Extension tubes or Tamron 70-300 Help!!!

jim_j

jim_j

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Should I buy a set of extension tubes for my Canon 50d or go for the tamron. Prices are about the same if I go for Kenko tubes which work with ef-s lenses.

I have a Canon 60mm f2.8 macro, 15-85 & 18-200.

Anyone any pros & cons as to which way to go. I find the 60mm just a little short.
 
Well the tamron 70-300mm won't have anywhere near the magnification of the 60mm macro - or the image quality. The two lenses are for totally different purposes.

That said, extension tubes win't give you any more focal lenght on the 60mm, they will just allow you to get closed to your subject.

What are you looking to achieve?
 
Thanks for the reply Richard, probably going to go with extension tubes, but thought that a longer zoom with macro might be an option. Price is right and I would only be using the zoom for macro work, but I guess the 18-200 with extension tubes is probably better all round.
 
Does anyone know for certain that they will work with either the 15-85 or 18-200 canon ef-s lenses. I only need them to work above 60mm with both of these. Thanks.
 
If your finding the 60mm to short why not sell it, then add the money you where going to spend on tubes and get a longer macro lens
 
jim_j said:
Does anyone know for certain that they will work with either the 15-85 or 18-200 canon ef-s lenses. I only need them to work above 60mm with both of these. Thanks.
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I don't think Kenko tubes work with EF-S lenses, you'll need Canon's MkII tubes.
 
Hi Ian, lens was a present so wouldn't go down too well if I sold it, but might wait and buy the canon 100mm macro.

Thanks for the reply Mark, seems that the newer Kenko tubes will work with ef-s lenses, but I thought I read somewhere that they don't work with some zooms where the min. is 18mm or less.
 
That Tamron is a pretty horrible lens. In fact the macro functionality was about the only thing I vaguely liked about it. I'd go with the tubes.
 
jim_j said:
Hi Ian, lens was a present so wouldn't go down too well if I sold it, but might wait and buy the canon 100mm macro.

Thanks for the reply Mark, seems that the newer Kenko tubes will work with ef-s lenses, but I thought I read somewhere that they don't work with some zooms where the min. is 18mm or less.
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Sigma 150mm Macro.
100mm if not really that much gain on 60mm but the 150mm is in a different league and are not too pricey second hand.
 
Hi Richard haven't looked at that one tbh, but will definitely check it out. Much appreciated.
 
Just discovered the 500d macro lens as well, anyone used one?
 
If you want a razor sharp, cheaper than canon longer macro, grab a tamron sp90 Di LD, they really are a gem of a lens and double up nicely for portraits.
Full 1:1, focus limiter, one touch clutch for switching between manual and auto focus on the fly and all this for around £350 or less new, around £250 s/hand
 
Hi Ian, if I decide to buy a lens then I think it needs to be over 100mm. As I have the 60mm, 90mm is really not that much of a step up tbh. Certainly seen good reviews of the Tamron and the price is good, but I have to resist and hold out. The ideal would be Canon 180mm macro, but at the price it's not going to happen without a divorce, and I can't afford one of those either. Cheers
 
jim_j said:
Just discovered the 500d macro lens as well, anyone used one?
Click to expand...
I've used a much cheaper and inferior close up filter on a 200mm lens and although it gets soft at the edges I got some quite good results - not as good as a proper macro though I'm sure. This is a sample - Sigma 18-200mm at 200mm with a +2 cheapo eBay filter.

Bumblebee by 6Toes, on Flickr
 
Thanks 6Toes, impressive results, just trying to find a 72mm canon one
 
Latest update:- I'm going to wait until I can afford Sigma 150mm Macro or similar. At least then I will have what I really want, plus extension tubes might be a good option for this lens as well. Just going to take a while, but thanks everyone for your help and suggestions - much appreciated.
 
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