible, the setup produces close-up images but not true macro photographs.
Enhancing Magnification Through Lens Stacking
Increasing magnification can be achieved by reversing a lens. Further magnification is possible by attaching this reversed lens, rather than directly to the camera body.
To stack lenses, begin with a standard lens mounted on your camera – a prime lens is often preferred. Then, incorporate a male-to-male coupling ring, which is essentially a threaded aluminum ring devoid of any filter glass. This adapter facilitates threading a reversed lens onto your existing lens, allowing configurations like stacking a reversed 50mm lens onto a normally mounted 50mm lens.
The setup process mirrors that of a reversed lens, but instead of using a bayonet-to-threading mount to connect the reversed lens to the camera body, it’s secured to the regularly mounted lens with a suitable male-to-male adapter. Protecting the rear lens element with the components from a reverse ring kit remains recommended.
A simple calculation can determine the magnification achieved with your lens arrangement. The formula for calculating magnification when stacking lenses involves dividing the focal length of the reversed lens by the focal length of the normally mounted lens.
For example, a 100mm lens reverse-mounted onto a 50mm lens yields a 2x magnification (100/50 = 2).
Below is a full-frame image captured using our stacked 50mm <-> 50mm lens configuration:
Beyond the shallow depth of field observed with the reversed 50mm lens, another photographic consideration arises. You may notice a darkening around the corners and edges of the image, similar to older photographs. This effect, known as vignetting, is a consequence of lens stacking.
Adding additional optical elements to the lens setup results in some light loss, which manifests as darkening at the photograph’s edges.
Comparing full-frame capture sizes, the original 50mm setup captured approximately 6 inches within the frame at its minimum focal distance. The 50mm to 50mm lens stack, however, captures around 1 inch. Let's examine the results from our stacked lens setup at 100% crop, focusing again on President Lincoln’s eye:
At this magnification, the individual cotton fibers that have absorbed the ink from the printing process become visible. The etching marks used by the artist to define the pupil are also discernible.
Achieving Greater Magnification with Extension Tubes
Today, we will explore utilizing extension tubes as a method for converting a standard lens into a macro lens. An extension tube set comprises tubes – or sections of tubes – designed to be mounted between your camera body and the lens.
How Extension Tubes Work
Extending the distance between the lens and the camera body is the core principle. A typical lens, such as a 50mm prime, can focus at infinity but has limited close-focusing capability. Increasing this distance boosts magnification and reduces the minimum focusing distance.
It’s even feasible to add enough extension that the subject being photographed nearly touches the lens itself.
Attaching Extension Tubes
Installation is straightforward. Simply detach your existing lens and mount the extension tube as you would a regular lens, utilizing the bayonet mount. Then, attach your lens to the extension tube in the same manner as you would to the camera body.
Manual Mode Considerations
Inexpensive extension tubes typically lack electrical contacts, necessitating a switch to manual mode on your camera. While tubes with electrical contacts are available, they come at a significantly higher cost – around $150-200 compared to $12.
Given that macro photography often demands extensive manual adjustments anyway, the added expense may be unnecessary.
Magnification Demonstration with a 50mm Lens
Let's examine the magnification achievable by using all segments of a typical extension tube kit with a 50mm lens. This demonstrates the maximum magnification potential of the set.
The resulting full-frame view covers an area of less than an inch. Even without a 100% crop, details like the red security fiber within the currency’s cotton paper are visible (located on the bridge of President Lincoln’s nose).
Examining the 100% Crop
A 100% crop reveals even finer details:
At this magnification, the ink bleed from the rings of Lincoln’s iris into the surrounding fibers, caused by capillary action, becomes apparent. What appears as texture is actually the contrast between the paper’s peaks and valleys.
Combining Techniques for Increased Magnification
Further magnification can be achieved by combining techniques. Consider a 100% crop of a $5 bill photographed with an extension tube, a 50mm lens, and a stacked 28mm lens:
The resulting image reveals that the security fiber on Lincoln’s nose isn’t solely red, but a combination of red and yellow.
Enhancing Your Macro Photography: Techniques and Further Exploration
Having grasped the foundational aspects of DIY macro photography, let's explore straightforward methods to elevate the quality of your images and deepen your appreciation for the art form.
As previously discussed, a tripod and a remote shutter release are exceptionally valuable tools. Due to the extremely shallow depth of field inherent in macro photography, even minimal shifts in either the subject's position or the camera's alignment can dramatically alter the focal point. This often presents a challenge for beginners, as even a gentle breeze can disrupt focus and compromise a photograph.
When composing your shot, it’s generally more effective to reposition the subject for focus adjustments rather than attempting to move the camera itself. While standard camera tripods lack the precise adjustments needed for millimeter-level lens shifts, subtly adjusting the subject’s placement is easily achievable. For those seriously dedicated to macro work, investing in a macro focusing rail – a specialized tripod attachment enabling fine adjustments along X and Y axes – can prove beneficial.
When uncertainty arises, prioritize capturing multiple images. The ultra-thin depth of field makes it challenging to confirm accurate focus through the viewfinder. It’s always prudent to take several extra shots rather than discovering upon review that only portions of your subject, excluding critical details like the eyes, are in sharp focus.
Ultimately, a key recommendation for macro photography is to embrace relaxation and enjoyment. View the pursuit of a perfect image – be it of an insect or a flower’s pistil – as a meditative practice blending skill, technique, and fortunate timing.
The bee photograph featured above is, personally, my most cherished macro image, largely due to the element of serendipity. It may appear meticulously planned and executed, but the reality is quite different. The image resulted from a spontaneous decision to venture into my backyard on a cool September morning, seeking interesting photographic opportunities.
The chilly temperature had left the bee temporarily immobilized on a closed thistle bud, providing a unique chance to capture a series of handheld macro shots without concern for the subject taking flight. It isn’t necessarily my technically best or most visually striking photograph, but it consistently serves as a reminder of the joy of simply engaging with photography.
Avoid becoming fixated on possessing the most advanced lens or mastering flawless technique. Instead, acquire an inexpensive reversing ring. Seek out older, affordable lenses at garage sales and secondhand stores to experiment with and incorporate into your macro setup. The satisfaction derived from capturing a compelling image with a resourceful, improvised rig often surpasses the anticipation of acquiring dream equipment.