Trying to go beyond 2x magnification

[Romy Ocon]

With the prevailing rainy weather in our islands, birding sorties are few and far between. This gives me the opportunity to experiment with my gear, and try various combinations that might yield interesting results.

On this slow day, the Canon 100 2.8 USM macro is the focus of my curiosity.


Canon 100 2.8 USM Macro + Sigma 2x TC + stacked Canon 25/12 mm ETs + Canon 40D





Resized full frame of an SI measuring tape (1 graduation = 1 mm) at just over the minimum focus distance shows a horizontal coverage of about 8 mm. With the 40D's sensor spec'ed at 22.2 mm, this is equivalent to a magnification of over 2.7x life size!






TIP OF A BALL-POINT PEN: 40D + 100 2.8 macro + Sigma 2x TC + 37 mm ET, 1 sec, f/13, ISO 320, MF via Live View, ball head/tripod, resized full frame:






Processed 100% crop





Now, all I have to do is find a way to keep the bugs still and well lit while I try to get them in manual focus. ;D ;D

[Teddy Regpala]

Being a big copycat, I tried this myself.

Used BR2A and a reversed lens with 52mm filter thread, specifically an old AF Nikkor 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5D. Manual focus only though.

D300's sensor is about 23.6mm.
This is the only ruler I can find with metric scale on it, a clear ruler. Each gradation is 1mm too. Shows 9 gradation. So that's about 1:2.62.


Darn it ... can't really trust my eyes, no wonder I can't nail the focus of my images.

[Romy Ocon]

Haha.... great job Ted, and impressive magnification too! I'm dying to see a photo of your set-up.

Reversed lenses for extreme macros are great, especially if one doesn't need the flatness of field of true macro/micro lenses. For both set-ups, the DOF is so thin that MF is very critical. A focusing rail + Live View + unmoving subject is ideal. At ultra-macro distances and small apertures, the smallest of sensor dust becomes very visible too.

[Bobby Kintanar]

Wow, great Macros guys! Hmmm, maybe I'll try that too :-)

[Teddy Regpala]

Sept 13, 2008 7:53:32 GMT Romy Ocon said:

Haha.... great job Ted, and impressive magnification too! I'm dying to see a photo of your set-up.

Reversed lenses for extreme macros are great, especially if one doesn't need the flatness of field of true macro/micro lenses. For both set-ups, the DOF is so thin that MF is very critical. A focusing rail + Live View + unmoving subject is ideal. At ultra-macro distances and small apertures, the smallest of sensor dust becomes very visible too.

I just came back from my camera store where I bought my camera, I had the sensor clean for FREE.

I'll make a pic of the setup later (using my Sony P&S).

[Teddy Regpala]

Here's the Nikon BR2A, it's for a Nikon mount, with 52mm thread.


The innards are coated, to avoid any internal reflections.


Here it is, attached to a lens with a 52mm filter thread. I used a Nikkor AF 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5D (currently on front page of Ken Rockwell's What's New).


And here's the rig, with the D300 (courtesy of my Sony V3).



Focus is fixed somewhere within 2 inches infront of the lens' end. Focus is achieved by moving the camera. Liveview definitely can help.

I can also use the 50mm f/1.8, but magnification won't be as great as the 28mm. Though DOF will be thinner if you need that effect.

[Romy Ocon]

Wow.... impressive looking gear, Ted!

Ka Bobby, you should try this too.


I drew first blood this morning with my 2.7x macro system - a very tiny bug.


40D + 100 2.8 macro + Sigma 2x TC + 37 mm ET, 0.60 sec, f/9, ISO 160, MF via Live View, manual exposure in available light (no flash), geared head/tripod.






I detached a leaf with a bug from a plant in my garden, and brought the whole thing to a shooting table in my garage for wind control. After the shoot, I returned the bug to the garden, unharmed.

The bug is about 2 mm in width and similar in length, and to fully appreciate how tiny it is, I moved back the 2.7x combo and included a metric ruler in the frame (graduations are in mm). The second bug photo is already over 12x lifesize as posted.

[Neon Rosell II]

Wow!! Nice macro setups Ka Mastah and Ted!! One of this days I'll try this out.

Ka Mastah, looks like your garden is a hot spot for bug biodiversity you are coming up with new species everyday!!

[Teddy Regpala]

I bought a 67-52 step-down ring, so I can attach my kit lens 18-135mm which has a 67mm thread, to the BR-2A adapter which can take 52mm.

With the lens reversed, at 18mm zoom setting, and wide open (f/3.5), here's the result:

5 gradations, that's approximately 4.72 !



Got to find some bugs ...

[Romy Ocon]

Can't wait te see bugs taken with that thing, Ted.... 5x lifesize!