macro

[..MD..]

hi all help needed here .
i have seen some extension tubes to go onto my 50mm to get some good close ups .
now not being one to give jessops anything if possible i have been intouch with everyones favorite kerso . he can get me a 12mm or a 25mm now being a bit thick which one would be best for me to get the best kind of macro any advice on this matter would be appreciated...

 

[Joe T]

Probably get both if it aint too much dosh!

Seriously.

 

[..MD..]

12mm 55 quid
25mm 79 quid
+ postage
if i spend to much i might aswell go for a macro lens
i saw some tubes in jessops that give a 1/1 ratio for around 80 quid
but thought id try kerso ..

 

[Joe T]

For some reason I thought they might be cheaper than that.

I should really back out of this thread now as I dont really know much about them. I went for the dedicated lens option, rightly or wrongly!

 

[..MD..]

thanks for trying joe im sure some clever person will be along soon...

 

[oldgit]

Try Jessops (spit spit) they do a set for about £50

 

[Chris L]

12mm 55 quid
25mm 79 quid
+ postage
if i spend to much i might aswell go for a macro lens
i saw some tubes in jessops that give a 1/1 ratio for around 80 quid
but thought id try kerso ..

Hi there,

I don't mean any disrespect here but you might want to check you're comparing like for like here. I'm not certain but given the large price difference, Ian may be quoting for the Canon version as opposed to a third party one like Kenko, which is what Jessops will be selling you. There's nothing particularly wrong with the Kenko apart from the catch that locks the lens to the extension tube is more able to handle heavy lenses like the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L IS on the Canon version. Obviously this won't be an issue for you using the flyweight 50mm f/1.8

The Kenko ones come as a set of three (which maybe the one's Joe was thinking of?).

There's a 36mm, 20mm and 12mm. The idea is to try and match the focal length of the lens to get the 1:1. So on a 50mm prime you'd use the 36mm and 12mm together to make it 48mm. Be prepared for very shallow DOF's though

IMO Joe, a dedicated macro is the better option but obviously more costly if someone's not sure if they'll do much macro work. I found that I was happy with the shots I got from either a Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 Macro or Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 Macro without going for the dedicated macro prime but other people's mileage may vary as they say

HTH Monkeydave

 

[oldgit]

Save your pennies. I've a dedicated macro (110 Sigma) and dont regret buying it ever. It is a great lens and works really well as a prime for normal shooting.
Only downside is that the focusing motor takes "forever" since it has to extend the front element about 2.5". Not an issue with macro tho.

 

[SDK^]

Kenko tubes are the ones to get; they are much cheaper than the Canon tubes - approx £70 for all 3 three.
A Macro lens will obviously be the better option but there is nothing stopping using the tubes on a macro lens should you decide to buy one further down the line.

 

[pxl8]

Jessops tubes work with EFS lenses, Kenko don't (unless you take a dremel to them!!). The Canon ones are pricey for what is basically a metal tube but do have a better fit with heavier lenses. I used to own the kenko set and they were great but I always found the light loss to be a pain and once I got my 150mm Sigma the tubes went on ebay.

As a rule of thumb you need tube length to be the same as the lens focal length to get 1:1 scale so the Canon 25mm will only give you half lifesize with a 50mm lens which is probably enough for bugs, etc.