The purpose of this test is to compare some common close-up lenses. Working range is given for each lens. The first figure is the nearest distance focus is achieved, the second, the most distant. While you might think that +1 or +2 isn’t enough magnification to be useful, consider that +2 decreases the closest working distance from about 24cm (9.45”) to 16cm (6.3”), while still allowing focus up to 51cm (20”) which might prove useful when photographing flowers or wildlife.
We usually try to use normal to tele focal lengths with a close-up lens to minimize distortion and increase working distance. The challenge here is starting with a 28mm focal length There’s no getting around the “pincushion” distortion created when a macro filter is added, though it’s barely noticeable at +4 and under.
Don’t write off a lens based solely on its’ corner to corner sharpness or by the amount of pincushion distortion it produces. Depending on the application, these flaws might be unnoticed (photographing flowers or insects for instance). Other flaws, like the CA seen in the corners of some of these samples are harder to hide.
When the new Sigma AML-1 is available, we’ll add it to this comparison.
When lenses are combined, the higher power lens goes on first (except for the B&W +10 which has no outside thread, so is always placed last.) The optical power of the combined lenses is approximately the sum of the individual optical powers of each lens.
All images shot raw and processed in SPP3 JPEG quality 10 full size. We've provided both the full size 100% sample as well as a 100% corner crop for those with slower connections.
Click here for depth of field (DOF) samples. We shot each sample at f4 and f10. Not a perfect test because DOF is being measured at an angle, but a good approximation. Half size crops shown, 1 mm increments.
Click here to see how these lenses look with a different subject.
Sigma DP1 Macro Lens Comparison
Click images to see original file,
or click within box to see 100% quarter crop.
Native 28mm (no close-up lens)
Working Distance: 24cm - InfinityWorking distance range is measured between macro lens and subject. Closest focus shown in these samples.
Distance across frame in millimeters.
(1" = 25.4mm)
Hoya Macro Set 52mm 100%
(+1, +2, +4, and +7)Click images to see original file,
or click within box to see 100% quarter crop.
Hoya +1
Working Distance: 19cm - 110cmHoya +2
Working Distance: 15cm - 51cmHoya +4
Working Distance: 120mm - 265mmHoya +7
Working Distance: 85mm - 145mmThe Hoya set is comprised of 3 separate filters - +1, +2, and +4.
They can be used singly or in combination. Hoya recommends placing the highest power filter on first.Very good corner to corner performance with all filters used singly.
A little corner softness when all are combined (+7).
Canon 500D and 250D
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or click within box to see 100% quarter crop.
Canon 500D (+2)
Working Distance: 15cm - 50cm
Canon 250D (+4)
Working Distance: 123mm - 255mm
Raynox DCR-250
Click images to see original file,
or click within box to see 100% quarter crop.
Raynox DCR-250 (+8)
Working Distance: 75mm - 120mm
with 52-43 Coplanar Step Ring
Raynox DCR-250 (+8)
Working Distance: 75mm - 120mm
using included spring loaded holderNot very happy on the DP1 used by itself, but has some potential when combined as seen below. Vignetting occurs (right) because spring loaded holder places filter 3mm farther out than coplanar step ring.
Hoya +10 52mm
Working Distance: 65mm - 95mmB&W +10 52mm
Working Distance: 62mm - 82mm
Combinations
Click images to see original file,
or click within box to see 100% quarter crop.
Raynox DCR-250 and Hoya +4 combined*
Working Distance: 54mm - 77mm
52-43 Coplanar and 49-52 Step Up Ring
Working Distance: 40mm - 59mm
52-43 Coplanar and 49-52 Step Up RingRaynox DCR-250 and Canon 250D combined
Working Distance: 52mm - 77mm
52-43 Coplanar and 49-52 Step Up RingCanon 250D and Raynox DCR250 combined
(same as left but reverse order)
Working Distance: 55mm -72mm
52-43 CoplanarCanon 250D and Raynox DCR250. When this combination is reversed, the
CA and softness is almost eliminated (right).Hoya +10 and Canon 250D combined
Working Distance: 50mm - 67mmHoya +10 and Hoya +4
Working Distance: 50mm - 69mmHoya +10 and Hoya +7 set combined
Working Distance: 37mm - 50mmHoya +10 and Raynox DCR250 combined
Working Distance: 35mm - 46mmHoya +10 and Raynox DCR250 (above). Neither lens is very good used singly, but when combined the result is very good. DCR250 and B&W +10 combined
Working Distance: 36mm - 46mmHoya +10 and B&W +10 combined
Working Distance: 35mm - 43mmRaynox MSN500 Supermicro
Working Distance: 16mmWe didn't have the Raynox MSN-202 to test, but the results would have been similar to the sample on the left.
