Extension Tubes

[Skhilled]

I recently purchased a Nikon D3000. Can't afford a proper macro lens yet but have been reading about tubes and how they are a cheap alternative. I do know they cannot equal a proper lens but wanted to know about any thoughts on this.

Some are cheaper than others and some do not keep the lens lined up as it should be although it will still work...from what I've been reading on the subject.

The lens that came with the camera isn't too shabby in macro mode. No, you can't see the hair on a fly's legs but it suits my purposes for now and does a half decent job on flowers, birds, insects, etc.

[bones615]

Be sure to buy the ones with electrical contacts or you will not be able to adjust aperture/DOF. The cheaper ones will not allow this and you will be stuck with whatever your lens is wide open & the closer you get the less DOF you get.

Simon

[Skhilled]

Thanks, I think I remember reading something about that as well. The cheaper ones did not have contacts.

[alan1j]

Personally I think they are great investment and have taken some of my favourite Marco shots using them. I used to use them with my kit lens as that set up worked best. You must use a tripod though as with any macro photography because they require more light to give good exposure.
They normally come in a set of three, 12mm + 20mm + 36mm.
I have a set of Kenko tubes that cost around £120 new when I brought them about two years ago. I even use them with my Tamron SP90 macro lens that I have since purchased.

It's a great way to get into macro photography on a tight budget and once you get the hang of them your be hooked. And then want a prime macro lens.
I would recommend the Tamron SP 90mm Macro lens, New around £370 to buy, but it will not disappoint and is very well made.

Rgds Alan1j

[Skhilled]

Actually, I was looking at some Kenko tubes. LOL And a few others.

Was also checking out the Tamron products yesterday.

Thanks for the info and I was already hooked the first time I took a macro shot with my point and shoot and started noticing things that I never have before. It just makes you want to explore more and more because you start to see things differently.

[stevebedder]

I know it's a thread from a while ago but thought I'd chip in anyway as I've got a set of three Kenko extension tubes and they are really good.

I've been really pleased with some of the shots I've got with them. It took me a while to get used to manual shooting with them on as the focal plane is so small and any movement at that detail, well you know the rest.

Most of the Macro shots on my Flickr gallery are taken with the extension tubes.

Steve

[picsfor]

another vote for kenko... even more fun when used on a proper macro lens.

DoF can limited to a spiders eye - needs an MPe-65? 

[stevebedder]

Would love an MPE-65 but not yet been able to get approval from the boss!

[Cathus]

The MP-E 65mm is a beast of a lens, but it is quite difficult to use, the depth of field at 5x life-size magnification is fractions of a millimetre.


I've also got a set of Kenko automatic tubes, I didn't have them long before I got a proper macro lens so I've not used them a great deal, last time I used them it was to get a closer focusing distance on my 600mm because I was too close to the bird table to be able to focus with my 600 from where I was sitting.

[Skhilled]

I can't believe that I have posted here since this topic. LOL too much work and busy helping others with their forums.

Thanks for the responses!