Macro & close up lens

stephenbruno

I purchased an B+W BWCU462 62 mm Close-up NL +4 Glass Lens which just arrived, for my D-80 and Nikon 105 VR micro lens. I tried it on the macro with varing results. I am wondering if I purchased the wrong close up lens? Or if I needed it after all or even if I should have purchased an extension tube (which one?).
Thanks,
Stephen

claudermilk

I've been doing research on this lately. For whatever reason the macro bug bit recently. It looks like the Kenko extension tube set is the way to go to get started. I've even discovered a bunch on ebay for about half of what B&H wants for them--with vendors pushing 14k feedback at 100% positive. :wow

From the examples I've seen using only the Kenko tubes on such humble lenses as the 50/1.8 (Canon's version) I am planning on trying that first. Then maybe looking at Canon's 500D diopter lens--though a true macro lens might be money better spent at that point.

greenpea

stephenbruno wrote:

I purchased an B+W BWCU462 62 mm Close-up NL +4 Glass Lens which just arrived, for my D-80 and Nikon 105 VR micro lens. I tried it on the macro with varing results. I am wondering if I purchased the wrong close up lens? Or if I needed it after all or even if I should have purchased an extension tube (which one?).
Thanks,
Stephen

I have a similar set up and I've been more than happy with the results.

Just remember, with a closeup lens or extension tubes, you should be focussing manually, and probably on a tripod.

Nikon D70 + Nikon 105 Macro + Nikon T4 closeup lens:



Check out the book "Close Up Photography in Nature" by Tim Fitzharris. He goes over a lot of the possible equiptment configurations for closeup photography and why you would want to use one configuration over another.

Eric&Susan

I just got the set of Kenko tubes yesterday. I use to have a sigma 105 macro but didn't use it enough to justify keeping it. I still wanted to be able to get closeup pics so I figured the tubes would be an inexpensive alternative. I've only had them one day and already I like them.

I use them on my 24-105. I zoom out to 105 and that gets me a workable distance.

These aren't the best pic but for handheld in the wind I'll take it:

Without tube:



With all three tubes:



Not true macro but good enough for me.

Eric

claudermilk

Hmm, all three tubs at 105mm. Makes me wonder what it would be at 200mm? Then slap a 1.4 TC on there... AUGH! STOP IT! It's getting harder and harder to resist buying those Kenko tubes. :help

Jekyll & Hyde

stephenbruno wrote:

I tried it on the macro with varing results. I am wondering if I purchased the wrong close up lens?

J: I bought a B+W (+10d) Close Up lens for my Sony F717, and found it was horrible. The lens design was all wrong. It was a big mismatch.

H: The Nikon, Canon, Oly, Sony etc 2-element Close Up lenses should match up very well with your 105 Micro. Image quality remains pretty high. And you don't lose any light (vs. Extension Tubes).

J: I've used the Nikon 6T (+3d), Canon 250D (+4d), and the 3-element Raynox DCR-250 (+8d) on my Canon 100/2.8 macro. Been very happy with the results.

H: The Raynox turns even the "lowly" 50/1.8 into a star macro performer...











J: I would return the B+W hastily, and pick up one of the above mentioned lenses.

H: And/or an extension tube set.

J&H

stephenbruno

Info
Thanks everyone!!!

Jekyll & Hyde wrote:

J: I bought a B+W (+10d) Close Up lens for my Sony F717, and found it was horrible. The lens design was all wrong. It was a big mismatch.

H: The Nikon, Canon, Oly, Sony etc 2-element Close Up lenses should match up very well with your 105 Micro. Image quality remains pretty high. And you don't lose any light (vs. Extension Tubes).

J: I've used the Nikon 6T (+3d), Canon 250D (+4d), and the 3-element Raynox DCR-250 (+8d) on my Canon 100/2.8 macro. Been very happy with the results.

H: The Raynox turns even the "lowly" 50/1.8 into a star macro performer...











J: I would return the B+W hastily, and pick up one of the above mentioned lenses.

H: And/or an extension tube set.

J&H