Macro on a budget

Dan Mold shows you how to capture detail without breaking the bank

Macro is an amazing genre to get stuck into that allows you to magnify your subject for super-detailed close-ups, revealing a brand-new world, otherwise hidden to the naked eye.

But, if you've ever tried to take a close-up using a standard lens, such as an 18-55mm kit lens, you might be a bit underwhelmed.

A dedicated macro lens is usually required to take close-ups. These special optics come with reproduction ratios of at least 1:1, also called lifesize, because you can capture your subject at the same size as if it was laid across your Canon camera's sensor.

However, macro lenses can be pricey and won't be in budget for many in the current cost of living crisis. Luckily, in this project we take a look at a cheap and cheerful lens hack that will let you experiment with macro magic without breaking the bank. Here's how you can reverse an old film lens for terrific close-ups.

TOP TIPS YOUR CANON CAMERA GEAR SETUP 

Discover camera and photo kit needed for top macro shots with this cheap lens hack

01 TRIPOD

Tiny movements in your camera and lens will be exaggerated when shooting macro close-ups. Therefore, a sturdy tripod is a good idea to eliminate camera-shake. A tripod also makes it possible to take a batch of photos for focus stacking.

02 REVERSING RING

Reversing rings are inexpensive (£12.95) and screw into the front filter thread allowing it to be mounted to your camera in reverse. Just be sure to order the correct Canon camera mount and the right lens filter thread size for your setup.

03 OLD PRIME LENS