UKC

I'm thinking of picking up a close-up lens for my Nikon 70-210 f4. I've looked into the Nikon 5/6T, but they're really hard to come by in the UK and going for silly money... As an alternative, I have found some achromatic (doublet) lenses from Marumi that are available for a more reasonable price, if you're prepared to order from abroad.

They come in two flavours, +3 and +5 diopter. This means that the lowest gives an approximate magnification equivalent to the 6T. If I was to go with one of these lenses, what sort of working distance/magnification can I expect? The 70-210 gives about 1:4 magnification, at its closest focus (~1ft) and longest end. Will this get me close to 1:1?

I know there are other options which may give me better performance, but macro is not my main interest. However, I would like to have a play without having to lug around loads more gear.

Many thanks,

James

In reply to orge:

Do you have a prime lens of 50mm (or less) focal length? If so, a reversing ring may be a good bet.

In reply to orge:
I occasionally use a Pentax one on the Nikon. It's superb, i would use 'any' of the main makes not just Nikon, they are all excellent.

Hmm... I do have a 35mm f2.0, so a reversing might not be such a bad idea (and would save me a bit of case)... However, the close up lens appealed because it did not necessitate a lens change and the 70-210 is reasonably versatile for "walking"/outdoors. Presumably, this would also give me a greater working distance?

Thanks,

J

In reply to orge:

you could get a 55mm macro? they're pretty cheap and the image quailty will far exceed slapping a close up lens on the front of a zoom.

In reply to orge:

But those close-up adapters about about useless... Might work with a P&S, but the quality is awful for those that are used to work with dSLRs...

Either reverse ring, or a real macro-lens...

In reply to orge:

Ah right, sorry, I had not grasped that working distance was an issue. I've never really tried macro with anything other than extension tubes, a dedicated 50mm or 55mm macro lens, or a reversing ring (with 28, 45, 50 or 55mm primes) - all of which have very short working distances to get 1:1.
A 35mm prime on a reversing ring will have a very short working distance.

In reply to orge

The 18-200 is probably close enough. Focuses to 50cm from the image plane but its a foot (well 25cm) long when extended http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/2769957701_d60ce4fcaa.jpg?v=0. Not worth getting a macro lens when you can do that with the same lens use for everythg else.
p

Thanks for the replies!

People seem to have had bad experiences with close up lenses. Is this still the case with the more expensive doublets? As far as i can understand, there are distinctly two types of close up lens and the cheaper single element versions produce far worse distortion and chromatic aberrations:
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/68725

Of course, I don't want to plug cash into something which is going to be useless, but I would accept some limitations vs. a dedicated lens to get my foot in the door. The 55m ais is an interesting option, but this only takes me to 1:2 and I can already get to 1:3.9 with my 70-210 (this is better than the 18-200). If all close up lenses really are a waste of time, the reversing ring option is probably the way to go for now...

Thanks,

J

In reply to orge: I have just bought a series 1 vivitar 105mm macro lens for my nikon for £70, I will let you know how good it is once I have used it

In reply to orge:

I started out with a reversing ring and then moved on to extension tubes both work well (more so the tubes IMO). However you’ll loose automatic aperture and focusing control. Use only with a lens that has manual control over both these functions.

As im doing a lot more macro photography and so getting myself a dedicated 1:1 macro lens as you can’t beat the usability and quality.