GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR and MCEX-18G WR

[Guest Him]

Was in Zurich and had the chance to test out this lens the 250mm. Not as heavy as its specs led me to believe, and handles very well.

 

The Close-Up adapter MCEX-18G WR with the 63mm was very impressive for small product photography. One is on order.

[ron777]

Hi Stephen,

The extension tube mentioned in your post is currently unavailable here from the major retailers, but I have one on pre-order as well, for my 120mm.  Would love to do some macro work with that combo.

Ron

[Guest Him]

I also tried the 45 ext. tube with the 63mm lens with that we were nearly touching the subject matter, before I had focus! With the 18, I can imagine watches and jewellery shots will be pretty good.

[ron777]

I had read that the 45/120mm combination provided an almost 1:1 ratio of focus to subject, but after reading your post I am wondering if it might not be a tad too much, as in too close to subject matter.

[Guest Him]

It was a very, very quick look and comparison. I merely wanted to see if I had ordered the right extension tube. The MCEX-18G WR, I could easily focus with and the distance from object made me excited that for jewellery, watches etc, this would be perfect. With the MCEX-45G WR, I was struggling to focus and the lens was just about touching the target. Maybe I should have asked to change lenses, but as this was a busy 'open day' where everyone has the chance to 'touch and feel' new equipment I left it at that, satisfied that I had ordered the right thing.

 

I have just a little 'lust' for that 250mm lens though!

[ron777]

At this point, I'm not sure which extension tube would be best for the 120mm macro lens.  I guess I will wait until the 45 arrives, and if it creates a subject to lens distance issue I will exchange it for the 18.  I like doing macro work and would like to avoid the need for a ring light, as I prefer to use LED light panels, rather than a strobe or on-camera flash.   The spot panels, mounted on light stands, make all kinds of lighting variations a snap to perform, and there is no heat issue, unlike hot lights.

[Guest Him]

I have switched from Elinchrom to two Godox AD200 units.  No cables and as far as I can tell hardly any heat at all. I dislike hot lights and cables!

[ron777]

How do you mount the Godox units?

[Guest Him]

I have them on stands or tripods. They are also free standing. They could also fit onto a flash bracket. They are only wirless so no connection to the camera apart from the trigger.

[ron777]

Sounds great.  However, I prefer to work with a constant light source ... less trial and error with placement, and modeling lights have always been somewhat less than gratifying. That said, the Godox is a better solution for portability, where a single, on-camera light source is required.

Edited April 30, 2018 by ron777