Lens help, getting a bit closer
Discussion
Nikon D90 with the 18-135mm kit lens, jealous of some of the macro shots getting so close so would something like this screw on macro wide andgle lense get me a bit more detail?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/52MM-0-45X-Wide-Angle-Le...
Should fit the filter size 52mm which matches but seems very cheap. Waste of time or good idea? Better off looking at extension tubes or those sets of magnifying macro lenses that you can stack?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/52MM-0-45X-Wide-Angle-Le...
Should fit the filter size 52mm which matches but seems very cheap. Waste of time or good idea? Better off looking at extension tubes or those sets of magnifying macro lenses that you can stack?
Edited by Crusoe on Friday 27th July 10:02
Crusoe said:
Should fit the filter size 52mm which matches but seems very cheap. Waste of time or good idea? Better off looking at extension tubes or those sets of magnifying macro lenses that you can stack?
I had one like that years ago and it was good fun to play with, though as you'd expect not as good quality as dedicated macro or wide angle lenses.Oddly enough I have a set of three close-up lenses to fit 52mm filter threads, mint and boxed, part of a batch of equipment I'm selling for a friend's mother. PM if interested.
Sure you can physically get closer but I don't think you should expect the true macro lens quality. It is definitely a cheaper way of getting macro shots, but adding a cheap (most likely) glass will result in poorer quality. I don't know how poor the quality will be though..... it may still be acceptable for some.
Ok so taking away that adding any extra optics might degrade the image quality, lens tubes that extend the optics away from the body sound like the next best option.
Don't want something cheap connecting to the body and lens and potentially damaging either, and ideally keep the autofocus and other functions. Are there any good suggestions for extension tubes that are reasonable quality and work with AF-S nikkor lenses?
Don't want something cheap connecting to the body and lens and potentially damaging either, and ideally keep the autofocus and other functions. Are there any good suggestions for extension tubes that are reasonable quality and work with AF-S nikkor lenses?
(although Nikon will obviously come with better quality of air inside the tube, Kenko should do the job just fine!)I've just got a +4 diopter Hoya close up lens and I've found it quite good fun. As has been said it's not as good as a proper macro but it was only 16 pounds and fits in my little filter pouch so it'll usually be with me. I'm using mine as an experiment to see if I'd use a macro lens enough to justify the cost of one. 
I've got a set of the Kenko extension tubes and they work exactly as you'd expect. My D90 struggles a bit to focus, but that's nothing to do with the tubes, and getting enough light is another problem, but again, nothing to do with the tubes.
To be honest they seem pretty expensive for what they are, but still cheaper than a macro lens.
To be honest they seem pretty expensive for what they are, but still cheaper than a macro lens.
Jessops saying the Kenko extension tubes don't work with auto focus AS-F on the D90? http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Acc...
jessops said:
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
Kenko Auto Extension Tubes are not auto focus compatible with Nikon AF-s (Silent Wave) lenses, manual focusing is required with these lenses.
Nikon PK-2 14mm Extension on ebay for £25 might try that first though it would be manual focus only and maybe too small an extension on that lens?Kenko Auto Extension Tubes are not auto focus compatible with Nikon AF-s (Silent Wave) lenses, manual focusing is required with these lenses.
Edited by Crusoe on Friday 27th July 12:15
I'd take a look at Raynox clip on filters. The optics are excellent quality, should work well at the telephoto end of your zoom. I had the Raynox 150 but the 250 will get you even closer.
Extension tubes work well but I think they're best on lenses with wider apertures as you lose a lot of light. This will mean that focusing will be potentially tricky though live view might help out. You'll also need longer exposures to compensate, all else being equal.
Extension tubes work well but I think they're best on lenses with wider apertures as you lose a lot of light. This will mean that focusing will be potentially tricky though live view might help out. You'll also need longer exposures to compensate, all else being equal.
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