Two New Close-Up Lenses from NiSi - In-Depth Review
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- Опубликовано: 14 дек 2020
- Hello all and welcome back to Allan Walls Photography.
If you check out my blog post (which can be found at www.allanwallsphotography.com...) you will find some additional information, boring formulae, images, and even some links to the equipment and supplies used in this video.
If you are interested in purchasing one of these lenses and would like to support the channel at the same time, use these links (as an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission from qualified purchases made using these links).
For the 58mm lens, click here... amzn.to/39YMjLQ
And for the larger 77mm lens... amzn.to/399BIhP
This video is a product review for two new close-up filters from NiSi. The equipment was sent to me, along with their macro focusing rail, to try out and to review. I will not be reimbursed for producing this video and all comments are my own, honest opinions.
I have never been a fan of close-up filters for macro photography - probably because all the filters I have ever used (Raynox being the one shining exception) have been utter garbage. So I did start this review with high hopes - even though I have been using NiSi GND filters for years. But I could not have been more pleasantly surprised by what I found.
NiSi sent me two close-up filters - they call them lenses (good idea, as that is what they are) - to try out. The smaller of the two is a 58mm, +5 diopter, 200mm close-up lens It is designed to be used with smaller, shorter focal length lenses and seemed to be a good match with most of the kit lenses available today. The second, larger lens is 77mm in diameter, has a power of +3.33 diopters, and has a focal length of 300mm. It is clearly designed for use on longer focal length lenses and is ideally sized for large lenses with filter sizes of 67mm to 82mm.
In the video, I discuss what close-up filters are and how they are used. I explain the difference been good and bad filters, and spend a little time talking about the way these lenses do (and do not) correct for lens aberration. I walk through all the different ways in which I used these lenses and show plenty of examples of how they performed with a wide selection of cheap and expensive lenses.
I really liked these filters! They fill an important gap in the macro equipment market - close-up lenses of high quality, in larger sizes, with good corrective construction, and at an affordable price. They are definitely high quality, made using very nice optical glass, and consist of a complementary lens doublet. They are heavy and solid, with no color cast and negligible aberrations when used at the recommended apertures. Their performance was slightly degraded by opening up the native lenses that I used, but only slightly. At normal macro apertures, they showed no significant geometric or chromatic aberration. There was some minimal edge softening at larger apertures and shorter focal lengths, but by-and-large, the images were sharp and bright.
I intend to purchase the 77mm lens, and possibly the 58mm lens, as well - depending on how well it performs as a tube lens (which will be covered in a separate video, by the way). These lenses are not cheap, compared to other close-up filters, at least. The smaller lens sells for almost $80, while the big boy is a hefty $130. But those prices look less steep when you compare them to the cost of a new (or even a used) macro lens.
Overall, these lenses do exactly what they claim to do, and perform better than I expected - by a mile. I’m sure some macro-snobs will find things to grumble about, but I like them a lot. I just wish they had been around when I was getting started, and couldn’t possible afford a macro lens. There are plenty of ways to get started in close-up photography, but none are more intuitive, more comfortable, or more fun than this.
As always, a huge thank you to my Patreon supporters and to those kind folks who have made donations through my donation page (www.allanwallsphotography.com.... None of this would be possible without your generosity!
Creating this content is my full-time job, so if you would like to support my efforts and help keep the videos coming, please consider signing up as a Patreon patron, which can be done by going to / allanwallsphotography .
Thank you all!
Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe and ring the bell!
Cheers,
Allan
Lovely video. Thankx a ton for the loads of information.
In depth review indeed.. Thank you for this.
The pace of your lectures helps greatly in comprehension,thank you sir
Very detailed, well explained. Thanks for posting and teaching.
Great review Allan. Thank you.
Cheers, Greg!
Really important information. Thanks so much!
Thank you Allan!!. Sounds like a very good option to be prepared for an unplanned macro photography without always carrying a bulky and heavy macro lens.
Usually I don't watch videos where people ramble on but all of the segues were relevant to the topic and I learned more than I expected. This was great. Subscribed.
Very thorough presentation. Thank you.
Thanks, Allan. Very useful.
Thank u for this.I love macro photography & struggle with it! I am going to look into these,hopefully I will be happy with my images!
Thanks for a good review. I am already getting the larger one for christmas so watching this now was very timely for me.
Found the review on your site and will read that as well.
subscribed to your channel as well
Thanks Mark. I don't do a ton of reviews on the channel, but these lenses, especially the 77mm one, really surprised me. I was expecting "another magnifying glass", but this thing rocks! A lot of fun in the field too. Good to have you on board!
Comprehensive, easy to follow, and very informative review. Thank you, sir! Subscribed.
Now working through your extensive back catalogue, both here and on the website.
Thank You! I got the 58mm for my T8i EF-S 250mm (+ the 55mm from the original kit), and it's fantastic. AF works well when at a correct working distance (for the 58mm, betwee 9cm and 22cm).
that intro is gold!
Nice one Allan!
Very informative about NISI macro filter.
Great video Allan now I need to pick up that 77mm close up lens.
