Show us your macro setup.

Well i am sitting here and thought it would be good to start a thread to illustrate what your macro set up is like. This is mine.



The foam is off cuts which is attached to the Raynox DCR-250 by gluing it to some clear plastic and then screwing the lens of the Raynox and the mounting plate together. The lens is a Tamron 90mm macro.


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This is mine with a sigma 105mm macro lens

Scott Murray said:

Well i am sitting here and thought it would be good to start a thread to illustrate what your macro set up is like. This is mine.

View attachment 59980

The foam is off cuts which is attached to the Raynox DCR-250 by gluing it to some clear plastic and then screwing the lens of the Raynox and the mounting plate together. The lens is a Tamron 90mm macro.


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Interesting. How does the Raynox lens impact AF? In contemplating shooting snowflakes I'm thinking that adding extension tubes would be a better solution than introducing additional glass. With a set of 3 extension tubes I can only boost magnification about 0.7X, where if I'm reading this properly the Raynox will give me a 2.5X gain, right? Price is about the same as a set of Vello tubes, so I'm wondering what the better choice might be?

BackdoorHippie said:

Interesting. How does the Raynox lens impact AF? In contemplating shooting snowflakes I'm thinking that adding extension tubes would be a better solution than introducing additional glass. With a set of 3 extension tubes I can only boost magnification about 0.7X, where if I'm reading this properly the Raynox will give me a 2.5X gain, right? Price is about the same as a set of Vello tubes, so I'm wondering what the better choice might be?

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I don't use AF with it on only MF. As you would see from my macro shots I get pretty good magnification but I am also looking at maybe extension tubes for the smaller bugs.


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Interesting look. If it gets the job done, well done sir.

Cool! I was thinking of having a thread like this here just this morning

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Up until recently I just used my D3100 with my 105mm micro ai lens and a cheap tripod. But I'm going to start using my D5100 in the future. I don't have any external flash yet, and I'm eager to get a 105mm micro AF D lens so I can get the 1:1 ratio.

Scott I'm dying of curiosity about what the foam does to help? I know your macro shots have been awesome, and I'm always looking to improve mine! Lol

Bill16 said:

Up until recently I just used my D3100 with my 105mm micro ai lens and a cheap tripod. But I'm going to start using my D5100 in the future. I don't have any external flash yet, and I'm eager to get a 105mm micro AF D lens so I can get the 1:1 ratio.

Scott I'm dying of curiosity about what the foam does to help? I know your macro shots have been awesome, and I'm always looking to improve mine! Lol

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Jumping in for Scott ;-)
The foam acts as a diffuser so the harsh light from the flash can be made softer..
A larger light source always produces softer light

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Oh! Thank you my friend! I can be such a dummy sometimes! Lol I really appreciate your help bud!

WhiteLight said:

Jumping in for Scott ;-)
The foam acts as a diffuser so the harsh light from the flash can be made softer..
A larger light source always produces softer light

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Bill16 said:

Oh! Thank you my friend! I can be such a dummy sometimes! Lol I really appreciate your help bud!

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Bill how about posting your reverse ring setup?
Sure lot of folks will be interested

Yep keep it coming, this is really helping me.

Mfrankfort said:

Interesting look. If it gets the job done, well done sir.

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It's been working so far


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WhiteLight said:

Jumping in for Scott ;-)
The foam acts as a diffuser so the harsh light from the flash can be made softer..
A larger light source always produces softer light

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Click to expand...

Yep exactly that


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Krs_2007 said:

Yep keep it coming, this is really helping me.

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That's good it's always good to share and show how things can be done cheaply and simply if needed.


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OK my friend! Lol this is not the same lenses I used before, but it will give those interested the idea!

WhiteLight said:

Bill how about posting your reverse ring setup?
Sure lot of folks will be interested

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Well, OK..............you asked!

Here's my current set=up:




1. Background (I have several colors, but usually use black or white)
2. 24" Silver-lined umbrellas (when shooting extreme macros, I take these off and just use the reflectors)
3. 300ws monolights
4. Light stands
5. Astronomer's star chair (works perfect for shooting macros..... the seat height is adjustable!)
6. Laptop to control DSLR
7. Small, adjustable-height table









A. Nikon BR6 (to open & close lens aperture)
B. Old Nikkor 28mm 2.5 Ai lens
C. Nikon BR2 reversing ring
D. "Third Hand" for holding small objects
E. D600
F. Nikon PB6 bellows
G. Cable release to BR6 to open & close lens aperture
H. 4-way focus rail
I. USB cord from laptop
J. Manfrotto 410 geared head
K. (not shown) Manfrotto 055XB tripod
L. Yongnuo RF remote trigger for monolights

Crap Sparky, wow is all I can say. I think you win the prize for macro setup.

That is wild sparky! I'd hate to try to set all that up outside for bug shots! Lol Wow what a setup!

Here is an exaggerated shot of my setup..
Tried to get them all in a single shot..

Very cool! That flash setup looks like it would work awesome! I want one of those, wow!

WhiteLight said:

Here is an exaggerated shot of my setup..
Tried to get them all in a single shot..

View attachment 60047

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