Macro Tubes or tele
- Thread starter snapsnap
- Start date
The teleconvertor is not really for macro shots per se - it'll increase your focal length (which with the same focusing distance may actually give you some increase). Plus it also affects the image quality (adding extra glass between the lens and a camera).
The extension tubes on the other hand will allow you to focus closer, thus increasing magnification. They also hollow inside so they won't add any of the compromises in the optical path. However extension rings are better used with the ordinary non-macro lenses (especially medium to telephoto as it allows great working distance).
You already have a macro lens (unless I misunderstood) which can focus pretty close so using extension tubes won't possibly add a lot of leverage. So I'd say that you may need to try teleconvertors.
CReid
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 906
- Name
- Carl
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Get a set of tubes with electrical connections, since you normally get a set of 3 you'll have far more options (magnification wise) plus the last time I checked Kenko tubes were cheaper than TCs... Extension tubes work a treat with macro lenses, just be aware that you start to get a lot of light drop off the more tubes you use so decent light is a MUST.
Carl
Carl
Dogfish_magnet
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 4,613
- Name
- Paul
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Not quite true
Using a teleconverter will increase you magnification when used with a macro lens, the minimum working distance will not alter but magnification will - if you use a 1.4 teleconverter with a 1:1 macro lens you will get 1.4:1 magnification, but you will lose a little IQ - but its no to noticeable.
If you get a set of auto tubes that will retain aperture control from the body and you use with your macro lens you will be able to get approx 2:1 with a full set fitted, and as there is no glass in the tubes IQ wont be affected.
Remember as you change the focus of a macro lens you are altering the magnification, so to get the maximum magnification from your lens (1:1) use manual focus and set the lens to minimum focus and focus by moving the camera back wards and forwards.
Not quite true
I'd like to know which part - I thought my post pretty much corresponds to what you said
That's the good explanation but I never said that the contrary is true though.
True again (depending what and how many tubes you get) but then again my point was about how useful it will be considering the lens and what tubes do. The point of extension tube(s) is to allow to focus closer than lens design allows normally. Macro lenses by design allow focus really close already. So placing it on extension tube to get few extra cm will not make it easier to use. Say if I have a lens that allows to focus within few cm from the front glass - what would having the extension tubes give me then? Ability to have higher magnification when focusing a few mm from the lens front? That is of course useful but really impractical when you chasing bugs in my view of course ;-)
Dogfish_magnet
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 4,613
- Name
- Paul
- Edit My Images
- Yes
I'd like to know which part - I thought my post pretty much corresponds to what you said
That's the good explanation but I never said that the contrary is true though.
True again (depending what and how many tubes you get) but then again my point was about how useful it will be considering the lens and what tubes do. The point of extension tube(s) is to allow to focus closer than lens design allows normally. Macro lenses by design allow focus really close already. So placing it on extension tube to get few extra cm will not make it easier to use. Say if I have a lens that allows to focus within few cm from the front glass - what would having the extension tubes give me then? Ability to have higher magnification when focusing a few mm from the lens front? That is of course useful but really impractical when you chasing bugs in my view of course ;-)
You've not used extension tubes on a macro lens then
, the best way to get extra magnification on a true macro lens is extension tubes, a full set will give you approx 2:1 (on a 100mm macro) and it will be perfectly usable, i (as have many on this site) used them with a Sigma 180mm / 105mm macro lens and a Canon 100mm macro lens without issue, and a 1.4TC - Magnification is irrelevant of focal Length on a macro lens 1:1 on a 60mm macro lens is exactly the same as 1:1 on a 180mm macro lens.
What about a bit of both? That is what I'm considering. A TC to increase magnification without reducing working distance and an extension tube (or two or three) to be able to mount the lens on the TC.
Not too much of a thread highjack, I think.
Not too much of a thread highjack, I think.
Dogfish_magnet
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 4,613
- Name
- Paul
- Edit My Images
- Yes
What about a bit of both? That is what I'm considering. A TC to increase magnification without reducing working distance and an extension tube (or two or three) to be able to mount the lens on the TC.
