Technique
Lensmatters How close you can get to a subject obviously depends on the minimum focus of your lens. That distance,
this feature, but let’s start here with macro lenses, which are designed to focus in close and give a high level of performance at near distances. Most macro lenses have standard or telephoto focal length,
however, can be changed with the help of accessories such as extension tubes and close-up lenses, which we also discuss in
so they suit subjects like portraits and scenic, too, but their forte is being able to get you in close – close enough to achieve life-size (1:1 magnification ratio) or at least half life-size (1:2 ratio) reproduction. Going for a telephoto macro lens gives you a more comfortable working distance and can help avoid problems like you or the lens casting a shadow over the subject and there’s room to add an extra light without it being in shot. We’re seeing a few specialist lenses that offer even more magnification, enabling twice life-size (2:1 ratio) to even five times life-size (5:1) for extreme close-ups. If a lens of this type takes your fancy, check out the specialist Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro lens, which is
ABOVE Laowa has several eye-catching products for close-up work. This image by Nicky Bay (nickybay.com) was taken on the recently announced 50mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras, which costs £409
standing favourite is the Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD, a lens recently brought right up to date with enhanced vibration compensation and its focusing skills are better than ever. Irix: swains.co.uk Laowa: laowalens.co.uk Samyang: intro2020.co.uk Sigma: sigma-imaging-uk.com Tamron: transcontinenta.co.uk
available for full-frame cameras and costs £399. Laowa has also recently added a 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO lens to its range and it’s available in a wide range of DSLR and mirrorless fittings. If your macro tastes are more conservative, there are plenty of suitable lenses from the camera makers, as well as third-party brands – there’s a list (right) of independent brands. A long-
ABOVE LEFT The Irix 150mm f/2.8 is a manual focus macro lens available for Canon and Nikon DSLRs that focuses close enough for life-size magnification and, handily, the focus barrel can locked in place. It’s priced at £597 ABOVE RIGHT Tamron’s SP 90mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is a popular and highly regarded macro lens capable of life-size magnification at its minimum focusing distance
Let there be light
Get converted
A small LED panel or light is a popular option, because they are portable, there’s no need for any cables or triggers and they’re controllable, not just in terms of power output, but often also white-balance, with some models allowing the colour temperature to be adjusted. They are also energy-efficient so you get plenty of working time with a set of batteries or a full charge. Manfrotto’s Lumimuse is a very portable rechargeable LED light available in three sizes – 3, 6 and 8 – the latter in two options, including one with Bluetooth for wireless control. All can be used handheld, on a mini tripod or on the camera’s accessory shoe. The Lumimuse 3 costs £44.95.
A flashgun, an LED panel, torch or a small reflector are all options if your dim scene needs a helping hand. Subjects like fungi benefit hugely from a splash of light just to add modelling or to boost the contrast a bit. But don’t overdo it, because you want to keep the scene looking natural. If you’re thinking of using your flashgun, a modifier gives softer highlights and shadows for more natural-looking effects. Honl, Lastolite and Rogue are among the many brands in the modifier market. Another option is the ring flash and for Canon and Nikon, the Kenro Macro Ring Flash at £139 is one of the best. It comes with eight lens adapter rings has LED modelling lamps and offers manual and TTL flash modes.
Although not as compact as the Lumimuse, the Nanlite LumiPad 11 is an LED light panel that retails for £54.99, and it offers adjustable colour temperature within the 3200K to 5600K range and is powered by a Sony NP-F type battery. Honl: flaghead.co.uk kenro.co.uk Lastolite&Manfrotto: manfrotto.co.uk Nanguang&Nanlite: kenro.co.uk Rogue: colorconfidence.com rotolight.com ABOVE Kenro’s Macro Ring Flash gives almost shadowless lighting and has manual and TTL auto flash metering. It costs £139, comes with eight lens adapter rings and is compatible with Canon or Nikon DSLRs
ABOVE Teleconverters increase the len’s effective focal length, but leave the minimum focus untouched so you can get greater magnification. These ones pictured are made by Kenko
minimum focusing distance, meaning you get a bigger image. Many camera brands offer teleconverters in their ranges, although often they are designed to fit and work with a limited number of lenses. That's the case with some third party brands too. Kenko has 1.4x and 2x converters available in its Teleplus range. The premium 1.4x HD Pro DGX converter costs £219, while its cheaper brother sells at £149. Kenko: intro2020.co.uk Tamron: transcontinenta. co.uk
Teleconverters are accessories that fit between the camera body and lens, so in this way are similar to extension tubes, and these effectively increase the focal length of the lens. A 1.4x converter will change a 100mm lens to 140mm and a 2x converter will make it a 200mm. Converters have optics so do impact on the lens’s optical performance and there is a light loss, too – 2EV in the case of a 2x teleconverter. For close-up shooting, what a converter offers is an increase in focal length, but without altering
ABOVE The Manfrotto Lumimuse range of ultra-portable LED lights is ideal for location shooting. This is the Lumimuse 8 (also available with Bluetooth to work with an app) with eight LEDs giving an output of 550 lux at one metre
Issue 82 | Photography News 11
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