Raynox DCR-150 vs DCR-250

[Groucho1]

For those that have both the Raynox DCR-150 and the DCR-250, which do you find sees more action?

 

[Groucho1]

To be more specific, does the 150 give enough added magnification to be worth it? Can't the 250 yield both super-magnification (at full zoom) and, at low zoom levels, the equivalent magnification of the camera without an add-on lens?

 

[Guy Parsons]

To be more specific, does the 150 give enough added magnification to be worth it? Can't the 250 yield both super-magnification (at full zoom) and, at low zoom levels, the equivalent magnification of the camera without an add-on lens?

Only have the DCR-250 and it is partially useful on my LX3 where the maximum tele is 12.8mm. On my M4/3 with 40-150mm lens the effect is dramatic, perhaps too dramatic, so for longer host lens focal lengths the DCR-150 would be easier to manage. In fact it would be nice to have both to cover all situations. Raynox here http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/digital/d_slr/index.html

I bought suitable stepdown rings to avoid having to carry the slightly bulky universal adapter that will fit 52 to 67mm thread sizes. The 150 and 250 are both 43mm thread. Stepdown/up rings here http://camerafilters.com/pages/adapterrings.aspx

So something in the range 3 to 5 dioptre is handy for those longer lenses, and maybe 8 to 20 dioptre for those shorter focal length lenses.

DCR-150 is +4.8 dioptre
DCR-250 is +8 dioptre

Nikon 4T and 6T are +2.9 dioptre with threads of 52mm and 62mm respectively and are very useful on longer zoom lenses.
Canon 250D is +4 dioptre but not sure of threads size.

Regards............ Guy

 

[modrasek]

Really depends whats your interest. In case its butterflies, dragonflies, flowers, my camera (fz35) has good zoom to capture them and then only low magnification is needed. In case you are interested in smaller crreatures, and more detail, the 250 is good choice. I have fz35 and raynox 250 and I am very happy. I will be getting in future some close up lenses, up to plus 3 for butterflies and flowers, but I dot miss them now.
Jarka

For those that have both the Raynox DCR-150 and the DCR-250, which do you find sees more action?

 

[Groucho1]

I have the FZ18 and was/am concerned that the 150 might not give me enough of a boost. But, I decided to risk it and get the 150 based on the first responder. I guess that, if I want more magnification, I can buy the 250 in the future.

 

[modrasek]

I posted recently my first images from fz35+raynox 250. I saw macros from doctordave and kretinaceo when searching for best macro lenses, and knew this is the ONE for me. I want as much detail as possible . Neverthelles, field of depth is shallow for 250 so I needed to practice to get good shots. There are achromatic close ups, marumi, and those are on my list. Raynox price is good and quality great so even in case you change your mind, you wont get ruined.
Jarka

I have the FZ18 and was/am concerned that the 150 might not give me enough of a boost. But, I decided to risk it and get the 150 based on the first responder. I guess that, if I want more magnification, I can buy the 250 in the future.

 

[kretinaceo]

I agree, Jarka is one of my biggest fans (like LTZ) and even though she currently uses weird techniques to stop ants, she's mainly right: 250 dcr is a great lense.

I can't find my thread about the dcr 250 right now, sorry, but I'll upload some of the latest shots taken with the dcr250.

I'm very interested on the topic. My suggestion: If you have the fz38, I personally recommend you the dcr 150 because with a 18x you won't miss using 250. Besides you'll have a lot more of DOF. It's a lot easier to handle. A lot. The purpose of having the 250 is to shoot to the eyeballs of flies, spiders and so on. If you want a crisp shot of the whole body of the insect, go for the 150. Furthermore the ratio of succesful shots is bigger.

Like Jarka i'm thinking about buying the dcr150 for lizards, flowers... you name it. But I think I'll wait next spring.





































I'd like to hear some commentaries from the owners of the dcr150.

 

[modrasek]

kretinaceo, your shots are really hillarious!!!! Love them!!! Yes, I am interested more in details so I got Raynox 250. But there is loooot of things on my list as well Well, my "stopping technique" really works so I got more ants shots. And surprise. So I will be postingthem soon.

 

[Groucho1]

To use the add-on lens, I'm going to use a 46-43 stepdown ring. Once the lens is mounted, how do I use it? Is there any camera setting that needs to be altered? Do I just zoom in and out to the desired magnification and then move the camera into the position that yields the correct focus?

 

[kretinaceo]

Jarka!!! You're faster than the speed of light. Thanks for your comments. I really respect and I look up to your innovative technique. I was having a little fun, that's all. It's just envy, as you may noticed, I still don't have that magic touch of yours with the ants. Anyway, I'll be waiting for your new set. See you, my funny friend. Hugs.

 

[modrasek]

here are the links for Raynox 250 posts. I amnot avare of any 150 ones.

kretinaceo: raynox 250

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=36229339&q=kretinaceo&qf=m
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=36111381

doctordave: mix of pictures
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=36066877

mine:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=36339676

Jarka

 

[modrasek]

:-D kretinaceo. In my languague, there is a phrase used with friends you are faster then .... diarrhea... well, sometimes can be of speed of light... Just quick association... Jarka

 

[modrasek]

I use manual, with ISO 100, f 8.0 (maximum) and 1/200 + flash. I think credit here goes to kretinaceo as he mentioned basic settings (?). As FZ35 is new for me, I am learning about settings. There is option for adapter, I think. Have to read manual . Anyway, looking forward to your posts with 150 Raynox as I was also making decision: which one. Jarka

 

[kretinaceo]

I'm very proud of you! Exactly as I told you. One thing: with flash you can use the iso 80. It seems a slight improvemente but If you have to blow up the picture (crop) it will come in handy in terms of noise.
Sometimes, if you have tons of light, is better not to use the flash.

