Canon 500D close up filter

[RbnDave]

Does anyone have any experience with the Canon 500D closeup filter? I am thinking of picking up a 500D to use with my Sigma 70-200 EX and Canon 100-400 L. What kind of magnification and working distance will I get? What about image quality? I travel a lot so I think the 500D might be a better alternative for me than the Canon 100mm Macro. The 500D costs $130 and the 100 macro costs about $430. Would I be better off saving my money and waiting to purchase the Canon 100mm macro?

Thanks for any advice.

Dave

[robekert]

Here is a review. It is a personal review from someone's personal website. He returned the filter but still had good things to say about the image quality. Hope it helps. I am thinking of getting one also. I shoot macro infreqently but would still like to have some capability when the situation is presented.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-500D-Close-up-Lens-Review.aspx

Rob

[Scottes]

The thing that I don't like about the 500D is that you've got a limited working distance. With the 100-400 @ 400 you have to be between about 14-16" from the front of the lens. Any closer or further and it's out of focus. Gives great magnification though.

Here's some tests I did: http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/500d.html


Personally I like tubes. Some light loss but no optics. Pain in the butt to change though. Not as much magnification but much more variance in minimum and maximum focus distances. Here's a thread:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=28037


On your zooms you might like the 500D if you want to get close to 1:1. Change magnification by zooming and not much distance change. Tubes won't get to that level of magnification.

But if you want 1:1 - not 1.5:1 but 1:1 - and/or if image clarity is very important to you, then the Canon Macro will be a better bet. I just hate the short working distance with the 100. You might also take a look at the Tamron 180mm - I was playing with a friend's and it's pretty nice.