Macro Photography on a Budget — Cheaper Alternatives to Expensive Lenses

Macro photography is often seen as an expensive pursuit — dedicated lenses cost a fortune, and not everyone can invest in them. But does that mean one can’t explore the tiny world of details? Absolutely not. In this article, I share some cheaper alternatives for macro photography, along with examples I shot using these methods.

Did some experiment shots shooting with Tokina 100mm vs 18-105 kit lens @ 75MM with all the rings of Kenko Extension Tubes attached ie 36mm 20mm 12mm @ camera almost touching the subject vs 50mm @ reverse ring vs 50mm attached with Close up macro filter

Camera used: Nikon D90

here are the results:

1. TOKINA 100MM

2.18-105 @75MM WITH ALL THE RINGS OF EXTENTION TUBES ATTACHED IE 36 20 12MM ALMOST TOUCHING THE SUBJECT

Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG – Nikon

3. 50mm 1.8 attached with a reverse ring @ Nikon D90

Reverse ring (approx cost of the reverse ring is 200rs)

4. Nikon 50mm 1.8 @ attached with Macro Filter Kit @ four close-up diopters at +1, +2, +4 and +10 magnification stacked together

Close up Macro filters  or Diopters (the diopters cost around 2 thousand rs)

50mm attached with all the 4 close up macro filters.

Photography is not about the cost of gear but the passion behind it. These cheaper macro solutions may not replace a dedicated macro lens, but they certainly open the door to creativity and exploration.