Hoya 55mm Close-Up Kit (Multi-Coated)

The 55mm Close-Up Kit from Hoya permits your lens to focus closer than normal. Imagine that you could put a magnifying glass in front of your camera's lens. Close-up lenses work in this fashion and are the simplest and least expensive method of close-up photography. They are available in different "powers" (diopters). A +1 close-up lens will allow you to focus your lens somewhat closer than it already does. A +2 close-up lens will allow you to focus closer than the +1. A +4 lens will allow you to focus even closer than a +2. A +1 combined with a +2 will equal a +3, while a +2 combined with a +4 will equal a +6, and so on.

The maximum magnification achieved with these attachments will depend on the focal length of your lens as well as the actual close focusing capability of that particular lens. They are multi-coated to minimize reflection at the filter surfaces which reduces flare and ghosting. When using these filters, either together or separately, your depth of field becomes quite shallow. Whenever possible, use of a small aperture will produce better results. In addition, as a result of the shallow depth of field produced by these filters, use of a tripod is strongly recommended to avoid "shake" and "blur" when photographing up close.

Hoya is one of the largest manufacturers of glass in the filter industry. In collaboration with its parent company, Tokina Optical, Hoya continues to strive to produce some of the best glass on the market. Currently, they hold 40% of the world's market for optical glass.

The advantage of most Hoya filters is that Hoya puts, at least, one layer of anti-reflective coating on each side of their glass. It is not bare glass. Even if the glass is not multi-coated, this kind of production tends to minimize flare and ghosting.

Close-up filters are the least expensive way to achieve macro photography
The resulting shallow depth of field requires use of a tripod to ensure the image remains sharp
Hoya multi-coating provides an average light transmission of over 97%
Multi-coating produces sharper contrast and well-balanced color