Do I need to purchase an aperture ring?

[headrickphoto]

I recently purchased a set of extension tubes for my camera to allow me to do some macro work. However I discovered that it does not provide control on the aperture. Would purchasing something like this solve the issue? I'm not really familiar with that kind of equipment.

[acedrew]

No, you lose that control, unless your macro tube has passthrough for electronic aperture. The Ring in the link is a replacement part. It also depends on what model and age of lens you have, whether it can be manually controlled.

Andrew Rodgers
Perfected Perspectives -- Photography by Andrew Rodgers | Andrew Rodgers (acedrew) on Twitter | Login | Facebook

[inkista]

And that's why the $10 tubes on eBay are only worth $10.

This may be your cheapest option for a tube set with contacts.

AETNKAF Pro Optic Auto Extension Tube Set for Nikon AF SLR Cameras with Full Exposure Capabilities. (Meike)

Or you could use a manual focus lens with an aperture ring on it.