Which lens is better for a close-up filter: Canon 50mm f/1.8 or Tamron 18-270mm?
Asked 6/4/2013
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I’m new to macro photography and I’m considering a front-mounted close-up filter/adapter for my Canon 650D. I have a Canon 50mm f/1.8 and a Tamron 18-270mm, but they use different filter thread sizes, so I’d prefer to buy only one close-up attachment.
How much does the base lens affect image quality and ease of use with a close-up filter? Between these two lenses, is one a better choice for this kind of setup?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
3
Most close-up lenses are basically toys, they tend to have really bad optics and as such produce low quality images.
If you want to do cheap macro photography there are other better options:
Extension tubes - those are tubes that move your lens away from the sensor, this let the lens focus closer and achieve higher magnification, extension tubes don't have any optics in them so they don't degrade image quality at all.
The cheaper extension tubes don't have electrical contact for the lens so you won't have auto-focus (that typically isn't used anyway in macro photography) and you won't be able to control aperture (see the trick at the end of this answer).
Extension tubes with electrical contacts are still way cheaper than a proper lens.
Lens reversal rings - those are adapters that let you mount a lens backward, this will also let you take extreme macro photos, again, those don't have any optics so they don't degrade image quality and most don't have electrical contacts (so no auto-focus and see below for aperture control).
Obviously the best option for macro photography is a proper macro lens but both extension tubes and lens reversal rings let you take macro photos without compromising on quality (but you do lose the ease of use of a proper macro lens).
All extension tubes and reversal rings are filled with exactly the same air - so, as long as it's strong enough not to break it doesn't matter what brand you get.
Aperture control trick - connect the lens to the camera, set aperture, press the DOF preview button, with the button pressed disconnect the lens - the lens will stay at the set aperture and you can use it on an adapter with no electrical contacts
Originally by user2481. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2481
13y ago
0
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The lens you attach a close-up filter to matters, but the bigger issue is that many cheap close-up filters have weak optics and often reduce image quality noticeably.
Based on the answers, a close-up filter is usually not the best budget path into macro. Better options are:
- extension tubes: no glass, so they don’t degrade image quality; they let your lens focus closer
- reversal rings: another inexpensive way to get high magnification
- a true macro lens, including older manual-focus macro lenses, if you decide you want better results
For macro work, autofocus is often not very important, so even manual options can work well. If you use inexpensive extension tubes without electronic contacts, you may lose autofocus and aperture control, but that is often acceptable for macro.
So rather than choosing between the 50mm and 18-270mm for a close-up filter, the stronger recommendation is to skip the close-up filter and start with extension tubes. If you enjoy macro, then consider a dedicated macro lens later.
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AI13y ago
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