What brand of Close up filters is best?

[lynnwood42]

Question, I have a Minolta Maxxum 5 and am looking to purchase a Set

of screw on, 55mm, close up filters. I have heard of Kenko, Tiffen,

Hoya and B+W. Does anyone recommend one brand over the other and

why? thank you.

[ellis_vener_photography]

Canon 250D and 500D. Optical quality.

[al_kaplan1]

First off, they are not filters, they are lenses. I'm not sure about Kenko but I know that Tiffen, Hoya and B&W all make quality products. Use them stopped down to maybe f/8 for best results.

[tom_montemarano]

You did say best, so you should get "dual element" achromatic close up lenses. Minolta makes some in 55mm, Nikon makes the 3T and 4T in 52 mm diameter and the 5T, 6T in 62mm diameter. I use the Minolta "0" and the Nikon 3t and 4t (with a 55-52mm step down ring) on my Minolta 70-210 lens (55mm filter ring). As mentioned in an earlier post Canon also makes some (I just don't know what sizes or powers).

 

These will cost about $30-$50 each depending on the diameter (as opposed to the single element sets that cost $10-40 for a set of 3 or 4.

 

Tom

[miles stoddard]

Though I use Canon equipment, I would not vote for the Canon lenses as they are grossly overpriced ($100+, in many cases - depending on filter size), and would opt for the Nikon stuff. One benefit to the less expensive sets as opposed to the lone higher quality lens, is that you can combine them for greater magnification. These more basis +1, +2, +3 filters are better than many people think; images taken with them can be publishable if done prooperly - though they are no substitute for a 1:1 macro lens or tubes. In his book on close ups in nature, John Shaw includes a few pics taken with basic lens magnifiers. My first choice would be a Nikon lens; second choice a set from Hoya or Tiffin (both good quality). If you are leaning to the latter, they can e had very cheap, used at many stores and on the internet auctions.

[._._z]

Canon and Nikon make great close-up filters.

 

You might also want to try the search window on this page for many related, archived discussions. Try entering:

 

close-up filter

[robert_potts1]

For Minolta, I would buy Minolta.

[lynnwood42]

I have looked at the Minolta close up lenses, but they do not seem to offer much of a selection for the 55mm lenses. The strongest one I could find was +2. Would there be any problem using the Tiffen close ups with my Minolta Maxxum 5 camera?

[chris_fisher1]

What ever brand you buy make sure you don't go over f8. Have you thought of extension tubes instead? No loss of quality and as cheap as a good close up lens.

 

I bought a cheap close up lens to make sure I liked macro photography, then got a macro lens when I found one second hand. Going to get some extension tubes as well though so I can go beyond 1:1.

 

Chris.