ballsafire Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

What lens would be better to use with an extension tube? I have these: kit lense 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6; Prime 50mm f/1.8-22; 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 and a 70-300 f/4.5-6.0 (telescopic) all Canon lenses. I am thinking of buying some cheap extension tubes which comes in a package of three. My interest would be to take some close-ups (micro) of things. If you have some experience in using extension tubes please advise me for better or worse. I will thank you in advance.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Your 70-300mm. You can pretty much frame the photo to get exactly what you're trying to capture. In fact, you can get macro "like" closeups with no extension tubes at all, but you have to stand back from your subject, then zoom in.

Extension tubes will reduce your DOF to razor-thin, so be very careful where you focus. Either that, or shoot at a higher aperture (f/11 and above), but you will need plenty of light to do that (or use flash).

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I invite you to visit the UHH section called True Macro-Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html .
This is the forum to ask your questions about macro equipment and macro technique.

I suggest that you start with Introduction to True Macro-Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-22447-1.html .

Extension tubes are discussed here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-26496-1.html

DaveMM Loc: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

I would suggest that the 50mm lens may be best. If I put extension tubes on my Canon 17-85, the focus point becomes so close to the lens that it is not practical to take the picture due to lack of light. I have, however, used them on my 55-250 to good effect.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

A sigma 70-300 has a macro switch so you don't need extension tubes. don't know if merely zooming in counts as macro

Yes using extension tubes the DOF is small and lighting is a problem BUT that's the joy of taking photos of things other people 'give up on' or can't be bothered to fathom out.

The three tubes are different length so that you can vary the magnification and resulting DOF. Also look at using f29 and bright light.

All lenses will work including putting two lenses back to back using a connecting ring on the filter threads. Resulting image is very small so need lots of enlargement.

You can also use a magnifying glass and photograph through that, or a telescope.

With digital it costs nothing to play and practice makes perfect. The odder uses of optics in photography are generally smaller fields and so you can stand out more as an individual...!