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Review of Digital Optic close up / macro filters - approximately $40 per set of 4
Digital Optic close up filters are a brand often seen on ebay. Close up or macro as they are also known, are filters that magnify the subject +1, +2, +4 or +10 times its original size. Like all filters, they are screwed onto any digital SLR lens and are compatible with a wide range of camera brands including Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Olympus, Kodak and many others.
We recently purchased a set to use on a Nikon D40 and were quite surprised by the results. Considering the price difference between an expensive macro lens compared to a $40 set of close up filters, they did a great job of capturing small objects clearly and in detail. We definately recommend the macro filters for those photographers first starting out in insect or flower photography.
Shown below is one of the first photographs we took with a +10 close up / macro filter attached to a 18 - 55 mm lens. As you can see, similarly to a real macro lens, the depth of field is shallow. Hence the blur in the background and on the insects body. If you want more of the subject in focus, you would up your camera's f stop setting or aperture as it's also known to f/11 or higher.
Now for comparison, shown below is the same insect, this time taken with an expensive Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens.
As you can see, the real macro lens is obviously sharper. However, considering the much cheaper price of the Digital Optic close up / macro filters, they still do a very efficient job of capturing insects clearly. It's also important to note, that the sharpness in the second photograph could be due to a number of different reasons. For example camera shake or numerous settings etc.
Handy Tip: We found implementing one or at most, two filters at any one time was better than using all 4 filters at the same time.
Conclusion: Highly recommended for those who don't want to pay the price for a real macro lens, or for those first starting out in flower and insect photography. If you still enjoy this style of photography after 6 months or so, then you can always upgrade to a real macro lens later on.
Feel free to leave your own comments and reviews on this particular brand of filters. Or if you've taken any photographs with these filters, you can also leave the url to the image so others can see the quality of pictures taken.
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