zuzanne Loc: Crawfordville, FL

I ordered the Canon ef 100 f2.8 macro lens to pair with my Canon t5i camera. I would like to get an extension tube to use with the lens and camera but cannot find anything that says they are compatible. I tried Canons website but it doesn't show if you can or can't use them. Has anyone paired these 2 with an extension tube? I also have the Canon t3i that I would like to know same thing on.
zuzanne

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I feel sure they are compatible, but if you'd like specific recommendations regarding brands or useful lengths, you might consider posting your question on the True Macro Forum.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Go to USA.CANON.COM and download the lens user manual. The manual documentation will provide specifications for both the EF12 and EF25 extension tubes and the 1.4xIII and 2.0III tele-extenders.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

Beware that there are two versions of the EF12 & EF25. version two is purposed for the EFs based crop APS-C bodied Canons. Version one works with EF lenses and FF. Kenko will work with both. I have all item as mentioned.

J. R,

Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

I have that lens and a T3i. They work well together. Extension tubes are going to get you in really, really tight with a very small area in focus. I don't know what you are taking pictures of but the application will be very limited.
Ken

zuzanne Loc: Crawfordville, FL

Thanks everyone for your help. Will find online manual for specs. Had not thought of looking there.
zuzanne

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Get the version II ( or 2) if you can. I have both and they work fine on APS-C cameras. They are very solid.
I think there is compatibility chart somewhere. I'll see if I can find it tomorrow.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You have lots of choices.

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=extension+tubes+canon&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aextension+tubes+canon

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I use kenko extension tubes with my Nikon without any problem buy the version that has compatibility with your lenses

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

From Canon:
http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/infobank/lenses/extension_tubes.do

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

The Mk II version of both the 12 and 25 extension tubes are compatible with your lens. They are the only versions currently available from Canon. Depending on where you are buying from, there may still be some Mk I versions floating around, both new and used. I believe there may be issues with using them on EF-S lenses, which would not apply to lens you ordered but could be a problem if you try to use them on other lenses you may have.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Use a 500D close up on the front of your lens - saves light, and NO compatibility problems ....

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

That's another approach, and both the 250D and 500D are excellent quality, but also not inexpensive. However, they may need step down rings for certain lenses and may not work well with lens hoods. Neither of these approaches are perfect in my personal opinion, it is most likely situation dependent.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Hi Zuzanne,

Not sure why you want a macro extension tube in addition to the macro lens you purchased. The lens can do 1:1 magnification all on it's own. That means you can photograph as small as a 13x21mm area with your camera.

Macro extension tubes are used to allow even higher magnification.... beyond 1:1 with that lens. There are challenges to doing that... as magnification increases depth of field gets shallower, working distance between you and the subject decreases, it's more difficult to get a steady shot, focus precision becomes more important, and you may need to use a small aperture which in turn requires longer shutter speeds and/or added light from a specialized macro flash.

But if you do want to push the lens to extra high magnifications, there are a number of very good quality macro extension tubes that will work fine:

Canon themselves make excellent ones, but only sell them individually, in two sizes: 12mm ($80) and 25mm ($140).

Kenko makes tubes that are similar to the Canon, but a bit more plasticky... $110 for set of three (12mm, 20mm & 36mm).

Opteka, Vello and some others offer a set that's a little less well made and more plasticky.... $80 (12mm, 20mm & 36mm).

Zeikos, Fotodiox and some others offer another less well made, somewhat plasticky set with metal bayonet mount.... $50 (13mm, 21mm, 31mm).

B&H Photo and some others also sell those Zeikos/Fotodiox individually for about $25 apiece, your choice of the sizes.

Zeikos and some others offer an even lower priced set that uses plastic bayonet mounts (same sizes). I'd probably not use these with any rather hefty lens or camera, but might be okay for lighter gear, occasional use.

All the above, in Canon mount, are fully compatible with your camera and that EF lens. Unless you buy used macro extension tubes, I also think they will all be compatible with any EF-S lenses you might have for use on your camera. Canon, Kenko, etc. have all been making tubes compatible with both for several years now. It's now next to impossible to find the earlier EF-lens-only type, unless you buy used.

There are even cheaper tube sets ($10-$20) that don't have electronic contacts.... My advice is to avoid those, if wanting to use them with modern electronically controlled, autofocus lenses such as the EF 100/2.8. These cheap tubes can work fine with vintage manual focus lenses that have a mechanically controlled aperture (via a ring on the lens itself). But with modern electronic lenses the biggest problem is it that there's no direct means of controlling the lens aperture (it's possible, but a really time-consuming and pain in the arse trick to do so). The electronic lens also won't be able to auto focus on those tubes, but that's not a big deal. Often it's easier to manually focus macro shots, anyway.

Personally I've been using several of the Canon tubes and the Kenko set for a number of years, on a variety of lenses. I don't often use them on my 1:1 capable macro lenses, though.

Yes, there are also "close up" auxiliary lenses or "diopters" that screw into the front of your lens, like a filter, increasing magnification. Canon themselves sell 500D and 250D models in 58mm diameter that would fit the EF 100/2.8 Macro (250D is the stronger of the two). In that diameter, those cost around $90 apiece. The problem with them is that they are only usable on lenses with 58mm or slightly smaller filter threads. (Also, Canon doesn't make either 500D or 250D in 67mm diameter needed for the EF 100/2.8 L IS lens, if that's what you purchased.)

Macro extension tubes are a lot more versatile... I've used tubes of different lengths on lenses from 20mm to 500mm and everything in between, regardless of filter size since the tube goes between the lens and the camera body. I have a 500D, too, in 77mm diameter. But I've used it a lot more rarely than I use the extension tubes, and then only with two lenses that it fits (70-200/2.8 and 300/4).

You might want to wait and try out the lens without extension tubes or any other means of increasing its magnification, before buying something additional.


There are some things I recommend for use with the excellent Canon EF 100/2.8 USM Macro lens. One of the best things about it, IMO, is that it can optionally be fitted with a tripod mounting ring (Canon Tripod Ring B(b), or equivalent third party item at about 1/3 the price). AFAIK, besides Canon, no other 100mm macro lenses can be fitted with a tripod ring (thought they are standard on most 150mm, 180mm & 200mm macro). I would highly recommend getting and using the tripod ring, Wouldn't want to be without it, on my Canon 100/2.8!

Also, the EF 100/2.8 USM Macro doesn't include the lens hood and I recommend getting one. The matching ET-67 hood sold for it is simply huge! But it also work well. There are smaller, screw-in, generic 58mm lens hoods that are smaller and can work well (but won't reverse over the lens for storage, the way the ET-67 does).

I have assumed you bought the 100/2.8 USM... not the more expensive Canon EF 100/2.8L IS USM lens. That lens is also excellent, but it uses a different Tripod Ring D(b) and comes with a lens hood.

zuzanne Loc: Crawfordville, FL

Your advice is excellent on all aspects of my questions and lack of Macro Photography knowledge. Thank you for taking the time to post it. I did order the non IS lens as I could not afford the one with IS. I will check into the Canon extension tubes as I may want them after I get and practice with the lens. Its supposed to arrive today. I want to use the lens mainly for plants, flowers and small critters. The tripod ring is something I will definitely want to get.

Also many thanks to everyone who has given me great advice on this subject.

zuzanne