Even MORE Macro!

Based on yesterday's cheating macro success, I thought I'd see how far I could push this method. As you decrease the focal length, you get closer and closer to your subject until... well, this.

This is a war medal (or rather a very small part of one) shot using yesterday's method but with the lens set to 18mm instead. IT'S PRETTY SILLY.

Advantages vs. a macro lens:
-Basically free
-Very close focusing distance - better than 1:1
-Extraordinarily shallow depth of field
-Surprisingly impressive results

Disadvantages vs. macro lens:
-Difficult to alter the distance you're focusing at. Possibly impossible with the STM lens without remounting it on the camera. No AF.
-Can't change the aperture to vary your depth of field. That little thin strip is all you get.
-Fiddly
-Certainly not as nice optically. Bloody sharp in the centre though.