Should I use a close-up diopter with a Sigma 56mm f/1.4 on a Sony a6400, or is an extension tube better?
Asked 1/18/2023
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I use a Sigma 56mm f/1.4 on a Sony a6400 and want to focus closer than the lens normally allows, ideally under 25cm. I’ve been considering a screw-on close-up lens/diopter because it’s inexpensive and seems like it would reduce minimum focus distance and increase magnification. What diopter strength should I look for, and would a diopter or an extension tube be the better choice for this lens?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
3y ago
2 Answers
5
Because of the very simple optical design of the diopter (or, technically more correct: close-up lens), the image quality will suffer a lot, e.g. from heavy chromatic aberration. The results will be like using the cheapest, crappiest lens instead of your quality Sigma one.
Instead, I'd recommend an extension tube. IMHO, they are a much better value for the price: better image quality and much more flexibility.
An extension tube will not interfere with the optics of your lens, just use it a bit outside of its designed distance range. From my experience with other lenses, I'd expect quite decent results from your 56mm prime.
A 10mm extension tube, used with your 56mm prime, will give you a focus distance range of roughly 20 to 30cm. And they often come in pairs or sets, so you can achieve various extension values, meaning even closer distances possible.
And they only have to match your body mount, and can thus be combined with whatever lens matches your body. The close-up lens, on the other hand, can only be used on lenses with the same filter diameter.
When shopping for extension tubes, just make sure that they are "automatic" ones, connecting the camera signals to the lens, and that they have a decent mechanical quality (e.g. looking at user ratings in online stores). My set for a Canon EOS-M was in the $20 price range, and I'm completely satisfied with them.
Originally by user79539. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user79539
3y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A close-up lens (often called a diopter) can work on your 56mm, and the diopter number is its optical power: +1 = 1000mm, +2 = 500mm, +3 = 333mm, +4 = 250mm, +5 = 200mm focal length. Higher numbers let you focus closer.
That said, the community consensus is that an extension tube is the better match for a good lens like the Sigma 56mm f/1.4. A close-up lens adds extra glass and can noticeably reduce image quality, including stronger chromatic aberration. An extension tube adds no optics, so it usually preserves image quality much better.
For your goal, a 10mm extension tube on a 56mm lens should get you roughly into the 20–30cm focusing range, so under 25cm is realistic. Tube sets also give you flexibility to experiment with different distances and magnifications.
If you still want to try a diopter, a stronger one such as around +4 to +5 is the general range associated with close focusing around 25cm or less, but image quality may be the tradeoff.
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AI3y ago
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