The 77mm version arrived today. Mated it with Nikon 70-200mm f/4. Just finished experimenting indoors shooting metric scale at shortest and longest focus and shortest and longest focal lengths. Now that I have a feel for image scale and working distance ranges, heading out to menace some fungi, in great abundance and variety this time of year, and they don't move very fast so I can work with available light and consequent long exposures. Thanks Alan for the review and inspiration.
Looks fun to use
Got the 77mm version of this, and I am having a lot of fun with it. It is shaky with the lens wide open (e.g., Sony 70-200mm F2.8 at f/2.8, or Sony 24-105mm F4 at f/4) - you get "steam coming out of sharp edges". But stopped down by one f-stop clears up the fog. Further stopping down required only for additional DOF.
One negative: with the close up lens screwed on, it would not be possible to also use the lens shade in many if not most cases. I can still use the shade with my Sony 70-200, but I can't use the shade with my Sony 24-105. So one has to be careful in finding other ways to avoid stray light entering the lens. It's just the nature of the beast, not a problem unique to the NiSi lenses.
Thank you for this review.
Great video thank you!
Looks like a nice product!
Winter might mean fewer insects, but the cooler temperatures means that those that are there tend to move slower, so I consider that a win :)
Thank you, Allan. Always enjoy your video.
I've been mulling on the idea of getting the 77mm to add to the dimension of Sony 90mm 2.8 macro lens. I hope the step up rings would in fit the 62mm filter thread
Hi Kenny, I believe the two rings that come with the 77mm lens are for 67mm and 72mm filter threads. So you would need to get a 62 to 77mm step up ring, or a 62 to 67mm ring if you don't mind using all three (that is what I did). You can find the ring for under $5 on eBay.
I will look into this but I have ex tubes that have electric contacts that keep the connection with the camera alive and they work very well.
Excellent 👍
I’m selling my cheap closeup filters right away. I’m going to buy quality brand rocks at the nursery for paper weights. I just don’t trust the no name brand ones in the garden…
Thanks for a great contribution. I’m going to try the NiSi 77
My but you have been busy. Great video as usual.
Thanks Ian. This one was a lot more work than I was expecting!
Superb info! I've always wanted to try macro photography but have baulked at buying a dedicated lens as I don't want all my spare cash tied up in lenses. I've taken the decision to buy this lens and have some fun for just over £100.
Two years later, it’s fungi season again, I noticed the 77mm NiSi has been much neglected. I couldn’t find past notes so ran a full set of WD and magnification measurements with 77mm NiSi on Nikon 70-200 f4 at 70, 85, 105, 135 and 200mm at minimum and infinity focus, and on Nikon 300 f4 as well, also with 1.4x and 1.7x TC (420 and 510mm). At 200mm close focus the 70-200 reaches 1:1. Magnifications achieved with various configurations of the 300 mm f4 range from 1:1 to 2.25:1. After rewatching your video I measured the 77mm NiSi on the Nikon 105mm f2.8 macro as well. At close focus, 1.6:1. I tested D850 focus shift with NiSi on 70-200, worked fine. Fungi are abundant in our forest now. They neither run nor fly, and they don’t wave in the breeze; obedient subjects for practice.
Hi Allan, Enjoyed your video on the NiSi Closeup Lenses. I have the 2 diopter Canon 500d which I have been using. It works great when using my Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 lens with either a full frame or APS-C body. But a big surprise is using it with the Nikon P1000 with its 3000mm equivalent FL with its big lens and small sensor. At 2 diopters, it has a working distance of 1/2 meter. But I find that with the P1000, when I am at 1/2 meter, I can zoom all the way out to 3000mm equiv. FL (which is actually 537mm FL) while the image looks very sharp. If I am at a distance slightly less than 1/2 m, then of course the zoom can't go out as far. And as the distance is reduced even more, the max FL continues to drop.
The result of using the P1000 with the 500d is that it provides a nice 1/2 m working distance with very nice magnification that doesn't scare away tiny critters.
I use some 2 element diopters made by Leica, called ELPRO, for Leica R and they are superb. Except if I try to use an adapter to make it fit another lens. It usually does not work because the distance from magnifier to lens is changed.
They also change the focal length of the prime lens making it shorter.
Muito esclarecedor ,obrigado .
A few years ago I did an extensive macro test with several of my lenses, extension tubes and achromatic close-up lenses from Marumi. These are neither cheap nor expensive. Maybe inferior to Nisi, but the outcome of my research was that the combination of a good portrait tele or a good (!) standard zoom on its long end gives image quality close to that of a real macro lens. That could not be said for the extension tubes, which only worked well with my macro lenses.
Great review :-) I intend to get the larger one for my girlfriend and myself. She got a 100-400 on MFT and I have the 90mm Tamron on fullframe. I'd also like to test in camera focus bracketing for still objects, yet not insects with the nisi attached.
The 77mm is fantastic on the 90mm Tamron!
Hi Allan. The Nisi is much better than the Raynox 250/150 for as a between tube lens
Great review, very informative! What are your thoughts on using with a Sigma DP3 Merrill? It has a fixed 50mm lens on an APSC sensor and capable of focusing to 22.6mm, almost 1:3 magnification. Thanks!
TOP !!!!
