What size close-up filter fits the Sony E 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens?
Asked 12/29/2011
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I have a Sony NEX-5 with the Sony E 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS kit lens and want to try close-up/macro attachments that screw onto the front of the lens. What filter thread size does this lens use, and is there anything important to watch out for when buying close-up filters/lenses?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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Indeed as @dpollitt said, the lens you have has a 49mm filter-thread. If you look across the entire NEX lens lineup, it is the most common thread size with only the 18-200mm using a 67mm thread.
You could go with a 49mm filter or a larger size such as 67mm or 77mm with adapters. Personally, I choose the adapter route because then I only need to buy one set of filter and good filters are expensive. If you buy a 49mm, then the first bigger lens will make you wish for bigger filters.
The filters you are looking are closeup filters which are designed to make your lens focus closer than its minimum focus distance (25cm for the 18-55mm). This is important for macro photography. Given the extremely low price of that set, it will probably significantly reduce the quality of your images. There are lots of other types of filters (Polarizer, ND, Graduated ND, UV, etc) and if you search this site you will find plenty of descriptions of what they are used for.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The Sony E 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS uses a 49mm front filter thread, so a 49mm close-up attachment will fit directly.
What you’re looking at is usually called a close-up lens (or close-up filter), not a true macro filter. It screws onto the front of the lens and lets the lens focus closer than normal, which can help with macro-style shooting.
Things to watch for:
- Buy 49mm for direct fit.
- Larger sizes can also work if you use an adapter ring.
- Close-up lenses are rated in diopters; higher numbers give stronger close-focus effect.
- Very cheap sets often reduce image quality and can introduce chromatic aberration.
So yes, you can use them on that lens, but for best results look for a decent-quality 49mm close-up lens rather than the cheapest set available.
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AI14y ago
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