How To Use Macro (Close Up) Filters
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- Опубліковано 18 жов 2024
- I love close up filters - or to give them another name, Macro filters. They are like a magnifying glass you screw into the front of your camera lens which allows you to get in and focus closer. Macro filters come in varying strengths and you can stack them together one on top of the other for more or less magnification.
But what I really love about them is that you can use a macro filter on almost any lens so you can shoot close up but use the characteristics of different focal lengths. For example use one on a mid range lens of about 50 mm and you have a very natural looking perspective. Use them on a 200 mm lens and depth of field becomes minute and you get that wonderful narrow field of view.
Use good quality close up filters and image quality is fine - maybe not quite so good as with a dedicated macro lens but there's so little difference it's not noticeable.
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you're the jeremy clarkson on photography and i mean that as a compliment. I really like the mix or wit, knowledge and delivery in your videos
Thanks +tattoodrdoke Please share them around online - it'll help me make more of them. Best wishes for 2016 - MIKE
+Mike Browne I've only just found your channel. I watched through 3 of your videos and didnt skip a minute. I"m very much into macro do found these videos interesting and insightful. Keep up the great work.
Love the atmosphere and the simplicity of the explanation.
Thank you Matej Blagšič Please help me make more free vids by sharing them on forums, Facebook etc
Thank you - Reversing ring will probably be better optical quality but it's more fiddly. Filters are easy and provided you use good ones there shouldn't be a problem.
this video takes concepts and ideas that are difficult if explained theoretically and simply and concisely shows the actions behind the theory. Thanks, brilliant.
Thank you scombs720 :-)
No worries Candy - glad you found it useful
Hi - I think you've answered your own question. I haven't used tubes for years but they are great. I'm sorry I can't give you proper advice on this because I don't have experience of the equipment your using. All my stuff is Nikon. If you have the kit you're right to do some tests of your own as you say. Best wishes.. Mike
Thank you. I'm sorry I can't say which macro lens is best because I don't use one. I use the filters. Also i'm not very knowledgeable on the latest kit on the market. Have a look at some foto forums etc and see what people are saying about their lenses. Sorry about that but I'm not the best person to answer that question.
Yes there is a drop in light as it travels up the tubes which means you use a slower shutter speed / higher ISO to compensate. Best Option? I still like my CUs
Hey Dan - yes provided you can make them fit. I've used everything from tape to blutak....
Pleasure... I agree with you about tubes giving much better quality. It's a question of how noticeable it will be at a given image size and how important that is to the photographer. For example if someone's shooting macro images for a poster company who'll print 40 inch posters then best quality tubes every day. If it's a hobby and pics are sometimes posted to Flikr / Facebook and enjoyed on screen the difference probably won't be noticeable.
You just saved me time and money Mike. Exellent way to explain tings, and on a warm and smiling way to. Keep coming back to your channel after years. Dont you
ever stop what you are doing. The best from Denmark 🇩🇰
Thanks Mikael
You have a very nicely moderated voice, and a very smooth delivery style. In my opinion, you are very comfortable to listen to, and the pace of your delivery is just exactly right.
Thank you for your video! I have Native American artifacts I want to document, and your information is very helpful in helping me to do so.
Your photographic "jig" was simple yet very effective for illustrating magnification vs. field of view.
You have a teacher's natural gift for presentation, thanks! Rick
Sorry ChrizzyTech - which is better to get what with?
I could not resist to login to my account to give a thumbs up. Thanks
I don't know I've never tried it. Possibly - the only issue i can thing of would be the combination of close up filters on a macro lens might cause over magnification and then you wouldn't be able to get close enough to focus because the glass would be pressing against the thing you're photographing. Only a guess and I could be wrong. Why not have a go and see?
dayum, thats a best review that i ever seen !!!!!
Thanks Dato Marmarashvili - dayum you made me smile with that one :-)
explained this whole process in such a way that complete novices like me can understand, and answered questions I had regarding this subject. Subscribed.
Thank you grouchomarxmusic happy you liked it. Please help me make more videos like this one by sharing it with other photographers on forums, Facebook, Flickr etc.
Excellent video. I have a set from my medium format film days and still use them, just bought adapter rings for different size lenses.
