Extension tubes

[Rommel]

I've been thinking about starting some macro photography. Of course the cost of the lenses is a bit prohibitive at the moment, since I spent a ton on my new camera (D80). I'm slowly starting to get to the point where I can use it and get a feel for how to use it (this is my first SLR and have been using a little over a month now). So I'm certainly still in the infancy stages of photography. However, I an avid nature lover and macro photography is one of the main reasons why I went with a dSLR.

After reading around here and a bunch of other places on the web (like some of the Flickr macro groups), I saw that a lot of people said that extension tubes is a good way to start. So a couple of questions - first is this true? Also, do people find themselves ever using extension tubes for anything other than macro work? If you wind up getting a dedicated macro lens or two in the future, do you still use the extension tubes, or are do they become a rarely used piece of equipment.

Also, I have seen a little bit of talk about close-up filters as well. These have the advantage of being in the $50 range for a set whereas the an extension tube set seems to be around $150. Could someone compare these two approaches as to which is better, which has longer lasting use, and potential shooting differences between the two approaches?

Thanks and Happy New Year

[NaturesPixel]

hi i have not used either of these methods... but would like to get a set of tubes... you can find cheaper ones on eBay... and i presume that because tubes don't have any glass elements... if they are cheaper.. there is no image quality loss because of the cheapness... i have seen them for as low as 40$ US on eBay..

i recently picked up a second hand macro lens 1:1 from KEH.com for 115$ US

this thread here shows you what the close-up filters can do...

as for the tubes becoming redundant when you do get a macro lens.. is not true.. using them with a 1:1 lens will bring you even close like 2:1 or 3:1

i hope this helps some

[smc1377]

While reading about diopter filters on the blog portion of this site, I came across those macro extension tubes on eBay. I told my coworker about this and he immediately bought the tube. This is the kind where it's just the tube, no glass, no electrical contacts. However, this tube had 3 sections so that you can vary the length of the tube to suit your needs.

Here's an example of the Nikon version of it on eBay...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Macro-extension-...QQcmdZViewItem

Anyhow, when he received it, he brought it to work for me to try with my 28-200 lens. It seems like you lose a couple stops worth of light. At the 200mm range and with all 3 extension tubes connected, it was really hard to do a handheld shot. Try as I might, my images pretty much turned out blurred, partially due to the impossibility of holding your hands that still and partially due to losing some stops of light, thus requiring a longer exposure. (EDIT: I should mention that I tried this at my desk indoors.)

However, if you plan on doing this outdoors with plenty of lighting, I can't see why you couldn't do it handheld. A tripod would be nice.

I'm thinking about picking up a set myself since (as you can see by the link above) the non-electrical tube set is only $20 shipped (to the US).

[tim]

I bought the Kenko extension tubes recently and think they're alright for your first taste at macro. The advantage over a diopter is being no glass which in theory should affect the quality of your shot less. If shooting indoors I wouldn't imagine shooting without a tripod. I've just been using a small tripod that's about 20cm high and manually focusing.

The set of three is enough to have a good range of distances to choose from. I've got a Canon who also produces extension tubes but for a considerable amount more with no noticeable difference between the builds. Just check whatever tubes you do for that they're compatible with your lenses. The kenko set don't work with EF-S lenses on the Canon.

Not sure what else you'd use extension tubes for other than macro. Your ability to focus to infinity is gone while having the tubes on the camera.

[AZ4Runner]

Rommel,

One thing you'll need to note is that most extension tubes will cost you 2 f-stops and will require you to manually focus your lens.

Extension tubes are non-glass elements that you can add between your camera body and lens, effectively making your focal length longer. By doing that you allow your lens to focus at a much shorter distance than it normally would. All of the macro photographers that I know swear by them.

One other note, you'll want to make sure you have a tripod too. When you're shooting macro you don't want any camera shake.

[Rommel]

The cheapo $15 non-electrical set just came in the mail. I wish I had the Kenko set, but still I am very glad to have anything at all. Last night I took a very boring picture (but exciting for me since it was my first macro subject) with lots of light, tripod use, and lens maybe 2-3 cm from subject:

Macro subject @ flickr

Thanks for all the advice

[NaturesPixel]

Originally Posted by Rommel

The cheapo $15 non-electrical set just came in the mail. I wish I had the Kenko set, but still I am very glad to have anything at all. Last night I took a very boring picture (but exciting for me since it was my first macro subject) with lots of light, tripod use, and lens maybe 2-3 cm from subject:

Macro subject @ flickr

Thanks for all the advice

well that looks fantastic.. i may just have to get myself a set

with what lens did you use???

[RainPacket]

I also use the Kenko extender tubes on my Canon at times, and have had fairly good luck...

[Rommel]

Originally Posted by NaturesPixel

well that looks fantastic.. i may just have to get myself a set

with what lens did you use???

Drat I was hoping I wouldn't have to admit the lens This was the Tamron AF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 that I picked up for $100 when I bought my camera. Maybe tonight I'll try a shot with another lens.

[smc1377]

From Your Flickr Picture...

Today my macro extension tubes arrived! I can't believe how much this $16 changes my options.

That's awesome. Mind sharing where you bought it and if it was eBay, what the seller's name is (if they sell more of them)? I still haven't purchased a set yet.