Close up filters

Hi all!

Has anyone got any experience in using close up filters? Especially the single lens construction. You see I have two lenses with 72mm filters (20-35 and 28-70) and would rather not lug around another lens for the occassional macro work. I find I can get a 72mm kit with three filters for about £50 (by Kood).

I was wondering how soft the edges go, and whether this softening is better or worse when using a larger filter (i.e. 72mm as opposed to 55mm).

Thanks for your help,
Matt

Close up filters have a huge advantage in causing no light loss, but have to be well stopped down for best results. I would expect the Pentax close up filters to be better quality - I don't knoe for sure but I would expect them to be a two glass construction for better results.

However, much better quality wise will be a set of extension tubes. Disadvantage is light loss, but ther is no additional glass to affect the image. Some zoom lenses may not be very happy useed in this way, though.

Apparently fantastic close up results can be obtained by reversing the standard or a wide angle lens (using a reverse adapter) and also by using a short telephoto and attaching a wide angle in reverse on the front of it (special adapter from SRB).

My solution? Buy a second hand SMC Pentax-M 100mm f4 macro lens! Superb lens, useful for landscape work as well.....

John,

Thanks for your comments. Yes, I have tried reversing a lens - in fact with my digital camera. Have a look at the "Go Closer 1 & 2" in my flowers & plants gallery. ( http://www.pbase.com/image/16014839 and http://www.pbase.com/image/16014838 ) It's a bit tricky without a coupling adapter, holding all by hand, but does work well although you have to be astonishingly close!

My problem is really weight and space. When lugging a whole kit around it gets very difficult looking after my three little kiddies - they don't have the same appreciation for photography (yet) I was tempted by a 100mm f2.8 Tamron (which scores very well on the Photodo MTF tests), but it's the weight that gets me.

I might experiment with the two Tokinas to see if a reversing ring would work.

If anyone else has any close up lens samples, I'd love to see them

Thanks,
Matt

Hi Matt,

I don't have any samples to show but I used the screw on close up lenses in a previous job, when taking images for technical investigations of failed mechanical components. I found them easy to use and even when used in combination there was very little, if any, distortion or blurring.

I now have a 62mm set for my personal use and fine that they are light and easy compared to carting extra lenses around.

Regards
Ross

Hi Ross,

Thanks for the info

Just ordered a 72mm KOOD set, and I'll let you all know what the results are when I've got my first roll of slide through. (Probably a couple of weeks knowing my rate at the moment!)

As my camera gear is getting heavier by the month, a light solution is necessary. A macro lens is nice, but too heavy I soon won't be able to take the whole kit on the plane!!

Thanks again,
Matt

Ross, thanks for your info.

The Kood filter set is fabulous! Haven't had so much fun in ages!
The effect on my 28-70mm Tokina looks great, and even on the 20-35mm Tokina the macro is definitely useful! Distortion comes in alot at 20mm, but it opens up a whole set of possibilities.

I found another advantage of close up filters over extension tubes - you can use them with a digital camera too Until I can get some real film processed with the results, here's last night's attempts at hand held macro - http://www.pbase.com/mattmatic/close_up_filter_test - comments are more than welcome.

The world has taken on a new dimension!
I would say that if you have a smaller lens than 72mm, definitely get some macro filters. The Kood filters are not multicoated, but do the job well enough, and are certainly cost effective. ( www.SRBFilm.co.uk do the Kood sets, and www.7dayshop.com do the Soligor sets, and £18 is not much to pay for all the fun! The 72mm cost £50, which is still not bad at all.)

Anyway, enough rambling...
Matt

(It may seem that I'm talking to myself here, but I know many are reading this )

I found some very helpful formulae for calculating the magnification ratio and the like, as well as some general information regarding close up work. (Don't get scared by the maths!!)

Hope the links help...

http://www.johndesq.com/formulas/cuform.htm
(And this page too: http://www.johndesq.com/formulas/ )

A newsgroup thread on the subject:
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=001Fl7

And a general page:
http://www.nbank.net/~bpage/CloseUp.htm


Regards,
Matt