Close-Up lens filters

Fl_Gulfer · 05-08-2008, 11:04 AM

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Has anyone had any experience with these Close-Up lens filters? I ordered a set last weekend and they sent 82mm instead of the 62mm I ordered. So I had to send them back today and wait a week for the correct ones, I'm going to try them on my Tamron 18-250mm Ld Di II 1:3.5-6.3 (iF) Macro.... I also have a UV filter on my lens,, do I remove it first? Is there any special setting I should use for the Macro shots? I notice if I get too close to a object the camera won't take a picture, is that normal for a camera with any lens?
As you can see I still have no clue what I'm doing after a year yet.

**pentagor** · 05-08-2008, 12:38 PM

Close up lenses or diopters are inexpensive macro tools. I got myself one set (52mm), but then I upgraded to Raynox DRC-250.
First of all, you have to put the camera in MF to shoot. Auto focus does not work with diopters.
Note that the images will be rubbish at the edges, only sharp in the center. Also depends on a quality of diopters you purchased of course.
Some examples with mine:

Good luck!

q10 · 05-08-2008, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by pentagor

First of all, you have to put the camera in MF to shoot. Auto focus does not work with diopters.

i just got out my *ist DS, put switched it into autofocus, affixed a cheap old +4 diopter, and took a couple of shots of my keyboard without touching the focus ring ...

... and it sure seemed to be autofocusing, and the pictures sure look like the thing at the focus point i selected was in focus. it looks like i might have some very marginal front focus, but if it does it's pretty close to negligible, and may just be a sign of a general flaw with my camera or my lens.

could you explain what you mean about autofocus not working?

**pentagor** · 05-09-2008, 01:15 AM

My mistake in expression: AF will work, but I never shot macro with AF. And as you noticed, it could cause some FF/BF issues.

q10 · 05-09-2008, 01:35 AM

i suspect it mainly causes FF/BF to the extent that the narrow DoF associated with macro exagerrates minor flaws in the AF system. (i certainly feel more comfortable with MF macro most of the time, so i'm not trying to dispute your advice, i was just a little startled by your original wording.)

Entropy · 05-09-2008, 06:25 AM

I have a set of Tiffen diopter lenses (52mm). Awful IQ.

I get MUCH better results from a Tamron 70-300 combined with a $15 eBay set of extension tubes. (Note: 100% manual in that config.)

Same tubes work great with an SMC-M 50.

roentarre · 05-09-2008, 06:57 AM

Not a fan of close up filters. Extension tubes are better devices to be used.

Buddha Jones · 05-09-2008, 07:45 AM

Granted that it is a lot of glass to shoot through, esp if you use the whole set like I did on my kit lens, but the results can be very, very pleasing.

Taken with the kit lens with the filters on.

Fl_Gulfer · 05-09-2008, 09:19 AM

Is this what you are talking about?
Macro Extension Tube Set for Pentax K,PK mount camera - eBay (item 220232340929 end time May-13-08 12:22:23 PDT)

séamuis · 05-09-2008, 09:42 AM

I own a set of pentax auto extension tubes as well as a set of Asahi pentax close-up filters and I much prefer the tubes. (bellows are the ultimate way to go if the hassle is worth it to you.) compensating for a slight loss of light is much better and yields much better results than diopters, besides with diopters the DOF becomes so narrow that even with MF the slightest movement can cause bad focus. but can result in some interesting photos none the less.

smc-M 50mm 1:1.7 + Asahi Pentax close up lens No. 1

bimjo · 05-09-2008, 09:45 AM

The IQ you get with a diopter is directly related to the quality of the diopter used. This one seems pretty sharp edge-to-edge. Sigma 70-200+1.4 TC+Canon 500D (dual element diopter).

Fritz · 05-09-2008, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer

Is this what you are talking about?
Macro Extension Tube Set for Pentax K,PK mount camera - eBay (item 220232340929 end time May-13-08 12:22:23 PDT)

Before I got my Vivitar s1 105mm I used those exact set of tubes that you have linked to with my M 50mm f1.4. The tubes are a bit of a hassle when you are trying to figure out exactly the magnification that you want by adding and subtracting tubes. But once you figure that out they work very well, and I got some good results. I tried some diopters and didn't like the IQ that I got with them.

Fl_Gulfer · 05-09-2008, 10:55 AM

Well I have the A 50mm f1.7 lens so they should work ok with them, Thanks guys for your help and great shots ...
I see some of those tubes cost over a 150.00 a set. why are they so much more? are they built for AF.?

Igilligan · 05-09-2008, 11:10 AM

I like these little lenses. I dont have the 1/2/3 style set like you ordered, but the raynox 250 or 150 clips on any lens with filter sizes from 52-67mm and I can even force it onto my 49mm ones in a pinch.

Here is a shot with the raynox clipped on the DA50-200
Attachment 11993

I look forward to your shots with your set when you get them...

Entropy · 05-10-2008, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer

Is this what you are talking about?
Macro Extension Tube Set for Pentax K,PK mount camera - eBay (item 220232340929 end time May-13-08 12:22:23 PDT)

Yes. Note: You MUST use a lens with an aperture ring with those tubes. Lenses with no aperture ring will stop down to minimum aperture on those tubes.

I hate the "crippled" KAF2 mount.

