[stupido]

I will reiterate the macro/close-up lens adapters. I usually keep a set with me. I have gotten very good results with them. I do have lenses with macro, extension rings and bellows, but the adapters are the way to start out.

Basically they are magnifying glasses. The +1, +2, and +4 is their power in diopters. You can stack them to get higher power. IE a +2 and +4 together is the equivalent of a +6. You have more surfaces so there is more chance for reflections. They differ from your drug store magnifying glass in that the back glass surface is concave instead of concave. That is they are shaped more like reading glasses than a hand held magnifier.

Extension tubes and bellows fit between the lens and the camera and move the back focus of the attached lens. Basically you can focus closer to the subject and hence get greater magnification.

My HP912 digital camera works with them best with it set to macro mode. My K1000 of course has no setting. I have not tried my new *istDS with the close-up adaptors. I used a focal length doubler which had a macro feature (adjustable extension tube) on my light bulb pics.

Ditto on moving the camera instead of focusing the lens. There are really nice focusing jigs sold by Edmund Scientific which seem like they would fit the bill. Basically shifts the camera via a thumb wheel. I have been meaning to buy one.

Remember lots of experimentation and lots of bad shots but its fun.

[stupido]

Ok, I must be an idiot!

[stupido]

BTW, the OLYMPUS E-500 is a 4/3 type camera. That is a new format based on a smaller than 35mm sensor. There is no 35mm equivalent of this camera. Hence no used 35mm lenses either.

So when they say full frame it is a bit misleading. All 4/3 cameras are full frame for the 4/3 format. Full frame in the 35mm based DSLR means the sensor is the same size as a 35mm negative. This one is smaller.

http://www.four-thirds.org/en/index_01.htm

The size is actually 18×13.5 versus 36×24 for a full frame 35mm.

My Pentax is 23.5×15.7 Canon and Nikon reduced frame cameras are similar. So if you are one who believes in large sensors, then this may not be the best camera for you.

Its not a big deal really. The 4/3 system was desgned from the ground up for that sensor size, so there indeed advantages. Smaller body, lense etc.

[stupido]

Its past Christmas so I assum you have gotten it already.

Good sites:

http://www.dpreview.com

http://www.steves-digicams.com

I got a Pentax *istDS this summer 🙂 I have lots of Pentax film equipment so that was a driving force. I had considered the Digital Rebel but I really do not like the feel of the low end version.

Try to go to a store and play with them. Check out the controls etc. What might be right for me could be very wrong for you.

[Author]

Posts