I’ve been trying to wrap my head around the concept of flat field lenses as a means to overcome field distortion, thinking that’s one of the primary contributors to nuanced image qualities. From what I’m beginning to realize, lens designs are comprised of multiple trade offs . The units I have been eyeing are from Marumi, and are labelled as achromats. Could these adapters compensate for the undesirable field curvature on regular lenses, barring the macro aspect of these? Or is the root problem the final (curved) lens, thereby voiding my half-baked experiment idea? Could a focal reducer further enhance the performance of these if we move this party to mirrorless?
Hello, I just found your video and found it very interesting. The 58mm looks like an interesting product. May I also ask what would be your opinion on the old Hoya close up filters that used to be sold as part of a set? Would it be something worth looking into?
Hi Allan! Hoping you're still planning to address use of the 58mm NiSi as a tube lens for infinity-corrected microscope objectives. I've got that 58mm and will try it, so I'll look to your report to know if I need to save up for the Raynox or another tube lens.
Thanks as always for the amazing content!
Hi John, I started the project and have accumulated a ton of images comparing the NiSi 58mm and Raynox DCR-150 as relay lenses. I had a few deadlines to meet and put this project aside to get caught up, but I will get it finished ASAP - sorry for the delay!
What an interesting video, learnt so much, thanks. My 70-200 has a 82mm thread, do you think that using a step up ring would impact in any way on the image? I’m thinking vignetting for example. Loved your images btw. 👏
I usually use a ring and get filter one size larger. An 82mm on my 77mm 70-200mm for example. Going the other way shouldn't be a problem with a close up filter and even if the edges do creep in, you will almost certainly be cropping the images. The edges get a little soft anyway. Let me know how it works. I need to look up which 70-200 has an 82mm filter thread - the big Canon?
As always, a great movie ... I have an Olympus OMD em10 ii ... can this lens work on m4 / 3 lenses ????
I have a Canon 50mm macro lens with Meike Mk-C-Up Extension Tubes I'm wonder if it's possible to use these particular filters effectively with these. This lens has been giving me a extremely hard time creating working space ! Thanks !
Thanks dear Allan for all your efforts and information. I usually use a 20 & a 50mm , it is light to carry on my treks but would love to carry this to capture those little flowers and insects . But I gather from your talk is that with a 50mm it won't make much of a different . Is that correct ??
A big thank you once again.
Hi Amitabh, 50mm is about as low as I would go on a full frame body, but it still works well at that focal length. The manufacturer actually says you can go to 35mm on a FF and 24mm on a crop frame. It works even better on a crop frame camera - many of the images in the video were shot on a 55mm plastic kit lens, and they looked pretty good!
Thank you Allan, that was an inspiration. I have a collection of these lenses, yes I call them lenses. But never used them for more than a single try. I bought them just to be "always prepared". They were not cheap either. I'll give them a new try.
Thanks Ricardo - definitely you should try them on a macro lens. Great fun!
Wonderful review! I ordered the 58mm and am looking forward to getting out and shooting some tiny bugs. Just one question: a few times you use the term "dealbreaker" but from context I think you're using it in the opposite of how I (an American) would use it. Fun quirk of language, isn't it?
Hi Nicholas, I'm not sure if that's an interesting example of cultural semantics, as you suggest, or just another example of my questionable skill as a word-sayer. But I would put money on it being the latter!
Since this review was released, NiSi has released another model. This is 49mm and +9 diopter. Being strong and small diameter, it would seem most appropriate for shorter focal length BUT I am failing to understand why NiSi packages this small lens with 62 and 67mm adapter rings which would seem to be begging for absolutely terrible vignetting. I ask too much. What I want is an accessory lens to use on my lightweight Canon RF 100-400 f/5.6-8 (67mm front thread) to get close crop *perhaps honeybee size). However I would prefer that the item fit inside the lens hood especially since Nisi products do not have front threads which rules out the 77mm NiSi. I currently get decent results using extension tubes (I have four adding up to 88mm). No answer will be easy to use in this range. I also shoot closer with a Laowa macro which requires being insect scaring close and does not do well in public gardens where you can not step foot into their beds to get close to that bee. I hope you will be reviewing the 49mm NiSi and address the obvious questions of vignetting and what were they thinking when they decided to bundle the large rings with that small lens.
Interesting video Allan- great product review! How does this compare to the Raynox DCR-250 (which I use on my Canon 100mm L macro lens?
Hi David, I think it is easier to use than the DCR-250, which is a +8 diopter lens. The +5 diopter 58mm NiSi was every bit as bright, but it is a good bit larger than the Raynox, and much more secure on the lens than the Raynox adapter. But they are both very good lenses with no appreciable CA or SA at f/8. I guess it comes down to how much magnification you need, and how short a working distance you are comfortable with.
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thanks Allan - I might get one to experiment with!
Which one would U suggest for my canon 85mm1,8/58mm dia
I never thought I’d have any use for a ring flash, but your field bug shots have inspired my interest. Any ring flash recommendations? Browsing B&H they seem to fall in two categories, sub $100 and multiple $100s. The Meinke MK-14EXT ($80) supports Nikon i-TTL. Light level range is limited, 1/1 - 1/16. Sufficient for this application?
Never mind, you already answered my question in your blog post. Thanks.
