Close up lens/filters

KenCo1964 · 25-08-2005, 13:02

Close up lens/filters, are they any good? can they be used with a macro lens? just thinking of cheaper alternatives than a dedicated macro lens to have a bit mess about with for the moment.

Gary Bagshawe · 25-08-2005, 13:51

Hi there, I have used them with no problem, Got some great shots of insects, flowers, circuit boards etc. A lot cheaper than dedicated macro lens too, I find switching the camera to manual focus helps as well when really close up.

KenCo1964 · 25-08-2005, 14:02

Thanks Gary, It's just, iv'e been looking at these on ebay and some say specifically for a certain camera, I would have thought that if it was the right size for my lens and also thread that it would fit. I have also seen macro filters +10 I think, just wondering if a macro lens would be happy with a macro filter as well? cheap enough though.

Gary Bagshawe · 25-08-2005, 15:59

Never tried a macro lens with filter as well so I couldn't comment but the filters are cheap enough to try some shots out. If the filter thread is the correct size I would think that it would fit. If you go into a shop Ive never seen any filters for specific cameras just a size. I say go for it and show us some shots!!!

CT · 25-08-2005, 19:46

There's no reason why you shouldn't use close-up supplemetary lenses on zoom lenses. However, when you think of all that's happening in a zoom lens, when you turn that zoom collar- all those elements moving in relation to each other, it's hardly surprising, that a prime lens tends to be sharper when it comes right down to critical detail.

I'd go the route of a standard 50mm lens. The Canon 50mm 1.8 is a cracking sharp available light lens anyway, is cheap as chips new, and they can be picked up very cheaply on fleabay 2nd hand. This lens would give the option of fittiing supplementary close up lenses in various strengths or getting a cheap set of extension tubes to achieve the same thing. The other option is to get an adaptor ring to mount the lens on your camera in reverse for pretty impressive close-up capability. Remember Bachs's picture of the coin with a reversed lens?

The 50mm lens should be in everyone's bag anyway just for it's low light capabilty.

KenCo1964 · 25-08-2005, 20:22

Thanks CT. I read the crack on the 50mm the last time it was discussed, I have been looking at this lens and will be buying one, if for nothing other than what I have read about it.

Mike Aiken · 04-09-2005, 23:18

Hi all

I'm looking to purchase some filters for my lenses, mainly for protection of the lens.

Can somebody point me in the right direction, as to what i should be looking for.

Thanks Mike

IanC_UK · 04-09-2005, 23:19

For protection you want UV or Skylight 1B, they dont do much apart from stop the 1st element of glass getting dinged !

Mike Aiken · 04-09-2005, 23:21

Hi Ian

Many thanks

Mike

CT · 04-09-2005, 23:56

Just be wary of sticking very cheap filters in front of your lenses, they can take the edge off the definition. With a piece of glass as big as a filter right on the front of your lens to catch scattered light a lens hood becomes even more essential too.

Mike Aiken · 05-09-2005, 00:00

Thanks CT

Any ideas for a good source, anyone.

Thanks Mike

IanC_UK · 05-09-2005, 00:12

Only thing i can suggest is dont be so quick to save money on them, cheap isnt always best ! There are multi coated ones out there that reduce glare but are a bit on the pricey side !

As CT says using a hood does become more important if you have a filter on, and shooting with the sun in front of you !

25-08-2005, 13:02	#1 (permalink)
KenCo1964 Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Co. Durham England Posts: 1,069	Close up lens/filters Close up lens/filters, are they any good? can they be used with a macro lens? just thinking of cheaper alternatives than a dedicated macro lens to have a bit mess about with for the moment.

04-09-2005, 23:18	#7 (permalink)
Mike Aiken Been here a while Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 417	Filters Hi all I'm looking to purchase some filters for my lenses, mainly for protection of the lens. Can somebody point me in the right direction, as to what i should be looking for. Thanks Mike

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25-08-2005, 13:51	#2 (permalink)
Gary Bagshawe Rep Point Winner 07 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 2,231	Hi there, I have used them with no problem, Got some great shots of insects, flowers, circuit boards etc. A lot cheaper than dedicated macro lens too, I find switching the camera to manual focus helps as well when really close up.

25-08-2005, 14:02	#3 (permalink)
KenCo1964 Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Co. Durham England Posts: 1,069	Thanks Gary, It's just, iv'e been looking at these on ebay and some say specifically for a certain camera, I would have thought that if it was the right size for my lens and also thread that it would fit. I have also seen macro filters +10 I think, just wondering if a macro lens would be happy with a macro filter as well? cheap enough though.

25-08-2005, 15:59	#4 (permalink)
Gary Bagshawe Rep Point Winner 07 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 2,231	Never tried a macro lens with filter as well so I couldn't comment but the filters are cheap enough to try some shots out. If the filter thread is the correct size I would think that it would fit. If you go into a shop Ive never seen any filters for specific cameras just a size. I say go for it and show us some shots!!!

25-08-2005, 19:46	#5 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	There's no reason why you shouldn't use close-up supplemetary lenses on zoom lenses. However, when you think of all that's happening in a zoom lens, when you turn that zoom collar- all those elements moving in relation to each other, it's hardly surprising, that a prime lens tends to be sharper when it comes right down to critical detail. I'd go the route of a standard 50mm lens. The Canon 50mm 1.8 is a cracking sharp available light lens anyway, is cheap as chips new, and they can be picked up very cheaply on fleabay 2nd hand. This lens would give the option of fittiing supplementary close up lenses in various strengths or getting a cheap set of extension tubes to achieve the same thing. The other option is to get an adaptor ring to mount the lens on your camera in reverse for pretty impressive close-up capability. Remember Bachs's picture of the coin with a reversed lens? The 50mm lens should be in everyone's bag anyway just for it's low light capabilty.

25-08-2005, 20:22	#6 (permalink)
KenCo1964 Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Co. Durham England Posts: 1,069	Thanks CT. I read the crack on the 50mm the last time it was discussed, I have been looking at this lens and will be buying one, if for nothing other than what I have read about it.

04-09-2005, 23:19	#8 (permalink)
IanC_UK Feet under the table Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northampton Posts: 2,137	For protection you want UV or Skylight 1B, they dont do much apart from stop the 1st element of glass getting dinged !

04-09-2005, 23:21	#9 (permalink)
Mike Aiken Been here a while Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 417	Hi Ian Many thanks Mike

04-09-2005, 23:56	#10 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	Just be wary of sticking very cheap filters in front of your lenses, they can take the edge off the definition. With a piece of glass as big as a filter right on the front of your lens to catch scattered light a lens hood becomes even more essential too.

05-09-2005, 00:00	#11 (permalink)
Mike Aiken Been here a while Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 417	Thanks CT Any ideas for a good source, anyone. Thanks Mike

05-09-2005, 00:12	#12 (permalink)
IanC_UK Feet under the table Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northampton Posts: 2,137	Only thing i can suggest is dont be so quick to save money on them, cheap isnt always best ! There are multi coated ones out there that reduce glare but are a bit on the pricey side ! As CT says using a hood does become more important if you have a filter on, and shooting with the sun in front of you !