Extension Tubes

[evader]

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong section.

I was wondering about extension tubes. I'm not in the position to purchase a new macro lense but would love to be able to get some better macro type shots if possible and I read the other day that extension tubes might be the way to go. I'm shooting with a Nikon D60 with the 15-55mm and 55-200mm lenses.

I found these tubes listed on ebay and was wondering if anyone knows if they are any good or if these are what I need for something like this?

3 Ring Macro Extension Tube For NIKON D60 D90 D200 D3 - eBay (item 270448790028 end time Sep-27-09 08:56:34 PDT)

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[harrypalmer044]

Go for it, I use them all the time and they work fine for me. I will however upgrade to a nice macro lens some time in the future but right now they achieve exactly what I need and thats some close up images of little things, (have a look at my spiders on my page, all achieved with extension tubes)
Hope that helps.
David

[jgomez65]

I love extention tubes. Take a look a these pictures I posted on another thread, they were all taken with extention tubes

good macro lens for canon?

[inkista]

Extension tubes are just hollow plastic tubes that move your lens away from the body, so a cheap set will do you pretty well. The only difference between this set and, say, the Kenko set, is the lack of electronic contacts to pass information from the lens to the body. So, aperture control and focus have to be done via the lens, not the body, and your EXIF is gonna be a little funky. But they will let you get just as close to the subject as the more expensive extension tubes will.

Be aware, though, that extension tubes mean your lens will only focus at a specific distance from the subject. You don't frame, then focus, as you would with a macro lens.

[EmigrantChris]

I bought a cheap set similar to these, and they work pretty well for what they are. Everything will have to be set manually with them though, and you'll probably lose at least one stop, probably more.

I bought mine from Deal Extreme for about $9. They're metal, and surprisingly well made for what they cost.
DealExtreme: $9.21 Macro Lens Adapter for Nikon

[evader]

I'm getting ready to purchase some extension tubes and am just wondering if I'd be better off going with the Kenko Extension Tubes (listed in the link below) rather than the cheaper ones listed in the original post?
Anyone have any thoughts on that? Will the quality be that much better with the Kenko tubes?

Kenko Macro Extension Tube for Nikon D300 D40 D60 NEW - eBay (item 360189229842 end time Oct-13-09 19:54:22 PDT)

[emtab]

The main difference between different extension tubes is whether or not there are contacts for the camera to handle autofocus and aperture. Assuming the cheap ones are decently well made the difference will be that you will have to do slightly more work with the cheap ones. They both contain ultra-low dispersion air elements.

regards,
emtab

[Murtasma]

Originally Posted by emtab

They both contain ultra-low dispersion air elements.

Ultra-low disperson air LOL

[paktire]

hi all,

(repost)

i am using AF MICRO NIKKOR 105mm 2.8 D and trying to get micro shots but not getting good details. the final focus area with FULL focus is around 2.5cm x 2.5cm. whereas i want to keep focus from much nearer so that the super finest details come out.

should i use +1,,,,,+10 close up filters. what filter will be good for insect photography.

thanks.

[spazoid1965]

I have the older Nikon AI automatic tubes with prong and pin for pre-ai. They are great quality and I know I can trust them. And I also have the set you linked to. This set is consists of several threaded anodized aluminium rings. It also has the male and female bayonet coupling mounted on a thin threded ring. They work fine in the manual mode. The biggest concern I have while using this set is the rigidity of the rings. Sometimes while focusing, these rings want to loosen and slightly unthread. Also the quality of the mounts isn't that great. If you use them be sure to support your lens, just incase. But they are made in China so what can you expect? But they definately are the least expensive way to a good macro shot.