bnsf

Have a problem. I am looking to take Macro photos and was thinking of use Hoya Marco filters but l was told that Vello also make a Macro filter but it mounts between the camera and lens with the same magnification as the front of camera lens. Price wise is about the same price.
What is better front mount Macro filters or lens mounted Macro filters. Will use it on a full frame 28 - 70mm lens f1.8.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

some use one, some use the other, some use both, and some buy a dedicated flat field macro lens.
For someone starting out i recommend an $80 set of Kenko auto extention tubes.
Inexpensive, retain your auto functions and offer different focusing ranges to match your interests.

bnsf

Vello has three lens tubes rated at 13mm, 20mm and 40mm. Prices around $80.00. Hoya Macro filters 1X, 2X and 4X priced around the same price. Which is better?

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

never seen either one, can't offer an opinion.
Whatever you choose, be sure the mounts are tight.
Loose mounts will flop and droop throwing off your optical alignment from shot to shot.
Auto focus is not a deal breaker but be sure they are auto iris; manually shutting down
for each shot turns macro shooting into a drudge.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

From my experience extension tubes are a better alternative to macro filters that screw on the front of your camera lens.
Most of these types of screw on filters will not give you the IQ that you will get from extension tubes.
The best solution is to get a dedicated macro lens for your camera.
I have been shooting macro photos for a while, and as far as I am concerned the screw on filters are a waste of time and money, but that is just my opinion.

will

agillot

quality dioper ??lenses set work fine , tubes also , or even lens in reverse [ 50mm ]

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Google the subject there are studies on this with this question. Also go to search at top of the UHH page and search Extension Tubes. This is a subject well discussed... self education is the way to go... scientific like studies vs opining UHH members.... no offense meant... like global warming with tons of scientific info vs your Aunt Sally's left knee ache.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

extension tubes mount between your lens and the body. Close up filters go on the end of the lens. My choice in order of quality would be, micro lens, extension tubes, filters.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I use macro lenses also will add extension tubes for closer focusing and if I am traveling with weight contracts I use a Canon 500D Macro filter on the end of a 70-200 lens The canon filter is a high quality double lens filter

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

The macro filters (actually lenses) that fit over the front of your lens come in two varieties, single & dual diopters. The single are cheap, usually sold in sets of 3 or more & are only OK in the center of the image with CA, distortion & other issues as you go to the edges. Then you have the dual diopter. They render better IQ across the frame but are sold individually & are much more expensive. Both types have minimal effect on exposure. Extension tubes (hollow rings that fit between the camera & lens , are only as good IQ as the lens they are used with. They will reduce the light entering the lens, thus lengthening the exposure time or increasing the aperture opening to allow more light for proper exposure. There are units , like vello & Kenko, that have electrical contacts to allow communication between the lens & the camera & then there are units without those contacts that have to be used manually. Needless to say, the units without the contacts are a lot less expensive. Both types of macro captures using these units require that you add/subtract pieces in order to change the magnification ratio. Neither are flat field (meaning they will not be as sharp at the edges of the frame as they are in the center). I have both types but rarely use them as I also own 9 different true macro lenses. You don't indicate what camera you use & that must be a typo on the lens you want to use it with as I know of no 24-70 F1.8 lens. Sure it isn't a 2.8 ?

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Lens tubes do not play well with zoom lenses ! - front mounted close up lenses play better ! - Get the Canon 500D and/or 250D close up lenses - expensive but worth it.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Macro lenses are best for macrophotography. These lenses are generally very sharp and have flat fields. They are good for copy work. Other lenses have barrel and pin cushion distortion that may sometimes be important. Extension tubes are very good as they do not subtract from the lens quality. Indeed extension tubes can can be used with a macro lens even more magnification. Any lenses that are added subtract from from the overall lens quality. TeleConverters can be used with limited success. (They must be compatible with your lens) Screw on close up lenses work ok but do reduce quality. For very high magnifications a macrolens, extension tubes and closeup lenses can be used. A wide angle to telephoto zoom is not a great candidate for macro work. A 50 - 100mm (perhaps a bit more) fixed focal length lens would likely be a better candidate in absence of a macro lens. Wide angle macro can be an interesting challenge. There are no perfect lenses for this.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Would you explain why not? For 35mm closeup work in the field, about all I use is a zoom lens and extension tubes.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Using extension tubes with zoom lenses can drive you nuts in my experience.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Buy or rent a real macro lens. If you need true macro-focusing ability (for 1:1 to 10:1 reproduction ratios --- life size to 10x life size), add a bellows or extension tubes between lens and camera body.