RickH Loc: Toronto, Canada

Does anyone have any experience with lens extension tubes (for extra close up). I have 50mm Nikon lens that I am thinking about using with a extender (bettre than buying a new lens). This is mostly for food photography

here is what I mean:
http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/nikon_articles/other/close-up_macro/macro_6.html

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

See the Macro forum here on UHH for some great advice and information:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html

Sheila Loc: Arizona or New York

Have used extension tubes but much prefer macro lens. Concur with direction to macro section of the forum. There is a lot of were useful information from very experienced users as well as pros and cons of various setups.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

How close do you need to get in magnification? Another option is a set of diopter close up lenses in the filter size to thread on your lens. You can usually find thin in the "used filter bin" at most large camera stores for under $10. They do not require any change in exposure- extension tubes do, as they change the overall length of the light path.
If you get extension tubes and have an auto focus lens be sure to buy the digital extension tubes that will maintain the electronic contacts for focus and metering-this should
compensate for exposure for you.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Please notice that both lenses pictured on your cited URL, are macro lenses. Extension tubes were designed to be used with macro lenses, but can be used on any lens.

You may find all of the articles listed here, of interest:
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers Concerning Macro
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-36372-1.html

Trevor Dennis Loc: New Zealand (South Island)

Yes, I have made a recent study, and spent some dollars an various alternatives. Extension tubes a good option because they maintain the elctrical connection so you can see to focus, and they keep the minimum focus distance far enough away from the front element to allow you to light the subject.

I had to file out the baffle in one of my extension tubes to make clearance for a 1.4 extender, but someone else I know, did not have that problem.

He does outstanding close ups as well
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boldpuppy/sets/72157622365505857/

I have alos tried bellows, which had no electrical signal, and were not solid enough, but did allow for large magnifications. Not solid means that the Canon 100mm macro lens flapped about like a fish on a hook. I made a wooden support which fixed the stiffness.

I also invested $250 in a Nikon 50mm f1.8 and $10 dollars on a reverser ring. This gave great magnification and maintain electrical connection, but the focal point is about 15 mm in front of the lens, so a real PITA to light. Your really do need to use flash to freeze the subject.

The guy at the link above uses two full sets of extension tubes and a 1.4X and a camera mounted flash with a long skinny modifier that puts the light near the subject

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

That tube is for manual use. See below:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/37858-REG/Nikon_2653_PK_13_27_5mm_AI.html

Check out the Kenko Extension Tube Set:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Nikon+extension+tubes&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

From reviews at Amazon - I would be very wary of the cheap extension tubes as there has been occasions where once on the camera - they would not come off again and resulted in an expensive repair. Whether this was a case of operator error and heavy handedness I cannot say but it is something to consider.

maxpics Loc: Brentwood, near London UK

Extension tubes are great I have had no problem with them, but as stated above get a good brand so as to keep the electrical connection. You can use them on large zoom lenses also....useful for butterflies at a non-disturb distance.
You will get some light fall off, but as there is no glass, it is minimum.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

When I wanted to try macro, I didn't want to jump in with both feet and my wallet, so I got a set of cheap (under $10) manual extrnsion tubes. When I focus on a subject in macro, I prefer manual focusing so I get the area I want in sharp focus. If more light is needed, I experiment with hand held flashes to get the exposure right.

I eventually got the Nikon Micro 105mm lens. Very nice. Another consideration when doing macro work is focus stacking. It lets you get a larger area in focus.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

If you're doing food photos, then close up lenses are what you need, not extension tubes. I use the latter for marco photography, but the kind of stuff where I capture the mirror image of something in a dew drop, pollen on the stamens and pistals of flowers, where a penny more than fills the screen and so on. I use cheap tubes that lack the electrical connection enabling the stock lens be used, so I use older manual lenses.

Keep in mind that you need to keep your aperture small to maintain your depth of field. With the stuff I macro photograph, 1/32 inch makes the difference between sharp and fuzzy images.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Would you be so kind as to post a few images, showing the advantage of "close-up" lenses over extension tubes?

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

I would go with a macro (1:1) if it's in your budget. Extension tubes have there place and I've used them with very good results but you can't beat a true macro. I would stay away from the close up filters. :thumbup:

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

A filter changes the quality of light; a lens changes the direction of light. There is no such thing as a "close-up filter".

RocketScientist Loc: Littleton, Colorado

I've seen them pseudo "Macro Filters" which are nothing more than a magnifying glass that threads onto the front of a lens called "Close up filters."