Raynox DCR-250 Macro Attachment

I thought long and hard before buying the Raynox DCR-250 and I read all the reviews from many sources. I did not want to fork out several hundred pounds on a dedicated macro lens that would only be used infrequently. I had already done some macro work with a lens reversing ring which I was not at all happy with and I had also used the very cheap diopter screw-on attachments which were not as sharp as I would have liked. So I went ahead and purchased this little diamond. I have used the Raynox on my Nickon D90 with a Nikkor 55-200 medium Telephoto lens with great effect. I have tested it on the sharp points of drawing pins, small coins, stamps and even blades of grass, all with excellent results. The Raynox 250 acts just like a macro lens so you will need to practise with it if you are not familiar with Macro techniques. The sweet spot is naturally in the middle of the lens and as with all macro work the DOF is in fractions of a millimetre this is equally so when using the DCR 250 therefor patience and good technique is required. However, once you have grasped the principles then you will be able to experience the wonderful world of "Macro-photography" without laying out £300 for a dedicated macro lens. I have used the cheaper single element diopters in the past but the Raynox is superior to any of the single glass attachments. The quality from the raynox is very acceptable indeed and in fact better than I had anticipated, this is due to the lens construction by using 2-group 3-element optical glass, the cheaper diopters on the market are just one piece of magnifier glass. For the price of this lens you cant really go wrong. I just clipped it onto my 55-200 lens and set it at full telephoto in manual focus and experimented with f11 right down to f29 and focused the shot by moving the camera backwards or forwards using a focusing rail (recommended for all macro work) and filling the frame using the D90 live view. I am extremely impressed with this lens attachment and will be using it for my other macro work. Overall the images were sharp and the shots were acceptable, I love it.

I bought this for my Panasonic FZ28. Note you'll also need the adaptor tube LA3 if you don't already have it.
The lens works very well and gives about 3x more zoom than the Panazonic in Macro mode. With the Raynox DCR250 attached the focus is very tight - ignore what the camera says, it will focus at a range between 10cm and 12cm from the object. You'll also get maximum macro at 18x zoom.

If you need a good quality macro lens to do close up photography this is an excellent add on and works well with the FZ28.

Tried out this Raynox DCR macro lens on my Canon SX20IS for the first time tonight. Have to say I'm pleased with the results.

I photo a lot of flowers etc and work mainly without a tripod; I prefer handheld shots in natural light as it gives me a lot of variety in small changes of angles, distance etc. I tend to shoot a lot of images so I can choose only those with good composition, overall sharp focus etc. (Be prepared to bin a lot of shots with macro photography!)

Attaching the lens using the adapter operates on the same principle as attaching a lens cap; push in both spring-loaded 'prongs' at either side, push onto the camera's lens and release.

Personally I can't see the point of trying to screw the lens directly onto the camera's lens barrel; I've also heard this can damage the fine threads etched just inside it. (I need those for my polarising filter.) BTW - you have to remove any polarising filters etc in order to attach the Raynox macro lens.

I used the Raynox on a small flower with lots of long, wispy stamen and long leaves that I had previously been unable to get satisfactory results with the SX20is's otherwise good macro and super-macro settings; there were so many small points, spread widely, to focus on on this flower that it was proving impossible for the auto-focus to capture the entire flower in good overall focus.

This Raynox lens managed it just fine. The magnification is as good as any I've got with the SX20is's super-macro; and I haven't yet really begun exploring it's capabilities.

It only took a short while to get the hang of using this lens; but if you're used to using the SX20's usual macro settings (which disable the zoom) using the zoom to get focus (or changing your own position) is a little disconcerting, but I soon adapted. (I also have very 'steady hands'.)

It's worth noting the instructions that accompany this product are pretty basic. You'll have to find a lot out for yourself.
If you have some experience of macro, and grasp the basic principles of how the Raynox operates, the rest should fall into place.

One point to look out for is that it is possible to get a good shot, but one framed in a circle, presumably of the lens housing (due to the zoom being used and the distance from the object I guess); but as long as you have enough room to crop (I shoot at the largest possible size and quality, and often also shoot a little 'wide' so I can still crop to A4 size, at a resolution that will give a high standard print) you can still end up with a usable shot.

But this was only my first attempt using this lens; I have no doubt that as time goes on I will become more skilled in its use; particularly if I take the advice to use a tripod a lot more.

I am already quite impressed with how well the lens performed and feel that for this price it's already proved a good investment. For comparison DSLR macro lenses are many times more expensive.

On that basis I recommend this Raynox lens to other Canon SX users that really want to push their macro photography (and macro takes a fair bit of perseverance and dedication) that bit further, but aren't ready or willing (or can't afford) to go the full DSLR (+ all the required lenses) route.

This lens + adaptor is also cheap enough to take a risk on; I'm aspiring to save enough to go the DSLR 'prosumer' route (add in the lenses and it ain't cheap), so when I do I'll hope to sell this on via ebay or a camera club etc. If you try the Raynox and don't get on with it you should be able to sell it on; the Canon SX series is a popular one; and it fits other brands too.

As with everything else I've ordered from Amazon this product arrived at my workplace within a few days and in excellent condition.