Close-Up Filters

[45R]

At this time I only have 2 lenses a 50mm F1.8 and a 28-135 US ISM. The 28-135 is pretty capable of doing some nice close up work after adding a +3 close up filter. My question for those who are using this lens is how many filters are you able to use before its too hard to focus. Reason I am asking is that the 28-135 is my travel light lens and with the close-up filters I can get relatively close to an object without having to carry more gear.

Thanks for your help

45R

[FlyingPete]

I avoid stacking them; it seems that when ever I do I loose a lot of sharpness on any lens. I am not happy with any shots I have got over +4 (I have a set of three Maurumi's, +1, +2 and +4), they are just not right, all fuzzy, little detail :-(

I have a 28-105, when I have +4 correction or over I find that you can throw the auto focus out the window and have to focus by moving the camera back and forward, you can get special rails to do this, but they cost quite a few $$$.

Also when shooting really close, you need a tripod as well, which is extra gear to lug around, although the IS in your lens may help with that.

[Brian B]

FlyingPete's comments are correct. I'd like to add that you should use a small aperture (~f16 - f22) to maximize your depth of field. I did use a focusing rail and a +3 diopter lens on a Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro for this shot. The autofocus was turned off.
https://home.comcast.net/~breault/images/images/closeup/closeup02m.jpg

[mdude85]

I've had a set of closeup filters +1 +2 +4 for a few days now and I haven't really seen any decrease in sharpness even stacking ALL the filters (+7). Granted, I am using a 50 1.8, so the quality is good off the bat. For stacking though, I agree, you need to stop down some, but not to f16 IMO.