Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Lens filters.)

[Bella Fortuna]

Hmm, this makes me realise I have a bagful of my dad's old camera filters. Wish they had a good home to go to; I'll never use them...

Lemme go see what I have - hang on a sec... if you want 'em, they're yours.

[Bella Fortuna]

Grrrr, they're not in the old camera bag where I last remember them being... I'll have to hunt around and see if I can remember where they went. I'll let you know when I find them. Sowwy!

[Robert_S]

That's OK. I'm doing OK with what I have. Maybe you should consider buying a compatible camera and using them yourself.

[Bella Fortuna]

I just got a new camera as a gift. I think the polarising filter is the only one I'd ever use (assuming it fits...).

[Robert_S]

I just got a new camera as a gift. I think the polarising filter is the only one I'd ever use (assuming it fits...).

OK, I have a Nikon, but I am considering switching back to Canon because I like the way their layout works.

[Calilasseia]

I just got a new camera as a gift. I think the polarising filter is the only one I'd ever use (assuming it fits...).

if the filters are screw fit filters that screw onto the front of the lens, then you can get adapter rings if they don't fit. Usually, standard adapter rings convert between 49mm diameter, 52mm and 55mm. If you're converting from a smaller diameter lens aperture to a larger diameter filter ring, several adapters are available to do this, particularly for Hoya filters. If you're converting down, however, because the filters have a smaller diameter screw thread than your camera lens, you'll have a serious vignetting problem, and it might be a good idea to arrange a swap with someone who has filters closer to your camera's lens size.

Go here and see if you can find adapter rings suitable for your camera.

EDIT: for example, I have a 49mm to 55mm step up adapter on my Fuji S5000, allowing me to fit my macro attachments for close up work. Though I was lucky, when I bought the camera second hand, the adapter came with the camera.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I found adapters for my camera. In England. And they didn't ship to the US. Luckily XC was my angel on that one.

[FBM]

OK, got a 1:1 macro.



With practice, I'll do better.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Try getting a wooden dowel, about 500 mm long, and using that as a "monopod" for your macro shots. Just hold it tight to the bottom of the camera and slide the camera up and down it to the correct spot.

[FBM]

Good idea. Will do.

[Calilasseia]

If you have the requisite skills, you can construct a macro bench. Major requirements are:

[1] A tripod screw of the sort that will fit into the standard tripod bush on the bottom of most decent cameras;

[2] A long , screw threaded rod that will act as your positional adjustment mechanism;

[3] Support for [2] above;

[4] A base, fitted to the support, that will act as the platform for your subject;

[5] A mount for the tripod screw (and your camera);

[6] A screw threaded ring to attach to [5], that will allow the screw threaded rod [2] to position your camera with fine adjustments;

[7] Some means of turning the screw threaded rod.

One of my Entomology Society colleagues made one during his days working in the aircraft industry. He made his out of metal, and when he became too old to make use of it, he donated it to me. Pics will follow soon.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I have monopods with pivoting heads. They work pretty good for some macro shots. A mini-tripod may also be handy. $10 or so from Wally World.

[Calilasseia]

Macro bench - Overview ...

By the way, the camera mount on this is fixed, and it's the subject platform that moves.

EDIT: you might just be able to make out the tripod screw poking through the camera mounting section at the top.

[Calilasseia]

View of the platform ...

[Calilasseia]

Macro Bench - view of the top, with the little handle that allows the screw thread to be turned to lower or raise the platform: