Nikon Close-Up Lenses - 5T, 6T

[barmstrong]

I have been looking for the Nikon 5T and 6T close-up lenses for a while now. Anybody know if these are still available and where I might find them?

[epayne]

Hi Butch,

NIKON discontinued these dual element achromatic accessory lenses some time back so finding them now can be challenging. They do work quite well and Canon also manufactures similar lenses called the 250D and 500D.

eBay is worth searching and it looks like KEH Camera Brokers in GA has a couple of 62mm NIKON 5T lenses listed on their site for sale. Here is a link. I have purchased from KEH several times in the past with no problems. They have been easy to deal with and their equipment condition ratings have always been conservative.

http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductList.aspx?Mode=&item=0&ActivateTOC2=&ID=25&BC=NK&BCC=1&CC=20&CCC=21&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=

Back to the Canon 250D and 500D. The 250D is optomized for lenses from 30 to 135mm while the 500D is designed for lenses up to 300mm. I have the 500D in a 77mm size and find that it is excellent on the 70-200mm or the 80-400mm tele zooms. I have also used it on wide angle zooms for closer focusing ability. The Patch of "Bluets" photo in my gallery here was shot with the NIKON 12-24mm with a 77mm Canon 500D lens attached.

http://www.cnpa.org/gallery_popup.php?img=02-915&member=&id=

By having the accessory lens in 77mm I can use it with step down adapter rings on other lenses like the 18-200 with a 72mm filter attachment size. While not as versatile as a dedicated micro lens the dual element accessory diopters are very useful accessories and I can recommend both the Canon as well as the discontuined NIKON products.

Here is a link to the Canon 500D as well,

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/87503-REG/Canon_2824A002_77mm_500D_Close_up_Lens.html#featur es

Good shooting and Happy New Year,
Edgar Payne
Charlotte Region

[barmstrong]

Thanks, Edgar. I appreciate the link to KEH. For some reason they did not show up in my search and I did not think of them. Going to check it out.

I have the 500D and as you say, it is excellent. I was hoping the Nikons were still being manufactured as they were considerably less expensive. Something my son could try on his camera instead of using my 500D.

[epayne]

Hi Butch
I fully understand, You might want to check eBay occasionally as well. The NIKON lenses are not inexpensive either, But as you know you usually get what you pay for.'
Best of luck in the new year,
Edgar