extension tubes?

cawlcoch

cawlcoch

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John
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Sorry to sound a bit thick but i've heard a lot about extension tubes but as i'm very new to all this and am wondering what they are and what they do.
 
They simply move the lens further away from the camera body, effectively reducing the minimum focussing distance of the lens - hence you can get much closer to the subject in macro shots.
 
Yes they will work with any lens but the longer the focal length the less effective they become.
 
Bondy said:
Yes they will work with any lens but the longer the focal length the less effective they become.
Click to expand...

Depends what you mean by effective.

These pics were all taken on my 1Ds MkII fitted with the 70-300mm L IS USM lens and a set of Kenko extension tubes.

The great thing about that kind of setup is that you can get large images at quite a distance away so the subjects are less inclined to fly off.

 
Just going to come & throw this in here, but I have a few questions if you don't mind? I'm new to this concept much like John.
I'm right in thinking that extension tubes allow you to get closer to the subject & still focus? Does it increase the focal length? My current lens is limited when focusing on close objects. & Do the Canon AF fit extension tubes fit the Canon 5D MKII mount? Just wondering as EF-S mount lenses obviously don't fit. Can working with extension tubes effect the quality produced by the lens?

@petersmart That top Macro shot is stunning.

Might consider experimenting with extension tubes in the future. Thanks!
 
Thanks for those kind words Ashley and Bondy.

And Ashley extension tubes can give brilliant results with a lit of lenses without the necessity of paying a high price for specialised macro lenses.

In fact a lens like the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens gives superb results when used with extension tubes.

And on Amazon you can buy a set of Polaroid extension tubes for around £60 for a set of 3 fully automatic ones.

But the one drawback of any kind of macro photography is the very small DOF.

The shots of mine on here were mostly taken at apertures of around f16 with a Jessops flash (320AF) mounted on the camera set on high.

But macro photography is very addictive as long as you realise that getting good shots is a very steep learning curve and the number of keepers you get will be vastly outnumbered by the junk ones.

Which is why if I'm taking macro or very close up shots outdoors I usually take hundreds to make sure I get a good selection to choose from.

.
 
I've got a set of Kenko AF tubes and normally use them, either together or singly, on my 100 2.8 L macro and the results are amazing. You just have to get a little closer than usual and have a steady hand.
 
I'll own up and say it.. I bought a cheap plastic AF set of ebay for my 500D and they're really good.
I think I paid £32 including postage from europe (poland?)
They fit fine, work without an issue and yes I've used my tamron 70-300 with them for photographing moths indoors from the comfort of my bed.
 
Have decided to buy a cheep set off Amazon to play with and see how I get on.Cracking shots Peter.
 
Now this sounds good, think I'll buy a set before buying my 100mm

Just found the Kenko ones on amazon.

Thanks guys
 
my £9 extension tube set arrived today, have to do every thing on manual but they're all right to get an idea how how it all works.
 
cawlcoch said:
my £9 extension tube set arrived today, have to do every thing on manual but they're all right to get an idea how how it all works.
Click to expand...

£9 what a Bargain
 
4737carlin said:
Those macro shots above are fantasic, can anyone tell me what extension tubes are good to get with a canon 50mm1.8 ?
Click to expand...

Well any extension tubes that fit your camera are suitable but Amazon are selling a set of fully automatic Polaroid extension tubes for £60.00:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polaroid-Fo...BAT2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328947555&sr=8-1

which seem to get good reviews.

To see what you can achieve with tubes and the Canon 50mm F1.8 look here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/sets/72157625975281497/

But with the f1.8 you will be quite close to your subjects.

Or you could even try lens coupling for super high magnification at very low cost using coupling rings:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/sets/72157628714278311/

The rings only cost a few pounds on Ebay but a sturdy support and a good flash is necessary.

.
 
I am totally new to photography, yesterday i purchased a Nikon D7000, with a 16-85 lens, and a 55-200 lens.
I really want to get into Macro Photoghraphy, but seen as i have spent my pocket on the new kit... i would rather not spend much more.

I presume this would be siutable for me.

Anyone reccomend the extension tubes for my cam?

p.s. Peter.. WOW!
 
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petersmart said:
Which is why if I'm taking macro or very close up shots outdoors I usually take hundreds to make sure I get a good selection to choose from.
.
Click to expand...

Stunning shots Peter, and I am glad you said that, because it makes me feel a whole lot better to know that I am not the only one:lol:
 
I use a very basic setup on my Sony A700. I have an M42 lens adaptor, which means that I can take advantage of a vast number of manual lenses and accessories. My favourite kit for butterflies and small dragonflies is - Pentax Super Takumar 135mm with between 30mm and 61mm of extension tubes. I normally preset the aperture to F11 (any smaller and I cannot see to manual focus), hopefully use 200 - 400 ISO and then adjust the shutter speed to suit. I always handhold, and preset focus according to subject size, then creep forward (usually on hands and knees), and shoot a number of images.
Here are a couple of examples

6028129897_353952ffc7_b.jpg


6072649238_17175335aa_b.jpg


Thanks.
 
I must get me some of these, could be fun.

Anyone recommend a make....I use cannon gear.....no not that obvious!
 
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