Wedding Ring shots (Close up Filter?)

We just sold our Canon 85mm 1.8 (which we used with a Sony closeup filter to do Macro-like ring shots).
We're considering the following 2 options as it's replacement:

Sigma 85mm Art w/ Close up Filter (Vivitar x1-x4 set)
Tamron 70-200 VC w/ Close up filter (Canon version)

The Canon 550 filter fits the Tamron, but the 85mm is lighter and sharper.
Which would you guys choose? Would the zoom feature make much of a difference?

Thanks!

natewarden777 wrote in post #18517067
Which would you guys choose? Would the zoom feature make much of a difference?

Thanks!

I would choose an extension tube! Closeup filters are made for lenses that cannot be detached from the body.


With a ring about 25mm in diameter (mean size, between a woman's ring and a man's ring) you can fit two rings onto your 36mm wide frame at 1/2 size on the sensor, if using a 31mm tube

Polaroid do a set of four 58mm filters that's rated 4* by Amateur Photographer magazine. I had a set and lost them (zip on my bag was left open). 2x, 4x and 6x are sharp, but the 10x was a tad (only just) soft. That was both AP and my conclusion. Cheap as chips, annd well worth the cash.

Colin Glover wrote in post #18517238
Polaroid do a set of four 58mm filters that's rated 4* by Amateur Photographer magazine.

The conventional wisdom is that if you have to use close-up filters, find yourself a close-up filter with TWO-ELEMENT optics, not the simply one-lens optics found in almost all commercially available filters. Both Canon and Nikon have offered a two-element close-up filter. The Canon ones come in 52mm, 58mm, and 77mm filter sizes.

From http://www.peachpit.co​m …es/article.aspx​?p=1804858:

"Double-element close-up lenses. Sometimes called dual-element or achromatic close-up lenses, these lenses have two elements; the second corrects the aberrations of the first. They're more expensive than the single-element version, and not as readily available, but their image quality is excellent. I use a Canon 500D double-element close-up lens with my 85 mm lens, and I can't see a difference in image quality between a photo taken with that combination and one taken with a true macro lens.
Canon makes two double-element close-up lenses—the 250D (+4 diopter) and the 500D (+2 diopter). Nikon made the 3T, 4T, 5T, and 6T double-element lenses, but they've been discontinued (sometimes you can find them on eBay). Schneider also makes double-element close-up lenses, but at a price. Olympus makes the MCON 35, which appears to be discontinued but is still available on eBay."

...and as used products from retailers such as Adorama


https://www.adorama.co​m …c0yWicv48GBBoCc​-8QAvD_BwE

Double-element accessory attaches to front of lens, and the Canon 500D changes closest focusing distance from infinity to 500mm (approx. 19.7") from front of lens.

Macro lenses are awesome for this, and some portraits, but expensive. Otherwise I use extension tubes.

Which extension tube set are you all using?
Do extension tubes degrade image quality less than close up filters?

AFAIK, tubes don't have glass in them to degrade image quality, but as you are in effect varying the length between the rear element and the sensor, I can't say 100% that quality wont suffer. Maybe someone who knows a bit more can clarify or dimiss what I'm saying.

Just save yourself a lot of aggrivation and go buy a Macro and work it into your routine

This is straight off the camera with a 100L

Macros are a no brainer for wedding photogs

Canon has the 100Ls on sale right now. My 8 yrs old sigma broke and fell apart so I went out Friday and got a new one. Ring shots are a snap with macros. The beauty of the canon L is you can leave it in the Full position at the switches and it doubles as a 100MM F/2.8 prime. It works very well.

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