Close Up Filter, Extension Tubes or Macro Lens?

Previously, I have tested using extension tubes as an cheaper alternative for macro photography. I have tried the extension tubes on both Nikon 50mm f/1.4 and Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR. You can re-visit the posts from the below links.

• Marumi/Kenko auto extension tube set with Nikon 50mm f/1.4
• Marumi Kenko auto extension tube set with Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR

If you compare both articles, you will notice that using the full set of extension tubes (13+21+31mm) on the Nikon 50mm f/1.4, it is possible to go beyond 1:1 macro (see below).

In this test, I have used a 52mm lens cap as the test subject and the below image is taken with a 50mm f/1.4 at minimum focusing distance using a FX body.

When using the full set of extension tubes, you are able to go well beyond 1:1 macro , but you will lose some image quality on the edges.

Nikon 50 f/1.4 with 13+21+31mm extension tubes

Compare to 1:1 macro using a Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR. Image quality wise, it is better than using extension tubes.

 

If you want to achieve extreme macro, you can add a full set of extension tube (12+21+31mm) and a TC-14E (1.4x teleconverter) on top of the 105mm macro lens. You will get to this close as shown in the below image. Note that the below image is taken at f/16 already. The extension tubes do indeed degrade the image quality at the edges.

Now what about using close up filters? Close up filter is another cheaper alternative to achieve macro photography. It simply enables you to increase the magnification of your subject by allowing you to shoot closer (reduce minimum focusing distance). The filter simply screws on to the front of the lens similar to CPL filters. You can also get different strength of close up filter ranging from +1 to +10 diopters.

Unfortunately, I only got my hands on the Marumi +1 and +3 diopters for this test, but you can still see the effect of having close up filters on. In this test, I used the close up filters on the Nikon 50mm f/1.4.

Here are the results with different strength of close up filter attached to the Nikon 50mm f/1.4. With the close up filter attached, both exposure metering and auto focus are maintained. You can see that there is quite a bit of magnification with +1 and +3 close up filters stacked. Certainly that’s no macro, but if you have a +10 close up filter, you will probably achieve near macro. I didn’t notice any degrade in timage quality with the +1 and +3 close up filters stacked, but you might with the +10 close up filter.

I don’t shoot a lot of macro, but I find close up filters to be very useful and very easy to use, especially they are light and easy to carry around and all you need to do is simply screw them on. It is less hassle than carrying a macro lens or putting on the extension tubes.

Close up filters are not only for macro, but you can use them when you just want that extra bit of magnification. For myself, I don’t shoot a lot of macro, but when I want to travel light, I will simply bring the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 “D” (only 230g). The only problem (perhaps not wide enough for some, but not a problem for me) is that the 50mm f/1.4 has a small maximum reproduction ratio (1/6.8), so sometimes I find it hard to capture those “detail” food photos which I usually do when I go travelling.

Carrying a close up filter like a +3 diopter will certainly let me shoot a bit closer while still travelling light.

So what should you get?

• Simplest to use – Macro lens
• Cheap alternative and simplest to use – Close up filters
• Only want a bit more magnification – Close up filters
• Cheap alternative and don’t mind the hassle of detaching lens – Extension tubes
• Require greater than 1:1 macro – Extension tubes
• Want the best image quality and have money to burn – Macro lens
• Extreme macro – Macro lens + Extension tubes

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Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR and auto extension tube

Another lens arrived with the Nikon 20mm f/2.8 is the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR. This lens was released in 2006, a fairly new lens equipped with Nikon's latest technology such as VRII (up to 4 stops better) and nano crystal coating. Some info extracted from Nikon.

Lens Construction (Groups/Elements)
12/14

Closest focusing distance
0.31m/1.0ft

Maximum reproduction ratio
1/1

Dimensions (approx.) (from the camera’s lens mounting flange)
83 x 116mm

Weight (approx.)
790g

A size comparison with the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8.

Below is a series of macro test including shots taken at 1:1 reproduction at minimum focusing distance, together with Marumi/Kenko auto extension tube set and then with TC-14E teleconverter

Auto extension tube set (13, 21 and 31mm)

Nikon TC-14E (1.4x teleconverter)

 

The test subject used in this case is a 52mm Nikon cap

No extension tube, minimum focusing distance with Nikon 105mm f/2.8.	31mm extension tube with Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR
13+31mm extension tubes with Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR	21+31mm extension tubes with Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR
13+21+31mm extension tubes with Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR	13+21+31mm extension tubes and TC-14E (1.4x teleconverter) with Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR
13+21+31mm extension tubes with Nikon 50mm f/1.4

Marumi Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set

Extension tubes are designed to enable a lens to focus closer than its normal set minimum focusing distance. Getting closer has the effect of magnifying your subject They are exceptionally useful for macro photography, enabling you to convert almost any lens into a macro lens at a fraction of the cost while maintaining its original optical quality. However, you lose the ability to focus to infinity and the focus range is greatly limited to a very close focusing range.

Unfortunately I couldn't get my hand on the Kenko extension tube set, however instead I got a set from Marumi to test. The functionality probably is identical except Kenko comes with a set of 12, 20 and 36mm tubes compare to 13, 21 and 31mm tubes from Marumi. When stacked, they give a combine extension of 65mm. The extension tubes are made in Japan. The tubes are solidly made, mostly are metal. Notice the metallic contact circuitry on the tubes to maintain metering data and TTL auto exposure. I did try using the auto focus function, it kind of work only when you have the subject near focus anyway. Don’t expect it to find the focus automatically for you. Magnification test was done using Nikon 50mm f/1.4, which is a typical lens used with the extension tube set. The test subject is a 62mm Nikon cap.

No extension tube, minimum focusing distance with 50mm f/1.4	13mm extension tube
21mm extension tube	31mm extension tube
13+31mm extension tubes	21+31mm extension tubes
13+21+31mm extension tubes Notice the distortion near the edges