Looking for macro/closeup advice...

[Mike_PEAT]

I'm looking for people who own either the Raynox DCR-250 or DCR-150 macro lenses (or other macro lenses) to tell me what they think of it/them. So far I've tried closeup diopters, reversing an SLR lens, and I haven't been happy with the results. I'd like to get one of the Raynox macro converters but no store has them in stock, they're all special order with no returns allowed.

I've seen the sample pages on Raynox's site, but it doesn't tell the whole story.

So, I'd like to hear your experiences in using either of the above two lenses, softness, vignetting, etc.

Just to let you know I'll be using it with an Olympus C-700 with a 55mm diameter 38-380mm lens.

Thanks in advance.

[shene]

Originally Posted by Mike_PEAT

I'm looking for people who own either the Raynox DCR-250 or DCR-150 macro lenses (or other macro lenses) to tell me what they think of it/them. So far I've tried closeup diopters, reversing an SLR lens, and I haven't been happy with the results. I'd like to get one of the Raynox macro converters but no store has them in stock, they're all special order with no returns allowed.

As for the reverse-mounting approach, it appears to me that the C-700 high ratio zoom is the weakest link, assuming that you have a very good flat field SLR 50mm lens. Most zoom lenses have less than satisfactory optical quality. So, have you try to use a shorter focal length rather than at 380mm? By the way, zoom lenses, especially the 38-380mm high ratio zoom lens you have, are not good for the reverse-mounting approach.

Originally Posted by Mike_PEAT

So, I'd like to hear your experiences in using either of the above two lenses, softness, vignetting, etc.

The Raynox MSN-500 is not bad. The following shows some of my close-up posts. I don't have a page/site for close-up yet.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...essage=4936523
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...essage=4940566
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...essage=5021937
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...essage=6042907

CK
http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam
Nikon Coolpix 950/990/995/2500/4500 User Guide

[Mike_PEAT]

Here's the type of closeness I'm talking about (esp. the 24x picture):
http://www.raynox.co.jp/comparison/c...3500camera.htm

According to Raynox, these lenses can be used on zoom SLRs, Medium Format, and CCD camcorders...so why not the C-700?

24x example's camera lens is 300mm, not far off from Oly's 380mm high end (35mm equivalent), so why not the Oly? This is the brick wall I keep running into.

[shene]

Originally Posted by Mike_PEAT

According to Raynox, these lenses can be used on zoom SLRs, Medium Format, and CCD camcorders...so why not the C-700?

If these lenses are for 35mm, medium format and CCD camcorders, there could be a number of reasons that they may not be good for the C-700. Note that I did not say they cannot be used used with the C-700. I only said "may not be good." Here are a few possible reasons. FIRST, the diameter may be larger than the thread size of consumer digital cameras. SECOND, although the C-700 has a focal range of 38-380mm, its actual focal length is not 38-380mm. Instead, its focal length is 5.9mm to 59mm. Close-up lenses are usually designed for a particular focal range for the best results, and are in general designed for longer focal length to yield the best results. In fact, higher diopter lenses are usually used with longer focal length lenses (e.g., 100mm). Of course, you can certainly try it out before committing a purchase.

Originally Posted by Mike_PEAT

24x example's camera lens is 300mm, not far off from Oly's 380mm high end (35mm equivalent), so why not the Oly? This is the brick wall I keep running into.

See above. On the other hand, I would suspect that even though you may be able to use the Raynox lenses on your C-700 at 380mm (actually 59mm), the optical quality may not be very satisfactory. W

CK
http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam
Nikon Coolpix 950/990/995/2500/4500 User Guide