Cheap Macro setup

[mok86]

After some reading about cheap macro setups, i was wondering if this setup is possible or just dumb.

Reverse mounting a canon 50 mm 1.8 MKII on a sigma 17-70...

the only problem is that hte sigma is 72mm and the canon is 52 mm...so would i be able to use step down rings to step it down to 52 mm:


http://cgi.ebay.ca/STEP-DOWN-RING-SET-77-72-67-62-58-55-52-49-mm-Metal-7P_W0QQitemZ300153921082QQihZ020QQcategoryZ67357QQ cmdZViewItem



and then get a reverse mount like:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Macro-52-52mm-reverse-lens-coupler-adapter-ring-Canon_W0QQitemZ120165853632QQihZ002QQcategoryZ6735 8QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


I'd like to keep the autofocus of the sigma as reverse mounting the canon by itself and trying to use its crappy manual focus will bring lots of trouble.


other ideas would be to get those cheap lens adapters or a raynox DCR-250...

which combination would achieve the best results?

[eelfliw]

Try bellows. Just be aware that bellows will really darken the image (since light drops as square of the distance) so you'll need fast lenses. I used the following to shoot bees (and keep a good distance away from them). With FD-EF adaptor, you can mount DSLRs.

http://img145.echo.cx/img145/4755/closeup3rb.jpg

As alternative to overpriced Canon equipment, you can get m42 to EF adapter fairly cheap. Also you can find m42 mount bellows very cheap. And 50mm f/1.8 MF lenses go for about $10 these days.

With these, you can get amazing true macro shots (>= 1:1 magnification ratio). Forget about AF in macro photography. In macro photography, you focus by moving the whole camera. Not turning the focus ring. Longer focal length allows you to be further away from the subject for a given magnification. And, lens to body distance dictates magnification.