If you really want to have fun with macro,

[flamin lib]

you need one of these:




You'll probably not find one for your DSLR cause digital is slow to catch up with the wonderful toys that 60 years of 35mm brought us. You'll have to make it. Look for bellows in the camera section of Ebay. They go for $20-25 or less. You'll also need a T mount for your camera--it's an adapter that makes it possible to put your camera on a microscope, telescope or other optical device and a Leica thread mount which is universal for enlarger lenses. The very highest quality enlarging lenses, those that sold for $300-400 in the day are selling for $20 on Ebay. The shorter the lens the more magnification but the longer lenses give you better working distances. A little grinding and sanding and some two part epoxy and voila! You have the ultimate macro.

Make sure to paint all shiny surfaces on the inside with flat black paint. It's definitely a tripod setup and you'll have to subdue any living subjects (the refrigerator is your friend for insects--that and a sharp pin), but it's a blast on rainy days when you're confined indoors.

Take pictures like these:






and this:

which is located on this, see if you can find him:

[Celebration]

1. I DO see him

It took some looking and definitely got the clues from the background. That's amazing. Thanks.

:hi:

[JeffR]

2. OMG

:wow:

[NV Whino]

3. Wow!

What fun!

[Callalily]

4. Just fabulous!

And I did spot your little bug on the lily, but the pic before had a great hint as to location.

[Tindalos]

5. ZOMG! I want one!

That is soooooo cool!

[Maestro]

6. Fan'freaking'tastic!

I need to get that set-up! The fly and flower stand out!

[Tallison]

7. So how do you adapt that set up to an f-mount?

I have a 1:1 macro, but your ratio is more like 10:1.

I'd love to try assembling what you describe some weekend. Bookmarked

[hunter]

8. Wow.

Nice custom mod too. I am still amazed by all the old film equipment I'm finding recently. I guess people are getting rid of camera stuff they've inherited because it's not digital and they think film is extinct. But with a few adapters or simple mods most of this stuff still works great with digital.

But I'm not even doing that, my interest in film has been reinvigorated because I keep finding photography things I wanted as a kid for sale in thrift stores, yard sales, etc., for less than I might spend on fast food or coffee.

[ljm2002]

9. What's to say, but...

WOW!

Those are simply amazing! And it is so cool that you adapted this -- how wonderfully creative, and great results!