Originally posted by adwb Thanks to every one for their contributions, I am going to look for a good cheap 50mm and a Raynox 150 and see how I get on, also since the 150 can be used on a couple of other lenses I have with different focal lengths it occurs to me that I can then see what effect this will have on the distance I can be away from my subject.
Once that is established will probably look at a prime for that focal length, and later extension tubes.
many thanks to every one
Alistair from a wet and windy Bristol
You may be a little disappointed in your desire to "see what effect this has on distance to the subject". When the main lens is focused at infinity the working distance (distance from the lens to the subject) it is simply the close-up lens' focal length, which in case of the Raynox 150 is about 8.2".
With the Raynox 150, you'll have a working distance of 8.2" minus a little due to in-out motion of the main lens when you turn the focusing ring for
any focal length primary lens.
That is, the Raynox 150's maximum working distance is 8.2". Period. If you add a teleconverter to the front of the stack the working distance will still be about 8.2".
Maybe you should also consider buying a cheap set of focusing tubes now so you've got something to compare the Raynox with - they are like $7usd delivered these days on eBay. The 50mm lens plus 50mm of extension tubes will have a working distance of around 4" for 1:1 magnification.
With a close-up lens add-on what varies as you change the primary lens is the magnification, not the distance to the subject.
All that said, 8.2" is a reasonable working distance; about what you'd get with a 100mm macro lens at 1:1 magnification.