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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> How well do "close up" filters work ?
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 10/04/2007 08:51:14 AM · #1
I keep looking at a 3-piece set at Henry's that has +1; +2 and +4 filters.
The set is about $70 CDN.

I wonder how well these work, or if I would be better off saving up for a proper macro lens (which could take a long time).

I use a Nikon D50.
 10/04/2007 08:59:36 AM · #2
made with a 5x close up filter for my 7-200 lens ($40 USD)

consider extension tubes as well (~ $160 USD)
10/04/2007 09:01:37 AM · #3
I use them once in a while, but they cause some problems:

1) less sharp at the edges
2) chromatic aberrations
3) very shallow DOF (the more lenses you combine, the more shallow)
4) must be cleaned very often

On the other hand, I have a very well scoring entry at the moment, made with +4 and +2 (if I remember correctly)

These were made with one or more of them:

needed loads of PP

Message edited by author 2007-10-04 09:04:59.
 10/04/2007 09:03:57 AM · #4
Those look wonderful HeiSch.

Can someone explain what chromatic aberrations are please ?


10/04/2007 09:11:51 AM · #5
Originally posted by kashi:


Can someone explain what chromatic aberrations are please ?


That's when the differnt wavelengths (colors) of light focus in slightly different planes.

FWIW, I much prefer extension tubes over close up "filters".

Message edited by author 2007-10-04 09:12:36.
 10/04/2007 09:15:22 AM · #6
Originally posted by kashi:
Those look wonderful HeiSch.

Can someone explain what chromatic aberrations are please ?


Basically means that different colors get shifted in the outer portions of the image, so you might have a colored ring appear around the edges of objects. It can be quite bothersome.
FWIW, there are better-made close-up filters that have much better optical performance. They have two lens elements and so are referred to as "doublets." The Canon 250D and 500D are examples.

ETA: The Canon filters would work on your Nikon, as long as the thread size is correct.

Message edited by author 2007-10-04 09:15:56.
 10/04/2007 09:17:59 AM · #7
Check the upper right part of the circle. you'll see the purple "ring" around the metal part. This is chromatic aberration.
10/04/2007 09:20:40 AM · #8
okay - now someone needs to explain how an extension tube works

(yes, I am blonde. No, I'm not normally stupid - but I am just learning)
 10/04/2007 09:21:37 AM · #9
Originally posted by HeiSch:
Check the upper right part of the circle. you'll see the purple "ring" around the metal part. This is chromatic aberration.


Yes, I see it - is that because of a close-up filter then ? Or can something else cause that ?
 10/04/2007 09:28:10 AM · #10
I had:

Close up filters
..a 60mm macro lens
...a 105mm macro lens
and now I have an extention tube.

The lenses were best of all but IMO the extention tube was better than the filters.

10/04/2007 09:32:13 AM · #11
These were taken with my 'ole Dimage 7i and various closeup filters (which I sometimes stacked and sometimes combined with a wide-angle adapter). I primarily used a Hoya 2-element multi-coated HMC +5 diopter. I generally relied on manual focus (I would actually set the focus and just move the camera until subject was focused.

[thumb]380477[/thumb] [thumb]380459[/thumb]

I wouldn't really suggest them though. Get a macro lens. I love my Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro and it costs very little.

Now look at the (far better) quality of the sigma macro:


Note: The Sigma was also coupled with my Canon... but I have tested the diopters on the Canon as well... and they are just not nearly as useful as the Sigma macro.

Message edited by author 2007-10-04 09:46:53.
 10/04/2007 09:59:16 AM · #12
That is a huge difference - wow !
 10/04/2007 10:14:00 AM · #13
Originally posted by kashi:
Originally posted by HeiSch:
Check the upper right part of the circle. you'll see the purple "ring" around the metal part. This is chromatic aberration.


Yes, I see it - is that because of a close-up filter then ? Or can something else cause that ?


That will exist to some degree in every optic (the index of refraction, that is, the amount the light bends in the lens, is dependent on wavelength). Cheap optics are much worse that expensive ones. "close up filters" tend to have cheaper optics that high quality lenses.
 10/04/2007 10:23:50 AM · #14
The wonders of "you get what you pay for" I suppose.
 10/04/2007 10:28:42 AM · #15
Originally posted by kashi:
The wonders of "you get what you pay for" I suppose.


Very true statement. I tried the cheaper versions and was never happy. I finally bought a canon 500D closeup filter for my old Minolta but never used it until last year when I used it on my Olympus E-Volt500 DSLR on this shot:


I was very happy with it. The only trouble I had was getting to the happy spot for a close up focus. The f-stop needs to be f22 to get a crisp focus. Since then I have bought a 50mm macro for my camera. If you are on a budget currently then I recommend the canon 500D closeup filter until you can get a true macro lens for your camera.
 10/04/2007 10:36:41 AM · #16
oops posted twice. Feel free to delete this one, SC...

Message edited by author 2007-10-04 10:37:17.
 10/04/2007 11:01:30 AM · #17
The gyroscope pciture was taken with a Canon 500mm 1.4 lens, no filter, just the lens.
This means, you're no save even with more expensive glas.
I got the filter only as a temporary solution until I will order one of my 2 dream lenses: Canon 100mm 2.8 macro :)

Originally posted by kashi:
The wonders of "you get what you pay for" I suppose.
10/04/2007 02:38:56 PM · #18
I've got a set and I like them. Mine were only $30-40 US. If my camera took lenses, I'd definately want to drop the big bucks on a macro. But the closeup filters will have to do. I'm glad I have them.
 10/04/2007 11:02:16 PM · #19
so...how well do extension tubes work? are they worth it?
 10/04/2007 11:24:48 PM · #20

Details with the pic.
10/04/2007 11:37:40 PM · #21
I have an Opteka 10X Close up lens, and I'm really happy with its sharpness. At $30 it worth having, but definitely it doesn't come near the quality of a macro lens.
 10/05/2007 12:25:27 AM · #22
If you can find an older manual focus 50mm 1.8 Ai Nikkor and a reversing ring, that may be a good way to get what you are looking for without spending a lot of money. That type lens would also work well with an extension tube. If you get the extension tubes, be sure to get ones equipped to work the aperture in the lens, as that will make shooting at small apertures a lot easier.
If you plan to shoot a lot of macro, then it would be best to see about getting a macro lens like a Micro Nikkor. If you can borrow one for a few days and experiment with it, you will know if you have to get one.
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