🙏👍
Great video Allan. I mainly do landscape & wildlife photography but got some extension tubes a while ago and have started doing some macro using the tubes with an old Nikon 18-105 kit lens. I gather from the video that the 58mm version would probably be best - is this right, and is there an adapter to fit it to the 67mm diameter of this lens?
Hi Warren, sorry this took so long to respond to, the 58 mm would probably be the best diopter to use at the shorter focal distances with this lens, but the long end of that lens is not going to work very well with either diopter. The 58 mm lens comes with adapters for 52 and 55 mm, if I remember correctly. You probably do not want to use this particular lens if you are trying to step down from 67 mm. You are almost certainly going to have vignetting if you do that. I found that the shorter lens was most effective with a shorter focal length prime lens and I got the best performance from the larger, longer focal length lens using a 200 mm lens. With diopters, everything is a trade-off. The convenience is great but the image quality will never match that of your extension tubes for a macro lens. I'm sorry I can't give you a more definitive answer, but that lens really is rather in the middle. As it sounds like you are already an experienced photographer - maybe you should consider getting a decent 105 mm macro lens and experience it with the ability to focus at infinity. It makes all the difference in the world. I wish you luck with your adventures.
Thanks for the feedback Allan, much appreciated
Hi Allan, thanks for this video. I have a couple of questions and will enumerate to facilitate answering.
1. If you have say a 100mm macro lens with the 58mm filter and a 200mm with the 77mm filter which one will give you more magnification?
a) Is there a sweet spot in terms of focal length for each lens?
2. I guess there aren't any macro lens at 200mm (canon got a 180mm). Will the IQ be better on a macro lens like the 100mm with the filter compared to the 200mm which isn't a macro lens? Or even in the 100mm range but non macro.
Can we add extension tube I guess? Will the IQ degrade in either configuration (100mm or 200mm). Say extension tubes + 100mm macro (canon) + NiSi 58mm?
a) side question: will the working distance change? Will you need to be closer? By how much?
4. My 100mm macro has a filter diameter of 67mm. So which NiSi would be better? My understanding is that the big NiSi has more magnification, so would it be best in comparison to the smaller one?
Thanks for your time.
Hi Carlos - 1) the macro lens + 58mm filter. The focusing range is very limited with both setups - slightly longer with the 77mm filter. My pictures were sharpest at the minimum focus distance with both. 2) Nikon makes a 200mm macro lens - it is one of the best macro lenses ever made. These filters are really made to use on telephoto lenses - you will get more magnification with longer lenses - 200mm seems to give best IQ. 3) adding extension will further reduce the already very short working distance - not advised. The resulting WD will depend on the lens you use - experiment. The big NiSi has less power (about 3.5 + diopter). I would prefer to use the larger lens on a 67mm filter thread, but you could use the smaller lens, though it may cause a vignette under certain conditions. As I said earlier - experiment - try the lenses with all of your camera lenses - the results are sometimes unexpected.
@@AllanWallsPhotography got it. So the 100mm macro with the smaller filter will produce higher magnification.
In regards to point 2, it will give you higher magnification even if the 200mm isn't a macro lens? So you would expect a 200mm with the 77 filter to give you higher magnification when compared to the 100mm macro and 58 filter? Is that it? I have the 70-200mm f/2.8 so I could go with either configuration but would like to get the highest magnification possible. Which one in your experience would then produce the highest magnification?
Additionally, would you expect a wider macro lens (1:1) like 50mm or 60mm with the 58 filter to produce higher magnification when compared to the 100mm/200mm and 67 filter?
Thank you so much for your time. Really appreciate. I am going to go through your blog. This is all new to me. Thanks.
Timely video for me , I have been considering this product & have now ordered it based upon your observations. Also considering the 58mm version for my 70mm macro lens, what magnification could I obtain with that combination?
Thanks
Hi Ken, I would expect you to get right at 2:1, when at the minimum working distance (around 100mm).
@@AllanWallsPhotography OK, thank you
Allan, really enjoying your video's. Any thoughts on using the 77mm on a Nikon 70-300 lens? I notice in the review you used the 58mm Nisi on your 70-300 lens. thanks.
Yes, I did use it all the way up to 300mm. The picture was decent but the DOF was very shallow and it was tricky to use, but not as bad as the 58mm. Go for it - it was a ton of fun and I still use the thing on that lens.
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thank you so much for the quick reply. Will be watching more of your videos, I did subscribe.
Superb videos , very enlightening thank you. I was wondering if you have any experience/views on using a 70-200 with the close lens and a 1.5x or a 2x adapter (sony GM) and the 77mm nisi lens ? I do own the 90mm macro, and maybe this is good enough ! TIA.
To be honest, I have never really like teleconverters because of the extra glass but I know some very good photographers who use them, theoretically it should work and then it comes down to the image quality - if it is good enough for your needs then you may be on to something. I would try this setup but I don't currently own a converter of any type!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thanks for the reply. As it happens I ordered the 77mm only 10 minutes before your reply arrived. Spooky! I will let you know how it works out. I have the converters anyway so no loss . Thanks again .
Great video mate. Did you find that the auto focus didn’t work with the nisi glass? Tried mine with a rf70-200mm on my canon r6 and it couldn’t auto focus at various distances
It actually did work with my Nikon DSLR glass, but I seldom use it. Not sure why it would not work with the R-6. Interesting. Nice closeup lenses though. Very well made.
Thanks for the detailed review! Is it possible to combine the two close up filters for extra magnification? Been thinking on using these on my Sony 90 mm macro lens.
Hi Daniel, I think that it may be possible to stack these lenses, at least under some conditions, but I haven't tested that yet. I will be giving it a go in the next few days and I will discuss it during the video on using the lenses as infinity relay optics.
I see. I'll check out that video then. Thanks for replying.
Can I use this on my Olympus 4/3 42-150 58 thread lens?
Hi Allan,
Thank you for your inspiring videos and review. I got a Sigma 150mm 2.8 macro lens. Would the 77mm close-up lens work with that macro lens? I know I would need a step-down ring 77-72. Thanks a lot.
Jaume
Hi Jaume, yes - the 77mm lens will work with a longer macro lens, and the lens already comes with a 72 to 77mm step up ring.
Thank you very much.
I have been looking at close up filters to use with my Sony RX10 M4 to have the possibility of doing macro photography when I am out with that camera. I normally do macrophotography with the Lumix G9 + the Olympus 60mm + Raynox 150 (sometimes). So i am very glad to read your excellent review because I trust your opinion. What I am hesitating with is which close up lens to get. There is this Nisi one, but also Marumi, Hoya and Canon make one. Any experience with these other brands?
Hi Lucie, I have used the Marumi DHG +5 diopter Achromat and it is a comparable lens to the NiSi - just more expensive. The Hoya lenses were disappointing, with quite a lot of chromatic aberration (I think they are single element lenses). I have never used the canon lenses. The Raynox lenses are fantastic, optically, but I do not care for the plastic mounting system for use out in the field. I think you would be equally happy with either the Marumi or the NiSi.
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thank you very much Allan for taking the time to reply and for your advice. I love the Raynox, but unfortunately I cannot use it with the Sony RX10 M4 which has a 72mm lens diameter. That is why I am considering buying a close up lens (filter) to do some approximation of macrophotography with the Sony Rx10 when that is all I am carrying.
@@luciegagnon1238 Great - that is what I figured from your question - the NiSi would be a good choice as it comes with a 72-77mm step up ring.
Really helpful review Allan. I’m looking at the 77mm version for my Canon RF 24-105 lens which has a 77mm thread. However I’m wondering how much magnification I’m going to get at the long end. The native lens has a close focussing distance of 0.45m and a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.24x). Any help in that regard would be appreciated.
When using one of these lenses, your minimum working distance will be short and you will have to work with a limited depth of focus. But my main concern would be using this lens with such a short focal length lens (105mm). You will get a lot less magnification with this lens than you could by using a longer (200-300mm) lens. The magnification can be calculated by dividing the focal length of your lens by the focal length of the diopter. The NiSi 77mm has a focal length of 200mm (+5 diopter), so if you use it on a 100mm lens, your magnification will only be 0.5X. On a 300mm lens it will be 1.5X. With the 200mm lens, your focusing range starts at about 9" and ends at 11" from the front of your lens. It will increase your max reproduction ratio from 0.24:1 to 0.5:1.
Many thanks Allan for taking the time to give such a full and helpful reply. In your video you give the focal length of the 77mm as 300mm but either way the conclusion is the same (ie that with my 24-105 I’m not going to get sufficient magnification). My only other option is my 100-500. That lens with a decent minimum focus distance is fine for bigger insects (dragonflies, butterflies etc) and with the addition of the close up lens would give me the magnification for smaller insects. But I think it would be too unwieldy for true macro. It looks as if I’ll be saving for a macro lens (eg the Laowa 100mm 2x macro). Thanks again.
@@alanwood5590 Hi Alan, my experience has been that super-telephoto zoom lenses are not a good solution for closeup filters. If using a zoom, you want to be at the long end of the lens and 200-300mm works well. About the focal length - sorry for the confusion! The specs on the lens do not include a diopter power or a focal length, so I did some testing and calculated the diopter power to be +3. Calculating the focal length, we end up with 300mm (1000/FL = diopter). However, NiSi tells us that to get 1:1 magnification, you need to use the filter on a 200mm lens. That would mean the focal length is actually 200mm. I trust my own measurement and suspect the focal length is closer to 300mm than 200mm. Anyway, try to get your hands on an inexpensive 200-300mm (max) lens to get the most out of this closeup lens.
Thanks Allan, once again that’s really helpful. The one advantage of the close up lens would have been if it could simply supplement what I already have. However, if I’d need to get another lens anyway to get the best out of one, I think I’ll just go for a true macro lens.
What about for flowers?
Thank you, this is very helpful.
Do you have any insight on how the 58mm filter will work on the Tamron 28-200mm (for Sony full frame) which has a 67mm thread ? I got the Raynox 250 and it is vignetting terribly, even at the longest end, so I have to crop out significant parts of the image, so I'm looking for something that will not vignette as much. The 77mm would obviously be ok in that regard but then I won't be able to get to 1:1 magnification with my lens. Using it on my 100-400 doesn't sound like a workable macro setup either, so I'm kind of stuck and not sure what to get.
Hi Eran, interesting problem. I just tried a whole series of different lenses and this is what I found - the 58mm vignettes with anything over about 55mm filter thread. It is terrible on my 28-200. The 77mm works all the way to 77mm. But the magnification is only 1:1.5 with the 77mm (which is really not bad). When I added about 30mm of extension to the lens and used the 77mm filter, I got almost to 1:1, without a vignette. Remember that the filters give more magnification at longer focal lengths, that is why the 77 is only +3 diopter, the +5 of the 58mm would be very difficult to use on that long a lens. I would give that a try, but be aware that you might run into significant spherical aberrations doing it that way. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
@@AllanWallsPhotography that is actually very helpful. Thank you very much!
Which NiSi Close Up lens would be best for my Nikkor 200mm f/4 macro, 58mm or 77mm? The filter thread diameter on my lens is 62mm. I worry about possible vignetting if I step down to 58mm. With that said, I'm looking forward to getting closer to my subjects. Thanks in advance and thank you for your very informative channel! :-)
The folks at NiSi Optics USA (nisiopticsusa.com/) helped answer my inquiry. They suggested I acquire a 62mm to 58mm step down adapter. Their main reasoning was the additional magnification of their 58mm Close-Up lens would be beneficial. They didn't think the reduced diameter would add vignetting to my Nikon full frame sensor. I've got my fingers crossed they were right as I ordered one today.
@@rajewsr Hi Richard - you beat me to it! I was actually going to recommend the larger lens, mainly because I found it easier to use on the 200mm f/4. The more powerful small lens is great with with non-macro telephoto lenses, but the DoF is so shallow when used on a macro lens that I found the the larger version more practical. But there isn't much in it, they are both very cool lenses.
Hi Allan, I plan to get the NISI 58mm for video + photography use, so if I stack firstly an ND filter in front of the lens in order to slow down the shutter speed for video recording, and then stack the NISI 58 in front of the ND would the AF still be reliable....? thanks in advance.
Hi Michael, your camera/lens will still be able to autofocus but only in the fairly tight focus band that the closeup lens allows. Remember that the closeup lens will limit your focus to a narrow band, right in front of the lens. So if you are shooting closeup video, using a 100mm lens and the +5 diopter NiSi, you will be shooting at about 1:2 and your working distance will be greatly reduced. You will no longer be able to focus on distant subjects. But within those constraints, the autofocus will perform normally.
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thank you very much Allan both for the reply, and the nice and so detailed presentation of the Nissi lens, soon I'll get one to pair it with Olympus 12-50 and the panasonic 45-150
Will it work on a lumix 100-400mm
It wieght is 980g
When you use an extension tube you have to expose the sensor deal breaker
You should do more videos
I don't think so, Gary. You really want to stay under 200mm and have the lens at its full focal length. I tried it on a longer lens, pulled back to 200mm and it added a lot of distortion, CA and softness. I would stick with shorter lenses to get more magnification and a clearer picture. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by exposing the sensor. An extension tube does not open the shutter. So your sensor is no more exposed than with a lens attached. Either way the sensor is only exposed when you release the shutter.
Hi Allan, thank you for this review! As far as I can follow it, It’s still a bit tricky to translate your advises to the MFT-camera’s and lenses. I own the Panasonic G9 and Some lenses such as the 30mm macro lens (FF 60mm, 40mm in APS-C) but also own the Pana Leica 50-200mm 2.8/4.0. Photographing more detail is always great, but I picked up your remark (hope I got this right) that you advise these lenses have less effect below 30mm, but is that APS-c or FF? Although the 30mm Macro is a great lens, it does has its limitation, you need to really be close to your subject, so a macro lens like this nisi that can create more distance would be very useful…hope you can gave me Some advice, greetings Ton, The Netherlands.
Greetings! These lenses are most effective, i.e. they provide greater magnification with longer focal length lenses. Below a focal length of 70mm there is really no magnification to speak of. But that is for a 70mm lens, regardless of what camera body it is mounted on. The magnification is inversely proportional to the native focal length of the lens relative to the focal length of the closeup filter. So it wouldn't make any difference if you mounted the 70mm lens on an APSC or an MFT camera, except that the field of view would change drastically. The lack of magnification at 70 mm would still apply. With a focal length of 30mm it would be well below the minimum threshold and not be a good candidate for a closeup filter. The Leica would work fine at the longer focal lengths!
@@AllanWallsPhotography thank you Allan for the quick reply! very useful, I can now focus on the 77mm for my 50-200mm…
My Sony 90 mm macro is 62 mm so, I presume the 58mm with a step up ring is not ideal. Is stepping down from the 77mm to 62 mm have any negatives as I need two step down rings?
I tried both setups on my 90mm macro lens, also a 62mm filter size. I far preferred the 77mm. There was a little vignetting with the smaller lens. Remember that the 77mm is less powerful than the 58mm, but on a macro lens of 90mm, it doesn't make that much difference. But if you plan to use either of these lenses on a 200mm+ non-macro lens, the diopter strength does make a noticeable difference.
I have a Micro-Nikkor AF-S 105mm lens, with a 62mm filter thread. Would you recommend the 77 or the 62mm NiSi? This lens is good for 1:1 already...
Hi John... either will work, but I saw a little vignetting with the 58mm lens. I also found the slightly less powerful 77mm lens more comfortable to work with on the 105mm Micro Nikkor (slightly deeper focusing range).
