Extension tubes equal to lens focal length equals life-size. The 24mm lens you are working with needs 24mm of extension to reach lifesize. 12mm for 1/2 life-size, 6mm 1/4 life-size. Going higher than life-size with most if not all short lenses will result in focus at or inside the lens. That lens you are using is an excellent way to capture an environmental close ups showing the creatures in their natural surroundings. Canons 10-18mm STM lens is another fantastic close up environmental lens. Medium to long macro lenses are great for portraits. The longer the lens, the narrower the angle of view resulting in backgrounds that are tight behind the subject. Using wide angle lenses close up brings in a lot of the background. Extreme wide angles really shows a lot of the scene around the subject. Problem is too much distraction in the background creates poor images. Done right though and you will enter a new, entirely different and wonderfully creative realm of Close Up Photography!
Great practical demo and gear label lesson, Stewart. A good number of consumer level cams have a “macro” setting on the topside mode dial - usually a flower icon. However, as you pointed out, that doesn’t mean any attached lens in that mode will enable true macro ratios. Bob is a terrific model - what do you feed him? Alternative to lazy Susan can be ball bearing assembly from hardware store - or skate from garage sale, or modified fidget spinner.
There is a video on RUclips suggesting using the 24 on an automatic reverse adapter. I have the Meike MK-C-UP adapter which I have used with several lenses including a 16-35mm zoom but have never touched the 24 so do not know how it would work. Working distance is a real problem even with a 100mm when you get to 1:1. That may be why some of us prefer diffused flashes behind the lens rather than those twins that stick out so far. There is always a way but not always one answer for all needs.
@@StewartWoodArt I've been getting 4x with 52mm of extension tubes and the 24mm reversed. Very little dof but works great when focus stacking on a wemacro rail. Impossible with live subjects however.
Hi Stuart love the vids Can I ask where you got your book of background cards from. also do you know of any alternatives for plamps other than the wimberley one.
Hi from The Netherlands. A really informative video - thank you. I've recently purchased this lens. I'm thoroughly impressed with its performance. I use it on my EOS 600D, (intended for planetary photography with a Sky-Watcher 102mm 1300mm/f13 Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope). I slapped a Canon EF12 II extension tube onto it. Wow, It instantly became a beast. The wife is eying it with a little bit of envy 😏. A hefty tripod, focusing rack and a quality interiometer, (external or internal) is most definitely recommended with this combo. This lens is the perfect example of the, wolf in sheep's clothing. Greetings to Bob 😄!
If the extension tubes are extending the lens Beyond its 24 mm focal length how is he getting any focus at all? The lens shouldn't be able to be focusing on the sensor since it's too far away from it a relative to the lenses focal length.
Hi! Great video! I was almost to buy it until I saw this explanation 😱 I have the canon 50mm and extension tubs and I was looking the tokina 100mm macro lens; do you think it could be a good upgrade for me? I can’t afford the canon 100mm. Thanks in advance!
soooo for the 24mm panncake max recomended extention tube should be what 21mm tube? And ive been looking forward to this episode if not for other then to hear your explain why it says macro on some lenses. As well your explanations for what 1:1 macro is as its a brilliant one Thank you like always mate. Cya around
Stewart, do you think that reversing the 24mm into your 50mm or 100mm macro itself would work? You would get 2-4 x magnification respectively, and probably better working distance.
@@StewartWoodArt It was like watching myself some time ago. 🙂 From some video that I saw on YT I remember that this lens might give great results reversed. But just as the only lens, not on top of another one. I never tried it cause I don't have any wide prime lens but since You already have it You only need an adapter. 🙂
Hey Stewart what about using a focusing rail when you try photographing Bob. I know that you're jumping spider moves around a lot it may not work for him but with Bob it may work.
Haha I loved this.. The number of times I tried using my 28mm pentax for macro was countless! It's interesting because with a teleconverter it allows you twice the working distance but at that point 24x2 is practically 50, I would love to see this with a 35mm regardless of whether you get a canon one or a cheap yongnuo just for the sake of trying this again.
@@StewartWoodArt I have the 35mm.. Honestly it's not fantastic compared to my high end canon ones but for price/performance it can't be beat (not to mention they are indestructible, dropped mine twice still works perfectly)
Another great video, i will keep away from the 24mm pancake lens. I have the 100mm 2.8 macro which i got from eBay 2nd hand. I was a bit concerned that i might be spending a lot of money on a dud but luckily it seems ok. I also bought a 2nd hand twin light flash unit so i think i am set-up now to start macro pictures. Can i just ask you about your nifty clips which hold you backgrounds with or the twig which Bob was on - are these something you made yourself or are they available to purchase online? i tried in the garden today to take a picture of a dandelion but even though the wind was so light the dandelion was moving around like it was in a tornado. these clip devices could help there and for indoor shots. is it possible to purchase these? thanks regards Erich
Hi Erich. The tripod one is a specimen holder from wemacro.com. The others are bingo clips or memo clip holders: amzn.to/2JxnawW You could also look at the wimberly planp.
