How to make your own Macro Lens [Macro photography hack]

In this video I show you how to make your own macro lens by converting a regular kit lens to a very capable macro lens. The hack is just as simple as effective.
To read the full article about this conversion please visit me at:
www.maxamillio...
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Close-Up Filter Set [58mm]:
amzn.to/36ufgOR
UV Filter [58mm by Tiffen]:
amzn.to/3tb0VAy
Victorinox Pocket Knife:
amzn.to/3ajFxjR
Lens Spanner Tool:
amzn.to/3agvRGV
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You can find a slideshow of sample photos in the end of the video.
Please enjoy the video and hit the Like Button if you find it useful... Thanks a Million!
And thanks to Bensound.com for the music!

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

Does it work with all Standard Zooms / Kit Lenses? No, unfortunately not. by my experience it works for most but there are also cases in which it doesn’t work. By experience it does not work for lenses that exceed a focal length of 70mm, due to the optical construction of most tele-zooms. Here’s a list of lenses which definitely can be converted into macro lenses: -Canon EF-S Kit Lens 18-55 I, II & III -Sigma 18-55 -Nikon 18-55mm -... Please feel free to add your own experience to this list by replying to this comment... Thank you!

[@Dunja0712]

Damn, I so wanna try this now with my old kit lens... But I'm SURE I'll screw it up, I know me :D

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

@@Dunja0712 I wouldn't do it with a lens that I rely on. Otherwise I'd say go for it. I always find such projects very insightful and even if it fails, which isn't very likely imo, you'll learn a lot about the inner workings of the lens. But that's just my opinion, it's obviously up to you! I wish you the best of luck in case you decide to do it 😉

[@Dunja0712]

Thanks buddy! I think I could get me a used kit lens on the cheap, and try with it. I rarely use my old kit nowadays, but I'm emotionally attached to it because it's my first glass so I don't wanna mutilate it hahaha

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

@@Dunja0712 I can definitely understand that. Try looking for one with a broken Af, that can be picked up for cheap. Especially with Canon Kit lenses that's a common problem and an unneccessary feature for this project. :)

[@Dunja0712]

@@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings Clever! I'm a Nikon shooter, so maybe I could even go with an old lens as they didn't change the mount for ages. Definitely something to keep in mind and to try soon! :)

[@peterviragphoto]

When you grabbed that swiss army knife...😱😱😱😅😂 Great tip!

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

Haha, I see what you mean 😅

[@topg2820]

Thanks for sharing this great technique! If only your videos had the same quality as your photos haha

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

Welcome, and yes I know! For future videos I will be using my 6DII so it's going to improve ;)

[@jimstirling7223]

@@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings content trumps video quality and you have great content :-)

[@charles0406]

@@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings what is the name of the macro flash you use in shooting in some of your videos?

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

@@jimstirling7223 Thank you Jim!

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

@@charles0406 the ringflash? That would be the Yongnuo YN14 EX. :)

Me sacaste de dudas e incluso fuiste mas allá, te lo agradezco.

[@bardicayt]

I performed the operation on a Nikon 18-55 dx kit lens that has sat unused for 10 years. For me, it took a bit of a hack job to get the front lens out. The results are really fun, however, and I don't care that the process (that I did) is not reversible. Thanks for posting this. I love that I have a new toy and didn't have to buy a thing.

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

Hi, I'm glad to you have fun with it! Thanks for posting this, I haven't tried any Nikon lenses, so it's good to know that it worked for you. Cheers

[@pinksnort]

I just did this to my Nikon 18-55 VR. It took about ten minutes. Was able to do it in such a way that I should be able to put it back together easily. The problem is that even after removing the barrel holding the front lens, one only gets focus about an inch away from the lens. Will try to use this in outdoors tomorrow. My hands are not to steady so will try with a monopod. I suspect I need a tripod with a rail to do anything useful.

[@TheBanien]

@@pinksnort Hello: I’m currently trying to do the same trick on my Nikon 18-55 dx, I’d love to get some step by step of some sort how to do the conversion! Any way I can get in touch?

[@michaelkohli1645]

@@TheBanien didnt find it worth doing. The focus distance is too short. Waste of time.

[@klemenswolf7552]

Woww... Blown away by your videos!!! Thank you very much!! I´m just starting my macro jounrey and your videos are very very helpful!!!!!

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

Thanks so much for this kind comment Klemens! I hope you're still enjoying the journey! ;)

[@everythinghdr7072]

Cool Hack. Heard it first and definitely gonna try. Thanks much :)

[@MaximBeatsMusic]

Thanks for your comment LAKSHMIPATHY ME!

[@daisukevideo]

I'm new to cameras, but this is the first lens I bought for a macro lens. This video was very helpful. I will come to play again ♬ Thank you! With love from Japan :)

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

Hi my friend and thanks for your comment! Arigato 😉 I am a big fan of Japan. Have a wonderful day! Much love from Germany 😃

[@daisukevideo]

@@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings It was very interesting! I subscribed to the channel! Please come visit me on my channel :)

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

@@daisukevideo Subscribed. Even though o don't understand a lot yet (I started learning japanese a few months ago, buy mostly writing katakana and hiragana and basic words so far), but I enjoy listening to the language and will hopefully be able to pick up a few terms from your videos. 😁

[@daisukevideo]

@@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings Du lernst Japanisch! Es ist wunderbar ✨ Japanisch ist sehr schwierig, bitte fragen Sie jederzeit! Danke Danke :)

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

@@daisukevideo it is challenging but fun! Und du sprichst Englisch und Deutsch? Sehr gut! Ist Deutsch common in Japan?

[@oppopooop3058]

This is amazing. Thank you very much. I look forward to watching more of you videos and photos.

