Macro probs

[PeteCam]

Hi all,
Are macro photos (or close up!) possible with a kit lens. Im using Canon 60D with 18-55 kit lens. Im using 55mm end and kinda getting adequate shots indoors but pretty poor ones outdoors - blurry etc. I'm starting to have a little more success indoors - controlled lighting / close up filters / manual focusing / tripod etc. However outdoors is a nightmare! Ideally I'd like to use small aperture 3.5 etc but then its so shallow even a mild breeze throws it out of focus. So using larger aperture means slower shutter - again no good. So I could increase ISO, but then added noise. Aaaargh!! Anyone any thoughts pls? I could buy dedicated macro lens but would this be any good and havent really got the cash yet. Also any thoughts on focusing? As i said earlier I'm focusing manually indoors but cant really do that outdoors cos of slight breezes etc. Sorry if this is a newbie ques - but thoughts would be appreciated. Could anyone offer help? Thx in anticipation, Pete

[jet_kit]

Hi Pete,
You don't tell us what you're photographing, but from your mention of breezes I'm assuming flowers or leaves.
Large apertures like f3.5 will give you very shallow depth of field and not much room for error. I wouldn't expect noise to become unmanageable until you get much above ISO 1600, so try a higher setting with a smaller aperture. Even outdoors with faster shutter speeds I would still consider using a tripod, it will let you compose the picture and leave you free to worry about focus etc.
Your choices for close-up work are quite wide. Close-Up lenses are the cheap option and a bit limited. Extension tubes will allow you get really close and because they have no glass they don't affect the optics of the lens they're being used with. However, don't be tempted to get a cheap set. You must make sure they have all the electrical connections necessary and also have metal mounts. You should budget about £100 for a decent set.
Bellows will get you even closer and, like extension tubes, have no optics. But, you will lose all your A/F and auto functions. So, unless your lens has manual facility that won't help at all.
Finally, if macro is what you want to do you should consider a dedicated macro lens. Something between 80mm and 100mm will give you good close-up facility without getting too close to your subject.

[PeteCam]

Thx Chris - really helpful. Pete

[alexharrison101]

hi - i use cheap close-up lenses on my 18-55 kit lens and get some quite nice results:

feeding time by alexharrison101, on Flickr

bee by alexharrison101, on Flickr

white on blue 2 by alexharrison101, on Flickr
so sometimes all it needs is patience and holding your breath...(!). obviously a dedicated macro lens is best, but don't give up on what you can achieve relatively inexpensively.