Help! I Need a Cheap DSLR Macro Lens for My LEGO Stop Motion, but Which One?

LLeavingTheWheel on 13/07/2016 - 06:19
Last edited 13/07/2016 - 06:40

Hey Guys and Gals,

I've been a regular stalker on OzBargain for quite a while and find this is the go to place for DSLR Camera advice. Who would have thought, right?

Anyway, after jumping into the DSLR world I bought the nifty fifty on the back of some solid recommendations. Thank-you.

It has been serving me well until recently moving into the world of LEGO Stop Motion and I just can't get the close ups as I'd like.

Do I need a Macro Lens?

Everything I read says I do, but the price tags seem excessive $400-$800 so I'm calling out to the OB community to help me find a cheap decent one. Which one would you recommend?

Any ideas would be appreciated as I'm still classified as a total Noob when it comes to DSLR.

Thanks in advance.

Edit: Or maybe I just need to find an Extension Tube and go from there? What do you think?

Electrical & Electronics Camera Lens

Comments

  • kadesign74 on 13/07/2016 - 07:39
    +1

    Unfortunately an extension tube won't help you either! You can try the cheap macro adapters which are readily available on fleabay out of China but…. if you want the quality, you definitely need to spend the money. Macro lenses don't come cheap. Maybe just keep an eye on gumtree or fleabay or visit you local camera stores looking for some pre-loved lenses. My favourite is the Canon 100mm Macro L f2.8 but that will set you back about $1100. You can get the non pro EF 100mm Macro f2.8 for about $700.

    • pinchies on 13/07/2016 - 09:59
      +1

      Why wouldn't an extension tube work?

    • LeavingTheWheel on 13/07/2016 - 15:03

      Thanks for the tip and second-hand is about all I can afford at those prices.

      However, I'm going to try an extension tube first.

  • spinferno on 13/07/2016 - 09:18

    you have 2 cheap choices:

    • get a macro lens and hook it up to a hi end phone. the image quality is great on the recent phones. bonus is that there are probably timelapse apps that can simplify your shooting workflow.
    • use a raynox 250 macro conversion lens on an existing sharp lens like a 50mm f/1.8. the conversion lens should set you back less than AU$100

    good luck bro.

    • LeavingTheWheel on 13/07/2016 - 15:03

      I don't have a high-end phone :-(

      Although I'm trying a GoPro with interesting results.

  • BuyoTheCat on 13/07/2016 - 09:55
    +2

    macro lens that screw on to the front of a lens are not real macro lens. They are magnifying glass. They usually distorts like crazy and affect the sharpness. There are good quality screw in lenses but are expensive.

    Extension tube with the 50mm does give decent result. extension tubes allows the lens to focus closer than usual and give bigger reproduction ration. The effect of focusing closer is larger reproduction ratio, and also a very shallow depth of field. This means that you will not be able to get the entire frame in focus.

    If you are in Melbourne, using nikon and you want to try extension tubes or a macro lens, I am happy to let to try mine. Or you can go to a local camera store.

    • LeavingTheWheel on 13/07/2016 - 15:05

      In Melbourne, but using Canon. Thanks anyway.

      I'll keep playing around with what I have until a bargain presents itself.

      • mjp on 15/07/2016 - 10:34

        How are you going with the go pro I have a hero black 3 that I have been using with a macro lens snap on kit. It can be hit and miss sometimes. I found the lens set were cheap but the adaptor set me back around 50. Am happy to share more if your interested.

        • LeavingTheWheel on 16/07/2016 - 14:23

          The GoPro is fine when I take off the ProTune and use flat instead. Then I do my best post-production. I'm still a noob but here's my first effort https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyV0_Y4iPxM, although the next video I'm releasing is much better.

          Learning as I go :-) But can't wait to get back to using my Canon 100D and those extension tubes.

  • John on 13/07/2016 - 11:11

    Yeah you are going to need $600-$800 to get proper macro lens. I've tried extension tube but it is very limited as you are restricted to the focal length (distance). You can't simply move the camera back to re-frame and re-focus.. the extension tube will focus at certain distance and you can't move forward/back much from there. It probably get you what you need tho..

    Otherwise buy a lens that can zoom really close and use your computer to crop it. For lego shot you may not need a real macro lens anyway.

  • mskeggs on 13/07/2016 - 11:14

    Do you need super clarity and high resolution for LEGO stop frame?
    If you are throwing away 90% of the definition when you convert it to stop motion, why not use something else?
    I am assuming you aren't making 4K UHD stop motion! Remember even 1080p is only 2megapixel.
    I have a couple of old point and shoot cameras with macro modes that happily get down to 15cm or so focal distance.

    • LeavingTheWheel on 13/07/2016 - 15:08

      I've been using digital zoom for close-ups but it isn't ideal.

      Typically I produce in 1080p, but you are right about quality loss when being uploaded to YouTube.

      I couldn't make a 4k UHD LEGO Stop Motion because I'd spend too much time cleaning the LEGO :-P

  • Succulent Synth on 13/07/2016 - 11:50
    +3

    If you are on a budget maybe try a cheap reversing ring on eBay and use your existing lenses. http://photo.blogoverflow.com/2011/07/take-macro-shots-like-…

    • LeavingTheWheel on 13/07/2016 - 15:11

      I read about those, but that's macro to the extreme. I want close ups, but not so close, that the paint imperfections show up.

      However, I should add one of those to my kit at those prices.

  • spinferno on 13/07/2016 - 11:52

    Check out the astounding quality possible with the raynox macro conversion lens in this flickr group pool. the images speak for themselves:
    https://www.flickr.com/groups/raynoxdcr250/

  • Normal-Paper on 14/07/2016 - 17:29
    +1

    Extension tubes should give you the results, I did a tafe assignment last year where we needed 1:1 ratio and I used the Canon 50mm f1.4 lens and extension tubes. My subject was a Leaf, so if your using Lego, u shouldn't have any problems with it 😁

    • LeavingTheWheel on 16/07/2016 - 14:17

      Sweet. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

  • kurnitb on 27/07/2016 - 14:29

    Hi, I would suggest getting a cheap extension tube off ebay with one issue - you have to manual focus your shots but I presume as you are planning to do a stop motion shots you will be setting your camera on a tripod with shutter release remote.

    Here is the search link :
    http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601…

    Get the 12mm one if you had to choose just one - note the longer the extension tube the closer you need to be to the object.
    Hope it helps.

    • LeavingTheWheel on 28/07/2016 - 09:32

      Thanks and yes I use manual focus. Waiting for my tubes to arrive, hopefully before I head to the USA next month.
      Until then I'm being lazy and shooting stop-motion videos with my GoPro ;-)

  • coolstan on 23/11/2016 - 11:02

    Hi OP,

    Have you narrowed down to a cheap Macro lens? How did you go about this?
    Thanks.

    • LeavingTheWheel on 24/11/2016 - 16:38

      I bought a sigma af 70-300mm f/4-5.6g from the good guys $129 and used my $25 voucher to bring the price down.

      It had good reviews for the price. Although I haven't tested it yet.

      • coolstan on 25/11/2016 - 10:17

        Thanks mate.
        The lens offers 1:2 magnification. Should be good for your use.

        This lens was just on sale.

        Let me know how you find this lens?
        I am looking to take product shot - mugs, watches, etc

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