My Close-Up Filter Set arrived!
Before I move onto its greatness, I want to share some shots I took for Faith’s Simplicity eCourse. The second assignment this week was to take what we’ve learned about focus and depth of field and apply it to photograph a flower! Flower photography is something almost everyone enjoys both doing and viewing!
Here you’ll see the difference changing aperture will make. I almost always shoot in Aperture Priority mode because I love being able to choose my depth of field right off the bat. A lot of people don’t like this because they feel it gives them no control over the exposure, but I disagree. I use ISO and aperture to choose the right exposure and it usually works out just fine for me. On a bright sunny day, I’m probably not going to get away with shooting wide open (f/1.8) even if I have my ISO as low as it will go (which unfortunately, is 200). It’s as simple as that.
Notice how as the f-stop number goes up (which is actually a more narrow aperture. I know, seems backwards) more of the flower is in focus. That’s because more light is being let in and recorded on the exposure. Also notice that the shutter speed decreases as the aperture narrows. Because more light is being let in, the shutter doesn’t need to be open for as long.
Now! To truly appreciate my macro shots, you’ll probably want to know that the examples shown above are as close as I can get to a subject with my 50mm lens. It’s kind of annoying and as a woman who enjoys a good macro, you can understand why I’m desperate for a cheap solution so I can get in close and take a shot of a flower every once in a while!
Enter this cool macro filter set! It comes with a 1x, 2x, 4x and 10x filter and a wallet to hold them all.
When I first took a filter out of the box and screwed it on my lens, I thought it wasn’t working right because nothing was in focus. I am so used to having to stand a foot away from something in order to be able to get it to focus. Then I realized I needed to put the lens right on top of my subject and WOW! These are the results of my first quick test shots tonight. I cannot wait until I get a chance to spend some time shooting with this! How much fun!
I’m so excited! Now that I have this filter set, I can finally start entering Macro contests and blog hops like Macro Friday at Blogging From Bolivia. Squee!
These are taken with the 10x filter. I should be able to stack the filters for different results too!
Sure, this is no replacement for a macro lens, but I don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend right now. The filter set is available on Amazon for $12! After just a few shots, I consider this to be well worth it! I’m so excited to be able to add a new dimension to my photography without having spent a fortune!
@lynda cool filters
@wibblefish It’ll definitely hold me over until I can afford a macro lens. For $12! So cool.
@lynda friend of mine bought a sigma 50mm macro the other day, its swish
Twitter: @AshleyRSisk
Yay for new toys – looks like you’re learning so much from Faith’s class. These shots are beautiful.
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks Ashley!
I agree, macro is so fun!!
I just got my camera in January and it has a super macro setting on it and I LOVE IT!
Your photos are so beautiful and vibrant!
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks! Macros are so much fun.
Great work. I can’t wait to get mine….one day.
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks for stopping by. Your shots are amazing!
Twitter: @Maliksmommie81
I use a macro filter set too! I LOVE IT. It’s amazing when you stack them too…. I’ve been having a blast with mine!
I don’t have a dslr yet, so a lens filter set was pretty much the only way I could get my camera to do what I wanted it to. I have a super zoom that I lovely try to convince to behave like a dslr on a regular basis..lol
Thanks for sharing though. You shots look great!
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting! I’ve tried combining the 4x and 1x and was pleased with the results, but I haven’t tried combining the 10x with anything. I’m kind of scared to try it! I have no idea why. LOL.
It’s cool your non-dslr camera has filter threads! I’m getting another cool and cheap filter in a couple of days I will be sure to blog about. A lot of photographers snub their nose at filters (especially cheap ones), but I think they’re a super fun tool to get some variety in one’s work.
What kind of camera do you have? I had a Sony Mavica before I got my Nikon and while bulky, it was a great non-dslr with mostly dslr features!
Twitter: @speedymom
How interesting. I think I’d have a lot of fun with it!
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks Kristal! I’ve been having fun so far! I’m stuck with one lens at the moment and have been craving variety!
Beautiful shots! Those colors are breathtaking.
Twitter: @LilbearMe
I love this! I’ve always adored the macro look, but the cost…hello? Now I can play at a reasonable price. I’m going to order my set asap! Thank you for this awesome post, Lynda.