Glad you like it Memorable Moments Photography Please help me make more videos by sharing them with other photographers on forums, Facebook, Flickr etc.
This is my first time coming across your videos and I LOVE your approach and your humor and conciseness, and this video really helped, thanks! Have a rather random question for you- I film nail art tutorials (I'm not quite sure you're in my target audience, but hey, no judgements past here) and I need to get quite close to an individual nail. My problem is I struggle with getting my camera and tripod (Canon 70D) close enough to my nail to get my nail into focus. I know my kit lens is (18-55mm) is likely not well suited for this purpose, but I thought maybe the filters would help. Otherwise, do you recommend either a macro or zoom lens? As long as I can get my camera/tripod to focus up close on my nail while allowing for some space between the camera and my hand (so I can paint my nails without hitting the lens) I'm happy! Cheers, Adi x
Thank you AditeeArt I'm happy to help. Please help me make more free vids by ‘Liking’ them and sharing them with other photographers on forums, Facebook etc . The close up filters will probably help and be cheaper than a macro lens. But what they do is allow you to get the lens closer to your fingernails and still focus so it'll be difficult to have a big enough gap for your other hand to paint them at the same time. It might work if you try a longer lens such as a 100 or 200mm - but it'd take some experimenting to find out. If you can borrow one and buy a couple of filters it's worth giving it a go.
10 years late to the show. Great video. Just to add... an advantage of a dedicated macro lens over close up lenses is that the distance to subject is often greater with a proper macro lens: something important if you're shooting insects etc 🙂
Agreed. Filters are pretty good but for photographers into macro nothing beats a macro lens... MIKE🙏😊
I'm really happy with your videos.I'm new to photography, I bought the equipments but you need knowledge to understand how things works,every day that I come from work I see your videos.Very easy to understand.Thanks a lot.really
It was extremely easy to subscribe to you after watching this video! Great Job
Thank you Jostrich Please help me spread the word by sharing my vids with other photographers...
Mike Browne Will do! keep up the great work
I use Hoya because they're pretty good.
You are the man, I subscribed and have begun watching most of your videos.
Hi Amanda - it's the lens they fit on. As long as your lenses have a screw thread in the end you can use them. Even if they don't you can always keep them in place with tape. Google close up filters and you'll fine loads.
Most productive video on macro filters.Excellent info.TFS👍💐
Well thank you - and flowers too!
Thanks so much . This is really useful . I will buy these macro filters for my video camera .
That's the best introduction I've ever heard.
Thank you. Good quality CU filters are OK but they won't be as good as a macro lens or tubes - provided the tubes are attached to a good lens in the first place..
Nice and EASY Tutorial, great picture examples, many THANKS! 👊
I'm sorry i can't because it depends on what you want to photograph. Get yourself a full set of +2 to + 10 and you're covered for anything. I use Hoya because they're pretty good.
Thanks Mike. Just been given a set of Cokin close up filters for my Nikon. Was wondering what they were for. Try them out tomorrow
Thanks for your posts - all good advice.
this is one of the best explanations. Thank you so much. I am bumbling around with beginning photography.
Thank you, nice review Mike.
Absolutely great video and explanation. Thanks a lot!
Thanks Nick. Please help me make more like it by haring it around with more photographers... MIKE :-)
I've shared this with a friend whose daughter is keen on trying macro & I mentioned these filters would be the way to start, so tks!
Hi JumperUnexpected. They're not a substitute for any lens other than a dedicated macro lens which is usually between 50 and 100mm. You can't use them for anything other than close up work because basically they are a magnifying glass set for your lenses.
Thank you for answering that question. I have been considering these filters for a while. And wasn't sure of they really worked. I will be getting mine soon. Great job.
Yes you can stack them up
Pleasure :-) Tubes will be better image quality but trickier to use.
Really useful video. And I like the light humorous way you present. Thanks for the post, Mike.
Amazing! You explained it in such a simple way. Thanks a lot!
Thanks Bethany. If you shoot RAW you can lose most if not all chromatic aberration in Adobe Lightroom.
Most of the other UA-cam videos on this subject are terrible so thanks for this excellent demonstration.
