It is a supplemental lens that goes on the front of your primary lens like a filter (many are screw-ons but some are bayonet types). there are three often used diopter strengths +1, +2, and +3. They serve as a cheap way of acquiring macro effects. They are often referred to as close-up lenses because depending on the strength they enable one to get within two feet of the subject and shoot a close up ( potentially good for insects and the like but not too good for people unless you are making a pimple the subject of the frame). The major disadvantage over a true macro is that you have an additional piece of glass between the subject and the film which can degrade the image if it is not clean and a high quality optical glass. ----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Greer <mgreer942@yahoo.com> To: <epson-inkjet@leben.com> Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 1999 10:17 PM Subject: Re: Mamiya 120mm Macro for portraits > > > --- Jan Faul <jfaul@dn.net> wrote: > > MClark2553@aol.com wrote: > > > > > The "hardness" quality is easily addressed by using a > > > soft filter, such as the black-pro mist or other Hollywood FX filters by > > > Tiffen. > > > > > If you're going to use a Tiffen product, why don't you instead use a +1 > > diopter clasp lens to help fill the frame, > > Please expound on this. I use a Mamiya RB with a 127mm lens for portraits. > What's a "+1 dopter clasp lens"? What is it's main purpose in life? How does it > help fill the frame? And approx. how much do they cost? > > > > ===== > Explore potential income opportunities with Greer and Associates at http://www.ibocity.com/greeraa. Also, Come visit my digital photography web site along with a lot of other interesting stuff at http://www.greer.simplenet.com. > > Mike Greer > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one place. > Yahoo! Shopping: http://shopping.yahoo.com > - > Turn off HTML mail features. Keep quoted material short. Use accurate > subject lines. http://www.leben.com/lists for list instructions. > - Turn off HTML mail features. Keep quoted material short. Use accurate subject lines. http://www.leben.com/lists for list instructions.