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Canon PowerShot S5/S3/S2 IS
Macro Samples |
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Below are samples using various macro lenses on the S2/3/5. Included are the Canon 250D, Canon 500D (the one Canon recommends for the S2/3), the Hoya Macro set, the Raynox DCR-250, the Hoya +10, the Raynox MSN 202 and 505, and the 37mm Tiffen +7/+10 set. We'll also show what the built-in Macro and Supermacro modes can do.
The focal range for the S2/3/5 is 6.0mm to 72.0mm, or in 35mm terms, 36mm - 432mm. Focal lengths given in the EXIF information are actual. To convert to 35mm film equivalent, multiply by 6. Basic camera settings are ISO80, Large/Superfine, Custom white balance and the IS turned off (because the camera was mounted). |
(click image for full size)
S3 Lensmate 52mm with Raynox DCR-250 macro lens |
All samples are straight from the camera with no sharpening or enhancement of any kind. "Distance to subject", or "working distance" means distance between the actual macro lens and subject. Be sure to look at the full size samples so you can make a critical evaluation of the image.
You can view either the whole image (big files, around 3-4mb) or a quarter crop (bottom left corner) which shows the corner, edges, and center of the image in a much smaller file.
Except for the first sample, all the images were taken at the full telephoto setting. This allows highest magnification, greatest working distance, and lowest distortion. Minimum and maximum working distances are given. Width of the frame is at the minimum working distance. The Raynox MSN202 was the one macro lens that showed significant improvement when zoomed back to the 1/2 zoom range, so we included that sample also.
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We've added a new feature that shows depth of field (DOF) for each macro lens. A dime is about .050" thick, or about 1/20" (or about 1.25mm). Generally, the higher the magnification, the shallower the DOF is. This image is a 1000x750 center crop to keep the file sizes down. Like the sample it accompanies, it's shot at 72mm or full zoom. |
As you will see, DOF of the more powerful lenses is very shallow. For this reason it's important that the cameras sensor is parallel to the subject plane if you want sharp focus across the image. A copy stand is handy for doing this kind of critical work. Click here to see our setup for this test, as well as a quick tutorial. Though this was written for the A620, it also applies to the S2/3/5 with a few minor exceptions.
S2/S3/S5
IS Macro Mode
with no Macro Lens
Click
images to see original Large Superfine file,
or click within red rectangle to see quarter
crop.
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No
diopter, normal macro setting at 6mm.
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Working
distance: 3
3/4"
Frame width: 4 1/4"
Click to see Depth of Field
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No diopter, normal macro setting at
full zoom 72mm.
Working distance: 30"
Frame width: 3 1/2"
Click to see Depth of Field
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Supermacro setting - default to 6mm.
Working distance 1/2"
Frame width: 7/8"
Click to see Depth of Field
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To the left is the Supermacro mode - the lens is fixed at full wide and focus is achieved
at 0 - 3.9". The distance to subject here is about 1/2"
to allow light to fall on the subject. Nice feature
for some types of creative macros, but
has limited usefulness otherwise - lens barrel blocks
light as distance to subject decreases, has rather
soft corners/edges and high barrel distortion.
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Hoya
Macro Set (+1,+2,+4) +7
with Lensmate S2/3 52mm Adapter
Slight edge
softness/CA at +1, more noticeable as diopters
increase. The +1 effectively halves the minimum
working distance of the S2/3. Useful for shooting
flowers and insects at a distance for example.
Minimum working distances and magnification decrease
as the lens is zoomed back.
Click
images to see original Large Superfine file,
or click within red rectangle to see quarter
crop.
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Hoya
+1
Working
distance: 17" - 40"
Frame width: 2" - 3"
Click to see Depth of Field
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Hoya
+2
Working
distance: 12 1/4" - 22"
Frame width: 1 1/4" - 1 5/8"
Click to see Depth of Field
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Hoya
+4
Working
distance: 7 1/2" - 10"
Frame width: 13/16"
Click to see Depth of Field
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Hoya
+7
Working
distance:
Complete set 4 3/4"
Frame width: 1/2"
Click to see Depth of Field
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Canon
Macro Lens 250D & 500D
with Lensmate S2/3 52mm Adapter
Click
images to see original Large Superfine file,
or click within red rectangle to see quarter
crop.
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Canon 250D +4
Working
distance: 7
1/2" - 10"
Frame
width: 13/16"
Soft,
but not intended for this camera.
Click to see Depth of Field
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Canon 500D +2
Working
distance: 12"
- 21"
Frame
width: 1 3/4"
This is the macro lens recommended
by Canon for the S2/3. Good image quality, low
power.
Click to see Depth of Field
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Raynox
DCR-250 Macro Filter
with Lensmate S2/3 Adapter
The DCR-250 is smaller than the other
lenses tested here, which is why it vignettes at the
wide angle setting. But you probably wouldn't
use a macro lens at the full wide setting anyway.
As you begin to zoom towards tele, the vignetting
disappears (at about 15.mm), and the DCR250 delivers
sharp corner to corner performance through the complete
zoom range of the S2.
(The DCR-250 comes mounted in a spring-loaded
carrier which clips into threads from 49mm - 69mm.)
Click
images to see original Large Superfine file,
or click within red rectangle to see quarter
crop.
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Raynox DCR250 +8
Working
distance: 4"
- 4 5/8"
Frame
width: 7/16"
Click to see Depth of Field
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Hoya
Macro +10 Filter
with Lensmate S2 IS Adapter
Click
images to see original Large Superfine file,
or click within red rectangle to see quarter
crop.
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Hoya +10
Working
distance: 3 1/2"
Frame
width: 11/32"
Click to see Depth of Field
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Not a good match for the S2/3
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Raynox
MSN202 9.3X
with Lensmate S2 IS Adapter
High powered macro
lens with very good image quality. 37mm thread
centering in a spring loaded holder which clips into
52mm - 67mm threads. Can also be used with 52-37mm
step ring for more accurate mounting in a 52mm lens
adapter. Some edge CA which improves when
zoomed back to 1/2 focal length as seen in the second
sample.
Click
images to see original Large Superfine file,
or click within red rectangle to see quarter
crop.
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Raynox MSN202 9.3X
Working
distance: 1 1/4"
Frame
width: 5/32"
Click to see Depth of Field
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Raynox
MSN202 9.3X
Zoomed
back to 45.2mm
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Raynox MSN505
Working
distance: 5/8"
Frame
width: 3/32"
Click to see Depth of Field
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Much softer than the MSN202. DOF
is paper thin, making this lens difficult to use.
Virtually impossible to use handheld.
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Tiffen Macro Lens 37mm and 52-37mm step ring
with Lensmate S2/3 52mm Adapter
Click
images to see original Large Superfine file,
or click within red rectangle to see quarter
crop.
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Tiffen +7
Working
distance: 5"
Frame
width: 9/16"
Click to see Depth of Field
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Tiffen +10
Working
distance: 4"
Frame
width: 5/16"
Poor
performance on the S2/3, even when zoomed back.
Click to see Depth of Field
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