Trying to use a wide angle lens with ext. tubes is inherently impossible due to it's physical aspects of focusing distance to wide angle ratio. the focusing point is pretty much inside the lens. There is one wide angle lens made by Venus/LAOWA 15mm Macro Lens. Thomas Shahan does a pretty good review of this lens and the photos are fantastic. Thought about picking up one of these because it's a different look than the classic macro look. Great video Stewart.
I think, bad conclusion. Why you don't try with just 13mm and/or 21mm tube? Maybe not 1: 1 but great pictures can be made! And what about the wide angle macro? ;)
Still not true macro, great close up lens. it's all about how camera company's label their products. For the price your better off with the 50mm lens with extension tubes.
I believe it is possible to get about 1:1 macro with just an 18mm extension tube. The 24mm lens has a 0.27X magnification and adding an 18mm tube will make a 1.02X magnification (18mm/24mm+0.27X = 1.02X).
@@StewartWoodArt Maybe not as the working distance will be too close for live insects. Btw your videos on insect macro photography are really interesting. You just got a new subscriber.
Extension tubes equal to lens focal length equals life-size. The 24mm lens you are working with needs 24mm of extension to reach lifesize. 12mm for 1/2 life-size, 6mm 1/4 life-size. Going higher than life-size with most if not all short lenses will result in focus at or inside the lens. That lens you are using is an excellent way to capture an environmental close ups showing the creatures in their natural surroundings. Canons 10-18mm STM lens is another fantastic close up environmental lens. Medium to long macro lenses are great for portraits. The longer the lens, the narrower the angle of view resulting in backgrounds that are tight behind the subject. Using wide angle lenses close up brings in a lot of the background. Extreme wide angles really shows a lot of the scene around the subject. Problem is too much distraction in the background creates poor images. Done right though and you will enter a new, entirely different and wonderfully creative realm of Close Up Photography!
Thank you for the information Bradley :)
He seems to be a pro, but he has no basic knowledge. For a 24mm lens you must use 20-22mm extension tubes at most.
Great practical demo and gear label lesson, Stewart. A good number of consumer level cams have a “macro” setting on the topside mode dial - usually a flower icon. However, as you pointed out, that doesn’t mean any attached lens in that mode will enable true macro ratios. Bob is a terrific model - what do you feed him? Alternative to lazy Susan can be ball bearing assembly from hardware store - or skate from garage sale, or modified fidget spinner.
I feed Bob blue bottle fly's. Thank you for watching and for the suggestions on a smaller lazy Susan.
There is a video on RUclips suggesting using the 24 on an automatic reverse adapter. I have the Meike MK-C-UP adapter which I have used with several lenses including a 16-35mm zoom but have never touched the 24 so do not know how it would work. Working distance is a real problem even with a 100mm when you get to 1:1. That may be why some of us prefer diffused flashes behind the lens rather than those twins that stick out so far. There is always a way but not always one answer for all needs.
The 24mm lens works best with a reverse adapter. Hi magnification but very shallow working space as already witnessed.
Thank you, i'll give that a go :)
@@StewartWoodArt I've been getting 4x with 52mm of extension tubes and the 24mm reversed. Very little dof but works great when focus stacking on a wemacro rail. Impossible with live subjects however.
I love that you show the fails as well as the successes. Very informative AND entertaining. Who needs TV ??! Thanks Stewart.
Thanks you, I believe that showing the fails is the fun part and at the same time show how real macro photography can go.
Use an extension tube that's less than the focal length if you dont want to stick the subject to the glass. My 22mm stm works great
I'll give it a go, thank you :)
Thanks for your good review. Can you test this lens with reverse technique instead of extension tube? Does it work?
I have this lens and I have no problem with using the 21 or the 13 I'll by themselves with the lens doing macro or close up
Reverse that 24mm on e.g. the Meike reversing ring and youll have around 3x magnification
I'll try that :)
Cheers :)
Hi Stuart love the vids
Can I ask where you got your book of background cards from.
also do you know of any alternatives for plamps other than the wimberley one.
I created the backgrounds my self as for the plamp I don't know. I will be getting a plamp soon.
Hi from The Netherlands. A really informative video - thank you. I've recently purchased this lens. I'm thoroughly impressed with its performance. I use it on my EOS 600D, (intended for planetary photography with a Sky-Watcher 102mm 1300mm/f13 Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope). I slapped a Canon EF12 II extension tube onto it. Wow, It instantly became a beast. The wife is eying it with a little bit of envy 😏. A hefty tripod, focusing rack and a quality interiometer, (external or internal) is most definitely recommended with this combo. This lens is the perfect example of the, wolf in sheep's clothing. Greetings to Bob 😄!
If the extension tubes are extending the lens Beyond its 24 mm focal length how is he getting any focus at all? The lens shouldn't be able to be focusing on the sensor since it's too far away from it a relative to the lenses focal length.
You make a good point in explaining the nature of a 1:1 macro lens. I enjoyed your lesson.....and your blooper segment.
Thank you :)
Hi! Great video! I was almost to buy it until I saw this explanation 😱 I have the canon 50mm and extension tubs and I was looking the tokina 100mm macro lens; do you think it could be a good upgrade for me? I can’t afford the canon 100mm. Thanks in advance!
