Anyone knows which outlets are selling Macro filters?

I'm having problem finding a 62 mm +4 Macro filter. Location can be KL, Malacca or S'pore. Would appreciate also if can indicate price range. Some forummers here said they bought the 58mm at RM 50-RM75.

Also, if I use with my 18-200 mm lens, does it work through out the whole range of focal length?

This post has been edited by ??!!: Jan 17 2007, 05:55 PM

try pertama complex....maybe u can ask them to specially order it for u...

got name of shop?

I can get +4 filters for my 52mm threaded macro lens here in Singapore for about S$20-30 for the usual 'OK' brands like Tokina or Kenko.

If you have more money, you can go for the Nikon 'T' close-up filters which are like S$200++ because they are actually dual lenses in a filter that are highly corrected for edge distortions.

Putting on a close-up filter will screw up your lens long-focus ability (say, >2m), not to mention the focus-to-infinity.

Thaks for the info.

Are the filters easily avaiable?..any particular shop you know that carries them.?

It appears that not many shops have them. I had problem getting them in Kl, altho I've tried many of the bigger camera outlets.

At the moment, I am not really into macro.Just thought that for a small amount of $, i'll just play around wit some close-up.

This post has been edited by ??!!: Jan 23 2007, 06:04 PM

ah ma get sp90 or 100mm usm la

...ah boy arr...so bad,,,want to poison ah mah! but ah mah boh lui wor...chin cai pakai filter can liao.
If ah mah got money, better buy 10-20 wide

ah ma, cincai pakai filter one quality no good one la
ask cucu beli la

I know Ampang Park should have them. Look for Jeff on the first floor; he may have to order if you want a +10.

Close-up filters are measured in diopters. When you set your lens to infinity and put on a close-up filter, it appears to focus on 1000mm divided by diopter unit. Meaning a +1 focuses 100cm furthest, a +2 50cm furthest, and a +4 25cm furthest. A +10, more expensive, lets you focus to 10cm far.

I have no idea how it affects the rest of the scale, e.g. if you focus your lens at 1m with a +2 filter, where'd the focus be?

Since you're probably going to use the close-up at the telephoto range, it's alright to get a 62-58mm step down ring, and a 58mm +4 filter.

ok...thanks! A friend is checking it out for me in Spore today. If can't get, will try Ampang Park.

Am I right to expect some difficulty in the lighting as I go close-up? If so, would a step down ring aggravate the problem?

Tell him to go straight to Cathay Photo in Peninsular Plaza that is next to Funan IT Mall.
Reasonable prices and so far very reputable and good service.

The main problem with lighting in macro is that you're simply too close to give proper flash coverage! Your flash, if in-built, or just mounted on the hotshoe, will miss the subject almost completely, and your lens might even cast its shadow onto the subject.

Good lighting can be achieved if you have money and buy a macro twin flash or ring flash, anb/or you go get a flash extension cord and mount your flash away from the camera -maybe also by mounting it on an extension bracket screwed to your camera. For better results you'll need a reflector or second flash to get good uniform lighting. Alternatively, if it's a still object you could just place a lot of bulbs near it... sort of like a mini-studio. Check out the link below for lighting ideas on a budget:
http://www.diyphotography.net/taxonomy_menu/1/15/2

BTW, I advise you to be present and try out the different diopters when buying the close-up lenses. Yes, they may offer you the magnification factor you want, but the distortion from the magnification may be unacceptable to you. The higher the diopter rating, the worser the distortion. You may also want to avoid the no-name brand close-up filters.

I finally managed to get the filter at Sim Lim at S$ 30 for a Hoya. Many of the shops have it, but prices quoted range from S$95, 85, 58 and finally 30..! Kena rip off if not careful!


Thanks to all for your kind input!