How do these work?

Markw · May 2, 2009

I see that most of your shots, you are using a macro lens. I dont have a macro len. Will these work without one? That was the whole point, not to have to buy a macro lens ($$$$). Thanks for all your help.

Mark

Overread · May 2, 2009

oh certainly these will work with a normal lens - and they should work very well.
I just use them to get even closer with my existing gear. I recally that Doenoe also used a Raynox lens at one point to get his macro shots - before moving to the DSLR I think (or at least before moving to a macro lens).

You might find a diopter set of lower powered lenses easier to start with than a single highpowered one - it is a new area to get used to and you don't want to start off working too small - its very tricky and takes time and practice.

KmH · May 2, 2009

Most of what Opteka sells is inexpensive for a reason. Think about it.

Check out extension tubes. They have no glass in them. They usuallly come in sets of 3 different lengths that you can use in combinations. Look at the Kenko brand.

Gaerek · May 2, 2009

I've used diopters before (sorry, no pics atm) with varied results. They will let you focus closer, but if the glass is cheap, you may get poor results. Extension tubes work as well, but the biggest thing to remember is that they will also increase the f-stop of your lens. So if you're putting one on an already fairly slow lens, it will slow it down. To be honest, the best bet is to get a dedicated macro lens. If that's not in the budget, either of those other two options will work, but keep in mind the drawbacks of each.

Overread · May 2, 2009

huh? extension tubes don't affect the F stop of a lens - that is teleconverters.
Exension tubes will reduce the light entering the sensor so you will get a darker image and adjusted exposure because of that - but the f-stops of the lens remain the same.

Downside to extension tubes and diopters is that both remove your infinity focus and you can end up not able to focus more than a very short distance away - diopters like the raynox with its clip on attachment have the advantage that they are quick to take off and put back on - far quicker than it is to remove an extension tube

Markw · May 2, 2009

I have the Nikkor 70-300mm lens, will the raynox work on this lens? The adapter can handle the filter size, but the diopter itslef is smaller than the diameter. Will this still work? Will I have a black ring around it where tht adapter is, or because it will be zoomd in, it wont have this?

Mark

Overread · May 2, 2009

you should be fine - I have no vignetting (shadows in the corners) with either my 150mm macro or 70mm macro - remember crop sensor cameras only see the middle areas of a lens anyway so there is already a lot of lens "cropped" away.
On a fullframe camera I would expect a very different story

kundalini · May 2, 2009

I don't know if this video link has been added, but here's one by Bryan Peterson on close-up lens.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7rrEQxjHmA"]CLICKY[/ame]

Markw · May 2, 2009

Shopping for my Nikon, (Im thinking that these only work with Canon?) but thanks Kundalini.

Mark

Overread · May 3, 2009

I think nikon make a similar product - but the 500D should work on a nikon lens since its a screw thread lens (like a filter) so as long as the thread is the right size it should fit (or you can use setup up/down rings as needed

Pure · May 3, 2009

In the video, it's being used on the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 so it must work on Nikon lenses...

Gaerek · May 3, 2009

Overread said:
huh? extension tubes don't affect the F stop of a lens - that is teleconverters.
Exension tubes will reduce the light entering the sensor so you will get a darker image and adjusted exposure because of that - but the f-stops of the lens remain the same.

Downside to extension tubes and diopters is that both remove your infinity focus and you can end up not able to focus more than a very short distance away - diopters like the raynox with its clip on attachment have the advantage that they are quick to take off and put back on - far quicker than it is to remove an extension tube

You're right, my bad! That's what I get for posting at the end of my day having been up early. I knew what I meant to say, but just said it wrong. Still, less light means you need a wider aperture, slower shutter or higher ISO, all of which might be undesirable for your macro shot, depending on what you are trying to do, or the conditions you're shooting in. Diopters also tend to have some distortion out towards to edges, which becomes more pronounced as you get to the edge of the frame.

Photography is all about the give and take. Everything you change, add, move, whatever, changes something else. You need to figure out what you want to do, the effect you want in the end, and what you're willing to pay for it. Like I said, a dedicated macro lens is optimal, but if you're on a budget, either diopters or extension tubes will work, just remember to keep their drawbacks in mind when shooting and compensate.

kundalini · May 3, 2009

Overread is correct. It's just a screw-on, so as long as you get the right size for your lens, it won't matter. I have B+W, Hoya and Tiffen filters and I know they don't care of the lens brand.

The most important point I wanted you to catch from what Bryan said, is to forget about the close-up filter kits.