Close Up Lens / filters

[Ghostfly]

What do you guys think of close up filters? I saw a set of 3 - 1+ 2+ & 4+. What are advantages and disadvantages? Has anyone stacked them? Thanks in advance!

[Twitch1977]

Some close-up filters are better than others, Nikon and Raynox are pretty highly regarded. They can be stacked but each layer of glass between the subject and the sensor is going to add more distortion.

The advantages are that they're cheap, they give the magnification you're after and can produce pretty decent picutres.

The disadvantages are they aren't going to be as sharp as real macro lenses, more distortion, in short the quality of the glass just isn't going to be as good as say the Canon 100mm Macro.

I shot with the Nikon 4t and Raynox DCR-250 Close up filters on my old Panasonic FZ30 point and shoot all last summer and had some pretty good results.

Here are a few samples I have on DeviantArt, if they're not showing up as 1600x1200 res you might need to click on them:

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/38901255/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/39486060/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/38497658/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37583744/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37158289/

There's a lot more up there in my gallery if you care to look, anything shot in 2006 will be using the Panasonic+close-up filter combo.

Kurt

[Ghostfly]

those are cool! Ever heard of Samigon?

[Twitch1977]

those are cool! Ever heard of Samigon?

Nope can't say that I have. :/

Kurt

[Attic]

I've just started using the Raynox and am very impressed with what it can do, here is my latest efforts http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=353536 I hope this helps.

[Ghostfly]

Yo Twitch, that last one is pretty carzy!!! What kind of tripod are you using? Is it miniature?

[Ghostfly]

The raynox dcr-250...I see it up to 67mm. Do they have it in 72mm? Still looking...

[Twitch1977]

Yo Twitch, that last one is pretty carzy!!! What kind of tripod are you using? Is it miniature?

I don't use a tripod for any macro work, that one included.

The raynox dcr-250...I see it up to 67mm. Do they have it in 72mm? Still looking...

The one I have has an adapter that lets it fit on to pretty much any range of thread sizes, so see if the one you're looking at mentions an adapter. (The adapter sounds a little hokey, but it's actually pretty solid.).

Kurt

[Ghostfly]

I looked at B & H - it looks like they don't make a 72mm.

[FlexiPack]

Kurt your macro work is great!! Do you use the raynox with your 100mm macro or just your panasonic? If you don't I just wondered if there was a practical reason as to why.

I'm sold on the raynox dcr-250 I'm off to buy one right now. I too would like it to fit 72mm but seems 67mm is the max.

Would a stepping ring work? - I've never used one so i've no idea what the limitations are if any.

[Ghostfly]

Flexipack, I was corrected - I called raynox - the model number you need for a 72mm is DCR - 5320. It's pricy at around $250 US. The tech said their is no distortion at all. It's on my wish list....

[FlexiPack]

Thanks for the info ghostfly!

$250 is a bit of a step up in price for 72mm :rolleyes: Is it the same 2.5x mag?

I've already taken the plunge and bought the DCR-250 on ebay for £35 inc P&P (I'm impatient ;) ). I think i might try a stepping ring on it if i can find the right thread size.

I don't think I want to spend £125 on a macro filter as im saving up for the Canon 100mm 2.8 macro :eek:

[Ghostfly]

2.5x - that's what the man said. I'm with you - I think I want the 100mm more!

[cosworth]

The Canon 500D is a nice option...

[FlexiPack]

Hmm I didn't know about the 500D - That'll teach me to be impatient! I just had a quick read up on it and i can't find any information on what magnification it offers. It's only marginally more expensive that the raynox on ebay.

I must save for the 100mm macro now though

[eccles]

The Canon 500D is a very nice close-up lens with very low distortion, but it isn't very powerful, only +2 dioptres. It enables a focussing distance of 500mm (hence the designation) when the prime lens is set to infinity, and gives the biggest magnification with long focal length lenses. It is the recommended close up lens for Canon S2 or S3, working well with these cameras because of these cameras' long zoom length and relatively good focussing range. I have one with my S3 and use it all the time. When at the closest focussing distance of around 12" it can fill the screen with a subject around 1-1/2" long. Filter size is fixed at 58mm. I paid about £55UK for mine, about $110US but you can probably get them for less in the U.S.
The Raynox DCR-250, which I also have, is +8 dioptre, focussing to around 5" when the prime lens is set to infinity. With the Canon S3, the closest focussing distance is about 3-1/2". It IS quite a good lens optically with good edge to edge sharpness, but these sort of focussing distances limit what subjects you can photograph with it because the depth of field is narrow. Also many insects can often be spooked when you get that close. You cannot use this lens with wide angle lenses as it is only 35mm diameter and will vignette. It cost me around £20UK, around $40US but this was a special and may cost a bit more in the U.S.
Avoid single element lenses such as Hoya, and others sold cheaply on ebay. Addon a +1 dioptre lens of this type for a little closer reach may be ok but any higher and you'll get bad distortion away from the centre. Stacking such lenses is a waste of time for any serious user. Stick to Olympus, Nikon, Canon or Raynox which are all multi-element lenses.

[Ghostfly]

Eccles,

You quite knowledgeable..Have you any experience with the raynox DCR-5320?

Thanks for your feeback!

-Tim

[Alex Paul]

Look at the canon 500D.... It is excelllent glass and the images I have seen produced using them have been extremely good..... Bargain basement deals on glass are usually going to degrade your images and so it is worth spending a few bucks more and get something that will keep close to the original IQ in them.... The 500D does the trick..... Take care
I now see that you have gotten the same advice.... Good info...

[eccles]

Eccles,
You quite knowledgeable..Have you any experience with the raynox DCR-5320?

No sorry, I haven't tried that one. Lensmate online (www.lensmateonline.com) has some good info with sample photos for addon lenses. Unfortunately they don't test the DCR-5320.

[Ghostfly]

Does anyone know if I could put the Canon 500d on a Sigma 17-70 f2.8 macro?

[LordV]

Does anyone know if I could put the Canon 500d on a Sigma 17-70 f2.8 macro?
Not certain but suspect you would be better off with a 250D on that lens.
Brian V.