A list of achromatic close-up lenses

In my search for high quality optics to do close-up photography with my superzoom digicam, I came across several web pages that list good achromatic lenses. These are filter mount lenses, sometimes called "doublet" or "2 element" lens or "close-up filter". On this page I'll combine those sources and make a final list. The information is taken from the following sources: Greg Erker, Bob Johnson and Ian Odgers (who in the mean time has removed his list), and a lot of my own research. I made this list primarily as a reference for myself, and I thought: "Well, if I'm gonna make an ultimate list, I might as well put it on my site!" In the end, I got 2 pieces of the Sigma achromatic macro lens, and have been very satisfied with their quality. This list was originally made in 2005, but many years later I'm still using them now and then with the excellent Minolta 135 mm f/2.8 tele lens and my ring flash system!

In the table head, "Verified" means that I have come across the lens myself on more than two occasions on the net (in 2005), and therefor know it is indeed an achromat, and it was still being made, or at least being sold new or used. Price ranges are: Low (below USD 50), Medium (USD 50-100) and High (USD 100 and up).

Manufacturer Model Sizes Diopters (+) Optimized for lens Verified Price range
Canon 500D [1] 52 58 72 77 2 70-300 Yes Med
Canon 250D [1] 52 58 4 50-135 Yes Med
Century optics Achromatic diopter 58 2 4 7 40-300 Yes High
Heliopan [2] Achromat close-up 49 55 67 82 3 4 5 6 - No High
Kenko PRO1D AC Close-up Lens No.3 49 52 55 58 62 67 72 77 3 - Yes Med
Kenko AC Close-up Lens No.2-3 49 52 55 58 62 67 72 77 2 3 - Yes Low
Kenko AC Close-up Lens No.4-5 49 52 55 58 62 4 5 - Yes Low
Leica Elpro 1 E55 2.5 [8] Yes High
Leica Elpro 2 E55 4.9 [8] Yes High
Leica Elpro 3 E55 1.66 [9]? Yes High
Leica Elpro 4 E55 0.75 [9] Yes High
Marumi DHG Achromat macro 200 52 55 58 62 67 72 77 5 - Yes Med
Marumi DHG Achromat macro 330 52 55 58 62 67 72 77 3 - Yes Med
Minolta No.0 49 52 55 0.94 50-200 Yes Low
Minolta No.1 49 52 55 2.0 24-200 Yes Low
Minolta No.2 49 52 55 3.8 24-50 Yes Low
Minolta Close-up lens 72 0.33 MD 100-500 APO f/8 Yes High
Nikon 3T 52 1.5 80-200 Yes Low
Nikon 4T 52 2.9 80-200 Yes Low
Nikon 5T 62 1.5 80-200 Yes Low
Nikon 6T 62 2.9 80-200 Yes Low
Manufacturer Model Sizes Diopter (+) Optimized for lens Verified Price range
Olympus Close-up lens [3] 49 5.9 80 No N/A
Olympus iS/L lens A-Macro 49 2.5 - No Med
Olympus iS/L lens B-Macro 55 2.5 - Yes Med
Olympus iS/L lens A-Lifesize Macro [4] 49 7.7 - No High
Olympus MCON-40 55 2.5 ? Yes Med
Olympus MCON-35 62 2.9 ? Yes Med
Opteka High definition 10x macro [5] 52 55 58 10 50-300 Yes Low
Pentax [6] S33 58 3 50 No Med
Pentax S56 58 1.8 50 No Med
Pentax S82 67 1.22 50-105 No High
Pentax T226 67 0.44 50-200 No High
Pentax T132 67 0.76 50-200 No High
Polaroid 250D 52 58 72 77 4   Yes Med
Polaroid 500D 52 58 72 77 2   Yes Med
Raynox MSN-202 [5] 37 25 (!) 50-300 Yes Low
Raynox MSN-505 [5] 37 32 (!) 50-300 Yes Low
Raynox DCR-150 [4] 43 52-67 4 50-300 Yes Low
Raynox DCR-250 [4] 43 52-67 8 50-300 Yes Low
Sigma Achromatic macro lens 34 43 52 58 62 1.6 70-300 Yes Low
Sigma Life-size attachment [7] 52 58 62 5 90mm f/2.8 macro Yes Low
Siocore Pro Achromatic 52 55 58 62 67 72 77 10 ? Yes Med
Sony VCLM3358 58 3.3 ? Yes Low
Vivitar Life-size attachment 49 3.3? 100mm No High
Zoerk Makroscope type I 52 12 50-135 Yes High