I didn't know anything about the czech expression "faster than a diarrhea", very graphical terms if you ask me. Did you know "diarrhea" comes from the greek meaning "flowing through"? Flowing trhough, very poetical. It sounds good. I'm flowing through myself = I'm experiencing a diarrhea.

I use manual, with ISO 100, f 8.0 (maximum) and 1/200 + flash. I think credit here goes to kretinaceo as he mentioned basic settings (?). As FZ35 is new for me, I am learning about settings. There is option for adapter, I think. Have to read manual . Anyway, looking forward to your posts with 150 Raynox as I was also making decision: which one. Jarka

 

[Groucho1]

Do you set the camera's menu to CONVERSION=CLOSEUP when using these lenses? According to the FZ18's manual "If you set CONVERSION to TELE or CLOSEUP, you cannot use the built-in flash or AF assist lamp." This seems like a bit of a handicap.

 

[modrasek]

Yes kretinaceo, I was new in macrophotography and did not know what settings to start with. Your recomendations were very useful. I love macrophotography (maybe because I do high resolution microscopy ). When having film camera I remember buing films for it this way: ISO 100 outdoor; ISO 200 indoor, ISO 400 details, museums... I was buying 400s rarely.
With magnification I am using, flash was always necessary. Jarka

Well to test ISO I need some cooperative tiny dead insect so I can play with settings and not to be worried that it will run away.

I'm very proud of you! Exactly as I told you. One thing: with flash you can use the iso 80. It seems a slight improvemente but If you have to blow up the picture (crop) it will come in handy in terms of noise.
Sometimes, if you have tons of light, is better not to use the flash.

I didn't know anything about the czech expression "faster than a diarrhea", very graphical terms if you ask me. Did you know "diarrhea" comes from the greek meaning "flowing through"? Flowing trhough, very poetical. It sounds good. I'm flowing through myself = I'm experiencing a diarrhea.

I use manual, with ISO 100, f 8.0 (maximum) and 1/200 + flash. I think credit here goes to kretinaceo as he mentioned basic settings (?). As FZ35 is new for me, I am learning about settings. There is option for adapter, I think. Have to read manual . Anyway, looking forward to your posts with 150 Raynox as I was also making decision: which one. Jarka

 

[modrasek]

As for language: mine is very rich for variety poetical or crazy (or both) expression as well as many meanings. I love playing with words. See, maybe you will bring your expression to higher level... other may not always understand but you can have good feeling that you sound very poetical. Jarka

I'm very proud of you! Exactly as I told you. One thing: with flash you can use the iso 80. It seems a slight improvemente but If you have to blow up the picture (crop) it will come in handy in terms of noise.
Sometimes, if you have tons of light, is better not to use the flash.

I didn't know anything about the czech expression "faster than a diarrhea", very graphical terms if you ask me. Did you know "diarrhea" comes from the greek meaning "flowing through"? Flowing trhough, very poetical. It sounds good. I'm flowing through myself = I'm experiencing a diarrhea.

I use manual, with ISO 100, f 8.0 (maximum) and 1/200 + flash. I think credit here goes to kretinaceo as he mentioned basic settings (?). As FZ35 is new for me, I am learning about settings. There is option for adapter, I think. Have to read manual . Anyway, looking forward to your posts with 150 Raynox as I was also making decision: which one. Jarka

 

[modrasek]

I think, you can use the flash... but I am not sure as lot of my pictures were taken in manual setting without C conversion. You have to play with your camera, try different settings, change 1 parameter at a time and then look on pictures. Those are parameters I started with: ISO 100, 1/200 exposure, f 8 (max as Raynox has shallow dept of field), flash, autofocus, so you will be moving your camera back and forth to find best focus. find cooperative dead insect and see whats going on , play with different zooms etc/. Raynox 250 is "more demanding". On the end of the day, you will have good idea what to expect and do in your future shots. Then pls post your images, I did not see Raynox 150 examples here so it will be valuable info for others who are making decision. Jarka

Do you set the camera's menu to CONVERSION=CLOSEUP when using these lenses? According to the FZ18's manual "If you set CONVERSION to TELE or CLOSEUP, you cannot use the built-in flash or AF assist lamp." This seems like a bit of a handicap.

 

[modrasek]

Then try my magical stopping technique . I know you are teasing me. Anyway, credit here goes to my friend: he was cooking and I was capturing ants... then he came and brought some leftover. to get details of their head with Raynox 250, they have to be stopped. I have few captures without foof, but then its more luck rather then anything else. Jarka

Jarka!!! You're faster than the speed of light. Thanks for your comments. I really respect and I look up to your innovative technique. I was having a little fun, that's all. It's just envy, as you may noticed, I still don't have that magic touch of yours with the ants. Anyway, I'll be waiting for your new set. See you, my funny friend. Hugs.