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MACROPHOTOGRAPHY TOOLS, TIPS & TECHNIQUES FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS 2012
Set of Bellows with electronic flash connected to the front macro lens. A varimagnifier is attached to the
camera viewfinder to assist focusing. Bellows permit a variable amount of extension and magnification.
Macro Lenses
Macro lenses are the most highly corrected lenses you can buy and have very high resolving powers. A
macro lens may cost between $400 to $2000. If you find you are using your extension tubes or closeup
filters frequently, or you become serious about macrophotography, then it is time to consider
purchasing a macro lens. If you already invested in extension tubes or closeup filters you can continue
to use them with your macro lens to achieve even greater magnification. My recommendation is that if
your budget can stand it, consider purchasing your camera manufacturers macro lenses before you
begin to looking at an independent lens manufacturer. If you can’t afford a macro lens from your
camera manufacturer, Tamron makes an excellent 90 mm Macro lens to fit most major camera brands
(Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax). I have not had an opportunity to work with macro lenses from other
companies. Always check out several reviews on web sites by professional photographers – they tend to
be more critical than most photography magazines which are afraid to lose potential advertisers.
TIP: Before purchasing a lens some camera stores will rent you the same lens and then if you decide to
purchase it they will refund the rental price. If you have a trusting friend who owns a macro lens you
might be able to borrow and try it for a short period of time. Just remember: if you borrow a lens and
drop it, you bought it.
Robert Berdan | 19