I have not yet tested other super macro conversion lenses, either by Raynox or by other manufacturers, but from the several days old experience in using the Raynox DCR-250 with the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS, I guess it is safe to proclaim that the two are an ideal pair.
The pictures below are just test shots of the camera and the conversion lens. This is as close I want a macro photograph to be.
For a more extreme close-up however, I can try the MSN-202, which is more expensive. But for the time being the DCR-250 is sufficient for my need. I won’t recommend the DCR-205 with shorter zoon — those 5x optical and below — because the amount of magnification will be too small. For these types of camera, the MSN-202 would be the ideal macro solution.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
This is helpful for me
When you get back I have a lot of questions, after you post your photos from your trip.
Anyway, I just went out and made the identical purchase, Canon SX1 iS and the Raynox lens with adapter and my photos are not even close to what you have shown us here. I am so discouraged I could cry or smash the camera or both. I know it is operator error but I love macrophotography and was hoping to achieve positive results from out of the box…no such luck. definitely no skill and to make matters a little worse the user manual that came with the camera is not geared to the newbie or ignorant newbie. Some of the information is down right incorrect and after going to several forums to ask why I was getting no results such as being able to engage the supermacro feature, someone provided the instructions to me that are not even mentioned in the manual.
Regardless, I can now turn on the supermacro feature and put the Raynox lens on as well but the results are even worse, vignetting, I guess it is called, more like looking at the subject from the bottom of a garbage can and focus, HAH! that is a joke. I can focus better if I cross my eyes.
Anyway hope you are having a great time, great experiences and getting great shots.
Alienwordz,
Be patient… don’t smash the camera or the conversion lens just yet. Vignetting is a problem especially when shooting brightly lit objects with point and shoot cameras and it exists even without the use of conversion lenses.
With the SX1 IS, you should always shoot in super macro mode.
With the Raynox lens attached, you should shoot in “normal” mode and not in macro or supermacro mode. You can only get the subject in focus from a specific distance of about 11cm or 4.5 inch. Use the camera’s zoom to magnify the subject.
Keep on experimenting… if there is enough light (outdoor during sunny day, for instance), try to shoot in Tv mode with the shutter speed set at 1/200 and above.
There will be a write-up coming on how to use the Raynox in combination with the SX1 IS, possibly by next week. Be sure to check that out…
Thank you for the advice on lesson on how to properly use the camera. I am just starting to learn that “macro” involves a whole lot more than just having equipment that is supposed to do the job. All the nuances of making all the proper adjustments and taking all the conditions into consideration are things I still have to learn.
I will keep reading away here and looking for new lessons.
Thanks and welcome back.
If I should shoot in the “Normal” mode when using the Raynox lens, what mode would you suggest I shoot in when using Hoya close-up lenses, either as singles or stacked?
Please let me know if there is another area here that I should be presenting this type of question.
Thank you very much
I don’t have any experience with Hoya close-up lenses but I guess, with the SX1 IS, the principle is the same.. shoot in the “Normal” mode. However, if the lenses have a very high magnification rate (due to stacking and so on), then you can shoot either in super macro or macro mode.
At the moment, the comment section is the only “interactive” area on this blog. I do have a plan to create a forum but am still trying to figure out how to implement it.
Canon SX1 IS is no longer available in shops but SX10 and SX20 do. Did you use raw format to take those photos ? also did you use any editing software like photoshop or Lightroom ?
I use Raynox DCR-250 with SX10 and got some great result. It take time to understand this lens but you can take cool photos with it when you understand the it.
Hello,
I have a canon sx10 and purchase the raynox dcr-250 and love to take marco shots but cannot get the results that I want. When I attach the lense and look at the viewfinder the viewer look like a fish eyes with circle shape is it suppose to be like that when u attach the lense and can someone please suggest tips and setting i can use to get some results thanks
Hi Victor,
The circle, it’s the same case with the SX1 IS. You will have to zoom in to get the close up. Once zoomed in, the magnification increases and the circle disappears. “Shoot in “normal mode”, i.e without turning on the macro or super macro mode.
Hold the camera as steady as possible because with the subject extremely magnified, a slight movement can render the subject out of focus.
This article might also be helpful:
http://macro-photography-blog.com/2010/04/19/raynox-dcr-250-macro-conversion-lens-review/
planing to buy a converter what is the market price of it and does it really work?
Yes, it works for the Pentax 100mm Macro lens. Here is a sample of the pictures taken with the Pentax lens with the Raynox 250 attached:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaxons/4954269514/
It may not work for lenses with large filter thread like the Nikkor 105mm Macro which has a thread of 77mm. The maximum thread that takes the Raynox is 62mm.
I can’t say it work for compact cameras with long zooms. Yes, you can take real close pictures with this converter but the image tends to be a bit soft on superzoom cameras. However it’s an option for those with such cameras.