Diopters

I'm looking to get a set of diopters. +1, +2, +3, +4.

Can someone recommend a good brand?

I'd also appreciate advice on which ones to stay away from.

I've heard the Nikon filters were the best a couple of times and just heard that again on another board. Thoughts on those?

I see the Canon 250D is a +4. Do any of you use that one?

I couldn't find any information about the power of the Canon 500D.

Any help is appreciated.

As I understand, Nikon and Canon are the only dual element diopters......other brands are single element and not as good

Karl

I'm looking to get a set of diopters. +1, +2, +3, +4.

 

I see the Canon 250D is a +4. Do any of you use that one?

 

I couldn't find any information about the power of the Canon 500D.

 

Any help is appreciated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

+2

The "500" is the max focus distance in mm, or 1/2 meter, so +2.

I have one and like it.

The Nikon 5T and 6T multi-element diopters (which Nikon calls "close-up attachment lenses") are 62 mm. The 5T has a focal length of 26.3 inches (667 mm), and the 6T is 13.1 inches (334 mm.). They can be used together, in which case the 6T should be attached to the lens first. The 5T can be considered as a +1.5 diopter and the 6T as a +3.0 diopter. The 3T and 4T are similar, but smaller diameter, for 52 mm. lenses.

There is no question in my mind that the optical quality of these Nikon lenses is superior to most, if not all, single element diopters. However, there are limitations. The multi-element design is unavoidably thicker than a single element diopter. If you are using the 5T or 6T with a wide-angle lens and a dome port, you may get vignetting in the corners and sides from the larger multi-element diopter. That won't be a problem with a reduced frame format digital camera, nor, of course, if you are using the CU lenses to achieve a greater magnification with a macro lens, but it can be a problem with a any full-frame digital or film SLR. The other limitation is that these lenses only cover 52 and 62 mm diameter lenses.

I used to use the 5T (and 6T) with the 20 mm and 28 mm prime lenses for wide-angle, and liked the results very much. Since I now mainly use the 77 mm 12-24 for wide-angle (or the 10.5, which of course takes no diopter at all), there is no alternative to using a single-element diopter, or at least none that I am aware of.

I still use the 4T for super-macro with the 105 mm micro lens.

Frogfish (Robert Delfs)

To be blunt, the expensive Canon and Nikon filters of the higher power and size were originally designed for telephoto use. In my experience of using the Canon 500 in 77mm size, it shows no substantial benefit over much cheaper diopters for wide-angle underwater use. If I were to recommend a make, I would personally opt for a set of diopters from B&W.