Raynox DCR 150 Review
The Raynox DCR-150 Macro Attachment and its powerful brother Raynox DCR-250 Macro Attachment increase the magnification for standard lenses. Both have a universal mount that can be clipped onto any lens measuring 52-67mm in diameter. The Raynox DCR-150’s magnification factor is 1.5X, while the Raynox DCR-250 Macro attachment has a magnification of 2.5X. While I will be focusing on the Raynox DCR-150, it is safe for you to assume that most of my comments will also be applicable to the Raynox DCR-250.
What is Macro Photography?
True macro in photography means 1:1 magnification. This basically means that anything 5mm in size should show up on your camera sensor as 5mm. It can be used as a magnifying lens for any lens that you have, but it costs the only US $50 (February 2012). This is a great way to get close-up photography at a very affordable price.
It’s easy to use
The Raynox DCR-150 simply clips to the front of your lens. It is straightforward in this sense. It is not easy. The Raynox DCR-150 is simple, but it doesn’t make macro photography easy. Your Depth of Focus is a problem when working close to large magnifications. This means that the area of the image that is pin-sharp is tiny. This is evident in the above image of the wasp staring directly at the camera. While the head and eyes appear to be in focus, the antennae quickly fall into fuzzy focus at 7/8mm. The Raynox DCR-150 simply clips to your front lens, so it’s straightforward to use. It is not easy, though. The DCR-150 is a result of Macro Photography. By increasing your aperture size (that is, making the F Stop number larger), you can increase your depth of focus. The DCR-150 will still be relatively shallow, making focusing difficult. However, it does have one advantage over cheaper extension tubes you can buy on the internet. That is, it keeps our cameras’ ability to autofocus. However, the tradeoff is that you have another piece in front of your lens, which may affect the quality of the image. As you can see, it produces some fantastic images. The image below was taken at its maximum. I had to focus on stack three images to get it. However, it meets the criteria to submit images to stock photography sites. It also has the potential to sell some.
Versatility
This Macro Diopter has a lot to offer. I bought it for my Canon 450D DSLR to use with a variety of lenses, but I also purchased it to be used on my Canon s3 bridge camera. If your pop-out zoom lens is between 52mm and 67mm in diameter, this lens can be clipped to the front of your camera. Although you lose the ability to focus to infinity, it’s straightforward to clip on the front and take off your lens. You can snap away at beautiful landscapes one minute and then be out on your feet chasing down a ladybird in the grass the next. You will need to attach other close-up filters to your lens thread. This can be tricky on cold days. Also, if you have lenses of different diameters, you’ll need to either buy more filters or step-down rings.
Tips and Hints
Working at macro levels can make lighting difficult very quickly, so this diopter is also helpful. However, if you use smaller apertures such as f16, very little light gets to your camera’s sensor, so you need some way to help. There are three options.
You can increase your ISO, which will have the consequence of increasing noise
Do not leave the shutter open any longer. Instead, use a tripod
Add Flash but be careful with the flash at the top of your camera. It is almost always rubbish
To avoid it being too harsh, I prefer option 3. I use a cheap flash with some wireless triggers. I bounce my flash against a piece or umbrella to keep it from shining so hard. The image of the globe and water droplet was taken in studio conditions, so it only took 8 seconds.
Overview
Since I first started using this little device a few years ago, I have fallen in love with it. Sure, I could get better results from a dedicated Macro lens or Extension tubes, but those are much more expensive. It has given me a lot of great images, and I’ve sold many of them through stock photography sites. It’s excellent for many purposes. I also use it to achieve maximum magnification. Sometimes I need a very shallow depth in focus, which my slower lenses don’t deliver. This is also an excellent tool for photographing food. You can have a bridge camera, an SLR, or a DSLR with lenses between 52mm to 67mm. This little gem is the only US $50 (Feb 2012). Photography and cheap don’t always go together well.
My wife and I left our jobs at the age of 29 and 34, respectively, to move into a smallholding in rural Hungary. We had wild dreams about our future and the possibility of living a simpler lifestyle. While the perks of having a well-paid career are apparent, the downside is that we didn’t have much time together when we lived in the UK. Although it may not be for everyone, it is for us!
