Opteka 55mm 10x HD² Professional Macro Converter Lens for Sony Alpha 18-55mm & 18-70mm Digital SLR Lenses
- Now you can take close-up shots like you never took before
- Enables you to get much closer than the minimum focus of the standard camera lens – as close as 4 inches from the subject.
- Originally designed for dentists and medical use, the HD10X is now available to the public
- 4 elements of high definition optical glass that provides unbelievable detail
- Lens caps included, Lifetime warranty
Now you can take close-up shots like you never took before. Opteka proudly presents the next HD10X macro lens. Originally designed for dentists and medical use, the HD10X is now available to the public. Unlike current single element lenses, the HD10X has 4 elements of high definition optical glass that provides unbelievable detail. Cameras fitted with normal lenses do not permit us to move closer than a certain minimum distance from the object being photographed. The Close-Up lens, which is simply mounted in the front of our normal taking lens, permits the taking of close-ups and also makes possible the photography of details which would be quite impossible without using the Close-Up lens. The easy to use solution for getting extra close. These lenses enable you to get much closer than the minimum focus of the standard camera lens – as close as 4 inches from the subject. Ideal for cataloging small items and focusing on details…. more >>
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(out of 6 reviews)
>>More about Opteka 55mm 10x HD² Professional Macro Converter Lens for Sony Alpha 18-55mm & 18-70mm Digital SLR Lenses
Review by M. Bhangal for Opteka 55mm 10x HD² Professional Macro Converter Lens for Sony Alpha 18-55mm & 18-70mm Digital SLR Lenses
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Like many people getting into Digital SLR, I opted for the Sony a200. The lens that comes with the a200 doesn’t have a macro mode, so I thought it might be fun to try converting it for macro use using the Opteka x10.
Once you add the Opteka, you have to set the camera to manual focusing (set the little switch on the camera that reads ‘AF MF’ to ‘MF), and you have to put the camera on a tripod if you are going for extreme macro (as I did – I worked with the lens set to 70mm, giving max zoom).
Macro photography can take a lot of setting up, because (a) you have to manually focus (b) you have a very low depth of field and (c) the lens with the opteka attached requires very long exposure times (easily over a second), but the results can certainly warrant the effort. Rather than talk about the results, and given that a picture is worth a thousand words, I have added three of my photos to the customer images section (the ones with ‘Photographed by shamb’ in the captions). Judge the results for yourself… all photographs were photographed by myself using the a200 in RAW mode. Some post processing was carried out in Adobe lightroom (mainly exposure correction – I always overexpose my images and then correct by underexposing the RAW conversion in Lightroom as this gives you very good colours because of the way digital camera sensors work).
Oh, one other thing my order came back with a free Opteka 7 piece camera care kit. This included a mini tripod, a pack of protectors for the a200 screen, a dust blower, and some misc other cleaning equipment. You may not get the same (I wonder if it is part of some limited offer that I didnt see), but it certainly sugared an already excellent purchase for me!
Conclusion: If you have bought an a200, you probably want to dabble in everything digital photography has to offer, but without breaking the bank. The Opteka is the cheapest option for trying out macro photography.
I’m glad I did, because macro photography can be a lot of fun!
*** Update April 2010 ***
You can see examples of macro photos taken with the Opteka x10 at howgreenisyourgarden.wordpress.com (my macro photo blog). All images taken with a Sony A200, the 18-70 kit lens + Opteka x10 52mm, or the Sony A200 with a Sony SAL18250 All In One Zoom Lens (18-250mm) + Opteka 62mm 10x HD² Professional Macro Lens for Digital Cameras). I also used an inexpensive sony tripod – VCT-R100 Tripod
Review by Thomas Mcmahon for Opteka 55mm 10x HD² Professional Macro Converter Lens for Sony Alpha 18-55mm & 18-70mm Digital SLR Lenses
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I’m using this with a Sony A200, as an actual macro lens is a bit of a stretch for me at the moment, but I still wanted to try some close up photography. I’ve got some fantastic results out of it, it takes a little bit of getting used to but is well worth it. I work in print, so tried printing out a couple of images at 1300mm x 1000mm and even at that size the detail and clarity is really good, for instance a baby tomato filling the frame, with all the tiny hairs perfectly sharp. Well worth the money.
Review by Johnny D for Opteka 55mm 10x HD² Professional Macro Converter Lens for Sony Alpha 18-55mm & 18-70mm Digital SLR Lenses
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I have just received the Opteka 10 x Macro Lens and am delighted with it already, not even having used it yet. It looks and feels like a good quality lens. I’ve fitted it onto the camera and the 55mm thread is a precise fit, with no snags, just as you would expect. It comes with a small pouch to keep it in.
I also received a free gift from 47th Street Photo. As a previous reviewer has noted, it consists of a 7 piece accessory kit, which includes screen protectors, a lens cleaning kit and a neat mini-tripod with flexible legs and a belt hook. I can see the mini-tripod, in particular, getting plenty of use.
When compared with the price of a full-size macro lens, this is a very good option. I would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to get up close with their camera.
I’d also recommend this particular supplier. Apart from the free gift, the service is excellent. Delivery, which was by Fedex, took only a week or so, even though the lens is shipped from Brooklyn, New York.
Review by Mr. N. Jarman for Opteka 55mm 10x HD² Professional Macro Converter Lens for Sony Alpha 18-55mm & 18-70mm Digital SLR Lenses
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Exceptionally good close up images are possible with this lens from around 3-4 inches.
Review by Mike The Magician for Opteka 55mm 10x HD² Professional Macro Converter Lens for Sony Alpha 18-55mm & 18-70mm Digital SLR Lenses
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This lens is an ideal way to delve into macro photography without breaking the bank. It produces excellent results when used as intended, but can also deliver up some interesting effects when used “outside it’s envelope”. For example, it created a mild fisheye effect when used to photograph our german shepherd dog from about four feet away.
All in all, a fabulous lens for the price, and delivery from the USA took less than a week.