To chinese extension tube or not

CrazeUK

CrazeUK

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CrazeUK
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Hey guys
I know i am writing about my loss in confidence and have only just got my cam.
But i really want to take macro shots, without spending huge amounts on a macro lens. I have already spent up :S

Anyway, i was using fleabay earlier and decided to look for extension tubes for the Nikkor lenses i have.

So my questions are:
1. are there real advantages to having Auto focus on them
2. Should i buy only original nikon tubes or will the copies do?
 
1. No need for AF with macro really, what you do is set focus based on desired magnification and move the whole camera to focus.

2. Copies are fine especially with light lenses. Use the difference for a macro rail, tripod and flash diffuser - all of which will help immensely.
 
1. If you are using g type lenses then you will need to get the auto focus ones to be able to change you aperture.
 
Doh, thanks for cleaning up my mess Boris, why I forgot that I've no idea...
 
Be very careful of cheap Chinese copies, I bought some, they jammed onto my lens, I had to be very careful in getting them off at all without damaging the lens.
Some copies are fine, I have Kenko ones now on my Canon, I assume they do Nikon ones as well.

matt
 
borisnikon said:
1. If you are using g type lenses then you will need to get the auto focus ones to be able to change you aperture.
Click to expand...

This, and unless you bodge stuff your lens will go to it's narrowest aperture. The viewfinder does not work well at F29 :shake:
 
Whoops both my lenses are G Type.
Aside from Keno does anyone know of any cheaper alternatives with Autofocus?
 
CrazeUK said:
Whoops both my lenses are G Type.
Aside from Keno does anyone know of any cheaper alternatives with Autofocus?
Click to expand...

There are Meike branded AF tubes for about £45, Polaroid branded for about £60, and of course, the Kenko tubes for about £80.

All of those will be from HK if bought on ebay (Meike and Polaroid are both chinese 'copies', despite Polaroid being a western brand - and don't think they're higher quality for the brand, Polaroid is just another brand that sells cheap chinese stuff now), so you MAY pay another 23% on top of those prices (plus RM handling fees).

Kenko sourced from a UK vendor will be somewhere around £120.

If you go via Amazon instead of ebay, you can pick up Polaroid for £60 UK (ie, inc VAT) price, and there is also an Opteka set for £70.

I'd probably order from amazon myself, buying from china isn't that much of a hassle, but you should really be paying that 23% import+VAT (even if it isn't stopped by HMRC), and the shipping is usually at minimum 3 weeks.
 
If this is the sort of thing you want to do - 20,000 examples here http://www.flickr.com/groups/raynoxdcr250/ Check out the Raynox DCR-250 - £40 Amazon. Works with most lenses, but best on 50-300-ish.

As said above, avoud manual tubes. You don't need AF* but you do need aperture control.

Another cheap way is to reverse your lens with an adapter ring. Can be a bit awkward and depends what lenses you've got, but can be good too. Google it.

* For macro, switch off AF and focus roughly by hand, then adjust precise focus by gently moving your body back and forth and watch the plane of sharpness move across the subject as you go. AF with macro is a PITA!

You'll need good light, for a higher f/number and decent depth of field, plus a high shutter speed to avoid shake that is magnified with macro. Think about ringflash, or adapting your normal gun. Search the macro section here for loads of DIY mods.
 
HoppyUK said:
If this is the sort of thing you want to do - 20,000 examples here http://www.flickr.com/groups/raynoxdcr250/ Check out the Raynox DCR-250 - £40 Amazon. Works with most lenses, but best on 50-300-ish.

As said above, avoud manual tubes. You don't need AF* but you do need aperture control.

Another cheap way is to reverse your lens with an adapter ring. Can be a bit awkward and depends what lenses you've got, but can be good too. Google it.

* For macro, switch off AF and focus roughly by hand, then adjust precise focus by gently moving your body back and forth and watch the plane of sharpness move across the subject as you go. AF with macro is a PITA!

You'll need good light, for a higher f/number and decent depth of field, plus a high shutter speed to avoid shake that is magnified with macro. Think about ringflash, or adapting your normal gun. Search the macro section here for loads of DIY mods.
Click to expand...

This is exactly the type of shots i want.

Great info Thanks :D
 
I recently got a set of the Polaroid ones from Amazon and they seem fine on the Canon body and lenses I have.

Just need some time to play and work out how to use them :D
 
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