Canon Close-up Lens 500D. There are four ways to shoot close-up and macro photography: use a Macro lens, an extension tube, a close-up lens attachment and a bellows. Of course, most zoom lenses allow close-focusing capability but the magnifications will not be as great as those four ways mentioned. For EOS users, Canon offers choices of three EF Macros, two extension tubes, Close-up Attachment lenses and the equivalent of a bellows in the form of the MP-E 65mm f/2.8 5X Macro Photo lens. Close-up Attachment lenses are like filters where they can be fitted onto the front of the Canon FD or EF lenses used. They are available in three types of 250D, 500 and 500D. Type 250D is available in both 52mm and 58mm diameters while the 500 is offered in 52mm, 58mm, 72mm and 77mm. The 500D is also available in sizes ranging from 52mm, 58mm, 72mm and 77mm. Close-up Lens 250D and 500D have two achromatic elements to correct chromatic aberrations. They do not affect the high optical performance of both the FD and EF lenses. Canon Close-up 500D in 77mm diameter These two EF-L zooms have 77mm threads     Screwed onto the front just like a filter Close-up Lens 500 has only one element, making it more affordable. EF lenses like the EF 28mm f/1.8 USM, EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, EF 85mm f/1.8 USM and EF 100mm f/2.0 USM can use the 58mm versions of all three Close-up Lenses while zooms like the EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM, EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM as well as the discontinued duo of EF 20-35mm f/2.8L AFD and EF 80-200mm f/2.8L AFD can all use the 72mm versions of both the 500 and 500D. Single focal length types like the EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM, EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM and EF 300mm f/4L IS USM can also use the 72mm versions of both the 500 and 500D Close-up Lenses. Manual focus Canon FD and EF lenses that have the 52mm threads can use all three Close-up Lenses having the same diameter sizes. EF lenses like the EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM, EF 28-70mm f/2.8L USM, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM and the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM can use the 77mm versions of the 500 and 500D. Closest focusing distance at 70mm With 500D: at infinity position (70mm)     With 500D: at closest focusing distance (70mm) The above photos were shot with the EF 28-70mm f/2.8L USM zoom lens fitted with the 77mm version of the 500D Close-up Lens, which was the one reviewed in this issue. << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 .