leftyD500 Loc: Ocala, Florida

Just wondering about closeup lens, and do they really work. I am not interested in macro/micro photography, but, at times, I would like to get a little closer to the subject when photographing it. Anyone use closeup lens or have knowledge about them, please respond. Thank you.

BebuLamar

They do work. They are easy to use and cheap. There is no loss of light. But they tend to produce the lowest quality images among 3 ways to do close up (close up lens, extension tube, macro lens).

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

The work, mostly. Usually not as well as a dedicated lens though. They are a less expensive alternative, especially if one is not shooting for NATGEO.
I had a set that I used on my old film SLR many years ago.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

As I so often say, what you are looking for will be well addressed by attaching a Raynox lens to your lens. The two main models are the Raynox 150, and the Raynox 250. I recommend the 150. Here it is: https://www.amazon.com/Raynox-Conversion-Compatible-Universal-Micro-Fiber/dp/B07VXY4FM9/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Raynox+150&qid=1629736961&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A8J2TF6F7O06&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzSEJYWEdOWjkwV1ZLJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDUxMDE2M0pEOE8xRVlZMzNCWiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDE0Mzk1MzFTTUdUQjhCRlRVUCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

and here is what it can do for you: https://www.flickr.com/groups/2011238@N25/ Very convenient to use. You just clip it onto the front of your lens (best for shorter focal length lenses). Use. And pocket it when not in use.
The image quality speaks for itself.

leftyD500 Loc: Ocala, Florida

I just checked it out, very impressive. However, the two lens I would use it on is 77mm's, so I don't think this would fit my lenses.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Yes, they work. They come in different diopter strengths. The higher the number the stronger the strength and the closer you get. Also the stronger, the the more image quality you loose and you also loose some focal length. They are relatively in-expensive and user friendly. +1's turn infinity into 1 meter and +2's make infinity = 19 inches. Beyond +2, IQ becomes a real concern. Some +2 and stronger use 2 optical elements and cost more but increase IQ over the simple single element versions. Canon and Nikon and Minolta have made the 2 element versions in various sizes and strengths but are getting harder to find now. Because you do loose some focal length with these, they are best used on longer focal length lenses. A +1 is probably all you need for what you want. Minolta made some +1's in 2-element version in 55mm lens fitment - but most +1's are single element. Canon's 500D's are +2 diopter 2-element. Canon does make these in 77mm for about $100 + if you can find one.
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cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

Or you can get farther away, and use a zoom lens. Works well with no extra expense.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I think you are meaning that your lens filter thread is 77mm, and so too big for the clamp sold with the lens. But actually they are easily adapted. For example a 77 to 67mm lens filter adapter. Also the lens on the Raynox screws off of the clamp, and that is threaded as well although I don't know the size.

User ID

If taking the OP at his word, about getting a little closer to his usual subjects, and not looking to explore macro work, the Raynox is obviously waaaaaay too much correction.

For “a little closer” all it takes is a +1 diopter for a normal or wide lens, or a +1/2 for an 85, 105, 135, or 200.

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The Raynox device offers +5 and +8 diopters. Thaz just toadally not right for any reasonable take on the OP’s actual wording: “a little closer”.

I’ve seen the marketing material but not seen the actual device. The published specs are enough to know it’s the wrong thing. The clip-on concept in itself is also troubling in terms of keeping everything on a common axis.

Anyone wanting to experiment with the Raynox really must buy from whoever offers a no hassle returns policy of at least 10 days.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Do you have any lens that focuses fairly close now? I don't know about Nikon gear but with Canon I have two zoom lenses that focus fairly close. My 70-300L will focus at 3 1/2 feet and my 100-400L mk2 will focus down to about 31-32 inches. And both will come close to that when I use the 1.4x extender. That can give me good "close up" shots, almost macro shots. Especially if I am using a camera with a sensor that has enough mega pixels to allow cropping.

Here is a small White Skipper Butterfly done with Canon 7DII 20mp crop sensor using the 100-400L mk2 + 1.4x (560 mm), 1/1000 @ f/11, ISO-500 hand held in sunlight. This is straight out of camera before I did anything but crop. The second image is the uncropped. Those little flowers are under 1/2". I was about 4 feet give or take from the butterfly.

If Nikon has any lens that will focus this close or almost this close you should be able to get good "close ups" without a Micro/Macro lens.

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joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

A beautiful duo

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Thank you

petrochemist Loc: UK

Close up lenses come in a range of strengths measured in diopters, where the diopter is one divided by the focal length in meters.
(A +1 lens is 1000mm, +2 is 500mm, +3 is 333mm) If diopters are combined you can simply add the diopter powers to find the power of the combination.

The focal length of the close up lens will be approximately the MAXIMUM distance you can focus to with the lens in place. This helps you select the power of the auxiliary lens you want to use.

You can get a rough idea of the magnification achievable (with the camera lens set to infinity) by dividing the focal length of the lens on the camera by the focal length of the close up lens. This can give an idea of what focal length you want to use it on - longer camera lenses give more magnification as do higher diopters. Focusing the camera lens closer will give more magnification but the formula for that is more complicated (not one I can quote from the top of my head, but it involves the minimum focus distance of the unaided lens).



The better quality ones like the Raynox models produce great quality images. Single element ones are poor quality, but most achromatic designs are very usable, often as good as extension tubes & beating most 'macro zooms' (which rarely are actually macro lenses). Needless to say the better quality ones are not the ones sold at $15 for a set...

For just getting a little closer with a telephoto prime (for butterflies etc) I generally prefer a short extension tube a 10mm tube with a 300mm lens doesn't reduce focusing distances too drastically, - focus distance WILL change dramatically if you zoom the lens so I tend not to try this with zooms!

tgreenhaw

I have some that came for free in a package and never got past the testing stage. The depth of field is incredibly shallow and the distortion around the edges is really bad. You also have to get super close to the subject so lighting and subject interference is frustrating.

The next time you purchase a zoom lens, try to get one with close focus. While pricey, the 100-400mm Canon lens I use focusses at about 3 feet and allows you to get a near macro capability without having to be on top of the subject.