It will be a good upgrade for you :)
@@StewartWoodArt thank you so much! love your work!
soooo for the 24mm panncake max recomended extention tube should be what 21mm tube? And ive been looking forward to this episode if not for other then to hear your explain why it says macro on some lenses. As well your explanations for what 1:1 macro is as its a brilliant one Thank you like always mate. Cya around
Thanks mate, I might go further into the tech side of macro :)
Stewart, do you think that reversing the 24mm into your 50mm or 100mm macro itself would work? You would get 2-4 x magnification respectively, and probably better working distance.
I'll look into it :)
@@StewartWoodArt It was like watching myself some time ago. 🙂
From some video that I saw on YT I remember that this lens might give great results reversed. But just as the only lens, not on top of another one. I never tried it cause I don't have any wide prime lens but since You already have it You only need an adapter. 🙂
thank you for this movie,clears alot
Great to watch you work through the issues. Good conversation.
Thank you :)
Hey Stewart what about using a focusing rail when you try photographing Bob. I know that you're jumping spider moves around a lot it may not work for him but with Bob it may work.
For still life yes but for a living subject it would be too slow. Good idea though, maybe some Orbeez :)
I have this lens but I won't use for macro. Thanks for saving me a lot of pain.
Haha I loved this.. The number of times I tried using my 28mm pentax for macro was countless! It's interesting because with a teleconverter it allows you twice the working distance but at that point 24x2 is practically 50, I would love to see this with a 35mm regardless of whether you get a canon one or a cheap yongnuo just for the sake of trying this again.
I was thinking of getting some Yongnuo lenses to see if they are any good for macro photography.
@@StewartWoodArt I have the 35mm.. Honestly it's not fantastic compared to my high end canon ones but for price/performance it can't be beat (not to mention they are indestructible, dropped mine twice still works perfectly)
Great video Stewart funny takes at the end just shows your human , where do you get your exotic insects
I get them from breeders in the UK. there are a lot of Facebook groups for breeders.
@@StewartWoodArt Thank you
Another great video, i will keep away from the 24mm pancake lens. I have the 100mm 2.8 macro which i got from eBay 2nd hand. I was a bit concerned that i might be spending a lot of money on a dud but luckily it seems ok. I also bought a 2nd hand twin light flash unit so i think i am set-up now to start macro pictures. Can i just ask you about your nifty clips which hold you backgrounds with or the twig which Bob was on - are these something you made yourself or are they available to purchase online? i tried in the garden today to take a picture of a dandelion but even though the wind was so light the dandelion was moving around like it was in a tornado. these clip devices could help there and for indoor shots. is it possible to purchase these? thanks regards Erich
Hi Erich. The tripod one is a specimen holder from wemacro.com. The others are bingo clips or memo clip holders: amzn.to/2JxnawW You could also look at the wimberly planp.
Trying to use a wide angle lens with ext. tubes is inherently impossible due to it's physical aspects of focusing distance to wide angle ratio. the focusing point is pretty much inside the lens. There is one wide angle lens made by Venus/LAOWA 15mm Macro Lens. Thomas Shahan does a pretty good review of this lens and the photos are fantastic. Thought about picking up one of these because it's a different look than the classic macro look. Great video Stewart.
That Laowa lens does look good and if I can get the budget together I will be getting one :) Thanks for the info :)
you can use a reversing ring macro photography to and may use the 24mm as a super macro ?
Thank you!! Almost bought the lens....... LOL working distance of a nats ....what? I always learn something from your videos.
I can't say what it was lmao
I think, bad conclusion. Why you don't try with just 13mm and/or 21mm tube? Maybe not 1: 1 but great pictures can be made!
And what about the wide angle macro? ;)
Still not true macro, great close up lens. it's all about how camera company's label their products. For the price your better off with the 50mm lens with extension tubes.
I believe it is possible to get about 1:1 macro with just an 18mm extension tube. The 24mm lens has a 0.27X magnification and adding an 18mm tube will make a 1.02X magnification (18mm/24mm+0.27X = 1.02X).
You can get a 1:1 magnification but is it usable for insects?
@@StewartWoodArt Maybe not as the working distance will be too close for live insects. Btw your videos on insect macro photography are really interesting. You just got a new subscriber.
Thank you Matt and keep the info/suggestions coming, we are all learning :)
Always helpful. Thank you. ♥️📸🎞
Thank you for watching :)
Refreshing to see real life stuff, when not everything is amazing, and we are suggested to buy it "right now". Good effort anyway.
Maybe you need to stick that mantis using tape to get a better shot, pancake fail😂😂🤣😂😁.
Thanks for sharing nifty fifty is killer, indeed.
Gaffer tape all the way!
Love the tee shirt
Do you have an Idea how I could get my Flash in a 90 degree position that I can shoot pictures in portait style?
Try searching for a 90 degree flash bracket on amazon.
Great video about what not to buy for macro!
Oh yes lol
he started pullng out parts like hes putting together a gameboy
Wow. Thanks.
Interesting - thanks ---
Good
…what?! I can nearly understand you. Appreciate your taste.
Subbed! Great vid!