Notes:

  • Close-up lenses sold in sets (of usually +1, +2, and +4 and some even including a +10) are never achromatic. Imagine how much a set like that would be!
  • [1] Canon also lists 240, 250, 450 and 500 lenses (without the "D"). These are NOT achromats
  • [2] The high diopter, large diameters are VERY expensive (over 500 US dollars)
  • [3] Originally intended for use with their 80mm f/4 auto macro
  • [4] This is a 3-element lens
  • [5] This is a 4-element lens
  • [6] All listed Pentax lenses are intended for large format cameras, but should work just as well on any other camera
  • [7] Originally included with the Sigma 90mm f/2.8 macro before built-in 1:1 macro capability became common for Sigma.
  • [8] Optimized for the Leica Summicron-R 50mm f/2 only
  • [9] Optimized for the Leica 90mm f/2.8, 90mm f/2, 100mm f/4 and 135mm f/2.8 R-lenses

If you have more info on achromats to add to this table, please leave a comment or contact me personally. Let's make this the most accurate list on the face of the earth.

The difference

Why would you want to use an achromatic lens? I'll tell you why. What a lens (any lens) does is refract the light that's going through it. It alters the light's direction so to speak. In doing so, different colors of light are refracted slightly differently. If you ever paid attention in science class, you must remember the prism, which breaks a white strand of light into the colours of the rainbow. This is called dispersion, a physical phenomenon that occurs in all optics. The result of dispersion in photographic lenses is called chromatic aberration; color fringing in laymen's terms. What an achromatic lens does is largely counteract the refraction differences of the different colors of light by using 2 bonded optic elements with different dispersions.

On a sidenote: for some optical systems (like extreme telephoto lenses), the use of achromatic elements is not enough to get the best results. Instead, apochromatic lens elements are used. This is often abbreviated to APO. Apochromatic optical systems use elements made of very special kinds of optical material, for instance crystalline calcium fluorite, which has low dispersion of itself to begin with. Needless to say, fluorite is much more expensive than normal optical glass.

The difference between a cheap single element lens and an achromatic lens can be quite dramatic as is illustrated by the following examples. Please note that part of the difference is the difference in diopter of the two lenses.

A bar code, seen at full zoom (380mm equivalent) through a cheap single element +2.9 close-up:

The same bar code, seen at full zoom (380mm equivalent) through a +1.6 Sigma achromatic macro lens:

The difference is blatantly obvious in these brought-to-scale, 100% crops:

I don't have to explain which is which now, do I?

For some excellent examples of what can be done with a relatively cheap setup with a compact camera and achromats, have a look at Seemolf's (Sven Gude) website. Sven has done many amazing shots.

Calculations

So, what focus advantage does an add-on macro lens give, exactly? It depends heavily on the lens you're adding it to. To calculate this, you first need to know the equivalent diopter of the lens you're using. This is the inverse of the closest possible focus distance in meters (to convert inches to meters, divide by 39.37). So if your closest focus distance is .82 m, then you can calculate the diopter with the following equation:

D = 1 / .82m = 1.22

Add to this the diopter of the lens(es) you're adding. For instance, my 2 Sigmas have a diopter of 1.6 each, so I'd have to add a total of 3.2:

D = 1.22 + 1.6 + 1.6 = 4.42

To convert this number into the new focus distance, calculate the inverse of the new diopter:

d = 1 / 4.42 = .226 m

If you're more used to inches, multiply this number by 39.37 and you're done.

