Close Up Filter Question

[ozonejunkie]

G'day All,

I am looking at buying a close up filter to add to my collection, and was wondering what is the best way to go about it. I want to be able try macro photography, and think that this is probably the cheapest way in. The two main options that I have seen is the Hoya close up filters (+1, +2, +3, +4, +10) and the Canon 500D filters. I only need 58mm, so the later won't do all _THAT_ much damage to the pocket, but I was hoping for some explanation and some advice.

Firstly, what does the +1, +2 . . . mean? I am aware that the 500D means that it converts infinite focussing distance to 500mm.
Secondly, is it possible to still AF using these filters?

Thanks
Tristan

[digitor]

Although sometimes called filters, these things are actually lenses which screw into the front of your camera lens. The numbers represent their strength in dioptres. The dioptre is the reciprocal of the focal length of the lens, in metres. So a +2 dioptre lens has a focal length of 0.5 metres. It's just like holding a magnifying glass in front of your lens (in fact, it's exactly like that!).

Cheers

[Matt. K]

The close up filters/lenses can sometimes dissapoint with their quality. A better alternative, IMO, is to buy a reversing ring so that you can mount your lens reversed to the camera. This will give you a higher quality capture for around the same money...or even less. I have seen some outstanding macro done this way.