Page 115 - (DK) Advanced Photography Guide

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MACRO OPTIONS

There are several ways to shoot macro, not all of which use way to experiment with macro photography without too
a true macro lens. By adding an accessory, any lens can be much outlay. Ultimately, though, a true macro lens is far
temporarily modified to focus more closely. This is an excellent more convenient and optically superior.

CLOSE-UP LENSES EXTENSION TUBES MACRO LENSES

A close-up lens is a supplementary optic Extension tubes fit between the camera Macro lenses are available in many focal
that screws onto a lens to reduce the and lens. There are no optics, so the lengths for virtually every current camera
minimum focusing distance. Close-up image quality is not affected. The system. The minimum specification of a
lenses are available in different strengths, tubes work by shortening the focusing macro lens is 1x magnification, though
measured in diopters—the higher the distance of the lens, thereby increasing more specialized types offer up to 5x.
value, the greater the magnification. You magnification. Extension tubes are usually Newer macro lenses often offer image
can stack lenses to increase magnification sold in sets of three and can be used stabilization, too, so you can use them
further, but quality will be compromised. singly or in combination with each other. for handheld work.

ADVANTAGES ADVANTAGES ADVANTAGES

◾ ◾ Add to any lens ◾ ◾ 1x magnification with shorter lenses ◾ ◾ Excellent image quality
◾ ◾ Much cheaper than a macro lens ◾ ◾ Cheaper than a macro lens ◾ ◾ Full focusing range, including ∞
◾ ◾ No effect on AF functions of a lens ◾ ◾ The lens image quality isn’t affected ◾ ◾ Can be used for non-macro work

DISADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
◾ ◾ Image quality may be compromised ◾ ◾ AF is not possible with simple tubes ◾ ◾ More expensive than other options
◾ ◾ You may need more than one lens ◾ ◾ Infinity focusing is lost ◾ ◾ Long macro lenses are heavy
◾ ◾ True macro needs the strongest lenses ◾ ◾ Limited working distance ◾ ◾ Specific to camera systems

WORKING DISTANCE

A lens’s working distance is how far its front element is from the
subject in order to focus upon it. The working distance of a 1:1
macro lens determines the photo’s perspective, how easy it is to
light your subject or use accessories such as filters and lens hoods,
and how likely you are to disturb your subject. The longer the lens’s
focal length, the greater the working distance. Using extension
tubes with wide-angle lenses will increase the magnification
beyond 1x but will result in a very short working distance.
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