close up filters

[Skyeg]

what do those close up filters do? do they allow you to focus on something closer? or do they magnify things? or am i way off?

 

[ksmattfish]

They allow you to focus closer than the normal minimum focus distance.

 

[Face]

depth of field plummets quickly. they can be helpfully but they can also be a pain to use. i've gotten many a out of focus picture from using them. but also some fairly intriguing ones

 

[ksmattfish]

My experiences using them with 35mm SLRs hasn't impressed me. I think image sharpness suffers too much, although maybe I haven't had the opportunity to try out high quality brands of 35mm SLR close up filters.

When I got my Rolleiflex TLR it came with a Rollei close up lens/filter. I didn't expect much, but when I tried it out I was blown away. I've since bought several more, and I love them. So it may be that the higher quality brands are pretty decent.