HI, I have a Casio 7.1 and a Sony 5 MP cameras - not SLR's, even the macro feature does not do justice to the pens - which are a different target than most others. I was wondering if a Super Macro camera would do the job - and for how much.
Thanks for your time,
Badrsj

I use a reverse mounted 50mm F1.2 prime lens with a +4 diopter mounted to an old Canon G3 to get super macro - you can snap an ants eye with this set up but lighting becomes a problem and shallow DOF.

I have had good results with the above set up. I highly recommend the site I have linked, its full of excellent reviews and a forum - post here and someone will point you in the right direction - actually do a search first, then post.

www.dpreview.com

Hi Jay,

F/2 or F/1.2 lens? A 50 mm F/1.2 is a great lens, but not too great for macro if you ask me...

Anyway, another forum, a little nicer than dpreview if you ask me, is POTN: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php

They have a macro section, too: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=38

Warm regards, Wim

I agree, but when reverse mounted it gives around +25 diopter - cheap super macro. (F1.2)

I've heard about this reverse mount... but I have never tried it. I always thought that you must really have to know what you are doing!

I've got a 50mm Macro lens that photos 1:2. With the tube it'll do 1:1.

Of course, this is 35mm.

badrsj - Are you looking for digital?

If anyone knows of a digital that will do 1:1 out of the box let me know too!

Of course, I'm talking consumer level here.

I am talking very pedestrian and consumer level digital - most of the answers above - with F values and what not have been way above my radar detector (brain). All of these people are way more knowledgeable (no pun intended) - I am hoping for something I could use with my existing Casio 7 mp pocket or Sony 5 mp camera - both of which are not SLRs, just a point and shoot will do for me.

I'm not familiar with your cameras and the macro capabilities but if they have a system for attaching filters via an adaptor which fits over the lens then you can add diopters and stack them to get closer macro.
It is with this set up that I attach a reverse mounted lens to get super macro.
You'd best check at a digital camera store or post the question in the Sony and Casio forums on www.dpreview.com

Will they take adapters to put screw in filters on the front??????

If so you can use a close up lens (looks like a filter) of +1,+2,+4,+10 diopter to get macro.

I remember some Modern Photography (that long ago) on using a reverse lens on front of the slr for close up work. AIR, there was no advantage over a single element closeup diopter (no supprise, the 45-55mm lenses were not designed to be use reversed) and they were a bloody hassle hanging that weight of the end of the regular lens. If you get good results, more power to you but I would not recomend it to people over single element diopters which are available at a very good price from KEH's used bin.

p.s. if the cameras will not take screw in elements on the front I have a hazy recolection that French filter company who's name escapes me made an over priced tripod mount attachement thinggy that would hold their "A" series fiters on the front of point and shoots and they made diopters in the "A" Series......

The French filter co. is Cokin. http://www.cokin.co.uk/pages/main.htm

Welllll, i dunno. The close-in feature (labelled Macro, but not really that, or so i'm told) of many Point n' Shoots seem to work just fine.

These were quick n' dirty, not primo lighting set up. Sony 3mp 7 yyear old camer.



For next one hit the expander bar in the FPN page and if you BROWSER then shrinks image to fit, drag on image until THAT orange expander button appears.

A quick n dirty handheld shot with the Sony T-10



regards

d

Wow David - those are amazing from a Sony DSC series? 3 MP camera - there is hope yet as I have the 5 MP version. BTW when you took those shots - were you using the "macro" feature or just shot at 3MP and then blew them up. I wonder if my camera settings are not too good.
Thanks for sharing. Nice Eye candy BTW.

Lets see, star nibs are mid 30s. So first generation. Fat point so its a "F" - extra broad. Star nibs were standard size so wouldn't be Oversize, Senior, Slender or Junior. That leaves Standard or perhaps Major-if star nibs were available that late (idunno). Drives me crazy when they miss the slit off center. How close am I?

Yeah, that's true, about +20 (1000/50).

Warm regards, Wim

You could go for a digital slr body, of course, something that is compatible with your lenses. If I am not mistaken, you own a Minolta, so a Sony A100 should work just fine, or if you want to wait a little longer, the more upmarket Sony A700 is due any time now.

Warm regards, Wim

Here are links to Mark Plonsky's site, it is he who inspired me to start dabbling around with macro photography back yonder 2002, I purchased the same Canon G3 and setup he used and I still use it today.

First link shows M. Plonsky's Canon G3 with adaptor, reversed lens and flash.

http://www.mplonsky.com/photo/equip.htm

Next link shows what this set up can do.

http://www.mplonsky.com/photo/article.htm

N' here i thought i wuz the only person what liked the Vac details

Early early nib 1933 ish. Standard. Special order at that time marked by star. Don't have quick access to my catalog page at moment so cannot confirm the "F" though the pen seems to be a double broad stub. Vacuum-Filler. Gotta sleep. Gab another day.

david

First shots were done close in with my DSC-S70 (and/or slightly later S-75). If using Macro and having nib etc fill even half the finder, that is about 1000 pixels (full screen shot) for that part of hte pen alone. Miind you i still use as my core camera for pen shots (those evil catalog style pen montages) such as this one.



The more recently acquired T-10 indeed has Macro and Maro+ modes (not really Macro in non SLR's or so i am told), and that camera did the Maxima nib above.

Point is- with decently diffused lighting and with many modern point and shoots, chances are good shots can be done. The $1500 DSLR perhaps is overkill, unless we become spectacular photographers. I'm not that.

regards

d