Charlie K

I'm using a Canon 60 mm Macro lens. I read where photogs are debating using
a macro lens, OR using extension tubes. What about both? Is this redundant?

bendanjoe Loc: Cardston, Alberta Canada

Using both increases the macro ability. I use a 200mm macro and add up to six extension tubes to enlarge a 1mm object and show it in great detail.

See this listing in my easy shop for an example https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/185722094/0005-carat-diamond-conflict-free-earth?ref=shop_home_active_3

johnmowry Loc: Northern Indiana, USA

Not redundant. Extension tubes allow any lens to focus closer, so with a macro that goes to 1:1, you might be able to get to 2:1 with an extra 60 mm of tubes. A macro lens will "tend" to give better quality at these conditions than a standard lens. Tubes are a very economical way to get more magnification, and some allow auto lens functions.

Charlie K

Thank you john worry and bendable, you've answered my question.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I invite you to view the UHH True Macro-Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html . This is the forum to ask questions or discuss macro equipment and macro techniques, as well as share macro images.

Before posting macro images to the Macro Forum, please read Introduction to True Macro-Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-22447-1.html . Each & every thread must contain at least one true macro-photograph.

To place Macro Forum on your UHH home page, you can subscribe here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/section_list.jsp .

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

This thread may be of interest to you:
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers Concerning Macro-Photography
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-36372-1.html

ejrmaine Loc: South Carolina

I have a 100 mm 2.8 Macro, which I love, but often use extension tubes with it to get in closer. They work great.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Extension tubes are very handy to have. They can be used to push a 1:1 macro lens like your EF-S 60/2.8 USM beyond it's built in level of magnification. They also can be used with practically any lens to get near macro or just closer focusing capabilities. Shooting small subjects, I often use a long extension to make a 500mm lens a little closer focusing, for example.

Another example, Canon's EF 300/4L IS USM is the closest focusing of all their lenses longer than 200mm focal length. Adding some extension to it can make even more close focusing and useful as an extra-long macro or "near macro" lens. Nice for shy or nasty subjects you don't want to get too close to!

I recommend the Kenko tube set as a high quality, reliable and reasonably priced choice. That being an EF-S lens, you only need to make sure you get the set marked "CA/AFs" (note the small "s" ), to be able to use them together. Earlier Kenko made a set that wasn't compatible with EF-S lenses (labeled "CA/AF" only). The Kenko set includes 36mm, 20mm and 12mm tubes that can be used individually or together for a total of seven possible lengths of extension.

Canon themselves only offer individual tubes in two sizes: 12mm and 25mm. You'd need the "Mark II" versions to use them with an EF-S lens. The Canon 25mm alone sells for almost as much as the entire Kenko set, while the 12mm is a little less expensive.

There are also cheaper "AF capable" tube sets from Zeikos, Opteka and a number of rebranded versions of those under a wide variety of names (Bower, Dot Line, Vivitar, Neewer, yada, yada). Like the Kenko and Canon, the moderately priced versions of these have electronic contacts that allow the camera and lens to communicate, supporting AF... but perhaps much more importantly, allowing the aperture to be set via the controls on the camera. Zeikos sets include 31mm, 21mm and 13mm tubes. Opteka sets are same sizes as the Kenko above.

There are two versions of the Zeikos sets... better with metal bayonet mounts and a less expensive version with plastic bayonets. Frankly, I'd be a bit reluctant to use the latter with any heavy lenses or cameras. All these are less well made than the Canon or Kenko... more plasticky and with more protruding release levers, etc. If looking at these, be sure to check for the little white square alignment mark used on Canon EF-S lenses, in order to get ones compatible with your particular lens. I think all the Opteka-made ones are okay, but I know that Zeikos had an older version that was compatible with EF-lenses only.

Finally, there are really cheap "dumb" sets of macro extension tubes.... under $25.... some even under $15 or $10. These do not have the electronic contacts to allow lens and camera to communicate, so are a pain in the arse to use with any modern, electro-mechanical lens. They work fine, though, with vintage lenses that were manual-focus-only and have mechanically controlled apertures. I would not recommend these for use with your 60mm and don't know if you can even get versions that will mount an EF-S lens like yours.

An interesting alternative to these is a macro focusing helicoid. This is sort of a variable extension tube that has a range of approx. 40mm to 60mm, or there-about. I haven't seen a lot of these, but I know there was a Canon EF/EF-S mount version being offered not too long ago. I have used them in other camera systems and they can be pretty convenient, but only make for fairly large amounts of extension.

And, there are macro bellows.... which are another type of adjustable length extension tubes. Usually these are manual focus only and do not have any contacts for lens-to-camera communication, and they have a whole lot of extension for ultra high levels of magnification.

Keep in mind that adding extensions to your lens will make it higher magnification by allowing it to focus closer, so your working distance between the front of the lens and the subject will be reduced. The more extension, the higher the magnification, the less working distance!

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

When your Canon 60-mm lens is set to Minimum Focusing Distance (sensor to subject), your Canon sensor will capture a true macro, 1:1 magnification, life-size image. At MFD, your lens' Working Distance (lens front element to subject) is about 96-mm = 3.8-inches, not much room to allow light to reach subject. With any length extension tube, or combination of tubes, your WD will become even shorter, to the point where your lens' shadow on subject will be a problem. Illumination solutions have been discussed in the UHH True Macro-Photography Forum.

Charlie K

Thanks everyone for your replies. A special thanks to a photo for taking so much valuable time.

Tracht3

This is a 105 2.8 nikon macro full frame

Muddyvalley Loc: McMinnville, Oregon

That guy must have been really big!!

Tracht3

Agree

Tracht3

Strictly macro handheld manual focus 10 inches nothing else. High resolution is more valuable than extension tubes. It gets the job done.

NewBEE161 Loc: Olney, Maryland

amfoto1 - your response is the epitome of this group. Detailed, informative and shared knowledge. Thank you for sharing this excellent information!