dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

For a couple of years I have owned a Nikon M2 extension tube. I believe I paid $10.00 for it at a camera store. I dug it out yesterday having never used it before and attached it to my D800 and then attached an old Nikkor 50mm f1.4 non auto focus lens to the extension tube. I didn't have time to get out the tripod but wanted to see how and what the extension tube would do.

I found out there was no auto focus nor did I expect there to be. I also found out that it is not to be used handheld as the depth of field is very shallow, seemingly about 1/2 inch as a guess. Next time I will use a tripod.

Is the old M2 different from present day extension tubes? Can it be used with my Nikkor 105 f2.8 Micro lens? How about my old Nikkor 80-200 f4 lens?

The M2 looks like new and I would like to put it to some good use. Will it give me closer than 1-1 photos. Any advice will be appreciated.

I am attaching a photo (not good) of the one caterpillar I captured with it.

Dennis

Caterpillar using Nikon M2 with a 50mm f1.4

(Download)

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Your Nikon M2 tube provides an extension of 27.5-mm. It was sold with the Nikkor 55-mm macro lens, which can only achieve 1:2 mag (1/2 life-size) by itself, but with the M2 tube, will reach 1:1 mag (life-size) at MFD.

With a standard 50-mm lens, you can achieve close-up capture, but because it cannot focus close enough, not true macro.

Nikkor 55-mm macro + 27.5-mm M2 tube

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Thanks for the information. Since I have 1:1 with the 105 f2.8 is there any reason to use the M2? Would it work on my 200mm f4?

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Your caterpillar is called an 'inch worm' or 'looper'. It is a larva of the Geometrid Moth.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Any extension tube will work with any lens to reduce focal distance & increase magnification, including your 105-mm & 200-mm macro lenses.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Thank you, sir.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I have several PK-13s, but no longer use them