help needed on closeup lens (canon)

[MaGixShOe]

Sgt. Pepper: i find that the 70-200 plus ext tube didnt give me enough magnification for closeups lor, and may be personal opinion, i find that my 85mm plus ext tube can give me slightly bigger magnification and slightly sharper image. And it seems that with an ext tube, the magnification at 70mm and 200mm is about the same? unsure of this also.

hwchoy: the sample u posted looks fine to me


Anyway i did a very rough test using the 70-200 F4L and 85mm F1.8 with ext tube and the Sigma 180mm marco.

Settings are ISO 400, 1/100, F8.0, MLU, Tripod mounted, Bounce flash, crop from 100% w/o sharpening

For the 70-200 and 85mm shots, they are taken at Max. magnification, the 180mm shot is just for show its about 1:1.15 life size

70-200
http://magixshoe.clubsnap.org/gallery/albums/album03/Canon_EF_70_200_F4L_70mm_ext_tube.jpg

85mm
http://magixshoe.clubsnap.org/gallery/albums/album03/Canon_EF_85mm_F1_8_ext_tube.jpg

Sigma 180mm macro
http://magixshoe.clubsnap.org/gallery/albums/album03/Sigma_180mm_macro.jpg

 

[sumball]

Hi,

Can I just ask a "stupid" question here? Could you tell me what's the difference among closeup filter +1, +2, +3 or +4? I think it is the degree how u can zoom in more right? In that case, will a +4 will do, why must we still need those +1, +2, +3? If there are reasons for using them, could someone advise me, when do I need them?

A stupidquestion from a newbie... :dunno: :embrass:

Thanks!

 

[azone]

Hi,

Can I just ask a "stupid" question here? Could you tell me what's the difference among closeup filter +1, +2, +3 or +4? I think it is the degree how u can zoom in more right? In that case, will a +4 will do, why must we still need those +1, +2, +3? If there are reasons for using them, could someone advise me, when do I need them?

A stupidquestion from a newbie... :dunno: :embrass:

Thanks!

The +1, +2, etc is the dioptre rating, which is also the magnification power rating. A +2 has a focusing distance of 50cm, so the maginification is this big. A +4 gives a shorter focusing distance (approx 25cm), which in terms produces higher magnification. Try moving your eyes closing to the monitor now, does these text looks bigger to you?

Question on why I need to use +2 or +3 when I can just use +4 coz it gives higher magnification. Reason is I may require a longer working distance (more than 25cm) if I'm taking lets say butterflies (not tiny types). A +2, which focuses at 50cm is more practical in this case.

 

[hwchoy]

hwchoy: the sample u posted looks fine to me

Oh I was comparing with people using 300D and D60 with Macro USM lenses, I supposed it's not a fair comparison

As for CA, I'm not even sure if it is introduced by the close-up or inherent in the G5, but I try to use Photoshop CS RAW to correct for it.

 

[sumball]

The +1, +2, etc is the dioptre rating, which is also the magnification power rating. A +2 has a focusing distance of 50cm, so the maginification is this big. A +4 gives a shorter focusing distance (approx 25cm), which in terms produces higher magnification. Try moving your eyes closing to the monitor now, does these text looks bigger to you?

Question on why I need to use +2 or +3 when I can just use +4 coz it gives higher magnification. Reason is I may require a longer working distance (more than 25cm) if I'm taking lets say butterflies (not tiny types). A +2, which focuses at 50cm is more practical in this case.

Thanks azone. You just enlightened me. :gbounce:

What lens do u recommend me to take focus? I am considering of getting the Sigma 70-300mm APO macro lens. Will this suit me as a newbie? :think: I am currently using a 300D and 88.

Thanks a lot.

 

[sumball]

Oh I was comparing with people using 300D and D60 with Macro USM lenses, I supposed it's not a fair comparison

As for CA, I'm not even sure if it is introduced by the close-up or inherent in the G5, but I try to use Photoshop CS RAW to correct for it.

Hi Choy,

care to tell me what CA means?

Thanks!

 

[hwchoy]

CA = chromatic aberration, manifesting as coloured fringes in areas of high contrast and near edges of the lens. Photoshop CS RAW plug-in has options to correct for CA.

 

[azone]

Thanks azone. You just enlightened me. :gbounce:

What lens do u recommend me to take focus? I am considering of getting the Sigma 70-300mm APO macro lens. Will this suit me as a newbie? :think: I am currently using a 300D and 88.

Thanks a lot.

I'm not sure how this lens fare. Maybe can ask those who owns this lens for comments. :embrass:

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Sgt. Pepper: i find that the 70-200 plus ext tube didnt give me enough magnification for closeups lor, and may be personal opinion, i find that my 85mm plus ext tube can give me slightly bigger magnification and slightly sharper image. And it seems that with an ext tube, the magnification at 70mm and 200mm is about the same? unsure of this also.

You shoudn't be using extension tube if you want 'high' magnification.
Ext tube is just a light-sucking device that will slightly decrease you min focusing distance.

You're right, the magnification at 70mm is just slightly higher than 200mm. Your 85mm f/1.8 has a higher magnification than the 70-200mm f4L when combined with ext tube because it's min focusing distance is .85m while the other is 1.2m (without any attachment).

 

[MaGixShOe]

You shoudn't be using extension tube if you want 'high' magnification.
Ext tube is just a light-sucking device that will slightly decrease you min focusing distance.

You're right, the magnification at 70mm is just slightly higher than 200mm. Your 85mm f/1.8 has a higher magnification than the 70-200mm f4L when combined with ext tube because it's min focusing distance is .85m while the other is 1.2m (without any attachment).

Having a closer focusing distance makes the subject bigger since u can go closer to it... rite?

 

[_Ling_]

May i ask if there's any difference between macro lens & close-up filter? or are they just different terms used?
Seems like macro lens produce better quality macro shots & is more expensive than close-up filter, but what makes the difference as in technically?

 

[MaGixShOe]

May i ask if there's any difference between macro lens & close-up filter? or are they just different terms used?
Seems like macro lens produce better quality macro shots & is more expensive than close-up filter, but what makes the difference as in technically?

able to focus from very close distance to infinity, no CA problem, edge to edge sharpness.
macro lens is a lens by itself, close-up filter is just like a piece of magnifying glass, need to attach onto another lens.

 

[keithjhee]

thanks to all who have posted valuable tips and advices. It time to go and and shoot!

 

[keithjhee]

sorting out loose ends..thread is closed..tks to all advises