What Is A Disadvantage Of Using A Macro Filter?

A macro lens is ever the best option when taking close-up photography. But what if you don't have the budget to buy ane? One great alternative is getting a macro filter, and we are hither to show y'all how to use it.

Macro photo of a pink flower

What Is a Macro Filter?

Unlike a defended macro lens, a macro filter is an attachment you screw onto whatever of your regular camera lenses.

In that location are ii types of macro filters. The showtime one is the single element which means it has only one piece of glass. The other one is the double element which has ii.

The main divergence between them is that the single chemical element is cheaper but is more prone to chromatic aberrations, blur, and distortions. Meanwhile, the double element has a second slice of glass which corrects all of the issues caused past the first lens. However, information technology is also more than expensive.

Macro filters kits come with 3 or iv lenses. They all take varying magnification from 2x to 10x or more.

A hand holding a macro filter in front of a pink flower

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Shut Upward Filters

Like whatever photography equipment, using a macro filter has its pros and cons. Nosotros'll hash out a few of them to help you figure out if they fit your needs or not.

Advantages

The principal benefit of using a macro filter is that it tin turn any of your lenses into a macro lens. Dissimilar other macro attachments, it's also small and lightweight. Finally, it is 1 of the cheapest options out there for those who want to get into macro photography. You lot tin can purchase a kit for less than $xx!

Disadvantages

The main effect is that it's not as sharp as a real macro lens. As mentioned before, it can also cause distortion and color fringing. Since it'south an attachment, it also tends to let less low-cal in.

Recollect that the issues nosotros mentioned are not necessarily present in every macro filter. So practise your research and effort them first before ownership. Another option is to rely on reviews to help you cull the one that fits your needs.

Close-up photo of a plant in front of a pink background

How to Choose the Perfect Filter Size

Lenses vary in sizes. So it simply makes sense that you pick a macro filter that matches the diameter of the camera lens yous are using.

So how do yous know the diameter of your lens? Every brand places its lens information around the rim or near the lens mount. The most mutual sizes include 49mm, 52mm, 69mm, and 72mm. There is also ofttimes a 0 symbol next to the diameter size.

Remember that the focal length is not the aforementioned equally the lens diameter. So if you have a 50mm, it's most probable that its lens diameter is 52mm. If you accept a bigger camera lens, at that place'south a good gamble information technology could be between 69mm and 72mm.

To exist safe, look for that 0 marker beside the value to confirm y'all're looking at the bore and not the focal length.

Photo of macro filters

How to Utilise a Macro Filter

To adhere a macro filter, all yous take to exercise is screw information technology onto the lens. Information technology's that easy. In example you lot have a UV filter on equally well, make certain you remove it, so it doesn't touch the operation of the macro zipper.

In one case the macro filter is attached, all you have to do is take pictures similar yous normally would with a regular lens. It also works with autofocus, and so yous don't accept to fumble effectually with adjusting your lens manually.

I affair to remember is that your minimum focusing altitude will likewise be shorter when you lot're taking photos with a macro filter. In other words, you'll have to go closer to attain a sharp epitome.

For instance, if the normal minimum focusing distance of your lens is one human foot, it would probably exist near six inches or less once you put on the macro filter. To effigy out your new shooting distance, get your lens nearly an inch or two to your subject field. So slowly pull away until it's sharp.

Remember to stay in that position, so y'all don't lose your focus.

Close up photo of a pink flower taken with a close-up filter

How to Stabilise the Camera for Macro Shots

When you utilise a macro filter, you'll notice that the depth of field becomes quite shallow fifty-fifty when you're using a narrow aperture. In most instances, only a few millimeters of the subject your shooting volition exist precipitous while the rest will be blurry. So when you're handholding your camera, you'll observe it difficult to continue that focus on the same spot.

So how do yous solve this issue? The answer is using a tripod. Since it keeps your camera stationary, you'll have better chances of keeping your focus on your subject. And then one time yous figure out your shooting altitude, place your photographic camera and tripod and stay on that spot. You lot can then get-go taking photos without having to readjust your focus point all the time.

Of course, handholding your camera is also achievable. But you need to ensure you keep it steady, and you maintain your distance from your field of study. Otherwise, in that location's a skillful hazard you may end up with blurry pictures. So if y'all don't want this to happen, stick to using a tripod to exist safe.

Photo of a DSLR camera on a tripod using close-up filters to take a picture of a flower

Stack to Increase Magnification

You can stack close-upwards filters on peak of each other to increase your magnification. All you lot have to exercise is screw on a close-upwards filter onto the filter that is already on the lens.

But recollect that as the diopter value increases, the curve of the lens also becomes more than credible. If y'all compare a 2x diopter with a 10x, y'all'll find that the drinking glass of the 10x bulges out.

So if you lot want to stack your filters, make sure you utilize the lenses with smaller diopter values commencement. For case, place 2x on your lens first earlier you lot install 10x. Otherwise, the 2x won't fit considering the lens from the 10x has also much concave to allow another filter to be screwed onto it.

You likewise demand to recollect that the more filters you lot put on, the less the light gets in. Apart from that, there'southward a good risk that the quality of the photos you get may go down as you pile up more attachments.

To exist safe, stick to ii to three filters if you need to stack the close-up filters. That way, you can retain most of the quality for your macro photography.

Photo of a Nikon camera with macro filters

Composing with Macro Filters

The rules of composition in photography utilize to all sorts of genres, including macro photography. But if you're used to taking photos of people, you may find it challenging to figure out your subject when doing close-up shots of objects.

Since everything is so close, how do you detect your principal indicate of interest? Of course, the answer would vary depending on what you're shooting. Simply in general, you lot need to focus on what you think your audience should await at your image first. If yous're shooting a bloom, you lot can focus on the petals if you recollect people would similar it more, or the stigma if you find it more interesting. In that location'south no correct or incorrect conclusion. It'south all up to you.

But having the freedom to choose your betoken of interest doesn't hateful you tin forget about composition birthday. E'er think of Rule of Thirds to ensure y'all have a balanced photograph. So turn on your photographic camera's grid and place your subject where any of the lines in the grid intersect.

White and yellow flowers in front of a pink background

How to Light Your Subject

When using macro filters, you'll be shooting close to your subject. That means that you could potentially block the light hit the subject field. And then what practice you need to do to combat this outcome?

The secret is to light your discipline from the side. That way, your lens is not blocking the light and you become a well-exposed epitome. Apart from that, lighting from the side also creates deep shadows that make your pictures more dimensional.

You lot too accept the option of lighting your subject direct from the top. Doing so creates an fifty-fifty illumination and helps show the fine details of what you lot're shooting.

Merely what if yous want to light your subject from the front? After all, nothing beats the photos with directly lighting. If y'all're going to take this road, yous'll demand to buy an artificial light designed for macro photography.

Nearly macro lights adhere to the hot shoe of your photographic camera and extend further than the lens. That manner, information technology tin can lite the bailiwick without the lens getting in the way.

You can also buy a ring lite and place the lens correct through the hole. Although a band calorie-free is non designed specifically for macro photography, information technology's surprisingly effective. Simply recall that if you're using a long lens, you'll need to place the light close to the rim of the lens shaft. This way the butt doesn't potentially cake the light.

Photo of a Nikon camera with a filter

Conclusion

Macro filters are then piece of cake to use and so cheap that we recommend always having them in your camera bag. But y'all must remain enlightened of its limitations. If you know how to work effectually the potential issues you may face with these attachments, you lot can create professional-quality photography with them.

Check out our mail service on using extension tubes instead of a close up lens, or our macro flash photography tips next!