Raynox DCR-150 Snap-On Macro Lens

I've got both the DCR-150 and DCR-250. Originally I purchased them for my Richo GX-200 as they screw directly in to the lens extender/adapter for the Ricoh. However, my macro shots were no closer or tighter than before! Then I did the math. My Ricoh has a macro range of 1cm by default. In order to use additional lenses (wide angle, telephoto, macro, etc.) the adapter places the add-on lens out away from the camera's lens. Consequently, at 1.5x and even 2.5x magnification, because the sensor was now further away, I couldn't get any closer to my subject.So, lesson learned. On a camera that is capable of extremely close macro work, you likely won't be able to get in any tighter using these lenses.That said, using it with the Canon Rebel 2Ti with the 18-55mm lens made a huge difference. Using the mount, the lense attaches easily to the Canon lens. Normally, that specific Canon lense has a usable macro distance of about 5-6 inches. With these, I can get within 3 inches with the 150, and just over 2 inches with the 250. (You can even stack them if you really want to geek out, but it's a bit challenging to thread two adapters and two lense together.)Another way to compare is how small of an area can I get a shot of. Distance from the subject is one thing, but size of the subject is another great way to explain the lenses. So, by default with the 18-55mm lens, I can shoot something a approximately 2.5" wide. With the DCR-150, I could get about 1.625" wide to fill the entire shot (2 nickels). With the DCR-250, I got down to 1.25" (a 50 cent piece). I did stack the two, and could get a quarter to fill the entire shot.Depth of field is of course, very short, so try to shoot straight on, or realize you will have much of the shot out of focus. Of course, that can certainly be the goal when shooting macro. Being that close to a subject will also affect lighting, both from flashes and shadows from you and the camera, so again, play around to understand exactly how it's going to work.I obviously like using coins as a reference, and shoot them so as to understand the macro capabilities of the camera and lenses I'm using. For example, on the stacked shot I took of a quarter, shooting it at about a 45 degree angle, the only part clearly in focus was maybe 12 of the ridges on the side and two of the numbers in the 1992 date (approximately 1/16 of an inch!). Figure a focus range of about 1/4" for the 150 and an 1/8" for the 250.So, for those starting to play with macro work, first see what your camera is capable of. Then consider the DCR-150 as a great addition. I think the DCR-250 is a little more than is absolutely necessary, but as has been mentioned, if you want to focus on just one eye of the bug you're shooting, that's the way to go. It just requires a tremendous amount of patience!(for those getting vignette effects - you have to use the maximum zoom on your lense in order to not get that.)

This works well with the kit 18-55 kit Nikon lens from 35mm to 55mm. Focal range with this lens is about 6" to 1.5 feet. Resolution is quite good in the center, softening at edges, this will depend largely the lens being used. The 35mm diameter lens (actual lens diameter) of the DCR-150 (49mm filter threads) will vignette images on short focal length lenses (wide angle) and also lenses with large front elements (eg 67mm filter size: Tamron 17-50, Nikon 16-85 will always show some corner shading). I would not recommend this macro attachment lens for these lenses. It will work on the Nikon 70-300 but with an extremely limited working focal range of about 1 foot.The pinch type spring mounting (similar to lens caps) works well and is secure. While this not a substitute for a dedicated macro lens, this is a worthwhile lightweight and compact addition for a travel kit when close focus ability may be desired. It works very well on the Panasonic FZ 150, giving more options for close focus work, but again the camera only focuses within a limited distance range depending on the zoom and will vignette at wide angle.

i like to shoot small/medium/larger from a small ant to a medium spider to a large butterfly so i bought 3 Raynox DCR that can be stacked.i bought one Raynox DCR-150 and two Raynox DCR-2501 Raynox DCR-150 (small Magnification)2 Raynox DCR-150 with Raynox DCR-250 (medium Magnification)3 Raynox DCR-250 with another Raynox DCR-250 (larger Magnification)4 Raynox DCR-250 with another Raynox DCR-250 with a Raynox DCR-150 (huge Magnification) have not tested yet.to add more adjustment these lens can be used forward or reversed for Magnification adjustmentand to add more adjustment im now using a fuji zoom lens to adjust Magnification by zooming.i think Raynox sells a 3 x Magnification lens but then again your stuck with 3 Magnification.when i take macro shots i find it much better to have 3 separate lens that can be stacked for more adjustment rather then be stuck with 1 lensever get stuck using a lens then for the shot the lens is not enough Magnification or its to much Magnification?the spider below is very small you can only see 1 color and its on his back when viewing it with just your eyesand you cant see any color by his face like the front legs until its magnified,in other words if your looking at the spider with your eyes he looks all black with 1 color on his back.i use fuji xt-3 BKT and stack with helicon focus 7

I've been using this lens extension on a Lumix FZ1000 camera. It's pretty easy to attach/remove the extension from the lens, even when I'm hiking, and carrying the macro lens in my pants pocket. However, I have trouble really telling when the image is actually in focus !! I often believe the image is in sharp focus, only to get home and find the details blurred, which sort of defeats the purpose of the lens.To be honest, this isn't necessarily the macro lens' fault - it *could* be an issue with the camera lens, or it could even be my eyes themselves... I don't know how to answer that question. In any case, I solve that issue by taking several images with slightly tweaked focus, and usually end up with at least one that is excellent - which proves that the Raynox (and the camera itself) are capable of sharp focus !!Anyway, I'm enjoying the Raynox, and will probably also get the DCR-250 to get some higher magnification (though I suspect that will aggravate the focusing issues)...I definitely recommend this lens for a macro extension.