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thank you for the very helpful response, and for the amazingly helpful series of videos, across the board! I could put the 77mm directly on my 70-200 as well, so I think I'll give that a shot. Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge and experience. I'll be looking out for your upcoming video on using this as a tube / relay lens!
Hi Allan.
This may be a daft question - can you use extension tubes and this close up
Filter simultaneously?
Thanks
Not daft at all. Actually an excellent question. You can, in fact, use a closeup filter on a lens that has already been modified by adding extension tubes. A 50mm lens mounted on 70mm of extension will give you a magnification ratio of 1.3:1, an extremely shallow DoF, and a working distance of about 42mm. Adding the +5 diopter NiSi 58mm closeup filter will increase the magnification to almost 1.8:1, but it shortens the working distance to a difficult 24mm and results in a DoF that is so shallow, focus stacking is mandatory. There are other issues that make this a less than ideal way to add magnification - adding the closeup lens results in some pretty severe geometric and chromatic aberrations. So, while you could use this technique, you would be much better off just reversing the 50mm lens on the same extension - which will give you just over 2:1 magnification with a relatively flat field and minimal CA. Hope that helps.
@@AllanWallsPhotography thank you so much for responding and being kind!! I have ordered one so will have some fun experimenting with it +/- the tubes to see how it all looks.
V grateful.
100mm Macro lens, which filter the 58mm or the 77mm close up filter? Thanks in advance
With the understanding that the advantages of using these on a macro lens are limited (not able to distant focus and very narrow focal range), I preferred the 58mm (on my 90mm macro lens). Got some really nice field shots with that combo.
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thank you Guru.
i have a laowa 100mm macro, what you think it would be like on that?
Hi Laura - I don't have that lens, but the 58mm, +5 diopter NiSi worked perfectly on all my macro lenses (60mm, 85mm, 90mm, and 105mm), so I would expect it to do well. It will give you a significant magnification boost.
I have a macro lens with filter size 62. What can I use ?
I ended up using the 77mm to avoid vignetting, but my filter see was 67mm. You might get away with the higher diopter 58mm filter, but I wouldn't risk it.
What if I used the 58 with the canon 100mm Macro Lens, would that allow for close ups of 2:1 and 3:1?
The Canon 100mm EF 100mm has a 67mm filter size and that is going to vignette with the smaller NiSi. With the macro lens you are not going to get that much magnification - I would expect less than 2:1 maximum and a short, narrow working margin.
@@AllanWallsPhotography I have the older model with the 52mm front filter thread but i'm gonna guess that wouldn't make much difference.
@@andydreadsbmx No, that's good. It comes with the 52-58mm adapter. It won't vignette and you should get 2:1 out of the combo. Dealing with the limited range of focus is a pain, and the main reason I don't use these more often. But I don't get out into nature that often anyway. 90% of my photography is through a microscope objective! Good luck!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thanks Allan, Yeah I have watched a couple of your videos today and I have been getting a bit more into macro and I saw someone on instagram by the name "macrofying" shooting a candle wick after being blown out and is using some sort of diopter set up with a telephoto lens and getting some amazing images.
Would these work well with a MP-E 65?
That is a really good question. I have a feeling it would work at lower magnification, but imagine it would be a real pain to use as you increase the magnification. It already has a very limited focusing range - just a sliver between in and out of range. I can only imagine how much less you would have at 3, or 5x. I don't have an MPE-65 but I may try to borrow one to try out the NiSi. I know it a fantastic addition to my 90mm f/2.8 Tamron. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
Hi, great video!!
Would it work on my 55-210 (with apsc body) zoom lens having 49mm filter thread?
Yes it will, I think it even comes with a 49-58mm step up ring. If not, they are very inexpensive to buy (search for "M49 to 58mm step-up adapter"), the diopter will screw directly into the adapter. Good luck!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thanks for the reply.
I got 50mm prime lens (75mm equivalent) and 55-210mm (equivalent to 82-315) both having 49mm filter thread.
So in my case which lens would give me some crazy macro when used with Nisi 58 version? Also it would be great if you mention the magnification ratio.
Excited !! 🙂
@@Vicky-il5yv The longer focal length lenses will give you the most magnification. I would use the 210mm lens, at the full 210mm - the NiSi is a +5 diopter lens, so that will give you almost 2:1 (twice the magnification of a macro lens). With these lenses you can also stack the 50mm lens, in reverse onto the 55-210. That will give you more that 4X magnification (4.2X)
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thanks Amazing!!
One last thing-
With the 210 mm zoom lens, what would be your recommendation in order to get higher magnification. Raynox 250 or Nisi ???
@@Vicky-il5yv the best way to think of this is with the formula for magnification with a close-up lens. The magnification you can expect will be close to the focal length of the lens you are using divided by the focal length of the close-up lens. The DCR-250, with a focal length of 125 mm, will give you a magnification of almost 1.7X, when your lens is at 210 mm and focused at infinity. The 58 mm NiSi has a focal length of 200 mm (+5 diopter) which would yield a magnification of 1:1, on the same lens. Hope this helps!
