NFR Cameras

[sal_the_salmon]

I'm trying to understand the pros/cons of a manual macro lens vs. an AF zoom/prime lens, with extension tubes.

The main cons of the manual macro lens seem to be that (1) lack of AF may make it hard to use for video and (2) focus bracketing/stacking won't be supported.

From my research, if I get extension tubes that pass through the contact points, all the features of the lens will continue to work. Thus, video AF and focus bracketing/stacking will be possible. Is that correct?

I am specifically wondering if a 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 or 30mm f/1.4 lens would suffice, assuming they're being used on an M43 camera. Any ideas?

oh man now your really going down the rabbit hole. focus stacking is a entirely new set of problems. the long and short of it is this...

using the lenses autofocus is the worst way to focus stack, but you can still make it work. the extension tubes will allow you to get the close focus, but you ideally want to be doing it with a longer focal length because your subject is going to be right next to the lens, and your going to need to get some light to the front of the subject as well. gets tough.

I use bellows on my macro lens when i need to go beyond 1:1, then I adjust the location of the camera body but leave the front lens element in the same place.

I also have used the cognysis stack shot system for when i need to do repeatable volume.

using AF on macro video sounds like a nightmare, esp depending on the lens design. You are going to need to make comprimises above 1:1.

 

[jaredoconnor]

Edit: Never mind. I found a video that suggests neither of those lenses would be good for using with extension tubes. I'll roll with the manual macro lens, for now! Thanks for the input @sal_the_salmon.

 

[jaredoconnor]

If anyone's interested, here's what my whirlwind of research culminated with...

• $600 Olympus E-M10 Mark III & M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6
• $265 Sigma 30mm f/1.4
• $180 7artisans 60mm f/2.8 Mark II

I'm $45 over budget, but what my wife doesn't know won't hurt her.

 

[jasmillo]

My phone is way too important and expensive. I fall in the water a fair bit.

My wife’s main hobby is photography. Because of that, I have way more camera bodies (dslr and mirrorless) and lenses around my house than we know what to do with. I never bring them fishing unless I go on the boat. To much to carry and think about for me. I never break out the macro lenses either for fly tying pics. My iPhone serves both purposes. If I was publishing a book, I’d break out the macro lense. That will never happen though because I am an average, every day tyer and my only intent is to share stuff on this site. My last iPhone lasted almost 4 years and was dunked in salt water dozens of times. Same with my current phone. In fact, it happens so much I have started taking my phone into the shower with me after fishing so I can rinse it in fresh water I may just be lucky but I have found the waterproofing on iPhones seems to be pretty solid these days.

Kind of annoying actually. Makes me wonder why up until 5 years ago it seemed like if a single raindrop hit your phone it was fried….

 

[Jim F.]

I'm trying to understand the pros/cons of a manual macro lens vs. an AF zoom/prime lens, with extension tubes.

My Sony 90mm Macro will autofocus & is a great portrait & landscape lens in AF mode. When shooting macro close-ups, manual focus is preferred due to the nature of the shot. I had no desire to mess with extension tubes.

 

[TDub]

If anyone's interested, here's what my whirlwind of research culminated with...

• $600 Olympus E-M10 Mark III & M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6
• $265 Sigma 30mm f/1.4
• $180 7artisans 60mm f/2.8 Mark II

I'm $45 over budget, but what my wife doesn't know won't hurt her.

Nice selection there.

 

[Mtbright]

I'm trying to understand the pros/cons of a manual macro lens vs. an AF zoom/prime lens, with extension tubes.

The main cons of the manual macro lens seem to be that (1) lack of AF may make it hard to use for video and (2) focus bracketing/stacking won't be supported.

From my research, if I get extension tubes that pass through the contact points, all the features of the lens will continue to work. Thus, video AF and focus bracketing/stacking will be possible. Is that correct?

I am specifically wondering if a 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 or 30mm f/1.4 lens would suffice, assuming they're being used on an M43 camera. Any ideas?

I ussualy take AF off when work with my macro, it more precise and the AF tends to hunt for focus to much.