Macro Close-Up Lens Question, Please

Bob11

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Hello,

Trying to help Grandson out.
We are both true beginners.

He just received a:

10x High Definition 2 Element Close-Up (Macro) Lens for Nikon, Canon, Sony,​

Panasonic, Fujifilm, Pentax & Olympus DSLR's (58mm)​


for his new EOS camera.

a. For this Macro Close-Up lens, what would
be a typical (initial) distance from the very front of the lens to the subject ?

b. A few words regarding the meaning of the 10X would also be appreciated.

Thanks, much appreciated,
Bob
 
Regards to (b) It appears to be a screw in filter that you attach to the front element of a suitable lens. I don't think they are specifically for macro lenses, you can attach them to any. Think of it a bit like a monocle for your lens.

 
As mentioned above this is a screw on 58mm filter, it will work on any camera/lens with 58mm threads. It's somewhat dependent on the lens, but I'm guessing the minimum focus distance with it attached will be somewhere around 4". 10X or power would mean a magnification times 10, which is somewhat misleading, because it accomplishes it by reducing the minimum focus distance making it fill the frame with the image. My personal opinion is they aren't great, because you're putting a cheap piece of glass in front of your lens. A better option would be to use Macro Extension Tubes. A decent manual set (no communication between camera and lens) runs less than $20 while a set that allows auto focus starts around $30 they go up from there.
 
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Most likely this is not a 10x lens but a 10 diopter lens. Just my guess. If so, it will be similar to a Raynox DCR-250 auxiliary lens.

It should work well on lenses with a normal focal length. Since it is 2 element, it might be apochromatic, and therefore pretty good quality.

These are auxiliary lenses and not filters, even if they look like filters. Filters remove stuff. The purpose of these lenses is not to remove anything but to modify the focal length.

And as far as use is concerned, since you have it, try it! That is the easiest.

But if you want numbers, you can go to the Raynox site and run some data. See if your lens is similar to the 250.
 
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G'day Bob

Your Q is a good one for us to chew on !

Thio has got it right (congratulations mate) in that this is an auxiliary lens and =not= a filter. This item is a lens in its own right, it has a focal length and will focus an image onto a target (film or sensor)

The beauty of auxiliary / 'close-up' lenses is that they are simple to use, inexpensive to buy (even good ones) -and- they can be used with any primary lens - including your zoom lenses (where extension tubes fail as the focus becomes impossible immediately you alter the zoom to get a better image)

I have used these 'close up' lenses for over 40 yrs, and if you use them as they are designed to be used, they are very useful. The beauty of the numbers ie: "dioptres" is that the number is a fraction of one-metre and that is the focussing distance for that piece of glass. Thus a #3 lens focuses at 1/3-metre, and your #10 lens will focus to 1/10-metre =regardless of which prime lens you attach it to=

With my zoom lenses, for many decades now I have used both the #2 and #3 close-up lenses to bring the focus much closer than the main lens can do by itself. The ability to use a zoom set to say, 300mm and with your lens now at 1/3-metre from the subject ... a flower or spider web or whatever ... is great, as if you want / need to alter the image size, the zoom will retain its focus as you alter the amount of zoom you need.

As a final thought, try to avoid buying internet cheapies as the quality is awful ... keep to the well known brands and generally expect to pay about $1 per mm of diameter for the lens

Hope this helps
Phil
 
I had a set that three diopter lenses or “filters” that I used for a few years until I got a macro lens. Perhaps not the best results but they did what I needed at the time.

As I can recall, the focal distance was maybe 4 to 6 inches with the lowest one. I don’t remember if I used the 50mm or the kit zoom.
 
Hello,

Trying to help Grandson out.
We are both true beginners.

He just received a:

10x High Definition 2 Element Close-Up (Macro) Lens for Nikon, Canon, Sony,​

Panasonic, Fujifilm, Pentax & Olympus DSLR's (58mm)​


for his new EOS camera.

a. For this Macro Close-Up lens, what would
be a typical (initial) distance from the very front of the lens to the subject ?

b. A few words regarding the meaning of the 10X would also be appreciated.

Thanks, much appreciated,
Bob
I see from your earlier post that your grandson wants to photograph pretty small items - I fear he will be disappointed with this close-up lens, even if it is an achromat. For very good image quality on a budget for magnifications from, say, 2X to 8X or so, I suggest lens coupling - explained here:


My personal favorite lens is a 25 f/1.4 Switar off a smashed-up movie camera, $2 at Goodwill, reverse-mounted on anything from 90 to 200mm, depending upon the required magnification. A decent 24 - 50mm prime lens with an aperture ring can be had second hand pretty cheap - pick up a cheap macro coupling ring and you're good to go. If you need more particulars, just ask.
 

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