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

Many thanks oppo, I'm working on it! :)

[@DevonWildLife]

Tried to do this, my 18-55 EF-S has tiny screws that just won’t move, extension tube will have to be the way! 😢

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

Hi, with the EF-S Kit lenses it is a bit more tricky. With the Version I cut off the extendable part of the lens fine saw. The conversion is definitely irreversible with this lens. With the Version II of Canon's kit lens (and three I believe as well) removing the front element is much easier though. You can find instructions to do so via google.

[@avanlalhlutaazyu]

Thanks for sharing. But it does not work with tokina atx 28-135mm minolra md mount. Could be my foult also.

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

And thank you for the feedback. Unfortunately I don't have the time or resources to try every lens, so your comment is very helpful to me. I am sorry to hear that it didn't work.

[@letmein218]

First and foremost neat trick! So I tried this with multiple lens. For lens that didn't work, I was able to put them back together and they work as they did before. List of lens which this hack works: Canon EFS 18-55 Kit Lens. working distance is horrible though. List of lens which this hack DOES NOT Work. Sigma 18-250; Tamron 17-50 2.8, Tamron 28-75 2.8.

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

Hi Randy, thanks for the feedback! I'm sure that list is going to come in handy for other DIY'lers :)

[@Kcb_creations]

Hi, im not an expert Thats why i cant try it myself, but im trying to work out if 2 cheap extention tubes could be connected with wires on the contacts to become a reverse macro autofocus adapter Do you think thats possible?

[@lrm52283]

Thanks

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

Welcome Lynne!

[@roge1888]

Would this work on other brands like the Sony 18-55 OSS lens?

[@johnpa007]

Great mod! Of you convert a 55-200 will it give you more space between you and the subject?

[@BigGankTheory]

I'm curious about this too

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

I haven't tried it yet, but I have a couple lenses with a similar range, I will try it out and let you know if it works. I might need a week or so to get around to it though.

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

So I just tried this with a Canon EF 90-300 lens that I had on the shelf, unfortunately it doesn't work at any of its zoom- or focus-settings.

[@johnpa007]

@@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings Oh lame! And why is that?

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

@@johnpa007 The problem must be related to a different lens design. The second-inner lens element is much larger than in standard-zooms and I imagine that, together with with the actual front element, it produces a sharp projection that the inner lens group is focused on (with most standard zooms the front element serves this function by itself). An answer to this would be to remove the first and second element all together... I don't expect the result from this to be much superior to a modified 18-55 in terms of working distance.

[@mediamax1630]

Cool!

[@TheBanien]

So for those of you who own a Nikon 18-55 dx kit lens I found this article with step by step pictures on how to convert. digitalphotographylive.com/how-to-convert-normal-zoom-lens-to-macro-lens/ And with video kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ7EnHiArbCInJI I’m super pleased with the experiment. First results are great for a beginner like me! Thank you Max for the inspiration

[@mrinmoybarman3595]

can we do this to nikon 18-55mm lenses as well???

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

Most likely, even though I have not tried nikon lenses yet at all. Try to unscrew the front element in a dust-free environment; if it doesn't work just screw it back on. If it doesn't unscrew I am afraid the conversion will be irreversible with no guarantee that it will actually work for your specific lens.

[@mrinmoybarman3595]

thanks!!

[@st.michaelthearchangel7774]

Wait, so all you did was removed that sticker, unscrewed the front glass element, and screwed on a +4 magnification filter?

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

Yes, that's pretty much it :) But it also works with just a UV filter instead.

[@st.michaelthearchangel7774]

@@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings Wow, that’s great! Thank you. Do you know if those magnification filters can be screwed onto each other, making an epic stacked magnification filter? 😆 How does the UV filter provide magnification?

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

​@@st.michaelthearchangel7774 Hi, the answer to your question is yes, you can stack multiple close-up filters, but they will increase your image quality, bit by bit. Unnoticably at first, but the more you combine, the more significant the loss of sharpness (esp. around the edges of the image) will become. The UV Filter doesn't provide magnification, it just serves to keep dirt from entering the lens. The magnification is achieved by removing the front element. The advantage of a UV filter is, that it doesn't lose you any working distance, as these modified lenses already have a very short focusing distance. I hope I helped! All the best, Max

[@st.michaelthearchangel7774]

@@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings Oh, I see what you mean! Very helpful. Thank you.

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

@@st.michaelthearchangel7774 always happy to help :)

[@d.s1014]

It looks like Canon lens is easier to open it than Nikon lens

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

Thanks for the info, I personally don't have much experience dealing with Nikon gear, so I appreciate the feedback! Kind regards, Max

[@PitouKhmer]

Where to buy this ?

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

You can find cheap used lenses on ebay and similar platforms.

[@Vaikevimbu]

It did not work with my EF-S 18-55mm f3.5 - 5.6 kit lens. Did everything exactly the same and the camera is unable to focus to anything now, picture is just blurred.

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

I am sorry to hear that! Something must have gone wrong, as I have modified all three different generations of the Canon EF-S Kit lens and never had any trouble. The AF is not going to work anymore, for those lenses but in Macro photography AF usually is more of a hinderence than an aid. Are you sure you are close enough to your subjects? Best, Max

[@markcomputertech7997]

Just use an extension tube and avoid destroying your lens. Extension tubes are cheap.

[@johnpa007]

Not the same magnification though!

[@TheGiantWorldofTinyThings]

The lens is not "destroyed" in the process, in many cases the conversion can even be undone. The conversion process in this video for example is 100% and easily reversible. This hack also isn't meant to ruin high-end glass, more as a DIY project for enthusiasts and a cheap alternative to electronically controlled macro lenses (which usually come in at a 3-digit price point, so this is can be a cheaper alternative.).