Do close up filters work on compact digital cameras?

[chaos133]

Hey, I was wondering if close up filters would work on a Canon SX40 HS or do they only work on DSLR cameras?, you can get a filter adapter for it that takes 67mm filters, I was wondering if close up filters would work and allow me to take closer shots (It doesn't have to be 1:1) I was thinking of getting something like this:http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod5293.htm Thanks for anyone's help

[Mr Darcy]

They should work quite happily. I used to use one on a Kodak Instamatic. The only thing which may get upset is the autofocus. If you can set focus manually, then no dramas at all. If you can't, it will probably work but not guaranteed.

Remember that all these are are magnifying glasses. Try shooting though an el cheapo from a newsagents or $2 shop or even a pair of reading glasses. If that works with AF these certainly will. What you are paying for for the extra hundred or so dollars are the mountings which make them easier to use, the optical quality glass (clarity and White Balance) and the precision grinding (+2 really is). Cheap magnifiers and reading glasses are just moulded plastic.

[chaos133]

Ok thanks I tried using a cheap magnifying glass and it did magnify the image when I zoomed in a little bit, so I can imagine the real thing will work a lot better. Thanks for your help!

[Murray Foote]

The ones you are thinking of, and most of them, are single element filters and will degrade the image, though they are producing an image you wouldn't otherwise have had and you may well find the quality acceptable. It is possible to get double-element ones which deliver good quality and are obviously more expensive. Whether the difference matters on a small sensor superzoom I don't know.