Extension Tubes vs Bellows vs Tele-Extenders vs Add-on "Close-Up" Diopter Lenses
Feb 20, 2012 03:25:10 #
Extension Tubes vs accordion Bellows vs Tele-Extenders (1.4x, 2x, 3x) vs front thread-on diopter "close-up" lenses.
Extension tubes add no lens to light path, which means no additional source of distortion. Extension tubes are usually available in a set: 12-mm, 20-mm, and 36-mm. They can be used individually or in combination. Auto-Tubes (image below) preserve electronic connections between lens and camera, so you can focus "wide open", then have aperture automatically close-down for photo. A-F is also preserved. With Manual tubes, you must focus manually, then close-down aperture before photo, resulting in extremely dark viewfinder. With all extension tubes, your lens will focus closer to subject, and you cannot focus to distance. The more tube length, the shorter distance between lens and subject. More exposure is required, due to increased magnification.
Read more here: http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/macro-extension-tubes-closeup.htm
Bellows perform the same function as extension tubes, but are completely variable as to length, and resulting magnification. Accordion & bag bellows have been used since the invention of the camera. Major downsides are size (mounted on a rigid rail system), fragility (paper, canvas, cardboard, leather, or plastic construction), and usually no electronic communication between camera and lens.
"Tele-Extenders", such as 2x, add a simple or compound lens between camera and focus-able lens. Distant focusing is still possible. Extenders do not affect the MFD (Minimum Focus Distance) of the lens they are mounted behind. With additional 2x lens on original prime lens, image looks twice as close, and the MM (Maximum Magnification) of the lens is also multiplied by 2x. More exposure is required, due to increased magnification. Other common lens multipliers are 1.4x and 3x.
Because tele-extenders multiplying the aberrations/flaws of the lens they are mounted behind, there can be quite noticeable degradation in image quality. Sharpness and contrast take a hit with all but the best lenses. Additional CA (Chromatic Aberration) is introduced as is slight barrel distortion, but vignetting is somewhat reduced (only using the center of the image).
Diopter or 'close-up' add-on lenses, thread-attach or clip-attach to the front of any lens, to increase magnification, but minimally shortening Working Distance. This is like holding a single lens magnifying glass in front of a lens. Peripheral distortion is a common complaint of diopter lenses, as is chromatic aberration. The best diopter lenses are coated, just like your camera lenses. Some diopter lenses are sold in sets, and can be stacked to increase the magnification to camera lens. Others are pre-set magnifications, like Raynox 250 (8-diopters = 2.5x) and Raynox 150 (4.8-diopters = 1.5x). Raynox lenses are coated, multiple elements in groups, radically reducing CA & peripheral distortion, earning a good reputation as add-on diopter lenses. Raynox 250 recommended for lenses shorter than 85-mm focal lengths; Raynox 150 recommended for lenses 85-mm or longer focal lengths.
http://extreme-macro.co.uk/raynox-adapter-techniques
http://extreme-macro.co.uk/extreme-macro-closeup-lenses
Extension tubes add no lens to light path, which means no additional source of distortion. Extension tubes are usually available in a set: 12-mm, 20-mm, and 36-mm. They can be used individually or in combination. Auto-Tubes (image below) preserve electronic connections between lens and camera, so you can focus "wide open", then have aperture automatically close-down for photo. A-F is also preserved. With Manual tubes, you must focus manually, then close-down aperture before photo, resulting in extremely dark viewfinder. With all extension tubes, your lens will focus closer to subject, and you cannot focus to distance. The more tube length, the shorter distance between lens and subject. More exposure is required, due to increased magnification.
Read more here: http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/macro-extension-tubes-closeup.htm
Bellows perform the same function as extension tubes, but are completely variable as to length, and resulting magnification. Accordion & bag bellows have been used since the invention of the camera. Major downsides are size (mounted on a rigid rail system), fragility (paper, canvas, cardboard, leather, or plastic construction), and usually no electronic communication between camera and lens.
"Tele-Extenders", such as 2x, add a simple or compound lens between camera and focus-able lens. Distant focusing is still possible. Extenders do not affect the MFD (Minimum Focus Distance) of the lens they are mounted behind. With additional 2x lens on original prime lens, image looks twice as close, and the MM (Maximum Magnification) of the lens is also multiplied by 2x. More exposure is required, due to increased magnification. Other common lens multipliers are 1.4x and 3x.
Because tele-extenders multiplying the aberrations/flaws of the lens they are mounted behind, there can be quite noticeable degradation in image quality. Sharpness and contrast take a hit with all but the best lenses. Additional CA (Chromatic Aberration) is introduced as is slight barrel distortion, but vignetting is somewhat reduced (only using the center of the image).
Diopter or 'close-up' add-on lenses, thread-attach or clip-attach to the front of any lens, to increase magnification, but minimally shortening Working Distance. This is like holding a single lens magnifying glass in front of a lens. Peripheral distortion is a common complaint of diopter lenses, as is chromatic aberration. The best diopter lenses are coated, just like your camera lenses. Some diopter lenses are sold in sets, and can be stacked to increase the magnification to camera lens. Others are pre-set magnifications, like Raynox 250 (8-diopters = 2.5x) and Raynox 150 (4.8-diopters = 1.5x). Raynox lenses are coated, multiple elements in groups, radically reducing CA & peripheral distortion, earning a good reputation as add-on diopter lenses. Raynox 250 recommended for lenses shorter than 85-mm focal lengths; Raynox 150 recommended for lenses 85-mm or longer focal lengths.
http://extreme-macro.co.uk/raynox-adapter-techniques
http://extreme-macro.co.uk/extreme-macro-closeup-lenses
Kenko auto-extension tube set
Nikon PB-6 Bellows with reversed Nikkor 50-mm lens
Nikon Close-Up lens 4T
Raynox M-250 'add-on' close-up lens
Raynox DCR-250 specs. Recommended for lenses shorter than 85-mm focal lengths.
Raynox DCR-150 specs. Recommended for lenses 85-mm or longer focal lengths.
Nikon BR-6 extension tube + standard cable release
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