p.2 #1 · I dissected my lens today!-Lots of new photos
Thanks for your comments everyone. This is the only "macro lens" I've used on my 40D. I upgraded from a P&S in May, and I've been maximizing the potential out of my current kit (even if it means modifying the lens ). IMO, my 35-80 isn't that sharp, but for a cheap kit lens, it is acceptable (maybe you got a better copy, Chris). It is all I have now, and I don't yet have the money to get an L like I want. Actually, I have been using 5.3MP on my 40D mcuh of the time, since 10.1MP just creates softer lines. Also 35-80mm isn't a very useful focal length for nature: It isn't wide enough for many landscapes, and doesn't have very good telephoto range. But I'm making the best of what I've got. That is why I was so excited when I was able to convert it to a macro lens. It added a whole new dimension to my photograhy with the same lens!
I have never used a true macro lens, so I can't compare it to a 90mm macro. Sorry Jacob. Yes, a macro focusing rail would be the trick to get it to focus. I use a tripod, but a macro rail would be MUCH more desirable. The working distance is around 1 inch. I'll upload pics of a ruler at different FLs.
p.2 #4 · I dissected my lens today!-Lots of new photos
Will & Dpic-Arctic -
You guys must have been a handful when you were growing up! I'm sitting here laughing & remembering when my two sons took apart the dishwasher, the furnace, an old electric typewriter, my metronome, a watch & a bunch of other stuff. Yeah - I let them live. Blood is too hard to clean up on light-colored carpet . . .
p.2 #6 · I dissected my lens today!-Lots of new photos
MarcyJillGood wrote:
Will & Dpic-Arctic -
You guys must have been a handful when you were growing up! I'm sitting here laughing & remembering when my two sons took apart the dishwasher, the furnace, an old electric typewriter, my metronome, a watch & a bunch of other stuff. Yeah - I let them live. Blood is too hard to clean up on light-colored carpet . . .
Thanks for the memories!
Marcy
Haha, I've taken apart every laptop I've owned to replace mouse pads, keyboards, motherboards, screens, hard drives, video cards, etc, I've always built my own "tower" computers, I took my iphone apart to clean some dust out of it, I've rebuilt a few car engines and transmissions, medical equipment such as infusion machines here at work, blablabla. It's fun I guess, I like 'figuring it out.'
p.2 #7 · I dissected my lens today!-Lots of new photos
Nice watermarks. Do you really think someone is going to steal those ruler photos?
I didn't apply the watermarks. If I had it my way, the photos would be 3x bigger with no watermarks. It's just the only way I can get photos on here now.
this is so cool, what is the max focus distance you get from the mod? Can you focus beyond 1 - 2 inch?
Actually, think of it as this. Prime lenses have no zoom. They have a fixed focal length. Well, this modified lens is a "prime focus" lens, so to speak. It only has one distance at which it can focus. It can still zoom, but the working distance is about an inch- flat! The DOF is so incredibly shallow! Precision movements should be made using a tripod or other support. I usually use f/13-22 with this, though f/8 might do fine sometimes. f/4-5.6 is just too shallow to get it right usually. I still want to try snowflakes. We'll see when that happens. Thanks everyone for your comments!
p.2 #9 · I dissected my lens today!-Lots of new photos
sole wrote:
hi, is it possible to do the same with 18-55 lens?
I don't see why it wouldn't be possible. Try taking a small screwdriver (I used a jewelrey set) and prying up the ring around the front that says "Canon EF-S 18-55mm...". It is actually a plastic ring. This took me around 15 minutes the first time, doing it carefully. Underneath should be a few screws (DO NOT LOSE THEM- they are very small). Unscrew these, and if all of the screws are out, the front element group should easily pop out. Then you're ready to use it.
If all of the disassembley is done carefully, then it should be pretty easy to put it back together again to its original state. When all of the screws are back in (make sure the front element group is aligned with the screw holes), just run your thumb along the ring to seal it down over the screws again. I've disassembled and reassembled it around 4 times, and the ring is still sticky.
If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask.
Eli
Edit: If yours is the IS version, I'm not sure if it is possible. Mine is a non-IS lens, but the IS version may have a gyro that interferes with the disassembly.
p.2 #10 · I dissected my lens today!-Lots of new photos
MarcyJillGood wrote:
Will & Dpic-Arctic -
You guys must have been a handful when you were growing up! I'm sitting here laughing & remembering when my two sons took apart the dishwasher, the furnace, an old electric typewriter, my metronome, a watch & a bunch of other stuff. Yeah - I let them live. Blood is too hard to clean up on light-colored carpet . . .
Thanks for the memories!
Marcy
Will Patterson wrote:
Haha, I've taken apart every laptop I've owned to replace mouse pads, keyboards, motherboards, screens, hard drives, video cards, etc, I've always built my own "tower" computers, I took my iphone apart to clean some dust out of it, I've rebuilt a few car engines and transmissions, medical equipment such as infusion machines here at work, blablabla. It's fun I guess, I like 'figuring it out.'
I have taken apart computers and an old Powershot A75, among some other insignificant things. Haven't done as much as Will...yet.
p.2 #13 · I dissected my lens today!-Lots of new photos
sole wrote:
hi, is it possible to do the same with 18-55 lens?
I just destroyed my 18-55 II trying to figure this out (don't cry for me, the thing wasn't worth anything and I never used it anymore).
The answer is, yes it's possible to remove the front element group, but not as easily as the OP's lens. You'll have to completely disassemble the lens to remove the front element group, it seems. Otherwise, you can cut up and destroy the front element area and pull it out, making it permanently macro.
p.2 #15 · I dissected my lens today!-Lots of new photos
That is pretty cool, Will! Which lens was this? I think you have a closer combo than I do.
I must add my disclaimer: disassemble your lens at your own risk. I don't know the anatomy of every Canon lens, and this might not be as possible with all Canon lenses (unless you were/are an authorized Canon lens repair person ). I know it is possible with a 35-80mm, but I can't say anything for sure about any other Canon lens.
p.2 #20 · I dissected my lens today!-Lots of new photos
I've used my friend's 100mm a few times and I know I can't get as close as I could with my 17-40. Not sure on the magnifaction, but I was pretty impressed with it.
). IMO, my 35-80 isn't that sharp, but for a cheap kit lens, it is acceptable (maybe you got a better copy, Chris). It is all I have now, and I don't yet have the money to get an L like I want. Actually, I have been using 5.3MP on my 40D mcuh of the time, since 10.1MP just creates softer lines. Also 35-80mm isn't a very useful focal length for nature: It isn't wide enough for many landscapes, and doesn't have very good telephoto range. But I'm making the best of what I've got. That is why I was so excited when I was able to convert it to a macro lens. It added a whole new dimension to my photograhy with the same lens!
