Macro lens?

[Snooker00]

Hey all you photography gurus,
I have been looking high and wide for a Macro lens for my Sony DVD-DCR 201 Handy cam, I really love this camera because of the video and photo capturing abilities and I originally got it for using while diving. I have found one for the UW housing but I want one for taking shots of my tank. If anyone knows where I can find one or how to make one I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Snooker00]

Anybody???

 

[louist]

Look into reverse mouting lenses and adapters for that camera.

Usually, if a P&S camera has poor macro ability, there's not THAT much one can do about it. This comment depends on what you are shoioting of course.

Reverse lens setup, while works very well, has very short working distances that is rather unsuitable for tank photography.

 

[gregr]

Did some digging and found the lens does indeed have threads, and that the threads appear to be 25mm-- so any 25mm filter should fit onto the lens.
I would recommend calling up a store like B&H and asking them what close-up filters they have for your camera. Because the thread size is so small your options may be limited. B&H is a huge store and they'd be a good place to check with first. Hopefully you'll be able to find something like the Canon 500D (or 250D) or one of the Nikon "T" series filters- those are all two element filters that are very high quality and not horribly expensive.
Another option is to get a filter set- Hoya and Tiffen and some other companies make those sets and they are not expensive. Not quite as good as the two element filters but not really a big difference for your basic aquarium pics.
Hope this helps,
Greg

 

[Snooker00]

Louist and Gregr, thanks alot for the suggestions. I looked at B&H online but didn't see any thing, so I'll take your suggestion and call them to see what will fit my camera.
Thanks again,
Steve

 

[Snooker00]

Just to let ya'll know, when it comes to this I am quite the lamen, I will post a link to some lenses that I did find. B&H was closed for the day so I thought I would look around again and this is some of the lenses I found. Just scroll down to sony.
Thanks again for your help,
Steve
http://www.abtelectronics.com/category/357.html

 

[gregr]

I took a look at those lenses/adapters offered and I see a couple things. One is their prices are too high I compared the same 2x high quality teleconverter at amazon.com and it was quite a bit cheaper-- fyi. When you search for the best price just make sure you check out the vendor on www.resellerratings.com before you buy-- some prices really are too good to be true.
The other important thing is that there are teleconverters for sale on that site but not macro lenses.
Teleconverters are different than macro lenses. They [the 2x teleconverters] merely double the focal length of your lens- giving you a zoom that is twice as long. A macro lens [aka close-up filter aka diopter] allows the lens you put it on to focus on an object much closer than it could otherwise.
Zoom your lens in to max and move it as close as you can to your subject while still keeping it in focus... that is how you get the greatest magnification and the best [closest] macro shots. The close-up filter will allow you to move the camera much closer to the subject (and still have it in focus) thereby greatly increasing the magnification. The teleconverter also increases magnification but it does not allow you to get closer- it will in fact probably increase the distance you need to be from the subject.
The benefit of the teleconverter is you can use it for non-close-up photography too-- it's great for wildlife or sports type stuff where you're far from the action.
Greg

 

[Snooker00]

OK, now I have a better idea of what I am looking for Teleconverter bad, Macro good. I don't know if I will be able to find what I'm looking for or not. It's just that after seeing some of the macro shots posted here, I thought I would look for a lens for my camera, to where I could also take some stunning pics with out having to buy another camera. Right know the way I do it is how you posted about full zoom and then getting as close as I can without it getting blurry. As far as that site it was just a conglomeration of lenses for the 25mm diameter threads my camera has, I'm not buying anything with out knowing for sure. So if I find a lens if you don't mind, I would like to post it here to get your opinion. Because I have no clue, but nothing ventured nothing gained.
Gregr, thanks a lot for all the help and research you have done!
Steve

 

[gregr]

Teleconverter bad, Macro good.

Not necessarily- teleconverters are great for what they do- and they're more versatile than close-up filters. Close-up filters are a less expensive option that gives you quite a bit of bang for your buck though.

So if I find a lens if you don't mind, I would like to post it here to get your opinion.

Absolutely- I'll help with whatever I can.
Greg