eBay Item - Magnifying Lens - Worth A Look?

Hey all,

Not a very knowledgeable person when it comes to the ould photography or cameras/accessories, but whilst browsing el bayo, I came across this:


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/n-52mm-Close-up-lenses-for-Olympus-E-620-E-520-E-420-E3_W0QQitemZ280334986860QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN?hash=item4145446e6c


Can anyone tell me, would they be worth getting? Will they actually give you a bit of a magnification on your images without losing much wuality, or are they just a novelty gimmick item, that's a waste of time and won't do anything except frustrate you until you bin them?


Never seen them before, and quite curious.


Cheers

ThenComesDudley

ive used stuff like these before... they do get you closer.. .but the quality isnt the best, ive been told never to use anything more than a 2x + 4x close up lens together as the quality really is reduced. IF you want to pursue macro/close up photography it will be much better to invest in a lens that is suited to the job.. in the long run the magnifiers just are not that good

TPD

I have one similar. It's well worth the £10 or whatever to try out macro shooting, before dropping hundreds on a macro lens.

Ghost Train

I think they're worth the price, another option is to get a wide angle adapter which usually comes with with a macro element

GavinZac

A trip to the local nick nack shop, get two plastic magnifying glasses for €2, apply to lens with duct tape:



More:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinzac/sets/72157620986167130/

Amalgam

Nice Gavin, I had this link hidden away, I like the idea of Macro photography involving the use of a Pringles can..

http://photocritic.org/macro-photography-on-a-budget/

breadandjam

I've used these before they do work. I got mine in the Camera shop on Sth Great Georges st in Dublin. I can't remember how much they cost but they were very cheap. The tip the guy in the shop gave me was to set the camera up on a tripod and move the object you're photographing until it's in focus. Also use the self timer on the camera to eliminate shake.