Macro close up filter with 50mm


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Benji77

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Feb 18, 2006
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Hi guys

May I know which close up filter i should use if I intend to use my 50mm as a macro lens?

I dont want to invest in a macro lens as yet, so was considering a close up filter to see how my macro taste goes. Brands of filters and their pros and cons most welcomed.

Thanks!
 

i think a closeup filter is just a piece of magnifying glass.


taken with 50mm and ordinary magnifying glass mounted on it. not really sharp but the magnification is good
DSC_5536.jpg
 

Ya, I would agree that the closeup filter lowers quality the most, but it's the cheapest.
For me, I hardly ever take macros, so it's ok for me. =)
 

thanks guys for your feedback.
are there particular brands and types that i must look out for? for eg +4 brings me closer, but will there be quality loss?

will +4 have more quality loss as compared to +2?
 

I'm using two +4 Hoya closeup filters on my 50mm. Here's an example of the result.

Picture1-3.jpg
 

828591643_b59c22cd24.jpg


828591683_1aef6c3f6d.jpg


828591757_9d3e352261.jpg


828591799_ee45a4715e.jpg


not sure what the filter is.. most probably a +4
 

thanks guys for your feedback.
are there particular brands and types that i must look out for? for eg +4 brings me closer, but will there be quality loss?

will +4 have more quality loss as compared to +2?

The single element close up filters might have an acceptable sharpness in the small centre of the lens but the periphery is very soft. A dual/multi element close up filter performs better, and is a better buy.

Hoya has a +10 dual element filter. Other brands include the Canon 250D, Zoerk ;p, Raynox

Ryan
 

Hi guys

May I know which close up filter i should use if I intend to use my 50mm as a macro lens?

I dont want to invest in a macro lens as yet, so was considering a close up filter to see how my macro taste goes. Brands of filters and their pros and cons most welcomed.

Thanks!

There are a few ways for you to use the 50mm lens.

#1: Simplest is to get close up lens.
But there are different quality and hence cost. Usually they work best at higher focal length, but still ok for larger insects for smaller focal length.

so depends what you want to take. DF, butts, than maybe ok. Spiders...than CU filters may not get the magnification you want.

So what dioptre value? The higher the dioptre, the lesser the DOF. And closer the working distance, so thats the trade-off. But you get a larger magnification.

Poor quality CU lens are single element lens. Cheap, and good image at center of lens, but at the edges, the quality drops.

Double element lens cost more and have better quality as they are achromatic. They give good results thru out. E.g. can see here:
http://www.geocities.com/seemolf/achromats/achromats.html?200620#chart
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/erker/closeups.html


#2: Reverse your 50mm lens. It will be a >+20dioptre CU lens.
See here:
http://www.naturephotosociety.org.sg/ASP/Article.asp?DBAPublishDate=1/10/2005
 

impressive close up.
btw, how did u guys manage to capture such close up pic without the insects running for their lives?
 

hmmm...seems like i need to select carefully then.
i may have to help out with some macro shots (for work)
and i have been toying to get a macro lens recently.
just the cost is weighing me down.

maybe i will just try out a +2 with my 105mm & 50mm and see
the results.

oh yes, aloyyolaaloy, your 2nd shot of that green bug is cool!
if I can do that with a +4, i am happy already!
 

There are a few ways for you to use the 50mm lens.

#1: Simplest is to get close up lens.
But there are different quality and hence cost. Usually they work best at higher focal length, but still ok for larger insects for smaller focal length.

so depends what you want to take. DF, butts, than maybe ok. Spiders...than CU filters may not get the magnification you want.

So what dioptre value? The higher the dioptre, the lesser the DOF. And closer the working distance, so thats the trade-off. But you get a larger magnification.

Poor quality CU lens are single element lens. Cheap, and good image at center of lens, but at the edges, the quality drops.

Double element lens cost more and have better quality as they are achromatic. They give good results thru out. E.g. can see here:
http://www.geocities.com/seemolf/achromats/achromats.html?200620#chart
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/erker/closeups.html


#2: Reverse your 50mm lens. It will be a >+20dioptre CU lens.
See here:
http://www.naturephotosociety.org.sg/ASP/Article.asp?DBAPublishDate=1/10/2005

Thank you. this is very good info for me.
what kind of cost am i looking at if i go for double elements?
would i be better off saving for a proper macro lens in a way?
 

Instead of spending your $$$ on filters that will only fit your lens thread why not just get extension tube that can fit most of your lens!
 

impressive close up.
btw, how did u guys manage to capture such close up pic without the insects running for their lives?

Depending on types of insects. Damselflies are usually slower and let u take them very close-up, similar to dragonflies, grasshoppers and spiders.
 

hmmm...seems like i need to select carefully then.
i may have to help out with some macro shots (for work)
and i have been toying to get a macro lens recently.
just the cost is weighing me down.

maybe i will just try out a +2 with my 105mm & 50mm and see
the results.

oh yes, aloyyolaaloy, your 2nd shot of that green bug is cool!
if I can do that with a +4, i am happy already!

im far from good lah.. :embrass:
just got very good shifus...
i love your shots :lovegrin:
 

I have a canon 250D close up filter (52mm thread). I only have the Nikon 18-135 kit lens with 67mm thread. Any idea if I can mount it on my kit lens or should i keep it till I get my 50mm 1.8 which also uses 52mm thread?
 

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