Closeup lens (Page 2): What, no bellows? No enlarging lens? No reverse thread adapter? Hmm . . .

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

BebuLamar wrote:

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).

What, no bellows? No enlarging lens? No reverse thread adapter? Hmm . . .

petrochemist Loc: UK

User ID wrote:

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”.

Not quite the DCR 150 is +4.8 meaning it will focus out to just over 200mm. With several of my lenses focus range with the DCR150 overlaps with the focus range without. the easy clip on design also means it's very quick to switch between the 2 set-ups.
Yes it can be somewhat drastic on the wrong lens but on a standard kit zoom it's not that big a step between with & without.

I do find the more powerful DCR250 more of a pain to use & have never bothered with their MSN models (+25 & +33 IIRC) which are extremely powerful.

petrochemist Loc: UK

Gene51 wrote:

What, no bellows? No enlarging lens? No reverse thread adapter? Hmm . . .

Some nice options, but don't forget microscope objectives & microfiche lenses they often offer higher resolution :)

Helicoids tens to make a more robust option than bellows, and if adapting lenses can allow normal focus at their shortest & give a second focus ring to get the photographer that little bit closer - perhaps another solution for the OP...

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

jradose wrote:

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.

They are inexpensive. They also have an extremely shallow depth of field. You should stop down when using them. Try a +3 to +5 to start. As you get toward a +10 that shallow depth of field comes more into play.
They are fun and it is a good way to inexpensively start on your close up journey.
If you shoot Nikon with a Non Z camera, you should look into a great Nikon 60 mm D macro lens, you can get them at a good price off ebay.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1311&_nkw=nikon+af+micro-nikkor+60mm+f%2F2.8d+lens&_sacat=0

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

imagemeister wrote:

Yes, they work. They come in different diopter str... (show quote)

"Canon's 500D's are +2 diopter 2-element. Canon does make these in 77mm for about $100 + if you can find one."

I Love my Canon 500D lens and use it for flowers and other detailed work.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=Canon+77mm+500D+Close-up+Lens&_sacat=0
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

Edit: I use my Canon 500D lens on a Canon 28-300mm Zoom lens.

Grey Ghost

jradose wrote:

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.

It’s probably fair to say that if the results meet your expectation then they work for you!

BebuLamar

Gene51 wrote:

What, no bellows? No enlarging lens? No reverse thread adapter? Hmm . . .

Bellow and enlarging lens is my way of doing close up but I won't tell anyone.
Now I do not mount my enlarging lens in reverse but do you think I would get better sharpness if I do?

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

BebuLamar wrote:

Bellow and enlarging lens is my way of doing close up but I won't tell anyone.
Now I do not mount my enlarging lens in reverse but do you think I would get better sharpness if I do?

Maybe a subject for a separate OP - AFAIK, it would depend on the reproduction ratio and the element structure of the particular enlarging lens. There are some guidelines on the net - if you dig deep enough .....This consideration is usually reserved for ratios greater than 1:1.
.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

They’re a decent cost effective alternative to other techniques. Get the more spendy aspherical kind. They are sharp in the middle where most macro subjects are and their quality falls off at the edges. So I’ve been told. I have no experience with them myself.

Canisdirus

Pick your favorite lens... a 50mm is a great candidate..light and sharp.
Buy a reversing ring for that lens.
Boom...instant closeup capability.
Cheap...easy...works.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I have several lenses that can be used for macro work. They are quite good and the results are excellent. I hope that is what you are inquiring about that sort of lens.
--Bob

jradose wrote:

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.

User ID

petrochemist wrote:

Not quite the DCR 150 is +4.8 meaning it will focu... (show quote)

As I stated, the Raynox is way too much correction if indeed the goal is getting just “a little closer”.

The difference between +5 dioptres and +1 or +1/2 dioptres is analogous to the difference between mild reading glasses and a jewelers inspection loupe.

Acoarst I could have misunderstood the OP but I really believe he described his need as just the reading glasses and not the inspection loupe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Getting slightly geeky for a moment, the Raynox is some sort of multi element well corrected optic. At +5 or +8 thaz really important. But (!) the weaker the dioptre lens, the less it degrades the IQ of the primary lens. So at only +1 or +1/2, a single element dioptre lens is harmless if you stop down two stops or more (as is usually needed for DoF anyway).

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

jradose wrote:

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.

If you do this, I would recommend you get a good two element lens. I think Canon makes them in two sizes. You may need to get an inexpensive step up or step down ring to fit whatever lens you put it on. They are expensive enough tho that you might be able to get a good used dedicated macro lens instead for the same price.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

jradose wrote:

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.

I presume you are referring to the ones that look like filters and screw to the front of a lens. If so, the single element ones, usually sold in sets of three are pretty close to abysmal. There used to be two element ones which produced much better images. I have a couple which were made by Minolta back when they existed as a corporate entity, and I believe Nikon makes, or made them as well. They aren't cheap, but are far less expensive than a dedicated close up lens.

This link will explain a bit better and mentions that Canon still produces them. I think possibly Hoya makes them too. https://digital-photography-school.com/getting-up-close-with-close-up-lenses/

ecurb Loc: Metro Chicago Area

jradose wrote:

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.

Close up lenses/filters are a cheap and simple way to get closer. I made thousands of Kodachrome slides for university lectures using close up lenses to copy books and artwork with a Nikon and 50mm lens.