Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Exposure Factor Needed with Diopter Closeup Lens?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    May 2002
    Posts
    1,031

    Exposure Factor Needed with Diopter Closeup Lens?

    When using a supplementary closeup lens on a prime lens do I need to make any ex posure adjustment? For example, a +2 diopter on a 150mm lens (focused at infini ty,) gives .3x magnification. If I gain that magnification via extension, I kno w it will require about 2/3 stop more exposure. Do I also allow the 2/3 stop wi th the diopter and then add any extension compensation, or is it really "free" magnification? Just wondering...with 35mm I've always metered TTL, and never needed to worry too much about this.

  2. #2

    Exposure Factor Needed with Diopter Closeup Lens?

    Alan, clear diopters do not cause any light loss in achieving their magnification [I'm not an authority on them, so I consulted "Closeups in Nature", by John Shaw (my guru in all things macro), and he agrees]. Supplemental diopters do have some disadvantages, but I'm sure you are aware of them already.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Mar 1999
    Posts
    769

    Exposure Factor Needed with Diopter Closeup Lens?

    Diopters basically make your lens a shorter lens. So, your 150mm lens with a diopter screwed in is a more complex lens (it has an additional air-spaced element) - it has a shorter focal length and is faster. Thus the extension you have coupled with a shorter focal length lens will allow you to focus closer i.e., achieve greater magnification. So, in that sense, you are right - the magnification is free and does not cost you any light.

    Diopters are useful in 35mm and MF because the lenses themselves are designed to focus only this close - if you want to focus closer than that, you will need to either get some extension by tinkering around with extension rings, bellows etc or use diopters to shorten the focal length. With large format, if you have the bellows, I would suggest not using diopters.

    Diopters complicate the lens and upset the corrections designed into the lens. They provide two additional air-glass surfaces with a resultant increase in flare. Most diopters tend to be cheap lenses without the benefits of careful corrections. So, if you can get to the magnification you want with just extending the bellows, I would suggest sticking to that. But diopters can be fun to play around with. And in conditions where speed is important, they may be the only viable alternative.

    Cheers, DJ

  4. #4

    Exposure Factor Needed with Diopter Closeup Lens?

    Try two-element high quality diopters from Canon (250D) or Nikon. They are more expensive, but so much better than single element cheapos from Tiffen.

Similar Threads

  1. 8x10 lens for closeup work
    By chris jordan in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 12-Apr-2006, 16:40
  2. Fractional diopter closeup lenses?
    By Kevin M Bourque in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 6-Mar-2006, 01:55
  3. triplet closeup lens
    By Simon Clement in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 1-Feb-2006, 09:19
  4. Exposure factor of B&W PL?
    By MAX_1650 in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 6-Mar-2001, 21:36
  5. Flash - how to factor fl of lens into equation
    By Bill Glickman in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 10-Apr-2000, 05:03

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •