Closeup Adapter or 150 mm lens?

[TomOScott]

Since I've already blown my budget, I'm wondering what the wisest choice for my next purchase is -- the closeup adapter for $390 or a used 150 mm lens in perfect condition for $675. I do like to do a lot of closeup work, but it seems like the 150 lens will let me do some of that (though from 6 feet away) while also giving me more versatility than the closeup adapter would. Anyone who has experience with both care to comment?

Thanks!

[znapschatz]

My choice would be, in fact was, the 150 mm lens. I have used both and find the CU adapter to be clumsy and while the framing would be more or less okay, parallax would provide unanticipated results. The price of the Mam 6 CU kludge is way out of line for what you get. I passed one up for $100 (argh! for the resale opportunity) but still think it is, at best, a compromise solution to getting way personal with a subject. If you do a lot of CU photography, you would do better to apply all that cash to an SLR, view camera or some other equipment that offers better utility for the purpose.

The 150 has its problems, too; squinty frame, slow focus, blah blah blah, all in the nature of RF machinery. However, I find it indispensible for scenics and medium range subjects, and a sharper lens would be hard to imagine.

I hope this helps, but please keep in mind it is only an opinion. I'm not sure there is a totally objective answer to this or most other questions where choice is involved.

[back alley]

i pretty much agree with zsnaps.
i like the 150, it's sharp and i've never had a problem with focusing it.
for close up work, the 6 is not really the camera for the job.

joe

[Rich Silfver]

If you mean close-ups as in closely cropped portrait photos then ofcourse the only way to go is with a longer lens.

[TomOScott]

I was kind of leaning toward the 150 anyway. I know the M7 isn't the camera for macros -- my Minolta Dimage 7HI works great for that, anyway.

The CU adapter did seem like kind of a kludge, and you confirmed that, as have several other people.

[Rich Silfver]

Tom.
if you have the chance - try to rent the 150 for a weekend (in San Francisco for instance renting that lens is 25 dollars over the weekend) and see if you like it. I have heard a lot of negative comments about it not being that easy to focus.

If possible it may be a cheap way for you to see if it's an option or not for you.

[znapschatz]

Renting before buying is a good idea, but may not give you a definitive evaluation.
When I first got my 150 I found it hard to focus under certain conditions but stayed with it and in time, it got easier. Practice and motivation finesses many problems.

As an aside, I find that nowhere on these pages have I given out my name. This is unintentional, since I am not trying to hide, so...

I am Allen Zak. How do you do?

[erayboy]

I thought I'd try the Canon 500D close-up "filter". It is a doublet lens that screws on to the filter ring for close-up focusing.

My experimental results can be reviewed here:
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=007z0X


It works and can add limited close-up capabilities inexpensively.

[Scotia Luhrs]

Since I've already blown my budget, I'm wondering what the wisest choice for my next purchase is -- the closeup adapter for $390 or a used 150 mm lens in perfect condition for $675. I do like to do a lot of closeup work, but it seems like the 150 lens will let me do some of that (though from 6 feet away) while also giving me more versatility than the closeup adapter would. Anyone who has experience with both care to comment?

Thanks!

Hi, I have a closeup adapter for a mamiya 6. Would like to sell it. Does anyone have any idea how much it should go for? (It's in mint condition)

Scotia