Comments

Fuzzcraft.com comment system 1.1   

2011-05-06   G. Epke

Elpro's 1 & 2 are optimized for the Summicron-R 1:2/50mm only. Elpro's 3 & 4 are optimized for the 90/2.8, 90/2, 100/4 and 135/2.8 R-lenses. The Elpro's 1-4 were introduced in 1976 and have filtersize E55.

2011-05-10   Fuzzcraft.com

Thank you for your input. I'll add it to the table.

2011-09-12   Adam

I think the nikons are no longer made. I've read so other places, and they aren't really available. I did find two on ebay for like, 200$ - not exactly cheap.

In my searches I've come across a german company called Dörr. They sell from Amazon at least and are priced pretty low:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Dorr+close+up&x=0&y=0.

Best
/adam

2011-09-27   docdiz

sony VCL-m3358 is +3.3 diopter. Use on my olymous ZD 40-150mm with no problem. Coma severely if used on 200+ up.

Used on compact camera (with aided from accessory tube) at 200mm covers 18mm x 12mm area from 30 cm away.

Raynox MSN is now MSN-202 and MSN-505. I use MSN-202 on my olympus ZD 40-150mm with no problem. No vignette, no coma, no CA.

At 150mm the object distant is around 2" from front surface. Magnification at 150mm is about 5:1 but NO DOF at all .

2012-04-20   Mike

I've had two Sigma 58mm achromatic close up lenses that I've used to make up small refracting telescopes - one had astigmatism but the other was perfect and gives razor sharp images with almost no false colour suggesting low dispersion glass has been used. Works great as photographic close up lens as well, as you have shown.

2012-11-12   Paul.

Just thought you should know the Sigma Achromatic macro lens also comes in a 62mm size.

2012-11-12   Admin

Thanks, Paul. I've added it to the table.

2013-03-23   Paul

Two more for you to add to the Sigma Achromat size chart. Just got a 34mm and 43mm.

2013-10-25   Werner

Hi Joris, not too bad. Still a few to add:

Kenko:
http://www.kenkoglobal.com/photo/filters/close_up_lens/ (only those with AC in the name are achromats)

Marumi:
http://www.marumi-international.com/dhg/page3.html#a06
better overview can be found here however:
http://www.enjoyyourcamera.com/Macro-Accessories/Makro-Achromat:::10_112.html

Siolex / Siocore:
http://www.siolex.de/makrozubehoer/makro-bzw-nahlinsen/ (seems to be available in German only - scroll down, the +10 are achromats)

Kind regards, Werner.

2013-10-25   Werner

Hi Joris, not too bad. Still a few to add:

Kenko:
http://www.kenkoglobal.com/photo/filters/close_up_lens/ (only those with AC in the name are achromats)

Marumi:
http://www.marumi-international.com/dhg/page3.html#a06
better overview can be found here however:
http://www.enjoyyourcamera.com/Macro-Accessories/Makro-Achromat:::10_112.html

Siolex / Siocore:
http://www.siolex.de/makrozubehoer/makro-bzw-nahlinsen/ (seems to be available in German only - scroll down, the +10 are achromats)

Kind regards, Werner.

2013-11-02   Christian

About the diopters of the high-enlarging Raynox- achromats:

Raynox MSN-202: Diopters= 25 (!)
Raynox MSN-505: Diopters= 32 (!)

Thankyou for your nice listing,
Regards: Christian

2013-11-02   Fuzzcraft

The table has been updated with Werner's and Christian's input. Thank you, both!

2013-11-22   Guerito

The Hoya +10 is not an achromat lens, it is two plano convex +5 diopters fixed together in the same ring - basically like screwing two +5 single lens diopters together to get +10.

2013-11-22   Fuzzcraft

Guerito, you're absolutely right. I checked the Hoya website and it is indeed listed as a "2 element in 2 groups" lens. Hence it's not achromatic. I'll remove it from the list with the next update. Thanks for your insight.

2014-08-28   Walter

Dear Sir,
Maybe of interest.

Leica, ELPRO, Close-Up Lens
Dioptric, Focal Length, Object Field, Reproduction Ratio

Elpro 1 2,51 dioptric 399,04, mm focal length
50mm f/2 Summicron-R II 184x276 / 91x137 mm Object Field

Elpro 2 4,92 dioptric 203,45mm focal length
50mm f/2 Summicron-R II 94x141 / 62x93 mm Object Field

Elpro 4 0,75 dioptric 1333,57mm focal length
100mm f/4 Macro-Elmar-R 323x484 / 61x92 mm Object Field
100mm f/4 Macro-Elmar-R with Macro Adapter-R 63x94 / 34x51 mm OF
135mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R II 237x355 / 106x159 mm Object Field
180mm f/4 Elmar-R 176x267 / 80x120 mm Object Field

Elpro 3 1,66 dioptric 602,56mm focal length
90mm 2.8 Elmarit-R II + 90mm 2.0 Summicron-R 161x241/72x108 mm OF
100mm f/4 Macro-Elmar-R 145x218/48x72 mm OF
100mm f/4 Macro-Elmar-R with Macro-Adapter-R 49x43/29x44 mm OF
135mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R II 107x160/66x99 mm OF
180mm f/4 Elmar-R 80x120/48x72 mm OF
-------
50mm f/2 Summicron-R II infinity / 0.5m
Type 1 - 184x276 / 91x137 mm Object Field - 2.51 dioptric – 1:7.7 / 1:3.8
Type 2 - 94x141 / 62x93 mm Object Field - 4.92 dioptric – 1:3.9 / 1:2.6

90mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R II + 90mm f/2 Summicron-R infinity / 0.7m
Type 3 - 161x241 / 72x108 mm Object Field - 1.66 dioptric – 1:6.7 / 1:3.0

100mm f/4 Macro-Elmar-R infinity / 0.6m
Type 4 - 323x484 / 61x92 mm Object Field - 0.75 dioptric – 1:13.0/1:2.5
Type 3 - 145x218 / 48x72 mm Object Field - 1.66 dioptric – 1:6.0 / 1:2.0

100mm f/4 Macro-Elmar-R with Macro-Adapter-R infinity / 0.6m
Type 4 - 63x94 / 34x51 mm Object Field - 0.75 dioptric – 1:2.6 / 1:1.4
Type 3 - 49x43 / 29x44 mm Object Field - 1.66 dioptric – 1:2.0 / 1:1.2

135mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R II infinity / 1.5m
Type 4 - 237x355 / 106x159 mm Object Field- 0.75 dioptric – 1:9.9 / 1:4.4
Type 3 - 107x160 / 66x99 mm Object Field - 1.66 dioptric – 1:4.5 / 1:2.8

180mm f/4 Elmar-R infinity / 1.8m
Type 4 - 176x267 / 80x120 mm Object Field- 0.75 dioptric – 1:7.4 / 1:3.3
Type 3 - 80x120 / 48x72 mm Object Field - 1.66 dioptric – 1:3.3 / 1:2.0

75-200mm f/4.5 Vario Elmar R at 75 mm infinity
Type 4 - 414x621 mm Object Field - 0.75 dioptric – 1:17.3
Type 3 - 187x281 mm Object Field - 1.66 dioptric – 1:7.8

75-200mm f/4.5 Vario Elmar R at 200 mm 1.2m
Type 4 - 62x93 mm Object Field - 0.75 dioptric – 1:2.6
Type 3 - 41x62 mm Object Field - 1.66 dioptric – 1:1.7

80-200mm f/4.5 Vario Elmar R at 80 mm infinity
Type 4 - 392x588 mm Object Field - 0.75 dioptric – 1:16.3
Type 3 - 177x266 mm Object Field - 1.66 dioptric – 1:7.4

80-200mm f/4.5 Vario Elmar R at 200mm 1.8m
Type 4 - 83x125 mm Object Field - 0.75 dioptric – 1:3.5
Type 3 - 50x75 mm Object Field - 1.66 dioptric – 1:2.1

Yours sincerely
Walter

2014-12-06   John F.

