Using close up lenses

bendog · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2006, 10:03 PM

Does anyone know how to use these? I have a Macro lens, +1, +2 and +4. These are for my Pentax *ist DL2

eeyore · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendog

Does anyone know how to use these? I have a Macro lens, +1, +2 and +4. These are for my Pentax *ist DL2

basically they screw on your filter thread and reduce the minimum focus distance of your lense - you can also stack em for greater magnification but i wouldnt recomend stacking more than two as you will degrade the image quality and might get vignetting. For the latter reason also if you have a uv filter on the front of the lens take it off before putting the close ups on.

Gwenhwyfar · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2006, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendog

Does anyone know how to use these? I have a Macro lens, +1, +2 and +4. These are for my Pentax *ist DL2

Hi I was intereted to see that you are using these, whilst saving up for a macro lens, someone has lent me a set of these and was wondering how you are getting on with them.

I find them frustrating, +1 & +2 seem fine but not close enough - +4 has a ghosting and blur I can't get rid off & as for the Macro - i'm yet to see anything through it!

eeyore · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 07:20 PM

i used to use a +10 when i was first getting into photography and it was great - well i thought that at the time , until i picked up a second hand sigma macro 1:2 lense for £50 - after that the close up filters just didnt cut it

another thing you might like to try would be getting a reversing ring and using it to flip a second hand 50mm f1.8 lens onto the front of yours - essentially this will act as a very high quality close up filter and such leneses are very cheap second hand , i got a carl zeiss for 15 note off ebay. Lense mount isnt important as you are mounting it backwards and it is best to get a manual lense so you can crank it right open.

Gwenhwyfar · #5 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 07:37 PM

Many thanks for the info eeyore.
I'm not that great on all the technical stuff, so will go away and look up all the stuff you mentioned

I'm gonna hold out for the lens I'm after - just going to have to be patient.

eeyore · #6 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 10:39 PM

if you can find it Paul harcourt davies wrote a really good book on macro called "small things big" http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...lance&n=266239 Arround 14 notes on amazon