How To Use Macro (Close Up) Filters

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.

[tattoodrdoke]

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

Love the atmosphere and the simplicity of the explanation.

[MikeBrowne]

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.

[Tellmeallthestuff]

this video takes concepts and ideas that are difficult if explained theoretically and simply and concisely shows the actions behind the theory. Thanks, brilliant.

[MikeBrowne]

Hey Dan - yes provided you can make them fit. I've used everything from tape to blutak....

[MikeBrowne]

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

[MikeBrowne]

No worries Candy - glad you found it useful

[MikeBrowne]

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.

[MikeBrowne]

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.

[brushbros]

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

[barak]

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 🇩🇰

[MikeBrowne]

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

[noobblet]

dayum, thats a best review that i ever seen

[MikeBrowne]

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.

[billdiamond]

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

[Memorablemomentsart]

Excellent video. I have a set from my medium format film days and still use them, just bought adapter rings for different size lenses.

[Mastersht]

For a second I forgot I was on youtube and thought I was watching Topgear on the TV...

[josemusama]

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.

[novorak]

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.

[satinswan]

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.