“Macro” is next club theme

By Rex Dolby

Macro is the theme for the Wassenberg Camera Club’s next competition Thursday, April 12, at 7 p.m. at the Wassenberg Art Center. Basically, macrophotography is close-up photography, usually of very small objects that are captured at ratios from 1:1 to greater than life size. A macro lens is capable of reproducing these ratios.

 Factors influencing the purchase of a macro lens include: your degree of interest in this area of photography, your camera body, the lenses that can fit it, and your budget. Match the quality of the lens to your budget and interest in this type of photography. According to a search of macro lenses on Nextag, you may expect to spend anywhere from $86 to $1875 for the lens you select. Lighting can be a problem with this lens because of it blocking the light on the subject by being so near to it. A macro zoom lens provides some flexibility in the distance the lens is to the object and therefore, helps with lighting the subject in a way that the macro lens can’t. Macro zooms, however, range from $100 to $3,393. 

Although these types of lenses can provide the best images, they have limited depth of field. Precise focusing becomes essential for a good result. There are other accessories you may want to consider.

One of the most basic is the reversal ring. It attaches to the camera body and screws into the front of the lens. Although the degree of magnification is limited, it is still increased at a price of $8 to $16. 

Another possibility is a single lens, similar to a filter, which screws onto the front of a standard lens to multiply the size of your image. This will range from $25 to $65. A more versatile choice is a set of 4 close-up lenses that can be screwed onto the front of your standard lens in a number of combinations (12) to achieve the desired magnification. Sharpness may be diminished, particularly if they are not stacked in decreasing power with the strongest one being attached to the lens. A close-up set will range from $9 to $56 depending on make and size.

Still another possibility is a set of extension tubes. They are usually packaged in 3 different sizes that fit between the body and lens. Installed in various combinations (7), you can achieve a distortion-free magnification. A set will range between $11 and $20 depending on how your lens attaches to the camera body.

Macrophotography is like holding a magnifying glass up to the world. It reveals details seldom noticed, or even able to be seen, until the lens gets up close and personal with the subject. This month’s competition should produce some very interesting images.

Speaking of  “this month,” don’t forget the club’s $5 Discount Cards are now on sale, good till April 1 of 2013. Dairy Queen^®, Burger King^®, A&W^®, Pizza Hut^® along with Collin’s Fine Food, Bayleats and Frickers^® plus Precision Painters are just a few of the discounts available on a card that fits in your wallet! Contact club members or the club’s secretary at 419-238-4545. You can also call the Art Center.

Wassenberg Art Center’s general office hours are: Tuesday–Sunday, 1–5 p.m. Admission to the Wassenberg Art Center is always free. Contact us at 419.238.6837 or email: admin@wassenbergartcenter.org, or for sign up options and further information on classes visit our website at wassenbergartcenter.org.