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Canon Close-up Lens Question
Aug 29, 2016 13:43:42   #
clixpix Loc: Surprise, Arizona
 
I have the 500T version of the lens. I cannot find it on the Canon web site or by calling Canon CPS. All I see Canon offering is the 500D and no mention of either the 500T or the 250T. My question is: are these older T series lenses the two element type? They work very well for me on my 100-300 zoom lenses for close-up photos. I have both the 500T and the 250T for about 20 years. Any information will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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Aug 29, 2016 15:16:19   #
rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
 
I know nothing about the 500T but I do own a 500D and it has dual elements. The 500D is designed to be used on lenses with a focal length between 70 and 300.

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Aug 29, 2016 15:23:18   #
Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.
 
clixpix wrote:
I have the 500T version of the lens. I cannot find it on the Canon web site or by calling Canon CPS. All I see Canon offering is the 500D and no mention of either the 500T or the 250T. My question is: are these older T series lenses the two element type? They work very well for me on my 100-300 zoom lenses for close-up photos. I have both the 500T and the 250T for about 20 years. Any information will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.


A Google search doesn't turn up much info about the older Canon close up lenses, I believe they did once make single element versions. I would think it highly likely that they are not the double optic type, unfortunately. The 250D and 500D do turn up on ebay at affordable prices now and then if you are patient. Quality is very good.

Good luck

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Aug 29, 2016 15:24:29   #
DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area
 
Try this:
http://bobatkins.com/photography/eosfaq/closeup2.htm

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Aug 29, 2016 16:52:43   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
I've only been shooting with Canon gear for 15 years (although I have a number of the vintage FL/FD lenses and cameras in my collection)...

Never heard of 250T or 500T close-up lenses. Presumably those are just earlier versions of the current 250D and 500D diopters available today. I have the 500D (the weaker of the two, designed for 135mm and longer lenses) in 77mm size for use on my 70-200/2.8 and 300/4 lenses. Canon also offers a cheaper single-element "500", I believe.

"500" and "250" apparently refer to the change to infinity focus. In other words, with the close-up lens attached a lens can no longer focus to infinity, but only to 500mm (or cm?). Thus the 250 is the stronger of the two.

The 250D is supposed to be designed for use on shorter telephotos, under 135mm.

The 250D comes in one or two diameters smaller than the 500D. I know the 250D can be bought in 52mm, while the 500D can't. The opposite is true in larger sizes. 250D is not made in 72mm and 77mm diameters, for example.

AFAIK, neither 250D nor 500D is available in either 62mm or 67mm diameter, which are becoming increasingly common filter thread sizes on Canon lenses. For example, the EF 100/2.8 USM macro lens uses 58mm size (so can be fitted with either 250D or 500D, which are both available in that size. However, the 100/2.8L IS USM macro lens uses 67mm filters, so there is no 250D or 500D that can be used with it. Neither is available in 82mm or larger diameter, either. I suppose you could use step rings, if you had to.

Personally I prefer to use macro extension tubes instead, whenever possible. I just think image quality tends to be better than when add'l optics are stuck in front of a lens.

Nikon also has offered some excellent close-up lenses over the years.... I'm not familiar with their designations, but it seems a wider variety of strengths and diameter than Canon offers.

There's a good article about the Canon close-up lenses on their European website... doesn't talk about the "T" specifically, but presumably they would be similar to the "D" type that are discussed in detail. Link: http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/infobank/lenses/close-up_lenses.do

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Aug 29, 2016 17:36:44   #
clixpix Loc: Surprise, Arizona
 
Thanks for the responses on my close up lens question. The information on the links suggested was very helpful and provided an answer to my question. UHH comes through again. Fantastic site!!!

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Aug 30, 2016 06:49:20   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
clixpix wrote:
I have the 500T version of the lens. I cannot find it on the Canon web site or by calling Canon CPS. All I see Canon offering is the 500D and no mention of either the 500T or the 250T. My question is: are these older T series lenses the two element type? They work very well for me on my 100-300 zoom lenses for close-up photos. I have both the 500T and the 250T for about 20 years. Any information will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.


Nothing much online about this.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800683897-USE/canon_c543234_58mm_500t_close_up_lens.html

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Aug 30, 2016 14:42:33   #
BBurns Loc: South Bay, California
 
clixpix wrote:
I have the 500T version of the lens.........Any information will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I have all of the sales data catalogs from about 1980-1993. They list an even older series that have no letter designation at all, but no details. Here is an excerpt from Bob Atkins:

"Q: Can you tell me the difference among the following: the 250D; 450; 500; 500D and 500T?

A: First, the name of the close-up lens indicates its maximum working distance* in millimeters. So, a 250D close-up lens is much stronger than a 500D close-up lens, for instance. The 250D series is typically used with lens focal lengths from about 28mm to about 135mm; the 450 and 500 series are typically used with lenses from about 75mm to 300mm.

(*Working distance = distance between front of lens and subject, as opposed to focusing distance, which is the distance between the focal plane and the subject.)

Next, there have been 2 generations of close-up lenses in Canon's line: the first series was brought out in the '70s and included the 240, 450 and 500T. These CU lenses are no longer being made, so whatever stock is available is relatively old and can no longer be ordered from Canon Inc. in Japan. (In fact, we've taken all the 450's out of our catalog, and the only 240 remaining is the 52mm.) The current line includes the 250D, 500 and 500D lenses. These were introduced in 1994 and will remain in our line for the foreseeable future.

Some of Canon's Close-up Lenses are single element (all of the 500 series and the 58mm CU450), but most are double element (240 series, 250D, 500D and 500T). The single element lenses are priced for economy and provide reasonable value, but the double element lenses are clearly better in quality."

Source

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