How can I photograph a 12×12 mm subject cheaply for close-up detail?
Asked 10/19/2020
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I want to photograph a very small area, about 12×12 mm, and get clear close-up detail without buying an expensive camera or lens. I’ve read about macro setups using different lens combinations, but I’m struggling to understand the simplest practical approach. What low-cost camera/lens options or accessories would let me fill the frame with a subject this small and get good image quality?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
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The fundamental problem with taking very close photos, or macros, is that run-of-the-mill lenses won't focus that close. Their closest image plane would be farther away than the sensor in the camera.
Note that macro photography is officially defined as at least one-to-one, but that's not important.
So what do you do?
- Get an expensive Macro lens
- Get a set of close up adapters, magnifying glasses, that screw on like filters
- Get some extension tubes
The last option of extension tubes can be very inexpensive. They are exactly that, tubes that extend the lens out farther so it can focus on the sensor. They have no optics, just open tubes with mechanical couplers for your camera. They often come in sets that can be stacked. For example:
You will of course need a tripod, and lighting can be very tricky for macro photography.
Good Luck!
Originally by user77199. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user77199
5y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For a 12×12 mm subject, you’re essentially doing macro photography. The main issue is that ordinary lenses usually can’t focus close enough on their own.
Low-cost ways to do it:
- extension tubes: the cheapest common option. These are hollow spacers that move the lens farther from the camera so it can focus much closer.
- close-up filters/adapters: screw-on magnifying attachments that can also help.
- a true macro lens: easiest and best-purpose solution, but usually costs more.
To get good results, technique matters a lot:
- put the camera on a tripod
- use manual focus, ideally with magnified live view
- use long exposures if needed, since the subject is not moving
- keep the subject as flat/thin as possible because depth of field is very small at high magnification
- lighting can be tricky at close distances, so aim for even illumination
If your subject is flat, a flatbed scanner can be a surprisingly simple alternative. At 600 dpi, a 12 mm area gives roughly 300×300 pixels, which may be enough depending on your needs, and the lighting is often very even.
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