Auto Extension Tubes Question
Sep 10, 2014 08:25:40 #
First I would like to say that I did in fact search this site but did not find the answer to my question.
I am interested in purchasing a set of Auto Extension Tubes for my Nikon D300S and D800. I have looked and narrowed it down to Kenko and Vello. B&H has the Kenko for $199 and the Vello for $79. Can anyone tell me the main difference between the two, I am leaning towards the Kenko, but if the Vello is just as good, I will save the $120.
Thanks for you advice in this matter.
I am interested in purchasing a set of Auto Extension Tubes for my Nikon D300S and D800. I have looked and narrowed it down to Kenko and Vello. B&H has the Kenko for $199 and the Vello for $79. Can anyone tell me the main difference between the two, I am leaning towards the Kenko, but if the Vello is just as good, I will save the $120.
Thanks for you advice in this matter.
Sep 10, 2014 08:49:43 #
I just ordered the Vello from B&H - it's on the truck as we speak. Having used Kenko in the past I'm sure the mechanical quality is better and, if I planned to use them a lot, I would go with Kenko. But, I'm just fooling around and I figure if I'm careful with them the Vello will suffice.
Sep 10, 2014 11:02:10 #
SonyA580 wrote:
Thank you for your quick reply. I did some more researching and B&H said the pricing difference is mainly because of the different locations in the world. I just ordered the Vello from B&H - it's on the truck as we speak. Having used Kenko in the past I'm sure the mechanical quality is better and, if I planned to use them a lot, I would go with Kenko. But, I'm just fooling around and I figure if I'm careful with them the Vello will suffice.
He also said that the construction of the Vello was not quite as strong as the Kenko, but as long as I did not treat them too roughly, the Vello is fine. Optically, they are the same.
I decided to order the Vello and save $120.00, they will arrive next Monday. please let me know how you like them and I will do the same.
Thanks again
Sep 10, 2014 11:24:54 #
twillsol wrote:
Disclaimer here: I have not used the Vello-- but do have the Kenko set which I use on my D300 & D7100 with a 105g VR lens. The lens is a tank-- and I would be concerned about the "not quite as strong"... portion of your comment: 68mm of extension is significant.I decided to order the Vello and save $120.00, they will arrive next Monday. please let me know how you like them and I will do the same.l
Exercise care. ;-)
Sep 10, 2014 13:43:01 #
LoneRangeFinder wrote:
Thank you, I will. I am going to check them out thoroughly when I received them next week and if they seem to flimsy, I will return them and get the Kenko.Exercise care.
Sep 10, 2014 13:48:36 #
I didn't want to pay $200 for Kenko tubes either so, I got a used, like new set from ebay for a little over $100. Even the Kenkos get a work out with my heavier lenses, specially with a full set. I can't speak for Vello but, price will "generally" reflect what you get......
Sep 10, 2014 14:05:11 #
i have been using Vello every day for about a year now.i have no complaints.as far as being strong all i can say is anyone who would pick up a big lens with tubes by the camera is not too bright,i would not do that with kenko or vello tubes.
Sep 10, 2014 14:14:32 #
tinusbum wrote:
Very good point!. . . anyone who would pick up a big lens with tubes by the camera is not too bright,i would not do that with kenkoos or vello tubes.
Sep 10, 2014 14:48:40 #
tinusbum wrote:
True. I actually have a support on my focusing rail.. . . anyone who would pick up a big lens with tubes by the camera is not too bright,i would not do that with kenkoos or vello tubes.
Sep 10, 2014 23:42:45 #
Flyextreme wrote:
Ebay and patience, I got two sets of Kenkos for the price of one new set.I didn't want to pay $200 for Kenko tubes either so, I got a used, like new set from ebay for a little over $100. Even the Kenkos get a work out with my heavier lenses, specially with a full set. I can't speak for Vello but, price will "generally" reflect what you get......
Sep 11, 2014 03:33:10 #
tinusbum wrote:
Yes, relying on the tubes to support a heavy lens wouldn't be wise. I realized this when the box came in the mail, I put it all together and immediately knew this wasn't going to support much weight, And supporting 100% of the weight of the lens 100% of the time isn't likely to happen either. Even with the lens hanging towards the ground will cause some stress. Also, using both hands at all times isn't very realistic when you are in the field for a good part of the day.as far as being strong all i can say is anyone who would pick up a big lens with tubes by the camera is not too bright,i would not do that with kenko or vello tubes.
At this point, one of the reasons I don't use my tubes more than I do is that I have to mount the L-bracket with speedlight on the lens collar instead of the camera, so that only the weight of the camera is on the tubes and that isn't all that convenient to do in the field.
I need to figure out a way to mount a support bracket from the camera to the lens to help support the weight because the use of my left arm is very limited due to partial paralysis so, occasionally my arm doesn't provide full support of the lens momentarily at times, hence "gets a work out" (at times), not because I don't know better.
When I just step out of my front door to grab a quick shot, it's a non issue. I can use both hands for a relatively short period.
Besides, there are some very bright people that may not realize that it's not a good idea to hang a heavy lens from a set of tubes.
Sep 11, 2014 09:14:16 #
Indoors I have been using a "beanbag", actually a small bag of Styrofoam peanuts, to support the longer lenses while the camera rests on the table.
Sep 11, 2014 10:06:00 #
Flyextreme wrote:
i keep my left hand on the back of the lens and all the tubes.it has never felt like it was flimsy that way.i carry with my left hand and only have 2 hands on it when i'm shooting.my tubes have metal mounts,i have a kalt bracket which rests on my wrist (its got pipe insulation on it where it hits my wrist) also i have my camera strap around my neck.Yes, relying on the tubes to support a heavy lens wouldn't be wise. I realized this when the box came in the mail, I put it all together and immediately knew this wasn't going to support much weight, And supporting 100% of the weight of the lens 100% of the time isn't likely to happen either. Even with the lens hanging towards the ground will cause some stress. Also, using both hands at all times isn't very realistic when you are in the field for a good part of the day.
Sep 11, 2014 12:09:39 #
I have the Vello auto extention tubes and love them. so many things to do with them. I just started using them with my pinhole body cap to narrow the field of view and love the results.
Sep 11, 2014 13:24:36 #
Flyextreme wrote:
In my experience, this is the preferred method of hand-held support in the field. My Nikkor 105G does NOT have a collar mount, and I wish it did, for use with extreme extension tubes.. . . I have to mount the L-bracket with speedlight on the lens collar instead of the camera, so that only the weight of the camera is on the tubes . . .
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