Macro photography on a budget part two: Extreme close-up with macro bellows
No money for expensive equipment to make extreme macro photos? After watching this video you will know how to do it without having to raid your bank account.
I show you how to use a macro bellows in combination with an old vintage lens to shoot whatever you want.
A macro bellows is not well known to most people and may seem a bit old fashioned, but it is a very nice 'toy' as you can see in the video, with good results.
The advantage of a bellows compared to macro extension tubes is that the bellows are variable adjustable and you do not have to change them during the shoot. In addition, you can create larger close-ups than with a set of 3 extension tubes or a dedicated macro lens.
A disadvantage is that the rail can sometimes get in the way and if you also use a focus slider, the height can increase quite a bit on your tripod.
I recommend choosing a bellows with the right mount for your camera. I have a Canon 650D so a bellows with an EF mount. I once bought my macro bellows on AliExpress for 17 euros (about 20 dollars) and it works fine.
There are expensive bellows with electronic contacts that allow you to continue using your own modern lenses, just like the extension tubes from my previous video. However, the prices of these bellows are skyrocketing, and it is better to take the non-electronic one in combination with a vintage lens.
https://www.amazon.nl/s?k=macro+balg&...
The vintage lens I use comes from an old Praktica and has an M42 mount. I was once able to buy an M42 to EF adapter for 4 euros (about 5 dollars) second hand so that I can use the lens on the bellows.
The old Praktica was given to me by my stepfather, so I didn't have to buy it. If you don't have old lenses at your disposal yet, take a look at a fleamarket, thrift stores, online market places, photography fairs or ask around.
You do not need to have an SLR camera to use vintage lenses. Mirrorless cameras do also work great.
Which vintage lenses are suitable for your camera depends on a number of things, including the so-called "flange focal distance", or the register distance. Via the links below you will find a blog in which that topic is discussed in detail:
https://digital-photography-school.co...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flange_...
Instagram: / appelm0es
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:03 Gear you'll need
1:41 How to use the macro bellow in combination with a vintage lens
5:45 Outro
Music:
Path Of The Fireflies By AERØHEAD
Leaving By AERØHEAD
/ aerohead
All music provided by www.plugnplaymusic.net
#photographyideas #extrememacro #budgetphotography