Macro Extension Tubes...Cheap..Worth a go?

[Ben:]

Hello!
Recently I've been looking at extension tubes for my 18-55mm EFS Canon lens for my 400D.
Got abit of a shock when I saw the price of Canon brand ones.

Just had a look on ebay and found these....http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Macro-Extension-tube-Canon-EOS-500D-450D-400D-350D-/150533961493?pt=UK_Photography_CameraLenses_Lens_caps_hoods_adaptors_ET&hash=item230c85f715

CHEAP!
I know they have no electrics in them, but things will still be adjustable on the camera I guess.

Any advice would be great,
Thanks.

 

[dentedshed]

I'm not sure if those are able to take an EF-S lens as it doesn't say in the listing. You can get auto tubes for about £80, Kenko are well regarded. Make sure whatever you buy is able to take the EF-S mount.

 

[Olly_K]

definitely worth a go. I got a set with contacts (because I'm lazy) and you can see some results in this thread here

 

[AndyB1976]

Ben,

Ive got a set basically the same as them.

There are a few things you can't control, autofocus and aperture.

Autofocus is probably not an issue as manual focus is preferred generally with macro however aperture will always be wide open meaning less depth of field. There is a way around this by setting your aperture on camera, pressing the DOF button and whilst its in, release and unscrew the lens - the DOF preview button will close the aperture to your setting and unscrewing the lens disconnects the power leaving the aperture set. Then connect it to the tubes and onto the camera.

Overall I think they are worth the couple of quid you'll spend on them!

 

[HoppyUK]

Hello!
Recently I've been looking at extension tubes for my 18-55mm EFS Canon lens for my 400D.
Got abit of a shock when I saw the price of Canon brand ones.

Just had a look on ebay and found these....http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Macro-Extension-tube-Canon-EOS-500D-450D-400D-350D-/150533961493?pt=UK_Photography_CameraLenses_Lens_caps_hoods_adaptors_ET&hash=item230c85f715

CHEAP!
I know they have no electrics in them, but things will still be adjustable on the camera I guess.

Any advice would be great,
Thanks.

Don't. They are a pain in the bum. Adjusting the aperture is, in practise, almost impossible.

I'm not sure if those are able to take an EF-S lens as it doesn't say in the listing. You can get auto tubes for about £80, Kenko are well regarded. Make sure whatever you buy is able to take the EF-S mount.

Good advice. Many extension tubes are not EF-S compatible.

But I think this is the best value way to macro - Raynox DCR-250 http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...hment&sprefix=raynox+dcr-250+macro+attachment It will work well at the long end of the kit lens. Bargain thirty quid.

See what it can do here http://www.flickr.com/groups/raynoxdcr250/ The DCR-150 is less powerful and more suited to flowers and butterflies etc, as opposed to bugs and beetles.

 

[antihero]

Hello!
Recently I've been looking at extension tubes for my 18-55mm EFS Canon lens for my 400D.
Got abit of a shock when I saw the price of Canon brand ones.

Just had a look on ebay and found these....http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Macro-Extension-tube-Canon-EOS-500D-450D-400D-350D-/150533961493?pt=UK_Photography_CameraLenses_Lens_caps_hoods_adaptors_ET&hash=item230c85f715

CHEAP!
I know they have no electrics in them, but things will still be adjustable on the camera I guess.

Any advice would be great,
Thanks.

nothing wrong with those....as long as you are comfortable with using your camera in manual mode. It's easy to forget your camera has one

If your shooting insects etc (fast moving ones...then forget it), but static objects you can't go wrong for a few quid

 

[HoppyUK]

nothing wrong with those....as long as you are comfortable with using your camera in manual mode. It's easy to forget your camera has one

If your shooting insects etc (fast moving ones...then forget it), but static objects you can't go wrong for a few quid

The OP is using Canon. Unlike Nikon, the aperture is locked wide open unless you faff about with that impossible stop-down-remove-the-lens-fit-the-tubes-and-replace-the-lens palava.

 

[magicaxeman]

There's a polish ebayer who does auto extension tubes cheap, I got a set for my canon, no problems at all.

Ok so their plastic, but they work fine.

 

[antihero]

The OP is using Canon. Unlike Nikon, the aperture is locked wide open unless you faff about with that impossible stop-down-remove-the-lens-fit-the-tubes-and-replace-the-lens palava.

I wasn't aware of that! Sorry!

 

[Ben:]

Thanks for all the replies guys.
HoppyUK is the product you linked suitable for Canon? I have 58mm + 72mm diameter lenses. These are not listed in the description.

For the price, I might just give them a go.

 

[Daysleeper40]

Thanks for all the replies guys.
HoppyUK is the product you linked suitable for Canon? I have 58mm + 72mm diameter lenses. These are not listed in the description.

For the price, I might just give them a go.

The Raynox is suitable for any lens - it has a clip on adaptor that goes on the front of your lens. I have the 250 and the 150 and they are great little bitsa of kit. If you look at the Macro Bugs set on my flickr all of those shots were taken with the Raynox lenses - mostly the 250.

The 250 is an absolute bargain

 

[HoppyUK]

Thanks for all the replies guys.
HoppyUK is the product you linked suitable for Canon? I have 58mm + 72mm diameter lenses. These are not listed in the description.

For the price, I might just give them a go.

The Raynox comes with a little spring-loaded clip-on adapter which is really handy, but only goes up from 52mm to 67mm from memory. So for a larger lens, you would need a step-down ring - about a fiver.

You can also take the lens unit out of the adapter and screw it directly on to the lens, again with the approriate step-up ring or rings. It's 43mm I think.

Since the lens itself is quite small, ie 43mm, you will get vignetting with shorter focal lengths but it's usually fine from 50mm upwards. 100-200mm is a handy range to use it with, gives a good working distance.

 

[Ben:]

Thanks very much for your help. I had a stupid moment and didn't realised it attached to the front of the lens! I was still thinking about tubes.
I will certainly buy the 250 sometime soon and give it ago with my 18-55mm and possibly get the step-down ring for my 28-200mm.