Close up lens for XF100?

[Robert Schmidt]

Has anyone experimented with close up lens or has any thoughts or recommendations for using one on the XF100?

[Pat Reddy]

I have the Canon 250d 58 mm thread closeup lens and use it on the XF100. It works very well. I haven't noticed any degradation of the image quality whatsoever. It seems to work best at the mid range of the zoom. At full zoom the depth of field and distance range for focus is pretty narrow, but is still useable. It's actually a very nice lens for the price.

Pat

[Lou Bruno]

Save some money and check out TIFFEN's diopter 58mm set.

[Pat Reddy]

The Canon 250D at a whopping $90 has two elements and will probably have less CA and corner softening than cheaper single-element diopters. I have a cheap ($20?) diopter as well and the difference is noticeable. Haven't tried the Tiffen set.

Pat

[Lou Bruno]

Good point Pat: Not that much in price.

The Tiffen set has numerous diopters for different focal lengths.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/56781-REG/Tiffen_58CUS_58mm_Close_up_Glass_Lens.html

[Robert Schmidt]

Thanks for the replies. I will go withe the Canon as I have not been disappointed with them thus far.

[Don Palomaki]

I've used low cost (Hoya, Tiffen, etc.) close-up lens sets with other Canon DV camcorders. They work OK for many applications, and often image content and video motion will mask the imperfections. If you are doing ciritical work, work where imperfections in the image can become vary apparent, or plan to use the close-up for still photography as well, go with the better glass.

[Charles W. Hull]

I checked around briefly on line for the Canon 250D close up lens, and then realized I already have the Canon 500D for 77mm threads, and I also have a 58mm to 77mm adapter. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/98862-REG/General_Brand_58_77_58mm_77mm_Step_Up_Ring_Lens.html

The 500D close up lens does a very good job with the XF100 (as I expect the 250D would do).

But this is a reminder of the value of simple adapters.

[Robert Schmidt]

Is it necessary to remove the UV (protective) filter in order to use the close up lens correctly?
Thanks for all the responses on this topic!

[Charles W. Hull]

Here is the Canon 500D close up lens on the XF100. We had some rain this morning and then the sun came out.

Roses after Rain

The lens is about 9 inches from the flowers, and zoomed from full telephoto to full wide angle to show the range with the close up lens. A 0.9 neutral density filter was mounted on the 500D; the flowers were so bright the built in ND filter couldn't cut the light enough at f/8.

This was shot at 720p 24fps for Vimeo, so don't blow it up too much. 1020p really looks good. These were with autofocus on, but MF parafocal also looks okay going from telephoto to wide angle.

[Charles W. Hull]

Originally Posted by Robert Schmidt

Is it necessary to remove the UV (protective) filter in order to use the close up lens correctly?
Thanks for all the responses on this topic!

I don't observe any difference either way. I would normally remove it - why have an extra piece of glass when it isn't needed?

[Don Palomaki]

Originally Posted by Robert Schmidt

Is it necessary to remove the UV (protective) filter in order to use the close up lens correctly? !

No, but there is little reason to not remove it. The more glass/surfaces in the light path, the more change for flare, reflections, etc. Protection is for shooting settings where it is needed, and generally better results are obtained when it is removed where risk to the camcorder lens is acceptably low.

In my experience UV filters (installed for for protection) have caused me more problems than they have avoided, but YMMV. I rarely shoot close ups of spitting babies.