Just curious: Are you aware of the Marumi DHG Achromats Macro-200(+5) and 330(+3), Allan? While there have been several reviews of the new NiSi diopters recently, the existing Marumi counterparts, probably due to less aggressive international marketing, seem to be on few people's radars, at least outside Japan. Which is a bit of a shame, since I have found the +3 version to be of superb build quality and an excellent performer on my APS-C Pentax K-3 coupled with the DA 50 F1.8 prime lens. While I wouldn't want to part with mine for an uncertain journey across the Atlantic and back, given your RUclips and macro photography clout, you may well get Marumi to send you review copies, I would imagine.
Yes, Marc, I am and I love the 200mm lens. I had one for several years but had to let it go last year (along with a lot of other nice stuff!). The only reason I haven't done a video on it is because I don't have one to demonstrate. The NiSi is not in the same class as the Marumi, on many levels. It (the NiSi) is a fun diopter (definitely not an apochromatic lens though), but the Marumi was a beautiful relay lens as well. I have never been able to get the +3 lens to test but I am intrigued by the combination you use - are you using extension? I would expect your DA 50mm to be getting about 1:3 magnification with that setup - a nice range to have covered. I am afraid you may be overestimating my "macro clout", which is virtually nonexistent. I am trying very hard to get the big players interested in using my channel to inform my uniquely bright and motivated macro photographer viewership, but I lack the numbers and slick production value that they are looking for - which tells me that they are missing the point entirely! But because you took the time to write, I will take the time to contact Marumi and see if they are interested in lending me a couple of these lenses. If they do, I will review them, and even try to find a DA 50 f/1.8 to try out your setup. Thanks again!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Now that was a fast response, Allan. Actually, at usually less than $120 brandnew, the DA50 is the cheapest current lens in the whole Pentax line-up. Released in 2012, it has snappy contrast and is capable of critical sharpness. My only IQ complaint would be that the rendering is perhaps a tad too clinical, and that it lacks the lushness and finesse that I'm used to from my DA Limited lenses, in particular the DA 35 mm F2.8 Macro Limited. Apart from such nuances, I was just surprised how well and hassle-free the Marumi +3 performed on the cheapo DA50. I used no extra extension, just screwed the Marumi on, which even accepts the generous screw-on rubber lens hood that JCC makes for the DA50. Plus, you can protect that combo with the snap-on front cap. That's what I call neat and practical. But, as with so many things, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so see for yourself: needacreate.smugmug.com/Summer-of-2021/i-qP8kxXR. All images full-size JPEGs, processed to taste from DNGs in DxO PhotoLab. A number of images in the gallery were done with the Marumi, the rest with the DA35 Macro Ltd. No fancy flash lighting or anything, just shooting the ambient hand-held.
@@Needacreate Very nice, sharp images, with great color and detail. I like it. It reminds me of one of my all time favorite the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D, under $100 and sharp as can be. I have been in touch with Marumi and requested copies of both diopters for testing - fingers crossed!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Just seeing your answer before shutting down my PC for the day and taking the dog for his last walkies. Thanks for your praise, Allan, and keeping my fingers crossed that your efforts will come to fruition and lead to a review. Yeah, from what I've heard, the D series Nikkor nifty-fifty should be pretty similar in rendering to the DA50, despite being a FF lens. Me, I have warmed so much to the Marumi that I couldn't resist ordering the stronger +5 as well, just to see if it performs as nicely as the +3 ... 😁
@@AllanWallsPhotography Received the Marumi Achromat Macro-200(+5) today, and the first test shots on the DA50 of my neighbour's dahlias at F5.6 give me confidence that the +5 performs about just as well as its +3 brother while of course delivering a greater magnification. Actually, I had expected a noticeable sharpness penalty, but no, the images are crisp and sharp across the frame with beautiful colours. This is really ridiculously close to dedicated-macro-lens performance, considering the price.
1...explaining points order and arrangement====20%
2...topic is stretched====very very yes
2...boring====yes
3...the video is pre planned====no pre plan
4...helpfull====no
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Allan, Your videos are great! I would like to order the small NISI for my old Minolta 55-300 but can I adapt it to work for me? I would appreciate
your advice sir. The lens is a 55mm. Thank you so much for your time...
I would think it would be perfect for the smaller lens - but just to be clear, the lens is a 55mm prime, not a 55-300mm zoom? I know the 55mm Minolta MC Rokkor-X - it would be great with that.
@@AllanWallsPhotography Allan, it would be for the 55-300 zoom.
@@cheeta2705 I'm glad I asked! I am not sure if it would give you what you are looking for. I actually have a 55-300 Nikon and it did work, but I was using the larger lens. It is better to use the lens at its longest focal length, and 300mm is pretty long. But as I say, it worked on the lens I have. The DOF at 300mm is very shallow.
Are step up rings available for a 55mm thread to fit the small NISI CU lens and the 75-300 zoom lens? (I stand corrected on my
original Q as I meant to say 75-300 not 55-300, sorry about that.
@@cheeta2705 Well, you could certainly find rings that would so it but going from 55mm to whatever the zoom lens takes (77mm) will almost certainly lead to a vignette. The smaller lens is really designed for short focal length lenses and would be very hard to use on a longer lens (more magnification but very, very shallow working range). I figured you meant the 75-300 - I have Nikon's version of that lens and it worked pretty well with the bigger Nisi.