Options

50mm 1.8 and extension tubes

mushymushy Registered Users Posts: 643 Major grins
edited September 9, 2009 in Accessories
Anyone had any experience with the above combination for a poor mans macro setup?
Have also found these tubes http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Auto-Focus-Macro-Extension-Tube-for-All-Canon-EOS-L9B_W0QQitemZ370252347929QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Photography_CameraLenses_Lens_caps_hoods_adaptors_ET?hash=item5634c27a19&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177
as a poorer mans kenko extensions.
Would be interested to hear any comments on the above setup.
It is only for hobby purposes :wink
Cheers in advance.
May I take your picture?

Comments

  • Options
    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,799 moderator
    edited September 4, 2009
    Many/most primes are good with extension tubes. I haven't done this in Canon yet, but I did it all the time in Pentax. You can also use a reversing ring to turn the lens around and it can work to extreme magnifications. (Do be careful with the exposed rear element in that case.)

    Some samples from others:

    http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/436005880_e3fcfcb978.jpg
    http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/silkstone/photos/bee21.jpg
    http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2411/2044911109_2fee61b656.jpg
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • Options
    James HJames H Registered Users Posts: 92 Big grins
    edited September 7, 2009
    mushy wrote:
    Anyone had any experience with the above combination for a poor mans macro setup?

    It is only for hobby purposes mwink.gif
    Cheers in advance.
    I say go for it. Early this spring I found a full set of Kenko tubes hidden in one of my old camera bags and the first thing I did was put them on my 50mm 1.8. I haven't had this much fun with photography in a long time. The 50mm 1.8 works well with tubes aside from the auto-focus, which isn't a huge problem but it would be nice if it worked a little better. Here is a selection of shots taken with my 50mm 1.8 and extension tubes of various lengths/combinations. Note that I'm not a tripod fan, so almost all of these were handheld and incorporate wide apertures and very limited DOF, but I tend to like a more abstract look over the 'everything sharp' and some would say technically correct approach.

    The thing with extension tubes is that they can also be very beneficial on telephoto lenses, like your 100-400. They decrease the minimum focusing distance so the lenses you already own become even more versatile for closeup work, even if it's not on a macro level. I love using the tubes on my 70-200 2.8 for closeups of all sort of things.
    --James

    Homepage - James Hill Photography

  • Options
    mushymushy Registered Users Posts: 643 Major grins
    edited September 7, 2009
    Thats just the sort of encouragement I was after :D
    Will order some tubes nowthumb.gif
    May I take your picture?
  • Options
    SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited September 9, 2009
    I have got great results from the Kenko tubes and the 50 1.8.

    The only real issue is the very limited DOF in the view finder. You have to get close to the subject and close the the focus area or you won't see anything.

    It will take great images but really works better with a non moving subject.

    Sam
    www.samlinvillephotography.com
Sign In or Register to comment.