gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I just ordered the 35mm 1.8 prime and want to use it with a set of extension tubes. I've read that some extension tubes are only for use on a minimum 50mm lens. Is this the case for all extension tubes or just certain brands? I would think that most could be used in at least manual mode with most any lens unless the very wide ones present a problem. Your advise would be appreciated.

Would also like to have a brand recommendation for a three tube set.

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

The 35mm 1.8G DX has a close focus distance of 11-12" from the sensor or about 6-8" from the end of the lens hood. I can add one of my auto focus capable extension tubes on the lens. But, when I focus, the lens is almost touching my subject. It makes it much easier for the camera/lens/photographer to cast shadow in the scene, and harder to add extra light from a flash, etc. And, if your subject is alive, it might not want you to be that close.

I get much better results with the 85mm. Most people would probably suggest a lens in the 100mm range for macro.

As far as brand, a lot of people like the Kenko tubes. I bought these much cheaper tubes and they've worked well for me.

http://www.amazon.com/Xit-XTETN-Focus-Extension-Cameras/dp/B00AEEDRFM/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1423413301&sr=1-2&keywords=kenko+extension+tube+nikon

You should visit the True Macro section for detailed advise from some really experienced Macro enthusiasts.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

I don't believe that there is a hard and fast rule that any extension tube is for a specific length lens. They will produce different effects based on the length of the lens and the tube.

http://www.adorama.com/alc/0013056/article/Wide-Angle-Macro-Photography

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

I have the Kenko set and have used them with the 24mm, 100mm and 100-400mm with good results. It's a little harder for me to focus with the tubes on though.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Extension tubes are generic as such and the concept works with any focal length. But how practical they are depends greatly on the focal length (and of course on what you want to do).

For any given focal length lens it takes less extension to cause more effect with a shorter focal length. Hence with your 35mm f/1.8 lens, which has a minimum focus distance of about 300mm (distance from the film plane to the object focused on) and produces 0.16x magnification (a 1" object will be projected at 0.16" on the sensor), if a 29mm extension tube is added the magnification will be 1:1 and the minimum focus distance will be about 140mm.

The problem with a minimum focusing distance of 140mm is that the front of the lens is out there at about 100mm in front of the film plane already, and 29mm added onto that puts it at only 11mm away from the subject focused on!

That makes it very difficult to avoid shadows from the lens. It also makes life difficult if the subject is alive and can be scared or is scary. Most bugs will fly away, and snakes might make you fly!

Compare that to putting only 29mm extension into a 400mm lens, where it just won't get you much closer.

Hence, while most extension tubes are sold in a set of 3, probably with 12mm, 20mm and 36mm sizes, you won't want to ever use two of them stacked, and you'll have no need for the 36mm tube (with this lens). A 20mm tube will give you 0.73x magnification, and about 24mm ( 1" ) working distance between the lens and the subject. A 12mm tube will give you about 47mm of working distance ( 1.9" ) and 1:2 (0.5x) magnification.

That certainly provides some room for interesting macro work!

twowindsbear

What was your thought process in deciding to buy a 35mm lens for macro photography with an extension tube?

Thanks