Macro Watches

Although going outside for exercise is still allowed, we have been trying to adhere to the spirit of self-isolation and have been selective about going out for walks. This approach has resulted in a lack of opportunities for picture taking.

I have been out a few times to take pictures both with one of my digital cameras and some of my film cameras, but I have certainly been out a lot less than I would have been under normal circumstances.

I hope to continue having some opportunities to be out and about taking photos, but otherwise, I’m trying to find ways of practicing my photography without leaving our apartment.

One pretty easy way of doing that is to take some macro photos of things around the apartment. I have taken macro photos in the past so this isn’t a new skill.

I don’t have a proper macro lens but do have a macro adapter so I’m not sure if what I’m doing very specifically qualifies as “macro,” but for my purposes, I’ll say that it is close enough.

I purchased an Opteka Achromatic 10X Diopter for my old Canon EOS Rebel T3. I used it with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens and had a fair amount of success. I do have a couple of posts about taking macro photos with the Rebel T3: Macro Photography and Some Remaining 2017 Photos.

I have also been pleased with the macro results from my Olympus TG-5.

One thing I really haven’t done is take macro photos with my Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. The Opteka adapter doesn’t fit on any of the usual lenses I use, but it does fit on the EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 lens that came with my Canon EOS Rebel 2000, and that lens fits on the Mark IV.

I tried this set-up once before, but I only took a couple of pictures just to see if it worked. I never explored using it any further until the past week or so.

I decided to first try taking some macro photos of one of my other and more recent interests: watches.

Over the past couple of years, I have purchased 4 watches.

One of these watches is new: a Timex Marlin. I purchased the three other watches used via Etsy: a Poljot de luxe, an Aviator, and a Molnija. I got the Molnija right as the coronavirus stay at home order was issued so I really haven’t had an opportunity to wear in anywhere. Just another thing to look forward to when we can start doing things again.

I also have an old watch that belonged to my father which doesn’t work and that I have been talking about trying to get fixed for years. I didn’t take any photos of that.

One of the things I really like about the Molnija is that the back is clear so you can see the gears which made for some interesting macro shots.

I really enjoyed taking these pictures and like the way most of them came out.