Take "macro" pictures without macro-optics

 Ever looked at those prises on macro optics? Yes they are high! They are really high! I once thought: Hey that optic is just a focus-lens that focuses on near objects! What if we do enlarge the small objects so that i can photograph them with my  "normal" optics!

NOTE!
These are not "real" macros! These are just "good closeups"! You will get a lot better results with real macro-optics

Step 1 What will you need?

 1. Camera
2. Magnifying Glass
3. Something to photograph
4. Tripod (optional)

Comments

[Ghost Wolf]

Give guy some rating! I never thought of doing that and here i thought you needed macro lens

[dopman]

Thx man! :D

[Zinventor]

I've also found that my Sony A-100 with an 18-200 lens takes macro-like pictures when you use the max telephoto on a near object, you just have to keep EXTREMELY still :-) at first, i didn't think it would focus right, but I found that at about 4 feet away from something, I could take a professional looking macro shot of it using max telephoto.

[Phil B]

Back in the day of film cameras only you could buy close-up lenses.  Most commonly they were +1, +2, and +3 diopters.  Occasionally you could find lenses with even higher numbers.  Kodak made a copy setup that used 126 cartridge film.  You could also make your own.  

Place a white card at the end of a yardstick.  Point the yardstick at the sun.  Move the close-up lens along the yardstick until sun forms a focused spot of light, like kids do when they burn holes in leaves.  Note the exact distance.  Place the lens above the object to be photographed at that distance.  Place the camera lens against the close-up lens and take the photo.  With no through the lens viewing you had to wait to see what you get, but it works.

[frollard]

Fantastic trick!

[dopman]

 That was a thing that i didn't know. Thank you for the information!
I will look out after one of those lenses.
But until that I will use the method in the instructable. And the method I have written in the instructable is just for some "one time uses" when you will need a close up but don't own a lens.

[Phil B]

Lenses in the days of film cameras were often much smaller in diameter than those on more recent cameras.  Once f/3.5 was a fast lens.  Now anything less than f/2 is considered sub-standard.  Close-up lenses were often only about an inch in diameter.  It might be difficult to get good use from one of those on a camera with a lens nearly 1.5 inches or more in diameter.  But, I would nose around camera shops and any photo swap meets you can find.

[stratohellsing]

Hey Phil, i don't know the math behind magnifying glass, but after i saw your comment here, i finally know the difference between large and small diameter on magnifying glass. And yes, the smaller the diameter, the bigger image you'll have (is this about magnification factor? cmiiw) ...

Here, i've uploaded some picture that i took with my Samsung C6625 Cellphone (that's 2 MP, 1600x1200 resolution, considered small huh?)

Thank you phil for your explanation, maybe i'll read some more about magnifying factor and other, so i can create DIY microscope using scrap lenses.

* Sorry for my bad english =)

[dopman]

 You know this is just an easy trick that anyone could do. The response that you are giving is great but it is information besides this Instructable.

[Phil B]

I apologize that what I wrote is not exactly a comment on your Instructable, but is supplemental by way of an additional method.  I do not mean to make a change of direction.

[dopman]

 No need to apologize! I've actually did learn a bit of what you wrote. So instead I will thank you! :D