"Close up lenses/filters" Anyone use them?

[donoreo]

I know at least one of the magazines did a story one time on Macro lens alternatives and gave close up filters a decent review. Has anyone ever used them? Since I am attempting to do a 366 project I will need more indoor ideas and doing macro shots of things around the house would greatly increase the options. A macro lens is not in the budget and falls below a wide angle anyway.

I can get some Zeikos (which were mentioned in one magazine) for $40 CDN. I know not much money (20ish GBP) but I do not want to waste any money.

[OldBoy]

I've use a +2 and a +3 together on my 60mm Macro lens with great results.

[Ashleyj]

Years ago I worked in the optical trade and made some close up filters for myself from Hoya ophthalmic lenses (+1, +2 and +3 dioptres).

Although they were not ideal being a convex/concave design rather than biconvex I still got some good results from them. I would presume that commercially made ones would be even better.

I moved on from them to use bellows and also a reversing ring.

[donoreo]

Originally Posted by OldBoy

I've use a +2 and a +3 together on my 60mm Macro lens with great results.

Do you like things close or are you blind

[donoreo]

Ok sounds ok so far. What is the least expensive true macro lens for Canon's anyway?

[jet_kit]

I have Cokin holders fitted to all my lenses as standard and often slip a +3 close-up on if I want to get that bit closer and can't be bothered to ferret around for another lens. Works for me.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by donoreo

Do you like things close or are you blind

Like it close, very very close!

[Cathus]

Do you have a compact camera?

you can get some super close ups with some of them which I'd argue rival the macro ability of some macro lenses.

If you want a macro lens I'd recommend the Tamron 90mm

Or you could get a reversing ring fairly cheaply and use one of your normal lenses.

[donoreo]

Compact is no good for it. That lens is more than the 10-20 I want, but will keep it in mind for future reference.

I cannot find reversing rings for a Canon (I can for an FD mount but not an EF!). I tried the local guys and B&H in New York.

[Cathus]

I think you saw my credit card macro photo on Flickr taken with a compact.

JJC RR-EOS Reverse Rings will fit EF lenses

lots on ebay to fit EF lenses, you just need to get one the same size as your lens's filter thread

You just need to make sure you choose the aperture before disconecting the lens, then press the depth of field preview button to close down the aperture then disconnect and reverse onto the camera otherwise you can't change the aperture