Canon 500D close up attachment, any good? [for a Nikon 300 f4 lens]

[Cagey75]

Just pondering here, I have a Nikon 300mm F4 that's not getting near enough use. I see people say they often use this lens as a semi-macro, with either macro rings attached, or a close up filter. The Canon 500D is one such filter or add-on I've seen mentioned. Anyone here use one? with a similar lens? Care to share a couple of example shots?

I have a TC 1.4x, that I also don't use enough with the lens, and thinking on selling that and maybe getting the close up glass instead. Or should I just hold on and give that combination more of a chance,maybe buy some cheap macro rings?

 

[jpw]

I had one for a short time with my 70-200, it gave good results but is a weighty bit of glass and I stopped using it and sold it when I got a proper macro lens.

 

[BillN_33]

Just pondering here, I have a Nikon 300mm F4 that's not getting near enough use. I see people say they often use this lens as a semi-macro, with either macro rings attached, or a close up filter. The Canon 500D is one such filter or add-on I've seen mentioned. Anyone here use one? with a similar lens? Care to share a couple of example shots?

I have a TC 1.4x, that I also don't use enough with the lens, and thinking on selling that and maybe getting the close up glass instead. Or should I just hold on and give that combination more of a chance,maybe buy some cheap macro rings?

Keith, arn't Raynox good and quite popular and inexpensive ……. a lot of guys on the Macro forum use them ……… not sure how or if they work with the 300mm f4 ……. but it may be worth asking

My solution is to use a Nikon V1, (maybe £100 used), + FT1, (about the same), with it's x 2.7 crop factor and fill the 10 meg frame with the image …… 90% of my Dragonfly close ups are taken using that combo ……. have a look at the Communal Dragonfly thread in "Wild and Free"

Good luck

 

[Canon Bob]

I've got a couple of them and they're handy to throw in the bag when out with a telephoto in case a macro'ish opportunity arises. On 300/4 at focussed at infinity you'll get about 0.6x and this will increase a little (0.7x on Canon's 300/4) as you focus the main lens more closely.
Certainly you'll get much higher magnification than using a 1.4x T/C......3-3.5x higher on a Canon 300/4.

I'll try to hunt out a few shots later.

Bob

 

[Canon Bob]

Keith, arn't Raynox good and quite popular and inexpensive …….

The 300/4 will have a front element around 77mm whilst the Raynox are 49mm.....fine if you're only concerned with the centre of the frame I suppose.

Bob

 

[Cagey75]

Keith, arn't Raynox good and quite popular and inexpensive ……. a lot of guys on the Macro forum use them ……… not sure how or if they work with the 300mm f4 ……. but it may be worth asking

My solution is to use a Nikon V1, (maybe £100 used), + FT1, (about the same), with it's x 2.7 crop factor and fill the 10 meg frame with the image …… 90% of my Dragonfly close ups are taken using that combo ……. have a look at the Communal Dragonfly thread in "Wild and Free"

Good luck

I have a raynox 150, I bought it for the X100s when I had it. Held onto it as it fits on the 85mm 1.8G, which gives close-ish results, nothing special though.

I have a 150mm macro but there's something up with it, think the OS is a bit duffed, probably going to eventually send it for repairs when i have the funds.

I wouldn't mind trying a V1, don't know if I'd make enough use out of it besides though. Maybe I could get one for the missus for Christmas, tell her she can use my lenses ... then stick it in my bag a week later

 

[Cagey75]

Whoops don't know what I did there, meant to edit last post to add: The raynox, as Bob points out, won't even come close to fitting the 300mm. The Canon 500D comes in 77mm thread, it seems perfect for the 300 but it's not exactly cheap either.