Close-up filters are the ideal way to experiment with close-up and macro photography without having to spend a fortune. Macro lenses are great, but they can command quite a high price, especially if you're not sure if this type of photography is your sort of thing or not. Close-up filters let you experiment with getting in close without having to lighten your wallet too much, allowing you to use the lenses you already own. They're an ideal starting point.
Close-up filters can work with DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, compact cameras or bridge cameras – you just need to make sure you get the right filter thread size. This will generally be printed on the front of the lens, so double-check before buying anything, as otherwise your filter won't physically fit.
Another useful aspect of close-up filters is that they can be stacked, meaning that the lenses can be used in concert with one another to boost the effect and get really, really close to your subject. We've put together some images to give you an idea of how it works, further down the page in our How To Choose section.
We've picked out the best close-up filters you can buy right now. They often come as sets, though some are packaged as individual lenses with adapters, and there are options both from well-known brands and from relatively unknown names. One thing all these filters have in common though is that they're high-quality products we think offer outstanding value for money.
Gavin has over 30 years of experience writing about photography and television. He is currently the editor of British Photographic Industry News, and previously served as editor of Which Digital Camera and deputy editor of Total Digital Photography.
The Quick List
A premium-feeling trio of close-up filters from one of the most trusted names in the field, but at a price that might surprise you. Read more below…
This decent quartet of filters at a bargain price makes the perfect starting point for anyone who wants to try macro photography. Read more below…
Get yourself some mighty magnification for a low price, with kit sizes that will fit the majority of your lens collection. Read more below…
These three filters from a respected brand have been treated to cut reflection to a minimum without affecting light transmission. Read more below…
There’s only one filter in the kit, and the price is relatively high, but you should get a better-than-usual optical result from this option. Read more below…
If you use a filter holder already, a square close-up filter is an option. The Cokin P range is available in three strengths - +1, +2, & +3. Read more below…
Best close-up filters
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Best close-up kit overall
Tiffen is a well-regarded name in the world of lens filters, so you can be assured that this set of close-up filters is made with quality. One of the first things you'll see is the leatherette carry pouch, which gives the whole affair a premium feel other filters lack.
The choice of filter thread sizes across the range is broad, though you only get +1, +2 and +4 diopter options in this kit, and not the +10 variant that appears in some other sets. Still, being able to combine the three filters easily means you'll always have an option for when you want to get super-close to a subject. Also, this well-made set is pretty affordable.
Best cheap close-up kit
Vivitar's set is a bargain option for photographers who want to learn about macro photography. They come in a range of thread sizes, so there’s bound to be a kit to suit your lens. Pretty much anyone, even a complete novice, can get to grips with attaching them, and if you're starting at out close-up photography, they're a solid choice.
You won't get the kind of results you'd get from an expensive macro lens, but you shouldn't expect to. The optical quality of the Vivitar lenses isn't quite up there with other filters, but they're good for the price. Plus, you get a generous 15-year warranty, as well as a handy nylon wallet for storage and transportation.
Best budget close-up kit
This four-piece set from Polaroid includes +1, +2, +4 and +10 diopter filters in a useful, water-resistant nylon carry case, meaning it's easy to take everywhere with you. Constructed from aluminum, the Polaroid filters have a dual-threaded design that makes them easy to stack.
Multi-coated for superior light transmission, the filters claim to ensure true-to-life colors with zero loss of detail. The broad range of thread sizes means that they'll fit most camera setups, and you get a 10-year manufacturer's warranty, for a little extra peace of mind.
Best premium close-up kit
Here's a known and respected brand offering a plethora of close up filter solutions, with set sizes ranging from 49mm to 82mm, containing three options, depending on how close you want to go: +1, +2 or +4.
Hoya’s ‘HMC’ filters are aimed at minimizing reflection to increase light transmission and temper possible lens flare and ghosting.
The manufacturer promises over 97% light transmission for sharp contrast and well balanced color. The set arrives in a padded pouch for easy protection and transportation. Hoya advises that, since depth of field will be shallow, it’s best for photographers to use as narrow an aperture as possible.
Best advanced close-up kit
NiSi has taken a different approach with its close-up option. The filter is visibly deeper than the other close-up filters here, which reflects the more advanced optical construction NiSi has chosen. It’s made up of double optical corrective glass with an apochromatic design, to reduce color fringing. The price is higher as a result.
This filter is compatible with zoom or prime lenses with a focal length in the range of 70-300mm, and fits lenses with a filter thread of 77mm plus adapter rings for 67mm and 72mm threads. Alternative kits from NiSi cover 58mm (with 49mm and 52mm rings) and 49mm (with 62mm and 67mm rings).
Unlike the other options in this listing, there’s no diopter rating for this filter, but NiSi says you should expect to achieve 1:1 magnification, and sometimes more depending on the lens. The company recommends shooting at between f/8 and f/16 for the best results.
Best square close-up filter
Most filters for photography nowaday are the rectangular type - slotting into a filter holder that attaches to the filter ring of your lens with an adaptor. The advantage is that you can change filters quickly - and use the same filter on different lenses just by changing the adapter ring. But although rectangular filters are the default option for graduated and neutral density filters, they are less common for close-up filters. But Cokin is an exception...
Cokin makes close-up filters for its long-established A and P filter systems - with the P version we have picked here measuring 84x84mm. This means it is not wide enough for many of the 100mm filter holders sold nowadays. However, if you do have the right holder you can still find +1,+2, and +3 diopter versions on sale in some places.
How to choose the best close-up filter
What is a close-up filter?
Close-up filters are pretty simple devices; essentially they work like reading glasses. Placed over the front of a lens, they act as a magnifier and effectively reduce the minimum focusing distance of the lens, allowing you to get much closer to a subject. Indeed, they're technically more like an additional lens than a filter, however they are used in the same manner as filters like polarisers and NDs, so they tend to get lumped in the same category. You might hear someone refer to "close-up lenses" or "macro filters"; it's likely they're referring to the same thing.
Can I use more than one at once?
Yes – most close-up filters are double-threaded, enabling you to attach another close-up filter on top (or another filter entirely, such as a polarizer).
Most kits include filters with +1, +2 and +4 ratings; here’s a guide to to how you can combine them to get your subject even bigger in the frame...
How we test filters
When we test filters, we look at both optical performance and general build quality – how robust the filter feels, how easy it is to use and how securely it attaches to the lens. We use a combination of real-world and lens testing to inform our comments in reviews and buying guides. For filters, we test light transmission levels, colour neutrality (i.e. if the filter introduces a cool or warm cast) and the impact a filter has on image quality.
Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World
