Nikon Close-Up Filters

[Disappointed_Horse]

I have gotten quite a bit of use out of a Pentax Takumar close-up filter I bought a few years ago. I’d like to get a Nikon close-up filter to go with my Nikkor lenses. I don’t know whether to order Nikon close-up filter 0, 1, or 2. I’d use it on my 50mm lenses for film and possibly my 35mm f/1.8 AF-S DX on APS-C digital. Here’s an example of the kind of photos I would use this filter for (taken with Pentax 50mm S-M-C Takumar and Pentax close-up filter):



I would be grateful if anyone had any suggestions as to which Nikon close-up filter to order. Thanks.

 

[dourbalistar]

No personal experience with the Nikon close-up filters, but the MIR website does have some information about the filter thread sizes and diopter strengths:

Nikon F and F2 Close-Up Lenses

FWIW, I've used Hoya branded close-up lenses with the appropriate filter thread size (52mm in my case) on my AI Nikkor 50mm f/1.8S without issue. Some examples with the Hoya +4 close-up lens.


2024.02.25 Roll #351-08570-positive.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr


2021.01.16 Roll #267-05621-positive.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr


2020.04.15 Roll #242-04620-positive.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

Thanks @dourbalistar. Nice photos. I was aware of the MIR page on these close-up filters but I was hoping for specific suggestions on what magnification would be best for general use. Does "+4" mean 4 diopters magnification? I'm thinking I will probably go with the Nikon close-up 2 which is a 3 diopter lens.

 

[Cascadilla]

I have gotten quite a bit of use out of a Pentax Takumar close-up filter I bought a few years ago. I’d like to get a Nikon close-up filter to go with my Nikkor lenses. I don’t know whether to order Nikon close-up filter 0, 1, or 2. I’d use it on my 50mm lenses for film and possibly my 35mm f/1.8 AF-S DX on APS-C digital. Here’s an example of the kind of photos I would use this filter for (taken with Pentax 50mm S-M-C Takumar and Pentax close-up filter):

View attachment 4874139

I would be grateful if anyone had any suggestions as to which Nikon close-up filter to order. Thanks.

Which strength Pentax close up lens are you using? That should tell you whether you want +1, +2, etc. since you are planning to use it with a similar focal length on film.

 

[NIKON KIU]

I think you should buy the set and explore

Nikon Close-Up No.1 No.2 No. 0 Close-Up lens +L39 52mm Filter | eBay

Nikon L39 52mm filter in case.

ebay.us

At $20 it’s cheap enough

Kiu

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

I think you should buy the set and explore

Nikon Close-Up No.1 No.2 No. 0 Close-Up lens +L39 52mm Filter | eBay

Nikon L39 52mm filter in case.

ebay.us

At $20 it’s cheap enough

Kiu

Thanks Bob! Problem solved—I just bought the set, for about the same price as the individual close-up lenses usually go for, plus an L39 filter I'd wanted to try as well. Perfect! Very much appreciated, sir!

 

[NIKON KIU]

I believe they can be stacked together for bigger magnification.
Don’t see them often in those metal canisters.

Great deal!

Kiu

PS- I wish I was Bob

 

[dourbalistar]

Thanks @dourbalistar. Nice photos. I was aware of the MIR page on these close-up filters but I was hoping for specific suggestions on what magnification would be best for general use. Does "+4" mean 4 diopters magnification? I'm thinking I will probably go with the Nikon close-up 2 which is a 3 diopter lens.

Seems like you solved your dilemma by purchasing a full set! 😁 With the full set, you can just experiment. Your subject distance and your lens' minimum focus distance will also make a difference to the final result. But for the Hoya filters, I believe the + value equals the diopter strength. Slightly less confusing than the Nikon convention, where the #2 lens = 3.0 diopter.

HOYA | CLOSE-UP Lens Set II

hoyafilter.com

I believe they can be stacked together for bigger magnification.
Don’t see them often in those metal canisters.

Great deal!

Kiu

Yes, the seller I purchased my Hoya filters from recommended that if you stack filters, to have the one with the strongest diopter closest to the lens. Not ideal (compared to a dedicated macro lens), but you can still get decent results. Here's an example with stacked +4 and +2.


2020.09.21 Roll #258-05271-positive.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr

 

[splitimageview]

I use the 3T and 5T Nikon doublet achromatic closeups

3T	52mm	1.5 diop
4T	52mm	2.9 diop
5T	62mm	1.5 diop
6T	62mm	2.9 diop

Other options: Fuzzcraft.com | A list of achromatic close-up lenses | Photography, audio and light DIY projects

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

I believe they can be stacked together for bigger magnification.
Don’t see them often in those metal canisters.

Great deal!

Kiu

PS- I wish I was Bob

Sorry! Mix-up on usernames!

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

Which strength Pentax close up lens are you using? That should tell you whether you want +1, +2, etc. since you are planning to use it with a similar focal length on film.

My Pentax close-up lens is a "No. 1," but I wasn't sure how that would relate to actual diopter magnification or the Nikon 0, 1, and 2 close-up lenses. I'm still not, actually, but will be able to experiment and figure that out when my Nikon close-up lenses arrive.

@splitimageview I checked out that page—interesting. I did a brief search for Canon 250D close-up lenses but those were all over $100. I could get a Nikkor 55mm macro lens for not much more than that, so I'm quite happy with the deal I got on the Nikon close-up lenses. (Thanks again @NIKON KIU!) Some other interesting options on the list of achromatic filters though.

Probably everyone here is already aware of this but filterfind.net is a great source for vintage filters (and modern ones as well).

 

[splitimageview]

If you search for Nikon 3T etc. you'll find them at reasonable prices. The achromatics are really worth it!

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

If you search for Nikon 3T etc. you'll find them at reasonable prices. The achromatics are really worth it!

I think I should be good to go with the three close-up filters I've ordered, but it would be interesting to compare the 1 to the 3T. Maybe sometime in the future…