05-08-2008, 11:04 AM	#1
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054	Close-Up lens filters Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Has anyone had any experience with these Close-Up lens filters? I ordered a set last weekend and they sent 82mm instead of the 62mm I ordered. So I had to send them back today and wait a week for the correct ones, I'm going to try them on my Tamron 18-250mm Ld Di II 1:3.5-6.3 (iF) Macro.... I also have a UV filter on my lens,, do I remove it first? Is there any special setting I should use for the Macro shots? I notice if I get too close to a object the camera won't take a picture, is that normal for a camera with any lens? As you can see I still have no clue what I'm doing after a year yet.

05-09-2008, 07:45 AM	#8
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	Granted that it is a lot of glass to shoot through, esp if you use the whole set like I did on my kit lens, but the results can be very, very pleasing. Taken with the kit lens with the filters on. Last edited by Buddha Jones; 05-09-2008 at 02:58 PM. Reason: type-o

05-09-2008, 11:10 AM	#14
Igilligan Guest	I like these (img included) I like these little lenses. I dont have the 1/2/3 style set like you ordered, but the raynox 250 or 150 clips on any lens with filter sizes from 52-67mm and I can even force it onto my 49mm ones in a pinch. Here is a shot with the raynox clipped on the DA50-200 Attachment 11993 I look forward to your shots with your set when you get them...

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05-08-2008, 12:38 PM	#2
pentagor Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia Posts: 495	Close up lenses or diopters are inexpensive macro tools. I got myself one set (52mm), but then I upgraded to Raynox DRC-250. First of all, you have to put the camera in MF to shoot. Auto focus does not work with diopters. Note that the images will be rubbish at the edges, only sharp in the center. Also depends on a quality of diopters you purchased of course. Some examples with mine: Good luck!

05-08-2008, 09:59 PM	#3
q10 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 32	Originally posted by pentagor First of all, you have to put the camera in MF to shoot. Auto focus does not work with diopters. i just got out my *ist DS, put switched it into autofocus, affixed a cheap old +4 diopter, and took a couple of shots of my keyboard without touching the focus ring ... ... and it sure seemed to be autofocusing, and the pictures sure look like the thing at the focus point i selected was in focus. it looks like i might have some very marginal front focus, but if it does it's pretty close to negligible, and may just be a sign of a general flaw with my camera or my lens. could you explain what you mean about autofocus not working?

05-09-2008, 01:15 AM	#4
pentagor Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia Posts: 495	My mistake in expression: AF will work, but I never shot macro with AF. And as you noticed, it could cause some FF/BF issues.

05-09-2008, 01:35 AM	#5
q10 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 32	i suspect it mainly causes FF/BF to the extent that the narrow DoF associated with macro exagerrates minor flaws in the AF system. (i certainly feel more comfortable with MF macro most of the time, so i'm not trying to dispute your advice, i was just a little startled by your original wording.)

05-09-2008, 06:25 AM	#6
Entropy Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 976	I have a set of Tiffen diopter lenses (52mm). Awful IQ. I get MUCH better results from a Tamron 70-300 combined with a $15 eBay set of extension tubes. (Note: 100% manual in that config.) Same tubes work great with an SMC-M 50.

05-09-2008, 06:57 AM	#7
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Not a fan of close up filters. Extension tubes are better devices to be used.

05-09-2008, 09:19 AM	#9
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054 Original Poster	Is this what you are talking about? Macro Extension Tube Set for Pentax K,PK mount camera - eBay (item 220232340929 end time May-13-08 12:22:23 PDT)

05-09-2008, 09:42 AM	#10
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	I own a set of pentax auto extension tubes as well as a set of Asahi pentax close-up filters and I much prefer the tubes. (bellows are the ultimate way to go if the hassle is worth it to you.) compensating for a slight loss of light is much better and yields much better results than diopters, besides with diopters the DOF becomes so narrow that even with MF the slightest movement can cause bad focus. but can result in some interesting photos none the less. smc-M 50mm 1:1.7 + Asahi Pentax close up lens No. 1

05-09-2008, 09:45 AM	#11
bimjo Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pasco, WA Posts: 967	The IQ you get with a diopter is directly related to the quality of the diopter used. This one seems pretty sharp edge-to-edge. Sigma 70-200+1.4 TC+Canon 500D (dual element diopter).

05-09-2008, 10:02 AM	#12
Fritz Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tillamook, OR Posts: 1,222	Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer Is this what you are talking about? Macro Extension Tube Set for Pentax K,PK mount camera - eBay (item 220232340929 end time May-13-08 12:22:23 PDT) Before I got my Vivitar s1 105mm I used those exact set of tubes that you have linked to with my M 50mm f1.4. The tubes are a bit of a hassle when you are trying to figure out exactly the magnification that you want by adding and subtracting tubes. But once you figure that out they work very well, and I got some good results. I tried some diopters and didn't like the IQ that I got with them.

05-09-2008, 10:55 AM	#13
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054 Original Poster	Well I have the A 50mm f1.7 lens so they should work ok with them, Thanks guys for your help and great shots ... I see some of those tubes cost over a 150.00 a set. why are they so much more? are they built for AF.?

05-10-2008, 04:44 PM	#15
Entropy Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 976	Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer Is this what you are talking about? Macro Extension Tube Set for Pentax K,PK mount camera - eBay (item 220232340929 end time May-13-08 12:22:23 PDT) Yes. Note: You MUST use a lens with an aperture ring with those tubes. Lenses with no aperture ring will stop down to minimum aperture on those tubes. I hate the "crippled" KAF2 mount.