Extreme
macro 2:1
I am currently
experimenting with a 2X Kenko teleconverter which coupled to the 105mm
gives near to
2:1 magnification, while retaining the same close focusing distance. The
105mm
effectively becomes
a 210mm but you lose about 2 stops of light.
In order to use
this telecon I had to use the Subal 33mm extension ring and the Subal
extended aperture
gear. The lens can now only be used on AF [or MF but the switch cannot
be made underwater].
Due to the image
now being darkened by about 2 stops, AF seems to hunt quite a bit more
and I have had
the best results using manual focus.
For those who
do not have the MF version of the 105mm port, let the lens focus on the
desired focal
distance and then switch AF off. Now move the camera to and fro to obtain
correct focus.
With a bit of practice this becomes quite easy.
So far the quality
of the images has been excellent with only minimal softening at the edges.
I had some excellent
results in Tulamben Bali when photographing garden eels. Since they
are extremely
shy creatures the telecon allowed me to lie on the sand about 3 feet from
the
eels and snap
away .
I have also experimented
with close up dioptres {+2, 3 and 4}.
The +4 gives
close to 1.7:1 but the edges are fuzzy and I cannot recommend the use of
closeup
dioptres after
seeing the results. Stick to a telecon.
back to underwater
photographic equipment