Testing $25 close-up lens


Great Photos !

Can you advise how to snap only 8"-9" from the insects, without "alerting" the insect? I tried but seems tough ... :(

after cropping, your pics are still very sharp ! which camera you use? thanks in advance!
 

Great Photos !

Can you advise how to snap only 8"-9" from the insects, without "alerting" the insect? I tried but seems tough ... :(

after cropping, your pics are still very sharp ! which camera you use? thanks in advance!

Just move in slowly like the cat goes for the mouse. It is tough, you need a lot of patience.

If you are using a DSLR and low ISO, you should be able to crop up to 50% of your original picture without loosing too much detail.
 

great shots...

i am a newbie and recently i purchased the hoya close up filter +4 just for fun and to try out if macro is my thing...

i have 2 lenses

afs vr 18-55mm dx kit lens
max reproduction ratio 0.31
min focusing distance 0.28m

afs vr 55-200mm dx
max reproduction ratio 0.29m
min focusing distance 1.1m

which lens would be ideal for me to start with? can i stack 2 close up +4 filters?



any advice would be greatly appreciated
 

great shots...

i am a newbie and recently i purchased the hoya close up filter +4 just for fun and to try out if macro is my thing...

i have 2 lenses

afs vr 18-55mm dx kit lens
max reproduction ratio 0.31
min focusing distance 0.28m

afs vr 55-200mm dx
max reproduction ratio 0.29m
min focusing distance 1.1m

which lens would be ideal for me to start with? can i stack 2 close up +4 filters?



any advice would be greatly appreciated

For hand held, it's easier to start off with the 18-55mm

It's best to use a tripod if you use the 55-200mm

You can stack 2X+4 filter but the image quality will deteriorate.

Alternatively you can get the +10 filter (2 elements); see picture below

DSC08054.jpg
 

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This is taken with a HOYA +10 closeup filter

DSC00093-2.jpg
 

I use a $10 diffuser for the built-in flash; wrapped 2 sheets of packing material over the diffuser to further soften the output from the flash (see picture below).

DSC05518.jpg
 

tried the hoya close up +4 filter on my afs dx vr 18-55mm
here is the comparison

w/o
screw1.jpg

with filter
screw1filtered.jpg

w/o
screw2.jpg

with filter
screw2filtered.jpg
 

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Wasak, very good start :thumbsup:

You can use a smaller aperture e.g. F11 to get better depth of field (DOF)
 

Shot this using F11 with built-in flash.

DSC08187.jpg
 

went to cathey just now and got one. go test it if time permit. will be my first time taking macro :sweat:
 

went to cathey just now and got one. go test it if time permit. will be my first time taking macro :sweat:

alf6901, look forward to your test. Remember - practise make perfect :)
 

I like the dragonfly shots. :)
Personally, I've found the close up filters (I have the HOYA one as wel) to be 'decent' if I just want some close-up capability and traveling w/o dedicated macro gear or lenses. However, I've found that image quality can take some hit compared to other options. An extension tube (w/ auto aperture) gives better results. I now carry just a 25mm segment at all times in my bag.
 

I like the dragonfly shots. :)
Personally, I've found the close up filters (I have the HOYA one as wel) to be 'decent' if I just want some close-up capability and traveling w/o dedicated macro gear or lenses. However, I've found that image quality can take some hit compared to other options. An extension tube (w/ auto aperture) gives better results. I now carry just a 25mm segment at all times in my bag.

I agree that quality can take some hit with a closeup lens.

For $25, we cannot expect too much.

With good lighting and small aperture opening, we can get some reasonable results.

Closeup lens can give newcomers a feel of what macro is all about without bursting the bank.
 

can anyone post the images of a single item using one lens

using the following

-closeup filter +4 or +10
-extension tube
-reverse mount

so that us newbies can compare the difference?
 

Last edited:
can anyone post the images of a single item using one lens

using the following

-closeup filter +4 or +10
-extension tube
-reverse mount

so that us newbies can compare the difference?

We can only get a good comparison if someone owns all the above device and shoot the same subject under control environment.

The extension tube will probably perform better.
 

Hi,
With the +4 filter attached to the lens, how far do you need to stand before your subject to get a good shot?

Thank you. :)
 

cheap n good le:bsmilie::thumbsup:
 

Hi,
With the +4 filter attached to the lens, how far do you need to stand before your subject to get a good shot?

Thank you. :)

Working distance with +4 closeup filter attached

If you are using a 18-55mm kit lens with zoom set to 55mm, the working distance (from front of lens to subject) is approximately 7.5 CM.
 

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