Achieving Jaw-Dropping Close-Up Shots on a budget

For my 50th last year I bought myself the Nikon Z 105mm macro. So much fun as macro is new to me.

I often use a Sony 100-400mm lens with a 1.4x teleconverter for close-ups … this lens focuses fairly close and the quality is excellent. Beautiful images Adam!!!

I use the Sony 100-400GM which close focuses at all magnifications at <1m and gives me a 1:3, enough for most flowers. The problem is wind that changes what is in focus

Definitely handy to keep in your bag. If you ever get lost in the backcountry you can always use it as a magnifying glass to start a signal fire. Nice images, and I agree with you that a focusing rail makes it a lot easier to use any of these close-up filters when shooting from a tripod.

I'm watching this on a 32 inch 4K monitor, and the image quality of those photos is breathtaking!

I've been frustrated trying to make close up shots with my 70-300 (crop sensor). I'm inspired to try extension tubes and / or the diopter. Thanks!

Thanks for the video! I use a Canon close-up lens named 500D (it's weird because it has the same name as a Canon DSLR). It has excellent image quality and doesn't reduce light intake. Interestingly, mine has a 58mm thread, but I attach it into my Canon 100mm macro, which has a 67mm thread using step-down rings, and it works fine without reducing the field of view. I usually combine the macro lens, Kenko extension tubes (also great quality), and the close-up lens, according to the desired magnification. Macro photography is all about experimentation and creativity, so there's room for a variety of gear to be used. Cheers!

Great advice. I got the Nisi close-up lens, which looks very similar to the Kase. As you say, it works in a pinch. Since I usually also carry a nodal slide for panoramic, it can be used as a poor mans focusing rail as you describe. I can't justify a dedicated macro lens, but the tiny Panasonic L mount 100/2.8 is very tempting at only 300g.

Stunning images Adam, thanks for the tips and for sharing

Thanks for the helpful video and sharing your beautiful images. I’ve been using a Nikkor 105mm Macro and found it to be a great lens for macro photography. However the Kase close up filter will be great to have to lighten the load when hiking and shooting landscapes. I can also take close ups without carrying the 105mm macro lens as well.

Great lesson! I recently photographed some of those wild roses so it was fun to see your version to compare and get ideas on how I can improve on them!

Nice video. Great light weight solution for travel.

Great video Adam...been there before all calm whilst setting up then the wind blows 😊, thanks for sharing that handy wee tip 😊

I'd be really interested to see the types of images you create with some of the Lensbaby products. Maybe one day...

I sometimes use a 2X close up lens in fornt of my 50mm AIS f1.4, with dreamy results, it works very well. Very effective. You can also use it with medium format lenses. Best to get a decent make that is multicoated.

This video was a huge help Adam! I do lots of nature macro photography with my Nikon Z 100-400mm lens which focuses amazingly close by itself. I add an old, discontinued (I bought it back in the film-only days) Canon 500D diopter for closer to "life-size" magnifications. It's a stellar piece of equipment but currently has no peer in the market. Until you just showed me the 77mm Kase diopter! I'm so paranoid about losing/damaging the 500D but this Kase diopter could be just the ticket! Thanks! BTW, master nature macro photographer John Shaw in his now long out-of-print book, Closeups In Nature, gives an excellent explanation of using diopters with zooms.

Great video as usual! I bought myself a Nikkor Z 105 mm f2.8 macro lens, lightweight and incredibly sharp. Use it mainly to take pictures of cacti flowers. I have quite a big collection, always something blooming, the flowers are gorgeous and the spines and shapes are also a good subject matter.

Thanks for showing some less costly options for macro and similar shooting. However, I recently picked up a Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO lens for under CAD $500, and it's light, very sharp and detailed. This was APS-C, but their full frame options are relatively reasonable.

What a great video Adam. I really haven’t taken much photos of flowers lately it this might change after looking at this on

I have a 100mm Macros and a 30mm macro. Also a set of Canon Diopters. Now I need to get out in the garden and use them. Thanks for the video Adam.