I've been pricing achromatic lenses on the internet, and it looks like the Kenko AC lenses for most sizes are now well under 50USD on Amazon and some other US retailers, but still in your "medium" range on ebay. Not sure about the PRO1D, though. See if you concur. Thanks.

2015-02-06   Peter

The Kenko No.3 is also available up to 77mm, not just to 58mm, even if their web site only goes up to 55mm. I've just ordered a 62mm one from Japan (via Amazon). If it was on eBay out of Hong Kong I'd assume it was a fake, but since it's straight from Japan via Amazon I'm hoping it's the real thing. This is great for people who'd otherwise have to go with a far more expensive Marumi achromat.

2015-03-25   Ernie

whoah this blog is great i like studying your articles.

Keep up the great work! You realize, lots of people are hunting around for this info, you could help
them greatly.

2015-03-28   DJS

This is a very useful resource, thank you. I especially liked the calculation section which makes it easy to calculate the new focus distance.

2015-08-05   Norman

Poloroid makes two Acromatic lenses in 52 mm, 58 mm, 72 mm and 77 mm that are sold on Amazon. A 500D (2X mag) and a 250D (4X mag).

http://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-500D-Close-Lens-72mm/dp/B009DMJW3C/ref=sr_1_17?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1438726520&sr=1-17&keywords=Polaroid+Close+Up+Lens

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CLC9506?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

I wonder how these compare in quality to Marumi.

2015-08-05   Admin

Thanks, Norman. I'll add them to the table with the next update. Though I suspect they're nothing more than cost effective copies of the Canon 500D and 250D. Nonetheless, good to know.

2015-09-10    anthony wilson

about 3 years ago i had made various achromatic diopters.
+1
+0.25
and +0.65 mainly for pro film makers.
+1 was a copy of a 1970s kinoptik design the others new designs using
schott and ohara glass
mounted in 82mm heavy duty mounts clear aperture is 77mm.
these where designed in software around a 50mm sumicron imaging onto leica m9 sensor

2015-10-02   Louis

Hi !
I discovered that not all close-up lenses are adapted to any objective.
I use Nikon 3T lens with the Nikon 70-300 and the results are excellent.
Recently I bought a Minolta No.1 lens and the pictures obtained with the same Nikon 70-300 are simply useless. They lack sharpness.
The Minolta lens is OK and works fine with a Sony 18-70.
And I do not understand why it doesnt works with de 70-300..

Thanks for your site. It is really useful.
Regards,
Louis.

2016-03-15   Joe

Vivitar makes a LOT more close-up lenses than are listed in the above table. For example, they currently make a four set -- #1, #2, #4, #10 -- Series 1 kit with cordura pouch for about $15. It is available in many diameters.

Tiffen, Hoya, Dice and many others also make close-up filters and sets in many strengths. The list above is just the tip of the iceberg.

2016-03-15   Fuzzcraft

I think you're confusing cheap normal close-up lenses (single element) with actual achromats, as listed here. This list is pretty much the iceberg where achromats are concerned.

2016-03-22   Tim

Guerito says:
"The Hoya +10 is not an achromat lens, it is two plano convex +5 diopters fixed together in the same ring - basically like screwing two +5 single lens diopters together to get +10."

The B and H websites lists this as "2-element, 2-group construction". many achromatic doublets are air-spaced rather than cemented. The air space gives at least 2 more degrees of freedom for design. Based on the priced compared to the other Hoya close up lenses (around 3x the price of two simple +5), it had better be achromatic.

Has anyone here had the chance to try one?

Very useful list, btw.

2016-04-15   Nick Marshall

I think you may be missing the Raynox DCR-5320PRO. It's a 3+2=5 diopter macro adapter that has a 72mm mounting thread. It doesn't say specifically but I would guess it's achromatic since it has 5 elements and it costs around $290!
http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/dcr/dcr5320pro/index.htm

2016-07-30   Guerito

*New Sigma AML72-01 +1.74 diopter, 72mm thread designed for use with their 18-300mm lens providing a 1:2 maximum magnification.

2016-07-30   Guerito

*New Sigma AML72-01 +1.74 diopter, 72mm thread designed for use with their 18-300mm lens providing a 1:2 maximum magnification.

