Poor-Man's Macro (PLEASE, read the description carefully!) / Discuss

shane58    says:

hi all
I use the Fuji s9600 (9100) which is a bridge model between PAS and SLR cameras but is cheap at less than £200. it does have a macro mode but this is not good enough for my subject (mainly insects etc) which can be down to 1-2MM.
therefore I had to think of other options. thankfully I had previously used a Nikon coolpix 995 and for this had a Raynox MSN-200 filter lens which I managed to get some reducing rings for it for about £14 so I could screw into the front thread of my fixed lens on the Fuji. this gives an amazing range from about 6:1 down to 2:1. on the back of this I also bought the DCR-250 for £30 which gives slightly less mag for larger subjects.
the next problem was flash diffusion using the in-built flash as with the larger mags I was within 4cm of the subject and therefore the flash bounced off the end of the lens. I made a diffuser out of a fosters can and this works well.
here's the diffuser www.flickr.com/photos/shane58/2202832657/in/set-721576037... and it is held on with a ring of vecro round the lens barrel (detachable of course!).
some examples of photos taken are with the MSN-200
www.flickr.com/photos/shane58/2398570240/in/set-721576040...
and with the DCR-250
www.flickr.com/photos/shane58/2416584242/in/set-721576032...
www.flickr.com/photos/shane58/2414263862/in/set-721576032...
I have made a slightly different diffuser based on a design by Lord V for the last two shots - from a coke can and tissue paper!
cheers
Shane
England
Posted at 4:53AM, 19 April 2008 PDT ( permalink )