Close-up filters for Macro on Sony FE lenses

[ggibson]

I'm thinking about picking up a close-up macro filter for fun, and wondering about the different options. I've read that close-up lenses work best on longer focal lengths, so I was thinking of going with something that would fit either my Zeiss 55/1.8 or my new Batis 85/1.8. Has anyone else used any macro filters with these? Any advice to share?

 

[Shac]

I have both the lenses you mention and use Nikon 3/4T and 5/6T closeup lenses - these are achromatic (double elements). As you surmised the 3/4Ts work best with lenses from 85mm to 200mm, and 5/6Ts with lenses from 70mm to 210mm.
Image quality is quite acceptable but not flat-field

 

[seb]

I have a few cheap extension tubes, that I can combine to get the optimal distance for each FL.

Normaly I use them to push my my FE 90/2.8 macro from 1:1 to 2:1 (this spider is around 5mm big):

spiders see everything

But you can use them on any other lens too. Here a shot with the loxia 21/2.8 and 10mm extension tube (around 1:2 distance):

loxia 21/2.8 with extension tubes (10mm). Around 1:2 macro

I tried them also with the 55/1.8 but it doesnt work very well. The picture isn't sharp. I don't know why and didn't any further tests with it.
Other systems I never used until now.

The 90/2.8 is one of the best performing lens ever made, it's native, with lot of usefull stuff and it's an 1:1 macro. If you have the money, don't think about others, unless you want to use it in an artistic way.
All with the Sony FE 90/2.8 Macro and 1:1 or 2:1 Macro (most have full res on flickr, click it):

Spinne


Motte


small dice


ruler


testshot


testshot OOC


tiny tubes

 

[ggibson]

Thanks for the advice and examples. I considered the 90 macro, but personally the size and weight was a bit more than I wanted in my kit.

Actually, this kind of started because I'm looking at wet macro lenses for my underwater kit (and why I wasn't thinking about extension tubes as much). The one of the standard underwater filter sizes is 67mm, which is what the Batis 85 has also. So I was curious to see if people had tried out some close-up filters on that lens.

 

[seb]

That makes sense.
Sorry that I can't help you with the close up filters.

For the protocol: I tested the extension tubes with the 55/1.8 once more. It looks like it get worse the more CA the lens has. If you go up to f8 it looks quite good.

 

[Shac]

Re the 67 mm filter size of the Batis - I use a 67-72 Step-down ring with the Canon 500D achromatic (72mm) - works fine for me - YMMV

 

[ggibson]

Good to know--thanks!