Hello

Just curious, why are Canon close-up lens so much more than Nikon? I am assuming that both produce results that are acceptable to a professional (I am not one).

Thanks, BV

-- Brian Vega (vega@micron.net), May 27, 1999

Answers

Brian: Unless I am mistaken, those Canon diopters with a "D" (double?) designation are constructed with 2 glass elements, and this costs more than single element diopters; the 2nd element helps to correct spherical aberration (where the center of the image is in focus but the periphery is blurry). I use a macro lens and therefore don't have any experience with diopters, but it is again my understanding that the double element diopters produce better results than single element diopters.

-- kurt heintzelman (heintzelman.1@osu.edu), May 27, 1999.

I think the Nikon close-up lenses also have 2 elements.

-- Henry Richardson (henry_richardson@hotmail.com), May 28, 1999.

Yes, Nikons are 2 element as well.

-- Ron Shaw (shaw9@llnl.gov), May 28, 1999.

Ok, so we have established that they are both double element lens. What is the reason for the price difference? Should a Canon user, get the Nikon lens? BV

-- Brian Vega (vega@micron.net), May 28, 1999.

One of the advantages to Canon's diopters is the availability of larger sizes. Nikon currently has 2-element diopters (designated "T") in 52mm and 62mm. It is quite popular to get the Canon 77mm 500D and match it with a Nikon 80-200/2.8. If you're looking at 52mm diopters, I can't imagine that Canon's 250D and 500D are so superior to Nikon's 3T and 4T as to justify the significantly higher price. As for why a product is priced where it is priced, I don't think any of us here would have an answer.

-- John Kuraoka (kuraoka@home.com), May 28, 1999.