Macro lens vs. extension tubes
Mar 6, 2017 18:08:51 #
BboH wrote:
I use extension tubes with my macro lenses - Nikon's 105 and 60mms
How does that work for you?? Putting an x-tube on a real macro should be interesting. I have the macro but not the x-tubes.
Mar 6, 2017 18:54:57 #
Well, you are in good hands here, with the advice. I will only add: extension tubes are a valuable and inexpensive introduction to macrophotography, and from them you will learn if you want to expand horizons in that area. If that is to be, then you can get a true macro and still use your extension tubes with them (they give a boost in magnification even on a macro lens).
Manys the time I have seen a photographer get a macro lens right off the bat, only to find they never use it because they never quite got the 'bug'. So i think you were wise to start on extension tubes.
You mentioned your lenses. I would not bring so many lenses. Try to leave several at home since they will be superfluous and who knows what might happen.
Manys the time I have seen a photographer get a macro lens right off the bat, only to find they never use it because they never quite got the 'bug'. So i think you were wise to start on extension tubes.
You mentioned your lenses. I would not bring so many lenses. Try to leave several at home since they will be superfluous and who knows what might happen.
Mar 6, 2017 20:20:24 #
Dan De Lion wrote:
I absolutely concur.You didn’t screw up. But, don’t expect much from the cheap equipment you ordered. Try out macro photography. If you like it, buy a dedicated 1:1 macro lens. Nikon, Tamron, and Sigma all make good ones. One in the 100mm range will probably work best for you and also serve as a short telephoto lens.
Mar 6, 2017 20:24:43 #
Bill Munny wrote:
Extension tubes were actually designed for use with true macro lenses. They happen to work with standard lenses, but make the best pairings are with macro lenses. By design, a full set (12mm + 20mm + 36mm = 68mm) of extension tubes added to an 100mm or an 105mm macro lens will provide 2:1 magnification at MFD, but the Working Distance (lens front element to subject) is reduced from 6-inches to 3-inches.How does that work for you?? Putting an x-tube on a real macro should be interesting. I have the macro but not the x-tubes.
Read more here: FAQ: Extension Tubes vs Bellows vs Tele-Extenders vs Add-on "Close-Up" Diopter Lenses at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-26496-1.html
Mar 6, 2017 20:25:47 #
Dan De Lion wrote:
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You didn’t screw up. But, don’t expect much from the cheap equipment you ordered. Try out macro photography. If you like it, buy a dedicated 1:1 macro lens. Nikon, Tamron, and Sigma all make good ones. One in the 100mm range will probably work best for you and also serve as a short telephoto lens.
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You didn’t screw up. But, don’t expect much from the cheap equipment you ordered. Try out macro photography. If you like it, buy a dedicated 1:1 macro lens. Nikon, Tamron, and Sigma all make good ones. One in the 100mm range will probably work best for you and also serve as a short telephoto lens.
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I have a 60mm macro lens and it is excellent, but if buying again I would also go for the 100mm range.
Mar 7, 2017 02:25:15 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
Bill Munny wrote:
How does that work for you?? Putting an x-tube on a real macro should be interesting. I have the macro but not the x-tubes.
It depends on how good the macro is and if it goes to 1:1. I had a film 50mm "macro", but it only went 1:2. With a 25mm extension tube, it would produce 1:1. The lense was optically designed to go to 1:1, but only physically constructed to go 1:2.
Most of todays lenses will go 1:1 without an extension tube. With an extension tube, they can go beyond 1:1 and still produce a good image.
Mar 7, 2017 06:24:20 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
jim quist wrote:
I bought an attachment so I can use my old Hasselblad lenses on my cameras. I have the Hasselblad extension tubes, and Hasselblad bellows. It is all manual focus and I love using them. There is some light loss but not enough to prevent me from hand holding when shooting outdoors. I have more fun using this set up than my macro lens which auto focuses. I also have a set of close up filters that I enjoy.
I think you will have fun with what you ordered.
I think you will have fun with what you ordered.
Nice! Never had a Hasselblad lens, but I have a Fotodiox adapter to use my Mamiya RB lenses on my full frame DSLR and 35mm cameras. It has a focus ring and tripod bush. My favorite lens for this is the 140 f/4.5 macro, for which I have the 45 and 82mm extension tubes. The only close-up lenses I use are the Elpros computed for my 50, 90 and 135mm Leica R lenses. Used with extension tubes to get 1:1 or closer, they’re very sharp.
Mar 7, 2017 08:06:45 #
Bill Munny wrote:
How does that work for you?? Putting an x-tube on a real macro should be interesting. I have the macro but not the x-tubes.
Works good - look at my avatar - it is a marble of about 2" in diameter and my lens is a bout 1/2" from it so as to capture the color swirls without the glare or reflection of light.
Mar 7, 2017 10:59:04 #
fetzler
Loc: North West PA
Macro lenses, extension tubes , close up lenses all have their uses. I was never much for reversing lenses. I have used an enlarger lens on extension tubes a bellows with good success. Enlarger lenses have a Leica screw mount and there used to be adapters available.
Indeed Macro lenses, extension tubes and close up lenses can all be used at the same time to achieve higher magnification. Close-up lenses are an option for wide angle close ups. Macro lenses are usually very sharp and have a flat field suitable for copy work.
Read books on Macrophotography (there also some useful youtube videos) and just try different things a set ups.
Indeed Macro lenses, extension tubes and close up lenses can all be used at the same time to achieve higher magnification. Close-up lenses are an option for wide angle close ups. Macro lenses are usually very sharp and have a flat field suitable for copy work.
Read books on Macrophotography (there also some useful youtube videos) and just try different things a set ups.
Mar 7, 2017 11:01:48 #
A book I always suggest is John Shaw's " Close ups in Nature"... Written during the film era but principles never die.
Mar 15, 2017 15:28:01 #
You can always get the macro lens at a later date, and you can still use the extension tubes with the macro.
So it is not a waste of money, but you should use the tubes to get a feel for doing macro work. You might enjoy it, or not.
But at least this is a cost effective way to find out if you relly like it.
So it is not a waste of money, but you should use the tubes to get a feel for doing macro work. You might enjoy it, or not.
But at least this is a cost effective way to find out if you relly like it.
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