Close up filters for Nikon 105mm

[Nikon4158]

I am working on some macro photography and wonder which is the best close up flitlers to use with the Nikon 105mm. I used the Tiffens filters but they do not seem very sharp. Any ideas?

 

[Clovishound]

Extension tubes instead of diopters. Extension tubes have no glass elements to degrade your image. They are cheaper as well. The only down side is that you will need longer tubes for 105 than for say a 50mm lens in order to get the same amount of magnification. You will lose a little bit of light, but not significant, unless you go extreme on the length. Make sure you get the ones with electrical contacts to transmit info from the lens to camera and visa versa. Unless you are using a very old model, there is no aperture ring on the lens.

What kind of magnification are you looking for? You are starting at 1:1 the the 105.

 

[BF Hammer]

Clovis beat me to the answer, but yes you want to use extension tubes, not diopters.

Instead of bending the light and introducing artifacts, the extension tubes just moves the focal point further in front of the sensor, allowing you to move in closer the the subject and get focus. As long as you are not blocking your own light, you can stack tubes together and get more magnification. And the image will be about as sharp as without the tubes.. Spend a little extra for ones that have the AF couplers and AI pins so you don't have to go to full manual mode.

If you need to get crazy magnification, a macro bellows is called for. Although you are forced into full manual mode with these.