Marco attachment vs extension tubes

I bought a DCR 250 attachment and I like it but wonder if I would get better quality out of extension macro tubes? My site is below of some pics using the 250..also list of my lenses. I am looking at getting the new canon 55-250 but do not think you would use that as a macro lens?

A set of Kenko extension tubes would do wonders. Image quality will improve greatly over the "close-up" lens that you are using. The Kenko set is not the cheapest third-party offering but it retains electrical connections between the camera and lens...AF and aperture control will still work. They are of good construction quality, too. Other less expensive tube sets are not electrically connected so you lose the auto-focus and auto-exposure.

You might also consider a lens reversing adapter....turn your 50mm around on your camera...

Thanks for the tips!

I have never heard of reversing adapter? What in the world would that do?

The shot with the closeup lens is no better than the optics of that filter...if single element, usually not that great; if double element, better.

The shot with the extension tube will typically give good results, subject to the limit of the optical design of the lens to shoot CLOSE...most non-macro optics are NOT OPTIMIZED for close field work.

A macro attachment adds glass. Tubes don't. Although they take more light.

So what is better?

^ in my opinion, tubes. I use my Kenko set frequently (usually with my 100mm f/2.8L). But I'd highly recommend getting a flash unit if you don't already have one.

Jessi, the bad news is that the "close-up" lens that you have is probably at the bottom of the list. The good news is that the "close-up" lens is probably at the bottom of the list so that anything you do going forward will most likely be an improvement.

A true macro-lens would most likely give the best results. Lens reversing is somewhat awkward but workable...I've only tinkered with this by hand-holding a reversed lens in front of my camera and taking a few pictures...a lens reversing adapter would definitely work better. Extension tubes work well in magnifying your subject but require good lighting...the added distance from front element to focal plane comes at the expense of light. Actually, any macro work will require good lighting which opens up another area of interest. You will need good lighting so that you can stop down your aperture for greater depth-of-field.

Here is a good link that lists several options that you can buy or build... Poor Man's Macro. It should give you some good ideas about what is possible and what to expect from the different methods.

Ed

Intheswamp wrote in post #17379459
A true macro-lens would most likely give the best results.

To be sure.

But I was thinking it was an either-or choice between tubes or a macro attachment. If the OP can afford a true 1:1 macro lens, that would be the way to go.

Right I am not looking to get a macro lens yet.

I will check out the link..thanks!