2016-08-05   Fuzzcraft admin

Thanks for your posts, everyone.

At the moment I'm having some trouble updating the table. I will get to it when I sort things out. Please keep posting suggestions; much appreciated!

Regards,
Admin.

2016-10-04   JCB

I bought the Sigma 58mm AML used for $25 from E-Bay. Mounted on my Canon 100mm f/2 it gives very good image quality at about 2 1/2 times higher magnification. It appears these lenses are out of production as I was not able to find a new one.

Thank you for your excellent advice.

2017-02-28   KennethB

First of all, let me express my appreciation for your compiling such an extensive listing. Lots of great information here. However, I may have a bit to add, albeit in a rather long-winded way...

In your footnotes you stated "[1] Canon also lists 240, 250, 450 and 500 lenses (without the "D"). These are NOT achromats"

I personally own and occasionally use both a Canon "CLOSE-UP LENS 240 C-8" and a "CLOSE-UP LENS 450 C-8-2" in 58mm screw size. I am fairly certain that these are two-element achromats, as they are on the heavy side and each displays in its glass a multiple set of reflections of a modest sized light source such as a desk lamp. The mount of the 450 is 10mm thick while the heavier 240 mount is 16mm thick.

Most significantly, in usage, they have not displayed any noticeable compromise in image quality whatsoever. I typically use the stronger 240 C-8 with my Canon 100mm f2.8 USM macro lens as it extends the lens' native maximum magnification of 1:1 to about 1.6X. Apart from the extra boost in magnification, I don't notice any difference in picture quality whether I use the 240 C-8 or not, and that's out to the corners of my full frame digital sensor image. For what it's worth, I typically use them with the main lens stopped down anywhere from three to four f-stops.

Interestingly, I have a small Canon information sheet which came one of the lenses. It provides a comprehensive listing of the close-up lenses available at the time, around 1970. Among others, it lists two types of 'Close-Up Lenses 240 and 450'. The first type was designated simply as "Close-up Lens 450 & 240". They were available in 58mm and 48mm sizes, and were recommended for use with the Canon FL 55mm f1.2 and Canon FL 50mm f1.8 lenses respectively.

A second category lists "C-8 Close-up Lens 450 & 240" in 58mm size. These were for use with the Canon Auto Zoom Super 8 and DS-8 movie cameras with their fixed zoom lenses. (These cameras were both available in 1970.)

Unfortunately, the info sheet makes no mention of the optical configuration of any of these close-up lenses. Perhaps the 'regular' 450 and 240 were single element types — I don't know as I've never seen either one. It would be an interesting comparison.

But as mentioned earlier, I believe my 'C-8' versions are two-element achromats. And though designated for a Super 8 cine zoom lens of 1970 vintage, the 240 C-8 performs exceptionally well with my 100mm macro lens over 45 years later.

2017-06-26   Phenix jc

Let's add :

Sigma AML-1 Close-up Lens
SPECIFICATIONS
Filter Size 46mm Lens Construction 2 Elements in 1 Group Focusing
[with DP1 Distance 20cm 33cm Magnification 18.2(1:8.2) 114.9(1:14.9)]
"It is +4 diopters." (to be checked)

Sigma AML-2
Compatibility Sigma DP1 or DP2 Merrill compact digital cameras
Filter Thread 49mm
"It is +4 diopters." (to be checked)
(Achromat 2 elements)

OLYMPUS Macro Converter MCON-P02
"achromatic (2 lens)" 46mm ? diopters.

Some Voightlanders lenses still come with their dedicated (achromatic) close-up lens
Cheers

2021-02-27   Adriaan van Os

1. It looks like the diopter numbers for the Polaroid 250D and 500D have been mixed up.

2. In the USA, I bought a 77mm +2 Adorama achromat with the text 'ProOptic 77mm CLOSE-UP LENS 500D", see It doesn't seem to be on your list. They have several other sizes and strengths.

2021-02-27   Adriaan van Os

Thank you for removing the link from my previous comment. Please, instead, remove the entire comment !

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