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…

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

I received my Nikon close-up lenses today. I had other things to do so I didn’t have a chance to do any testing until the nice natural light in my house was gone. But being curious and impatient, I shot a few comparison images of my iPad screen with my D7000 at minimum focusing distance. I used my 50mm f/1.4 AI-S lens at f/2.8, 1/200, ISO250.

No close-up lens:



Nikon close-up lens 0:



Nikon close-up lens 1:



Nikon close-up lens 2:



I focused on the “R” in “Rings” for each image. I am pretty impressed with the magnification achieved with these lenses. (Keep in mind though that these were shot on APS-C so 1.5X crop factor.) The sharpness looks pretty good to me as well, especially considering I was shooting handheld.

Also these lenses are in almost perfect condition and are probably the most nicely made and finished filters I’ve ever seen. Thanks again to @NIKON KIU for letting me know about that auction!

 

[NIKON KIU]

It’s good to be anxious to explore. No feeling like it…ok may be sex is better…lol
The seller did say they looked new.
Can you post some pictures of the filters, the seller had good pix of canisters but lousy pictures of the actual filters, I think you have an early set.

Of course the quality is Nikon, retail price on these was $29 a piece. Back in the 80s

Kiu

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

It’s good to be anxious to explore. No feeling like it…ok may be sex is better…lol
The seller did say they looked new.
Can you post some pictures of the filters, the seller had good pix of canisters but lousy pictures of the actual filters, I think you have an early set.

Of course the quality is Nikon, retail price on these was $29 a piece. Back in the 80s

Kiu

Sure, I’ll do that as soon as I have a chance to take some pictures in decent light. It may not be until the weekend though.

 

[phofseth]

Strictly speaking , supplementary lenses do not affect polarization or frequency of transmitted light, so they are definitely not "filters" even though some persist in calling anything a filter that looks like a screw-in attachment.

A definitive advantage of using quality dioptric correctors for close ups is that they do not need the exposure correction that similar extension by helix, bellows or rings would require., on the other hand , they do add elements to the original optical calculation and the combination might have measurable effects compared to the extended original lens (even if used reversed).

p.