Using extension tubes

GalJulie

GalJulie

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Julie
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Hi guys

I bought kenko extension tubes (used set but look immaculate) and I cannot get them to work at all.

I've tried them individually, as a 3 set, with a 50, 16-35, 70-200 and 105 macro, aperture mode, manual mode, auto focus and manual focus. The lens does hunt but all you see is blur down the lens.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks
 
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I guess that you're trying to focus too far away, Julie. Adding the extension tube will prevent the lens focussing at normal distances and you're limited to little more than a few inches away (the maximum distance depends on the attached lens)

Bob
 
Thanks Bob! I'll try again. At one point I had the flower almost touching the lens - was using the 105 and still couldn't get sharp focus.
 
With an extension tube fitted, you can only get things to be in focus at close distances. (You can no longer have anything in focus beyond a certain distance with the tube in place) The longer the tube the closer the focus. Stick with the 50 and leave it set on manual focus and at infinity on the lens, then just keep moving the camera closer to the subject matter until it sharpens up. At close focus distances, the focus ring will have a small effect but not enough to focus properly if you aren't close enough to your subject. The wider the lens, the closer you will need to get, almost to the point where you are basically touching the subject in some cases. If you use too much extension on too wide a lens, you can hit a point where you can't focus.

I use extension tubes with both a mamiya 80mm and 150mm lenses and they work brilliantly well on my nikon with an adaptor. They are certainly on par with the macro lenses I own.
 
GalJulie said:
....... At one point I had the flower almost touching the lens - was using the 105 and still couldn't get sharp focus.
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That would likely be the case with the 16-35 set at the wide end but a full set of the tubes with your 105 macro should give you around 2x magnification when you're about 50mm from the front of the lens.
 
Julie, I think that you have simply discovered how tiny the depth of field is when using extension tubes. Try using them to photograph an entirely flat subject such as print on a newspaper or similar. Move the camera to obtain initial focus then manually "fine tune" the focus with the lens focusing ring. You'll soon discover that moving the camera only a fraction of an inch can throw focus completely out.
 
Thanks everyone. I'll try all of the above. I just need to spend more time getting used to them obviously - they're not a plug and play type of kit!!

Arclight - the dof is minute! Really surprised how a few mm can throw any focus at all off. Have struggled with this.

I watched a few YouTube videos when I couldn't get the focus after the first attempts and what I watched made it look easy. It isn't as easy as all that first time around!! Bought a Rocky Nook macro book which is just out and thought that would give some info on use and troubleshooting but it skimmed extension tubes - again making me think it was easier than I was finding. Then the bad workman blamed the tools - yet the tubes look immaculate!

Really appreciate all of your help.
 
GalJulie said:
Thanks everyone. I'll try all of the above. I just need to spend more time getting used to them obviously - they're not a plug and play type of kit!!

Arclight - the dof is minute! Really surprised how a few mm can throw any focus at all off. Have struggled with this.

.
Click to expand...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Focusing-Close-up-Shooting-Standard-x/dp/B009SJ7UWU

Yes, you can see why this little bit of kit could help by permitting the camera to be moved precisely.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Focusing-Close-up-Shooting-Standard-x/dp/B009SJ7UWU

That one does seem a bit on the cheap side, but maybe OK.

I found macro work very frustrating. When you get into outdoor subjects you hit another problem. The tiniest bit of air movement can shift the subject's position enough to wreck the shot.
 
Welcome to the world of Macro, perceiver with it and it will all come together, I know as I have been doing Macro work for 3-4 years now.
I think if you are using the 105 you should be ok, if I remember, the smaller the lens (50mm) the closer you will be to the subjects.
Just keep trying.
Tell us what camera you are using please and are you using a flash ?
 
Graham said:
Welcome to the world of Macro, perceiver with it and it will all come together, I know as I have been doing Macro work for 3-4 years now.
I think if you are using the 105 you should be ok, if I remember, the smaller the lens (50mm) the closer you will be to the subjects.
Just keep trying.
Tell us what camera you are using please and are you using a flash ?
Click to expand...
I have a Nikon D610 and haven't quite got to using flash. I had bought a cheap neewer ring flash which I tried once. Despite the power down as low as I could get it, the fact I was so close meant bits were blown out. Subsequently found a diffuser for the flash in the box when putting it away lol.

Arclight, thanks! I have that macro rail but it is a bit cheap and I don't fancy pointing the camera downwards as the weight of the camera and lens is a tad too heavy for it I think. I was about to buy a better macro rail on TP when I encountered the issues with the extension tubes so rather than waste anymore money I didn't buy it. Good to know that outside it will be even more fun than inside!!! I don't want to be beaten but boy it's not easy is it?
 
If you are using a ring flash, control the exposure by reducing !SO, increasing shutter speed and aperture.
Extension tubes do decrease the amount of light so you definitely need a light source to get the Dof
Useful thread HERE showing how creative some people are with using a normal flash
 
Gremlin said:
If you are using a ring flash, control the exposure by reducing !SO, increasing shutter speed and aperture.
Extension tubes do decrease the amount of light so you definitely need a light source to get the Dof
Useful thread HERE showing how creative some people are with using a normal flash
Click to expand...
Thanks so much Ingrid! Harder than I thought tbh but I haven't really had a fair craic at it as yet.
 
 
Right - it most definitely is my technical ability with extension tubes, DOF, camera skills...I could go on. Those images are super, Terence!! Determined to master this now :-)
 
arclight said:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Focusing-Close-up-Shooting-Standard-x/dp/B009SJ7UWU

Yes, you can see why this little bit of kit could help by permitting the camera to be moved precisely.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Focusing-Close-up-Shooting-Standard-x/dp/B009SJ7UWU

That one does seem a bit on the cheap side, but maybe OK.

I found macro work very frustrating. When you get into outdoor subjects you hit another problem. The tiniest bit of air movement can shift the subject's position enough to wreck the shot.
Click to expand...
I got one of these when I was looking for extra strength accuracy when photographing my stamp collection forvsale/insurance reasons, it was great. Quite heavy and, once set up, quite fun to use.

I have 'lent' it to my niece for her degree course but hope to get it back one day!

There are YT videos of it available - differing brand names, same build.

Steve
 
Hugh Jarse said:
I got one of these when I was looking for extra strength accuracy when photographing my stamp collection forvsale/insurance reasons, it was great. Quite heavy and, once set up, quite fun to use.

I have 'lent' it to my niece for her degree course but hope to get it back one day!

There are YT videos of it available - differing brand names, same build.

Steve
Click to expand...
I have one Steve but I was scared to use it unless the camera was pointing straight - wasn't convinced it could hold the weight of the camera and macro lens
 
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