Diopters

PeglegOS · Post by **PeglegOS** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 7:58 pm

I just read that you can buy 2 element diopters (close-up lenses) for an inexpensive foray into macro.

I have a Nikon D50 with a 28-80 and a 70-300 lenses.

Could I get any kind of decent macro using one of these 2 element diopters?

Oh, don't want to spend too much right now, just spent 700 on a microscope, gotta save my pennies again.

Epidic · Post by **Epidic** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 1:00 am

Quality is subjective. Why don't you buy one and see how you like it. Supplimentary (close-up) lenses are not bad.

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 7:48 am

Nikon do some 2 element ones. They are not as cheap as independents or single element ones. If you search the web using Google, or a similar search engine, you will find details and prices. See:-

http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototip ... pters.html

DaveW

PeglegOS · Post by **PeglegOS** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:41 am

DaveW wrote:Nikon do some 2 element ones. They are not as cheap as independents or single element ones. If you search the web using Google, or a similar search engine, you will find details and prices. See:-

http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototip ... pters.html

DaveW

Thanks Dave, but the Nikons are getting scarce. I think Nikon discontinued them. Thinking of the Hoya or Canon. The Canons with a D on the end get very good reviews.

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:07 am

The chart on the page DaveW referenced shows the good ones.

You would probably want to use them with the 70-300. I would go with the more modest "strength", either the Nikon 5T or the Canon 500D. The stronger 6T and 250D will get you closer, but image quality on a 70-300 could get "iffy", especially at longer focal lengths. The Nikon, as you have found, is getting hard to locate (not sure if it has been discontinued or not). The Canon 500D is available in 58mm and 72mm. Your lens takes 62mm filters, so if I were to go with that one I would choose the 58mm size with a 62-58 step-down adapter. You should not experience any vignetting.

PeglegOS · Post by **PeglegOS** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:43 am

DaveW wrote:Nikon do some 2 element ones. They are not as cheap as independents or single element ones. If you search the web using Google, or a similar search engine, you will find details and prices. See:-

http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototip ... pters.html

DaveW

That's where I got my info. Great minds think alike Dave....

PeglegOS · Post by **PeglegOS** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:46 am

Charles Krebs wrote:The chart on the page DaveW referenced shows the good ones.

You would probably want to use them with the 70-300. I would go with the more modest "strength", either the Nikon 5T or the Canon 500D. The stronger 6T and 250D will get you closer, but image quality on a 70-300 could get "iffy", especially at longer focal lengths. The Nikon, as you have found, is getting hard to locate (not sure if it has been discontinued or not). The Canon 500D is available in 58mm and 72mm. Your lens takes 62mm filters, so if I were to go with that one I would choose the 58mm size with a 62-58 step-down adapter. You should not experience any vignetting.

That's the way I was leaning. I think you confirmed my feelings on the matter. One difference is I was thinking step down from 72-68. I'm sure your suggestions is better than my thoughts on it though.

If I can get images 1/3 as good as yours, I'd be estatic.

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:05 pm

Only way to get subjects 1/3rd as good as Charles Krebs is to use subjects 1/3rd as thick!

DaveW

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:45 pm

I've also read that Nikon discontinued their diopters. I have a couple of the Canon 500D series ones, and one Nikon one. I believe the Nikon is a 6T. The Nikon gives decent results with my Canon 70-200/4 zoom using a stepdown ring (I haven't tried it other than at 200mm, might be different at 70mm, though!). A big part of success using the diopters seems to be the quality of the lens you attach it to.

I think Diopters are great for flexibility to use a non-macro telephoto lens when a "real" macro lens isn't available. They'are also a good way to experiment with macro without too much expense. I don't think they are a long-run substitute for an actual macro lens, though.

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 6:35 pm

You definitely can get some good shots with a telephoto lens and a diopter, these are some links to some I shot with my 300/4 lens and a 500D diopter.

Eye of the burrowing owl
http://photomacrography1.net/forum/view ... light=500d

Flower and fly
http://photomacrography1.net/forum/view ... light=500d

Damselfly
http://photomacrography1.net/forum/view ... light=500d

Velvet ant
http://photomacrography1.net/forum/view ... light=500d

PeglegOS · Post by **PeglegOS** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 7:20 pm

Thanks Mike, those look great. You guys have swayed me.