Close-up lenses vs macro lenses?

[stevet1]

Are close-up lenses worth it, as opposed to buying a macro lens?

Some advertise that you can focus as close as 2 inches.

Steve Thomas

[kvbarkley]

I should look to see if I still have them so that I can try them in a holga-sort of way.

[March411]

If you saving for other things than the close up lens may be a better way to spend. B&H has the 500D for $103 and  TriState Camera has the 250D for $93

And that's a Wasp eating berries. 😂

[ebiggs1]

The problem with these cheap "filter" close up lenses and even extension tubes is, they are tricks to get a lens to do things it was not designed to do. They all work it just how well do they work and how much of an issue are they to use. They all bring along baggage of their own.  There really is no good substitute for a true macro or specifically designed close up lens.

Bottom line it's up to you to decide if what they give is ok. I have all of those possible gadgets that are now covered with about three decades deep of dust.