?: Close up lens filter for Nikkor

[greyhoundrick]

Hello everyone,

Nice to be with you here on Cambridge in Colour.

I have a Nikkor 200mm f/4 D IF Micro lens and would like to get closer than the 1:1 limit of this lens.

Ive looked at extension tubes, TCs and Close up lens filters and am wondering what your opinion is of the Nikon 5T and 6T lens filters.

They are pretty pricey and must be purchased used, but it seems like they are very good in terms of Image Quality.

Have you ever used either of these and what is your opinion, in general, of this type of magnification method?

Thanks so much for your time and best to you,

Rick

[Black Pearl]

Your best bet is an extension tube or set of tubes. No loss in quality, inexpensive if you don't buy Nikon (which you don't need to) and you keep full automation should you want it.

[bje07]

Your best bet is an extension tube or set of tubes. No loss in quality, inexpensive if you don't buy Nikon (which you don't need to) and you keep full automation should you want it.

+1

[DanK]

A standard is the Kenko set, which gives you 12, 29, and 36mm tubes that can be stacked in any combination. However, keep in mind that the longer the focal length of the lens, the less the boost in magnification from any given length of extension.

[greyhoundrick]

Thanks very much Robin, Jean and Dan. Appreciate it!

Can anyone tell me how to "like" a post? I can't seem to find out how to do that

[William W]

. . . Can anyone tell me how to "like" a post? I can't seem to find out how to do that

Hover your mouse pointer over [Thumbs Up] Icon located LH end of Bar under the Post you want to "like" and then click. Just like I did for your Post #5.

What specifically do you want to Photograph at greater than 1:1?

What other lenses do you have?

WW

[greyhoundrick]

Thank you Bill!

I tried to click on the "thumbs up" button but no luck. Maybe it doesn't like Safari (?)

I wanted the extra magnification for insects, but I'm sure if I get a body with more MP it will be fine.

I have a 24-70, 70-200, 85 prime & 50 prime. How about yourself?

thanks again,

Rick

[William W]

. . . I tried to click on the "thumbs up" button but no luck. Maybe it doesn't like Safari (?)

Maybe Safari is the issue. It works with both IE and Firefox - I just did it again to test IE.


***

I wanted the extra magnification for insects, but I'm sure if I get a body with more MP it will be fine. I have a 24-70, 70-200, 85 prime & 50 prime.

If you buy the Kenko set of three tubes, you might find although the Working Distance will be closer, that the 50mm Prime might be easier to manage with all three tubes stacked together. A 200mm Lens has a lot more mass than a 50mm. With three or two tubes added to a 200mm lens, the rig can be cumbersome - even just the longest Tube (36mm) on the 200mm lens can be "big" depending on how you set it up.

BTW I concur with Black Pearl (Robin's) advice - you would be far better using Extension Tubes on your Nikkor 200mm than any "front of lens" optical attachments, no matter how fine is the optical quality of those attachments.

How about yourself?

For clarity, just in case there is any misinterpretation by anyone - the reason for my asking what other lenses you had was to advise as per above and was neither curiosity nor being nosey: I am not a gear-head nor do I engage in forum users' gear comparatives. (I find it quite silly those forums which encourage one to list all one's gear as part of the sign-off at the bottom of each post - as if it is a ranking of sorts)

That clarified, I moved from Nikon (film) a while ago and I use Canon 135 Format DSLRs. I run a dual format DSLR kit (APS-C and 135 Format). I have the three key F/2.8 zooms (16-35; 24-70; 70 -200) and a range of Prime Lenses. I like using Prime Lenses more than Zooms, but that doesn't mean that I think Prime Lenses are better or their users superior. I have other cameras too; Digital and Film - my favourite at the moment being my Fuji x100s, which I currently use as my Avatar. A background is in my "About Me" here at CiC.

Welcome to CiC.

WW

[proseak]

Many years ago, I came accross the idea of a coupling ring. This worked by mounting a telephoto on the camera, and adding a wideangle, front element to front element.

Even then the IQ was high, with the quality of the WA being the most important factor.

Here's an url - http://extreme-macro.co.uk/coupled-reverse-lens/

[greyhoundrick]

Great stuff Bill and Peter! Thank you!

[rpcrowe]

Here are a couple of thoughts, not necessarily in any order of importance...

1. Adding an extension tube or combination of more than one extension tube allows a greater subject to image size ratio. The downside to that greater ratio is that you need to get closer (just how much closer depends on the total extension length of your tubes + the focal length of the lens you are using). This could be problematical when working with skittish creepie-crawlies. Another drawback could be that you do not have infinite focus capability when using a tube or tubes. Your focus range is from x as the closest focus to y as the furthest away from your subject that your combination will focus. That is sometimes a PITA...

2. Using a closeup filter is the easiest way to modify your focusing capability in order to be able to focus at a closer distance (achieving a larger image ratio). The downsides of the closeup filter is working at a closer distance and there "could be" a deterioration of IQ. Just how much depends on the quality of the closeup filter. Canon produces two very good quality closeup filters the 250D and the 500D. These screw into the front of a lens just like a normal filter and allow closer focusing. They are not inexpensive! A 77mm (you buy them sized for the lens filter threads) costs $149 (all prices in U.S. Dollars) from B&H in New York City. Smaller size 500D filters are less expensive. You can buy less expensive closeup filters such as a 4-filter set distributed by Vivitar which costs $14.95 from B&H. I have no idea about the quality of these cheaper filters but when buying photographic optics, you usually get what you pay for

3. One way to increase the focal length of your lens would be to add a teleconverter. The converters for Nikkor lenses are 1.5x which would increase your lens to 300mm but, allow the same minimum focus distance. However, you would lose 1-stop of light when using the TC. There are other companies that distribute teleconverters which can be used on Nikon cameras and lenses. I don't know about their quality. There are 2x converters but, you lose a lot of light and usually lose quite a bit of image quality. There is another factor which I as a Canon user must consider: all Canon lenses are not compatible with teleconverters. I don't know if Nikon users need to worry about that.

4. Mounting a lens in reverse on the front of an existing lens is an inexpensive way to get great magnification. However, you really need to get close to your subject when working in this way...

[Mike Buckley]

I wonder if the inability of the OP to "like" a post is because a minimum number of posts have to be made before that capability becomes available.

[greyhoundrick]

thank you very much Richard! Some great information there! There is certainly a lot to think about and with all of the help you folks have given me I think I'm getting a good handle on things! Im happy I joined this community as it seems like a great place!

[greyhoundrick]

I wonder if the inability of the OP to "like" a post is because a minimum number of posts have to be made before that capability becomes available.

Excellent point Mike! I know other websites have rules like that. Sometimes they include avatar creation, signatures and other things to it as well.

[Saorsa]

If you can find a decent wide angle with a 52mm filter thread you might try reversing rings. In fact, with a cheap reversing ring you could mount your 50mm reversed on your 85 and get some decent close shots. But, finding any old 28mm reversed on either the 50 or 85 can get you real close. Here is a blog entry I made on reversing rings that might be helpful.

https://birdsnbugs.com/2010/11/23/sh...versing-rings/

[greyhoundrick]

Fantastic blog Brian! Im looking forward to studying it and learning! Thank you!!