18-55 mated with 250D for close ups?

[Bsmooth]

Two questions;Would this pairing be of any use for say flower closeups.Second is I already have a 58 mm filter on my 18-55.Can I take the 58mm 250D close up lens and put it right on my 58mm filter.In other words do the filter sizes stay the same when stacking?Also wondered about this with my 70-200 and the 500D attached to my filter? Thanks!

[SkipD]

A closeup lens can be useful as an inexpensive way to get a larger image of a small subject (in other words, to be able to focus closer than the lens itself can do).

Take any other filter off your lens before using the closeup lens. The filter doesn't do anything beneficial for you. When you add extra glass surfaces, you are likely to have problems with flare when you have a strong light source or bright subject material in your picture. This problem (the flare) can occur with just the closeup lens and no filter. Having both on the lens just compounds the potential for problems.

My sincere recommendation is to never use a filter at all unless there is a compelling reason to do so. I don't consider "protection" a compelling reason to use a filter. Use a lens hood for protection. Use a UV filter if you intend to take photos in a sandstorm or similar conditions, but let the lens work at its best when you can by not adding extra glass in front of it. I only use filters for creative purposes, and with a digital camera (as opposed to a film camera with B&W film) that boils down to a circular polarizer for reflection control and possibly neutral density filters at times.

[Bsmooth]

So does anyone have any samples to take a look at?

[mr.photoguy]

the 18-55 focuses pretty close already as it is ....
I don't know what real difference the close up filter will make. I just put it to 50, or 18, and then get as close as I can. I usually end up getting pretty close. I did some flowers in my flower section @ the botanical gardens. They came out pretty good IMO.

http://www.pbase.com/brucescott/image/42014527.jpg

Do you need to get closer than that?
if so maybe you can try a 300D, or extension tube... ( I think this what they are called)

[Bsmooth]

Yes pretty close,just was curious what the 250D close up lens would get me.As it is with the 18-55 ,you have to get pretty close.I suppose If you want the best,just get the 100mm 2.8 Canon macro. With all the macros I've seen doing this research I still haven't figured out what "Bokah" is. Also I noticed you were getting a Macro lens,what did you finally decide on?

[mr.photoguy]

Yes pretty close,just was curious what the 250D close up lens would get me.As it is with the 18-55 ,you have to get pretty close.I suppose If you want the best,just get the 100mm 2.8 Canon macro. With all the macros I've seen doing this research I still haven't figured out what "Bokah" is. Also I noticed you were getting a Macro lens,what did you finally decide on?
I have the Tamron 180 Macro..
It's a learning curve, but it's fun at the same time.. I will shoot anything in macro..lol...

Images are on my site in the Macro section...
Link is in my sig.

The Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro is razor also .. I may look into a 50 mm macro for some extra fun as well..

[Jon]

With the 250, the 18-55 will get you focussed at 250 mm when the lens is at infinity. Then you can still focus closer. That'll be about a 45 mm effective focal length at 55, so about .22x enlargement to about .3x at about 200 mm. You'll find that starts right about where the 18-55 unaided leaves off.

[COKE CAN]

I believe Bokah is the term used for the background being out of focus, while the subject is sharp.

[Bsmooth]

So would say Kenko ext tubes help at all with the 18-55 instead of the 250D?Just trying to get as much as I can out of the 18-55,since that is the lens I have on my 20D the most. Thanks !

[Jon]

A 12 mm tube will get you from about where the 18-55 stops on its own down (.2x or so at 55 mm) to about .45x. The 25 would take over from there to about 0.7x. So yes, a set of tubes would get you further than a close-up lens. This is actually the general case, not specific to the 18-55.