macro lenses

I know I'm going to sound like a complete newbie asking this but I'm going to ask it anyway. i bought a couple of used lenses & did not get the info on them. I understand that a macro is a 1 to 1 ratio & according to the info that I found when I looked up the stats on these lenses and 2 of them should be macros. So keeping that in mind i tired to get a few closeups like the kewl bug shots a few of you have posted & haven't got anywhere close..so are you guys using additional filters, resizing in post? any tips? Here is a sample.. I'd really like to try some snowflake pic once we get some snow this winter.

Maria21 wrote: I understand that a macro is a 1 to 1 ratio & according to the info that I found when I looked up the stats on these lenses and 2 of them should be macros.

I agree that macro should mean a 1:1 reproduction ratio, but it's easy to find a lot of lenses that the manufacturers label "macro" that won't do 1:1. What lenses do you have?

Like HP said, your lens details, please. Also, here are some good starting tips....
www.thephotoargus.com/tips/tips-for-macr...he-extreme-close-up/
www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/macro-lenses.htm

Some of us who do not have "Macro" lenses use extension tubes to get near or at 1:1.

To get 1:1 you can not use autofocus. You have use manual focus to set the ratio you want (usually just set it at the closest focusing it can do) then move the lens/camera back and forward till it's in focus.

If you use AF you won't be able to get close enough.

Look on the front of the lenses & tell us what they say...

Many use the extension tubes because they can use many lenses giving you more to work with. But as Ninja said the easiest to find your lenses close focusing distance set it to the least distance and move back and forth. You can do this using anything to see how close your lens will focus. This way you will know how close you can get. Also I dont know if your Canon does this but with Nikons the focus green dot will come up when in focus.

Joves wrote: Many use the extension tubes because they can use many lenses giving you more to work with. But as Ninja said the easiest to find your lenses close focusing distance set it to the least distance and move back and forth. You can do this using anything to see how close your lens will focus. This way you will know how close you can get. Also I dont know if your Canon does this but with Nikons the focus green dot will come up when in focus.

The focus dot on my Canons are red but do the same.

Make sure its a true macro. Alot of lenses offer close focusing and they will label it as macro.

john_m wrote: Make sure its a true macro. Alot of lenses offer close focusing and they will label it as macro.

That's what I'm not sure of... the stats say they are but they don't behave that way. If I'm reading the numbers on the lens right wouldn't the 1:3.5-5.6 mean that they are not true macros?
The lenses are...
Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5 - 5.6 II
Canon EF 28-80mm 1:3.5 - 5.6 III

Neither of those are true macro lenses...A zoom lens is almost never a true macro lens. There are only a couple of zooms that are & they cost ! ( plus they are older manual focus designs) The lenses you list are kit lenses supplied with base cameras.

Screamin Scott wrote: Neither of those are true macro lenses...A zoom lens is almost never a true macro lens. There are only a couple of zooms that are & they cost ! ( plus they are older manual focus designs) The lenses you list are kit lenses supplied with base cameras.

A true macro lens for a DSLR will usually be fixed focal length and probably cost over $500 new.

Besides extension tubes you can get close-up filter sets. They are much cheaper than a macro lens so they have some limitations, but I have used them with a variety of cameras and lenses and had decent results. Like other filters they come in a variety of quality levels.

Stealthy Ninja wrote: To get 1:1 you can not use autofocus. You have use manual focus to set the ratio you want (usually just set it at the closest focusing it can do) then move the lens/camera back and forward till it's in focus.

If you use AF you won't be able to get close enough.

I disagree. I've been using Sigma 105mm macro lens for a few years and 95% of my macro work is autofocus at 1:1 ratio.

Maria21 wrote:

john_m wrote: Make sure its a true macro. Alot of lenses offer close focusing and they will label it as macro.

That's what I'm not sure of... the stats say they are but they don't behave that way. If I'm reading the numbers on the lens right wouldn't the 1:3.5-5.6 mean that they are not true macros?
The lenses are...
Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5 - 5.6 II
Canon EF 28-80mm 1:3.5 - 5.6 III

Yeah, like Scott said those are kit lenses. The 1:3.5-5.6 just means that at 18mm the max A is 3.5 and at 55mm the max A is 5.6.

Henry Peach wrote:

Screamin Scott wrote: Neither of those are true macro lenses...A zoom lens is almost never a true macro lens. There are only a couple of zooms that are & they cost ! ( plus they are older manual focus designs) The lenses you list are kit lenses supplied with base cameras.

A true macro lens for a DSLR will usually be fixed focal length and probably cost over $500 new.

Besides extension tubes you can get close-up filter sets. They are much cheaper than a macro lens so they have some limitations, but I have used them with a variety of cameras and lenses and had decent results. Like other filters they come in a variety of quality levels.

Matt,
Don't forget about this Micro Nikkor zoom...plus Leitz & also Vivitar had a macro zoom...Here's a link to the Nikkor
www.bythom.com/70180Macrolens.htm
The Vivitar was the Vivitar Series One 90-180/4.5 Flat Field Macro