Thank mclaren777 - please share it everywhere and help spread the word...
Brilliant mate! Such a down to earth way of explaining things. :)
thank you +Blizzard :) - Melissa
your video for a 9 yrs ago, still have good quality as if you were shooting it in 2022
Thanks Alisya - fundamentals never really change 😊
This is my first time seeing you in this video. I can say for sure i liked every bit of explanation you gave. The purpose of the video was to give information and the amount of information i got from this video was satisfactory along with beautiful demonstration and there is a plus point for your sense of humor. I then immediately subscribed you. Now off to learn more from your videos! :D
I really appreciate your work and thanks a lot for the guide! :)
Thank you Ragnarok Gerard - Please help us spread the word and grow the community by 'liking' 'G+ing', sharing our videos and linking to us on photo forums, Facebook etc
Very nice video...these seems to be easier to use and looks physically better than extension tubes. Would you mind sharing what brand you use here or if any link to the products? Thanks!
Hi - I agree in most cases you won't notice much if any difference, but it depends on what the images are to be used for. On Instagram you won't see any difference, but if they're to be printed up big there could be some softness around the edges. Supposing you were shooting for commercial purposes or just 'picky' this might not be acceptable. - Mike
I got some of these macro filters when I purchased my Canon 60D. Although I haven't had an opportunity to try them yet. When I do they will altogether have a magnification of x17 so I have no idea what I will take pictures of but I am sure it will be great fun.
Last night I ordered two sets of close up filters for my 35mm and 18-135mm. I'm really excited because I'm eternally struggling with my lens minimum focusing distance.
super cool info
Came here wondering what these filters were for and how to use them - this video is absolutely spot on what I needed. My only burning question is whether a difference can be had if you play with the ordering of the filters, say 1,2,3,4 vs 4,3,2,1 or 1,4,2,3. Is there a 'right' way to do it so you minimize distortion on the edges or does it matter?
Happy to have helped Anthony.. I don't think there is, I've never had a problem anyway though as with everything suggest you test it and see what happens in case I missed something... MIKE
For a second I forgot I was on youtube and thought I was watching Topgear on the TV...
lol my thoughts exactly
Very useful video there mike...thanks for uploading. One question though......what is better???.....Using Filters (Macro) or The reversing ring technique....
Thanks!!!
James
Perfectly answered my questions about close up filters. Thanks!!!
No worries +Chris Newman (Fat Libertarian Dude) - MIKE :-)
good to listen to a person, who knows what they are talking about.
Thank you Daibhi
I've never tried but i don't think you could because magnification would be so great you wouldn't be able to get close enough to focus. The Glass would just butt up against the subject.
Very nice video! I loved it!
Hey guy! Nice tutorial. Yesterday I got this kit and it's wonderful. I'm from Argentina and It's my first kit. I'm enjoying very much. I love macro photography and I wish get some insects photos. Do you have some advice for me about this kit? Thanks.
Thank you Jamuchastegui86 Just play with the filters and with practise you'll find what works and what doesn't. Have fun...
The video was of great use to me but I have a question.
Is it better to go for close-up filters or extension-tubes? (AF problems? Picture quality?)
I think it would be great to have a video on that too.
Anyhow, great tutorial as always!
Thanks Mike. That was really good lesson to shoot close up shots
Mike "I'm a bloke" Browne ! thanks for your most helpful tutorials.
I have done a 1-2-4-10 on my Nikon J3 and got a great close-up of a D&D mini's eye. But you have to manual focus and you have to make sure your lens is zoomed out enough that you don't get a black halo. You may or may not (but more likely will) get chromatic aberration with this, as well. DOF will be hugely tiny.
Thank you
Very informative and clear tutorial. Many thanks. I had no idea about adding the lenses together and multiplying the magnifying power. Simply great info
Thank you Sanjeewa Marasinghe
Thank you for a wonderfully easy to understand video
I love your introduction
Close up filters will work great but don't forget you get what you pay for quality wise. I'm not very knowledgeable about all the lenses out there on the market and don't have a macro of my own, just use the filters. Sorry about that, suggest you check out some forums etc to see what people who use them say about their lenses.
