Question about close-up filters

[closeupfanatic]

"I would go for extension tubes before close-up lenses ... A reversal ring would also be a better option."

Both of these are true with simple primes, but not with retrofocus wideangle lenses unless they were designed for it (the Nikon 20mm f/3.5 I have was designed for reversal; my 55mm f/2.8 macro was designed for an extension tube). Most zooms have elaborate retrofocus optics that will be poorly corrected with an extension tube. Many also have such a large front element that you'll get vignetting problems by reversing them.

Given the lenses mentioned by the original poster, I would expect a closeup lens of quality matching his lenses to give better results.

 

[closeupfanatic]

I've just run some tests with the 24-70 and my old 70-180 macro with an extension bellows. I had the limitation that the 24-70 runs wide open with them, so I did the same with the 70-180 for comparison. Also, the minimum extension of my bellows is 55 mm.

The results: the IQ of the 24-70 over 55-190 mm extension is so bad you won't consider it for a second - very bad field curvature. The 70-180 manages well, being limited only by accuracy in manual focussing and the poor viewfinder of the D700 for this.

Unfortunately, the 70-180 is the old motor-in-the-camera style, and won't work with the Kenko rings, which are, as far as I can tell from the literature, only good for motor-in-the-lens auto operation. So, I'll be checking out close-up lenses for it.

 

[Vertigon]

"I am using this filter on my 105VR micro."

Thanks for posting that, I always wondered what the raynox would do with this lens. I have a 105 VR too and was wondering if an extension tube might be better?

 

[closeupfanatic]

I located a store with the Kenco rings and they DO work with my old 70-180, perfectly! Needless to say, I bought one. It's great to have 1.5x life size with no extra glass in the way.

 

[Vertigon]

Thanks for that, I had a quick look on ebay and the prices really vary.