Tube Extensions

[p3ryg]

I bought some tube extensions off eBay, cheap and cheerful, just to see what difference they made to my kit lens. They are for the Nikon D3100 and I know I have to adjust focus and exposure manually. My issue is however that all I see is black and f shows as F--, are the tubes or is it the lens is not compatible with them? Only bought them to see if worth buying the dearer ones that allow auto focus etc.

Any help greatly received.

Thanks

 

[Thegreatroberto]

Well, here goes.
I guess you are using a "g" lens?
Usually tubes only work with manual focus and you need to be able to manually set the aperture. Hence a "d" lens.

 

[p3ryg]

Using 18-55 VR lens so guessing that's the issue.

May look at getting AFS ones then, was just hoping to see how I got on with them first.

 

[AESamuel]

Most likely F is showing as F--- because there is no communication between the lens and the camera so there is no way to actually adjust the aperture and your camera doesn't know what the aperture is set too.

As for it being black, when the lens is on the tube are the aperture blades left wide open or stopped down? If they are stopped down you will have trouble seeing much but black through the viewfinder - you simply use a long shutter speed to get the correct exposure - try using live view.

Hope this helps!

 

[HoppyUK]

Most likely F is showing as F--- because there is no communication between the lens and the camera so there is no way to actually adjust the aperture and your camera doesn't know what the aperture is set too.

As for it being black, when the lens is on the tube are the aperture blades left wide open or stopped down? If they are stopped down you will have trouble seeing much but black through the viewfinder - you simply use a long shutter speed to get the correct exposure - try using live view.

Hope this helps!

^^^This.

No lens-to-camera communication and Nikon lenses are always at minimum aperture (highest f/number) when not on the camera, unless they have an aperture ring such as a D-lens.