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Canon T1i Digital Rebel

I would like some suggestions for a good macro lens, and any other accessories. I also would like to know if there is any way to make the camera take multiple images on different focuses, to use for stacking.

Thanks,
Jody Anderson

thanks
to everyone who commented. For some reason even though I was subscribed I didn't recieve emails on this topic. I now have the Bower ring flash, and when it works, it's great, but it's finnicky and sometimes simply won't flash. I currently am just reversing the kit lense when I want close up shots, which is working fine for now. I am considering the Raynox DCR-250, which Marie Schmidt uses. Any more suggestions?

 
Hi Jody,
I use Raynox lenses on my Canon 5SIS (and previously 3SIS), point&shoot or bridge cameras. I do not know if the Raynox lenses work equally well DSLR lenses. Do more research before you buy.

Hi.
Hello everybody,
This is my first post on Bug Guide. I am an undergrad in Biology who hopes to pursue a career in entomology. Just wanted to introduce myself before I say this. I have the Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i also, and have managed to get some good results out of it. I'm not the most experienced photographer however, and am currently very interested in this topic. Just adding that I ordered a Bower ring flash earlier this week, and I will let yall know when I see how it works.

cheap Rebel
If price is a concern, consider reversing an old (and often cheap) SLR lens for macro shots (I assume if you're talking stacking s/w, you are also thinking of stationary subjects). You can get great shots with these used (non-macro) lens. Perhaps you even have one or two already lying around aside some unused film camera? A reversing ring and perhaps a set of extension tubes is all you need to make the connection. You should be able to reach 2x or perhaps 3 on your sensor (~10mm Field of View) This approach is a lot more manual than a nice EOS macro lens - you'll lose the autofocus, and f-stop control. But if you're shooting studio non-movers, it's really mostly manual anyway.

For stacking, I don't believe the CHDK firmware hack yet works on the EOS cameras, just the Powershots. Your Rebel may have a "Focus bracket" mode, but that will only get you one image either side of the "in-focus" image - certainly not what you'd need for most stacking tasks.

But perhaps with a little more info on what types of macro shots you were thinking about, others can provide more comments on lens and setups.

Enjoy the Rebel!

Rebel XTi +macro
Until I added a Canon 50D, an older version of the XTi was my main macro camera. I've used a Canon 100mm lens, then added the 180mm macro in order to obtain distance from the subject. In any case, focus stacking can be done, but with these lenses and good sunlight or an external flash will allow you to shoot at at least f8, which gives fairly good depth of field. For extremely close shots, using extension tubes on the above-mentioned lenses, then a tripod and 3 or 4 stacked shots yields superior depth of field. I used the free CombineZM until I upgraded to Windows7 64 bit - which CombineZM doesn't support.

I think the other comments are referring to an automated system that moves the lens focus for you. I do it manually with a cheap focus rail.

Hey Jody,I have never used it and believe it may
only function with Helicon Pro but there is Helicon Remote,Helicon
forum list bugs in system last time I checked but may be worked
out,others may tell you more on it.

 
cool- thanks. I don't really
cool- thanks. I don't really want to spend money on helicon, but I can't seem to find any other way to do it -CDHK hacks?

 
I use
Helicon exclusively for all my images both on Bugguide and for publication, and considered the hundred or so bucks it cost the best investment I have made for imaging specimens. If you are looking for an automated system that takes the pics through different focal planes, those are tens of thousands of dollars. Helicon and a broken microscope for adjusting focus work just fine and produce images for me that rival those I've taken with full auto-montage systems.

 
Automated system
Check out Cognisys StackShot at cognisys-inc.com., about $500. I have been well pleased with results achieved using this device.
Gayle

 
XTi +macro
I've been using the Canon 100mm macro with a ring flash (Bower knockoff). The ring flash sovlves the depth of field issue (f22) and helps to "freeze" the image reducing camera shake. There are pretty much no shadows like you'd get with a single side-angled flash. Probably the one negative is the background tends to be black unless the subject has something directly behind it a short distance away or you are in direct sunlight (not much of that around here). The 100mm is only good on subjects over about 5 mm long.

 
Ring Flash
I didn't see any pictures in your list on this website with the black background using the ring flash. Can you direct me to one?

Also, the price difference between the Bower ring flash and the Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite for Canon Digital SLR Cameras is about $400. How long have you been using the Bower? Any pertinent comments about the BOwer?

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