www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

In an earlier posting I mentioned that I had ordered a Raynox DCR-150 macro conversion lens, after seeing it recommended in this forum. I've now had chance to put it to the test, and for anyone who may be interested, these are my first impressions.
The lens comes with a 52mm-67mm universal adapter, designed to clip to the front of whatever lens you usually use. If you use a compact, or a camera with a fixed lens (as opposed to a SLR), you might also need to purchase an adapter tube. I sourced both on ebay, from the USA and Hong Kong, and still had change from £40, including postage. So it represents a considerable saving on buying a 'proper' macro lens.
I was half expecting I would be able to photograph small coppers from a range of 100 metres, but maybe I had built my hopes too much! In a nutshell, the lens makes the difference between filling the frame with a 50p piece or filling it with a 20p piece - certainly an advantage when photographing the smaller butterflies. A worthwhile investment if you're cash strapped or tight fisted (or both, like me).
The accompanying, uncropped shot will give some idea of the potential.

Hmm, pretty good. I got my Canon S3 a few months ago and went for the Canon 500D close-up lens. With the inevitable adapter, also Canon, it cost me double what you paid for your Raynox. You must be pleased.

Yes great photo David. I've just changed from my SLR camera to a digital Minolta Dimage A1 and its opened up a whole new world for me. It has a fixed macro lens so I really have to get close to the butterfly but the stalking part just adds to the excitement of getting a good pic in the end. My knees and elbows are never without scratches and bruises now!

Cheers Gill

................. and I've just got a little Nikon Coolpix P1 which weighs a few ounces and I carry around in my pocket!! It has automatic macro focus down to 1.6 inches which is all I ever use - the manual tells me that the camera is all singing, all dancing, but that technical jargon goes right over the top of my head!! I'm a simple soul, really!!
Alex

Thanks all. The nice thing about the Raynox lens is that it's lightweight and not at all bulky. You just clip it on or off the camera as required. Ideal for a wee lass like you, Gwenhwyfar!
It doesn't eliminate the need to get close to the butterfly. I was within about 6 inches of the small copper when I took the shot. It just means you can fill the frame with the butterfly and as a consequence, you are left with a large, sharp image that doen't need cropping to the same degree.
I'm not sure about the problem you are having with your macro lens Gwynhwyfar (I'm not a technocrat either!). All I know is that the Raynox (and I presume any macro lens) is only effective for close up work, so you can't focus on something that's 10 or 15 feet away.

David Tipping wrote: All I know is that the Raynox (and I presume any macro lens) is only effective for close up work, so you can't focus on something that's 10 or 15 feet away.

Not quite true, in fact a macro lens such as the Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di macro makes a really good portrait lens. Range 1:1 macro to infinity. Same applies to Sigma, Nikon, Canon versions I believe.

Thanks lurkalot. Told you I wasn't a technocrat!

You're right about close-up lenses, David. They move the maximum focus distance from infinity to a much closer distance. I have the Canon 500D for my Canon S3 and that brings the infinity point to 500mm, or about 20" away. I can focus to about half that distance, and the telephoto end of the zoom will give me what would be approximately 1:1 macro, or maybe a bit bigger, equivalent on a 35mm camera.