Podcast Episode 008: How to Get Macro Shots With Any Lens

August 25, 2010

in Gear,Podcast Episodes,Tutorials

In this episode we look at using close-up filters to shoot macro images on any lens. These filters are essentially a magnifying glass for your lens and are affordable.

Here are links to the different filter sizes available on B&H:

43mm, 46mm 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 72mm, 77mm.

Other Links:

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QuickTime File: DSLR Video Shooter Episode #008.

Related content:

  1. Episode 47: Vello DSLR Battery Grips
  2. Mounting 2 Lights on 1 Light Stand With a Scrim
  3. Cheap Shoulder Rig Works Perfectly for HDSLR Work
  4. Episode 23: Preparing Photography Lenses for Video
  5. Episode 31: Friday News – Canon Special Event, New Sony Cameras And a Article on the FS100

  • http://www.orangeweddingfilms.com JJ Kim

    Hey. Great review, and awesome idea to save some big money.
    How would it work with 24-70 lenses?? Or does it have to be prime lens only to use this?

  • SerendipityTrav

    @calebpike loving the link for the macro filters!

  • Caleb Pike

    JJ!

    People are using them on all different types of lenses.
    To fit one to your lens Just figure out what the filter size of you lens is and pick it from the list above. My guess is its a 77mm.

  • http://floasis.net kai

    JJ Kim

    The filters work for both prime and zoom lenses. The millimeters that the video and article refer to are that of thread size, not focal length.

  • Caleb Pike

    Correct Kai, thanks for the clarification.

    Canon 24-70mm has a 77mm Filter ring size.

  • http://www.orangeweddingfilms.com JJ Kim

    awesome! Thanks a lot for the info.
    so if i use with 24-70 L lens at 70mm, it would be 70mm X 1.6 (APS-C) plus whatever filter that I put on… huh.. awesome.

  • Caleb Pike

    These filters don’t make you lens a longer zoom, they just let you get close to objects and maintain focus. So with these filters I can move my 50mm up to about 1/2 an inch away from an object and focus on it. That would be impossible to do with just the lens itself.

    So those images at the end of the podcast show the closed I can get to an object and focus on it WITHOUT the filter, than shows how close I can get and focus.

  • http://www.alexmaximov.com Alex Maximov

    Great job on this one Caleb!
    Also there are few more ways to create those awesome shots.
    Here is link cheesycam.com/diy-macro-close-up-video/
    Check it out. You will be surprised! Actually first video there worked great for me!

  • Caleb Pike

    Thats a cool way to get macro shots but I am not real crazy into the idea of exposing the rear element of my 50mm lenses. AND you will have to keep adjusting the 50mm’s aperture.

  • http://www.greenirisstudios.com Frank Philip

    Loving the topics Caleb! Curious, but can you describe your setup to shoot this episode? Lights, wattage per light, flags, or even setup photos would be great.

  • Pingback: Filmer en macro quel que soit l’objectif. | Christophe MILET Video & Multimedia producer / Rich Media Consultant / For Modern Interactive Content / Bordeaux - Aquitaine -

  • Caleb Pike

    Just a white sheet in the background, with a cookie (cut up cardboard) in front of a light. One key light, one rim light all under 500 watts.

  • Pingback: How to Get Macro Shots With Any Lens with DSLR Video Shooter | DV Culture

  • http://www.ipbrian.com/ IPBrian

    Caleb, I was just talking with a buddy of mine about macro lenses. This fits perfectly…thanks for the video!

  • Caleb Pike

    Nice!

  • http://www.bendingpixels.com rob

    Hi, thanks for the great info! it is fantastic! i went out and got a filter kit today! Question though. In the video you show all 3 stacked up on the lens, but when I stack them up, I’m not able to focus on anything at all. They work great with just a single filter on the front, but not in a row like that. (could it be that they just make the focal distance so small that I haven’t gotten close enough to anything to actually be able to focus on it?)

  • Caleb Pike

    Stacking all three together is going to give you extremely close focus. So with all three Diopters your lens will need to be right on top of whatever your shooting. I use all three for super close up stuff. But most of the time I use 1 or 2. Its great because you essentially have 4 lenses by using the diopter kit.

  • Rob

    that makes sense. I’m going to test it out. I must have to get REALLY REALLY close with all 3 on there. thanks again!

  • Abbas

    Hi
    Fist of all Thank you very much!
    could i buy a 77mm and use that on 58mm lens with step up ring?

    from first until third *canon,hoya,tiffen* is more expensive but which one has more quality?

  • Caleb Pike

    @Rob, yeah I have to get super close with my 50mm with all 3 on.

    @Abbas, I Don’t see why not. You would have to test each one to find out. I found the Hoya brand ones to look great.

  • eels

    Do I have autofocus?

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com Caleb Pike

    On my 50mm F1.4 I don’t get auto focus when I shoot with all three units.

  • Taha

    Hi mr Pike
    Could i use this on all focal lenght ?

    Canon says his close up lense can be use on telephotos lenses

    But what about hoya?!

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com Caleb Pike

    Yes. I have only used them on my primes but according to Hoya they work on any lens.

  • http://www.learningdslrvideo.com Dave Dugdale

    Great video once again! For some reason my feed for your site stopped working, did you change your feed?

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com Caleb Pike

    Hmm I don’t think so? Strange.

  • http://twitter.com/HDProductionz hdproductions.biz

    good low cost tip

  • Scott

    Wow, you just saved me about $400.

  • Mattfarkash

    Maybe I’m blind, but is there no filter size for a 50mm or a 30mm lens? I want to use it on a 50mm canon 1.4 like you have Caleb and a sigma 30mm 1.4.

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    Just figure out the filter size on you lens (my 50 is 58mm filter size).

  • Voter4America

    Okay, I have that same Canon 50 mm f/1.4 lens on my Canon EOS 7D, and on your suggestion, I bought these Hoya filters.  But when I attach one to my lens, my camera won’t focus, either in auto focus mode or in manual focus mode.  Either way, when I’m using the +4 filter (I haven’t tried the others), it throws the camera out of focus and my focus range won’t go far enough to get back into focus.  What am I missing here?

  • FP

    Hey, got a question! I have a Canon t2i 18-55 lens.
    Which filter size should i have to buy? Thanks!

  • Zadi

    I have 10-22mm ( wide angle ) which filter size should I use ? Please reply

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    That will be hard to find a filter size for. I would use the macro tubes instead: http://tinyurl.com/8gns8yp