I discovered while playing around with "light leaking" that if you take the lense off the body and hold it up against the bracket, and it greatly decreases the minimum focus distance!
What features in a camera are most important for close up macro shots like this? I want to take pictures of my own eye for the study of Iridology. What should I look for in a camera? Sensor size? Megapixels? Or is it the lens that is most important? Then just add in some macro filters like the ones in this video?
If you need to enlarge a lot more megapixels are worth it Vegetable Police Also a proper macro lens will always be finer quality and for what you want to do that is probably the best way to go.
Vegetable Police Haha... Funny seeing the vegetable police on here. It's a small world really. 😊
I have a Sony A330, can I use these with it, and where would I get them please,
I really like the way you explain things, Thank you
Amanda
Thanks for the video Mike!!. I wanted to take the current 1:1 macro lens to the next level.. will this work on a 100mm f2.8 macro lens?
This is fantastic. Just what I wanted to hear
Hi Mike, I just need to know if the photo will lose some sharpness and quality using these filters, and thank you for being a photographer :)
Thank you for all your wonderful videos, my question is: do those filters work good as macro lenses?
Thanks Seersa Abaza
. They work pretty good and the better quality ones you buy the better they work, but no they are not as good as a dedicated macro lens - MIKE
Thank you so much, for being a kind and a genuine artist, you are helping me a lot, it feels i'm talking to a friend to some guy on youtube.. best wishes
Wow, i really enjoy this kind of reviews!, but, what about the macro lens like the raynox dcr-250??? , beetween the close up filters and the raynox, which one is better for a bridge camera?.
Thank you VictimFate. I don't know the raynox dcr-250 but a dedicated Macro lens will always give cleaner sharper image quality than CU filters. But you are stuck with one focal length so you have less flexibility to be creative with field of view (how wide or narrow your shot it)
Yes
precise and informative. Subscribed.Thank you Mike Browne . An inquiry if you don't mind. some people use an extension tube for close-ups. How effective is it? and is it used with such filters?
Thank you Khalid S. happy it helped. Please help me make more videos like this one by sharing it with other photographers on forums, Facebook, Flickr etc. Tubes are excellent. They maintain the best quality possible from your lens but are a bit more fiddly to use. The filters are good provided you buy good quality ones, but still not as good as a macro lens or tubes. I've never tried to use tubes and filters together and not sure it would work because the magnification could be so great you can't physically get close enough to focus. - MIKE
@@MikeBrowne what are the names of the filters you used (brand, size, xwhat)? :))
Hi. Are you setting the camera to macro mode (pic of flower)?
No Charles. My cameras don't have macro modes but you don't need them anyway. There are only ahandful of controls on a camera you need - the rest is mostly features merely for the sake of adding features. Many are completely useless... MIKE
I hope this isn't a dumb question. I have a Sigma 105mm Macro, latest model, and much as I love it, I find that on its own, it's not the best at isolating really small bugs, like spiders and ants that are smaller than an inch. I'm debating on whether to buy an extension tube set or magnifying filter. Budget is around $180-$200 right now. Would you suggest one, the other, or both, and what all should I consider between the two tools?
The only dumb question is the one not asked Michael. I'm not a macro expert and rarely shoot as close as you're asking about. If I do I shoot macro lens and then crop. Tubes and filters let you get physically closer and still focus but there comes a point where the lens itself will get in the way so you won't be able to focus. I can only suggest you go to a store or borrow from a friend and test it. - MIKE
Great video. I was out with some Kood close-up filters at the weekend. I only used the No2 (I was shooting handheld), but I got some great shots of insects with it.
I'd love a macro lens, but these are a great way to get into it. Might also pick up a Reversing ring for my 50mm Prime.
excellent tutorial Mike!
Excellent tutorial...I have some questions, I have a nice telephoto lens, now I'm looking to get a prime lens for portraits. However macro really interests me too. I'm on a limited budget so do I a) buy the cheap but perfectly competent Canon ef 50mm f1.8 II lens and some decent quality macro filters like yours, or b) buy the canon ef 50mm 2.5 macro lens? which is more important; the wide f1.8 aperture or the 1:1 ratio of the macro lens?