Not too much of a thread highjack, I think.
My bro used that combination before he got his Mp-e - have a look at posts in macro by photopainter - some of the butterflies have excellent detail
I'm sure he wont mind me posting this
Davec223
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 3,110
- Name
- Dave
- Edit My Images
- Yes
What about a bit of both? That is what I'm considering. A TC to increase magnification without reducing working distance and an extension tube (or two or three) to be able to mount the lens on the TC.
Not too much of a thread highjack, I think.
had a play with my 105vr, sigma 1.4x tc and full set of tubes. Handheld with flash. straight out the camera
Davec223
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 3,110
- Name
- Dave
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Errr, well, ermmm, it could have been with one of the following or a combination of SB800, SB900 or the R1 macro kit.
I was not saying there is an issue, and neither was I questioning magnification figures. All I was saying is that macro lens allows you already focus closer to the lens even without tubes so adding tubes in will force it to focus even closer. Tubes themselves don't add any magnification the effect is to simply move closer and achieve magnification because of that. I was simply saying that reducing the working distance which may be already short on macro lenses is less useful (to me that is as it it's all personal preference). If going down that road then I believe bellows can get you even closer but that will require a static setup (fully on tripod, careful manual focus etc). Whereas with extension tubes and say telephoto lenses (does not even have to be macro) you will have better flexibility, even shooting handheld is possible.
I personally prefer to use ordinary (non macro lenses) with extension tubes, tilting attachments and reversing lens rings.
Dogfish_magnet
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 4,613
- Name
- Paul
- Edit My Images
- Yes
This thread is about increasing MAGNIFICATION on the users 105MM macro lens, sticking tubes onto a telephoto wont even get him the magnification he has now :shrug: -
Is this a table you put together for your own use of the lenses you own? I have been thinking of doing the same, and was wondering how you came up with the figures of the magnification per tube length?
Thanks
Dogfish_magnet
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 4,613
- Name
- Paul
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Its a table from one of the lens review sites - when i remember which I'll post it
There is a formula for working it out but you need to know the focal length of the lens to do this - unfortunately a macro lens is not always the focal length stated when set to minimum focus - so a 105mm macro lens may only have a focal length of 80mm (guess figure) when focused at its closet focusing distance.
If your going to do a table just take a picture of a ruler at min-focus and see how many mm you get in shot, from this work out the magnification.
Hmm the OP asked "Hi i am looking at doing macro shot of bugs and wondered what is the best way to go. The macro lens i have is a sigma 105mm." don't see magnification mentioned in there.
Again I am just sharing my experience and what works and doesn't for me.
Dogfish_magnet
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 4,613
- Name
- Paul
- Edit My Images
- Yes
There is some useful reference in here. It does have some formulas and various ways of shooting macro
My bro used that combination before he got his Mp-e - have a look at posts in macro by photopainter - some of the butterflies have excellent detail
I'm sure he wont mind me posting this
Thanks for that. It looks like something worth trying.
had a play with my 105vr, sigma 1.4x tc and full set of tubes. Handheld with flash. straight out the camera
I'm convinced. All I need to do now is 'accidentally' buy a set of tubes on Amazon
mrtoad
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 18,182
- Name
- Geof
- Edit My Images
- Yes
tubes are better..a convertor is rubbish
you will have to go onto manual settings i reckon on digital
with tubes on film cameras they usually couple mechanically with the aperture ring
your exposure may need tweaking as well...do tests
you will have to go onto manual settings i reckon on digital
with tubes on film cameras they usually couple mechanically with the aperture ring
your exposure may need tweaking as well...do tests
mrtoad
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 18,182
- Name
- Geof
- Edit My Images
- Yes
should have read this a bit more closely
tubes use the prime elements of the lens without changing their relative position
tele macro i believe will pull some elements around and so give a compromise..imho
so i still vote tubes...and
they are cheaper...
braddersmd
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 495
- Name
- Mark
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Snapsnap, where did you get the Kenko tubes from? Will be interested to see how you get one, as I'm considering the same for my Nikon 105mm.