Macro lenses are brilliant optics, but you don’t need to spend much for one if you’re just a casual macro photographer. In our latest DIY Photography Tricks post we show you how to make a DIY macro lens using a simple cardboard tube…
If macro photography is your passion, spending a few Thousand rupees on a decent macro lens is a must. Altertnatively, you could get an extension tube or a close-up filter to enlarge your subject. But what if you want to get really close to your subject without the expense, perhaps just to try macro out?
It’s surprisingly easy to convert a standard lens into a macro, using nothing more than a cardboard tube, an old camera body cap and some tape…
How to make a DIY macro lens
01 Make a camera fitting
Start with a way to attach the lens to the camera. Find an old body cap. Drill a few holes on the inside, then use a small saw or a file to create an aperture in the middle.
Start with a way to attach the lens to the camera. Find an old body cap. Drill a few holes on the inside, then use a small saw or a file to create an aperture in the middle.
02 Find a tube
We need distance between the sensor and lens to extend the focal length. Find a cardboard tube with roughly the same diameter as the body cap.
We need distance between the sensor and lens to extend the focal length. Find a cardboard tube with roughly the same diameter as the body cap.
03 Prepare the tube
Cut the tube to about 15cm: this will vary depending on your lens you use, but it’s a good starting length. To stop light from bouncing around, stick black paper inside.
Cut the tube to about 15cm: this will vary depending on your lens you use, but it’s a good starting length. To stop light from bouncing around, stick black paper inside.
04 Fit the lens
Use insulation tape to stick the body cap inside the tube. With the front of the lens facing the tube, tape it in place so the end that usually fits onto the camera is exposed.
Use insulation tape to stick the body cap inside the tube. With the front of the lens facing the tube, tape it in place so the end that usually fits onto the camera is exposed.
05 Set the aperture
On the back of the lens is a lever that camera uses to set the aperture. Position it so that the aperture is fully open and fix it with tape.
On the back of the lens is a lever that camera uses to set the aperture. Position it so that the aperture is fully open and fix it with tape.
06 Start shooting!
In your camera’s menu, activate the setting that enables the camera to shoot without a lens. Fix the camera on a tripod, set to Manual and take a few test shots.
In your camera’s menu, activate the setting that enables the camera to shoot without a lens. Fix the camera on a tripod, set to Manual and take a few test shots.
Final tip
When you shoot, you’ll need to adjust the shutter speed to get the correct exposure. To focus, change the camera’s distance from the subject.
When you shoot, you’ll need to adjust the shutter speed to get the correct exposure. To focus, change the camera’s distance from the subject.
Source: DIY Photography
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