Thanks ***** - the macro lens will always beat the filters for quality but the filters are a cheap alternative. 1.8 aperture is good for low light and it will give you a minute razor blade thin depth of field when shooting macro. Those are the pros and cons - the choice is yours I'm afraid...
Really informative and broken down. Thank you.
It's interesting that you said about changing from Canon to Pentax...that's exactly what I'm considering doing, Mike Browne!
Thanks for the video - very good. Are there any particular brands of close-up filters that you'd recommend?
So That's how they take those pictures, that's clever. Wonder if i can improvise with a magnifying glass.
Random question though, and i apologize if it's rude. How is it that you keep getting thinner and thinner on your newer videos on a day to day basis? sorcery?
Brilliant video. Am now a subscriber, thank you.
thank you arcanum70 for the kind words - MELISSA ( for Mike )
Thank you hovemarka. Please help us spread the word by 'liking' 'G+ing', sharing on Facebook etc
Quick question. Well first of all great video. My question is what type of macro filters are they? Hoya? Polaroid? etc. I plan to get some for my 18-55mm or my 55-200mm and well your video was very convincing.
Thanks randygarcia12 - mine are Hoya
I've been on UA-cam since ages, but I think this is my first comment..."Dayum" ;) : your videos are great and hilarious...I'll definitely spread the word...
Thank you Ali Hammoud I appreciate it.
Great video Mike. I have been looking at your videos over the last few months and finding them extremely valuable and considering purchasing your Masterclass course. Just wondering if you would share the make of the close up filters that you were using in this video. Thanks
Thanks @David Wright. They're Hoya close up filters. Be great to see you on Masterclass. There's not much to consider really. It costs less than a cheap camera bag, will revolutionise your confidence and is 100% refund guaranteed. That's why it has so many great reviews on Trustpilot. Links below for you my friend ... MIKE🙏😊
Trustpilot: uk.trustpilot.com/review/photographycourses.biz?search=Masterclass
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@@MikeBrowne Many thanks Mike. I have purchased your Masterclass and am already working through week 1 work
I really like Mike Browne. He seems like a really nice guy.
he is +Feefye Fofum :) - Melissa pp Mike
+Feefye Fofum Thanks - MIKE
Great explanation! But I dont understand one thing. Doesnt it mess with on camera lens distortion reduction software ? :/
Thanks Emre Sunay Gebeş
I don't know. The images look great so never tested to find out... Give it a go and see... MIKE :-)
I didn't know these type of filters existed. I thought extension tubes was the only way to go. I wonder, could you add extension tubes to the mix?
I've never tried it +fatfro1 but I doubt you'd be able to get the camera close enough to focus if you did. Why not try it and see what happens.. MIKE :-)
great presentation
I'll be buying a camera shortly and I'll be primarily focusing on macro photography. Which camera would be better Nikon D3300 or D5100.
D5100 is more versatile, I think(and it has an articulating screen), but the D3300 has a lot more pixels than the D5100.
And nice, tips btw.I also saw your
"Macro Reversing Ring" and loved it. I like your narration.
Thank you for your kind comment DaRapar0011 I've never used either camera so i'm sorry i can't advise you. Though i do like flip out screens and wish all cameras had them...
Mike Browne
You are most welcome, sir.
Another question if you dont mind.
Should I choose a higher resolution camera or a lower resolution one if I know I'll be focusing on macro photography?
I'm asking this only because iI see sometimes, the photos need to be cropped and at that time, the extra resolutions come handy. What is your opinion?
You've kind of answered your own question DaRapar0011 - more pixels are better if you want to crop in and maintain good resolution. Bear in mind what you're going to do with the files. If you're printing big you need at least 300dpi resolution. If it's for on screen only 72 is all you need...
Mike Browne , Thank you sir.
I knew the facts. I just needed them to be verified by an expert. :D
My pleasure DaRapar0011
So that means my 70-300mm lens could focus even closer, very useful for too small things like tiny flowers. Thank you Mike for the video.
My pleasure 🌺🌺🌺
Thank you once more. I really did find this useful. and I appreciate the effort you put into these videos.
Thanks Tim Marshall glad they help. Please share them around - it'll help me make more...