photodoc16

I was told today by a Canon rep at a Photoexpo show that the longer the focal length of a macro lens the less soft the image would be using close up rings. Longer than 100mm and the rings would be fine and shorter than 100mm, the extension tubes would be preferable. At 100 mm it would be a toss up. Of course, the extension tubes are much more expensive than the rings.
Does anyone have the experience to comment on this information and, if so, what would you choose for my Tokina 100mm to get to greater than 1:1 magnification?
Thanks,
Photodoc16

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Do you mean screw on dioptre lenses that attach to the lens filter ring?

photodoc16

Richard,
I guess I must be. There doesn't seem to be any other option except the extension tubes and the screw on filter types. Is there?
Thanks,
Photodoc16 (Richard)

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

You mean a Generic Close-up Filter (Set about $18 - 24), or a Canon Close-up Two Element Lens ($149), or a set of actual Extension Tubes (generic to brand, $25 - $100, up)?

This technology is not brand specific. I've shot Macro and Close-ups using many methods. Using 35mm, 50mm, 100mm Pentax Macro lenses as is; Various prime lenses, 50mm to 135mm using Close-up filters; Various prime lenses using extension tube(s); a "macro" zoom lens; 28mm to 50mm Prime lens reverse mounted on camera with reverse adapter, looks weird but can give you huge magnification cheaply; 28mm to 100mm Prime Lens mounted on a Bellows. Many of these techniques loose all automation. Obviously there is no lens-camera communication to a reverse mounted lens. You could even put a 35mm Leica lens on your Canon camera. Also note you don't loose lens-speed (light) with add on filters or lenses.

But I have not tried using Two-Element Close-up Lenses (yet). They are new to me in fact. Are they lens matched like some 1.4x and 2x Tele-extenders? If so they could provide great sharpness. You really should try both Tubes and Close-up Lenses.

I've gotten good results with all methods. But I would not attempt using cheap Close-up Filters with shorter focal length or wide angle lenses such as 28mm to down to say 10mm to Fish-eye. Have fun...

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Most amateur photographers such as myself, would use extension tubes on a non macro prime lenses, such as a 50mm. A true macro lens, as you have mentioned has a 1:1 magnification. A friend who does macro, uses a Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro lens. It was a graduation from extension tubes, that he no longer uses anymore. He sold them. He had Kenko extension tubes, which he said were the best third party extension tubes you could buy. I've read of Bridge camera owners using closeup lenses with good results. As far as using extension tubes on a macro 1:1 lens? I would guess it would only enhance the magnification. There is a Macro Section for uhh members. You may want to search for it. They could offer you some additional advice. Good luck.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Nope, Diopter Filters are cheap and single elements of glass, Close-up Lenses are corrected two-element accessories that also thread on but pricey. ($24 vs $150) Perhaps only Canon makes them as they are new to me. Read my long reply.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

With a macro-lens and tubes you can get well above 1:1, perhaps up to 400%. With my microscope, over 900x life!

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

An extension is just a tube to move the lens forward. Rings generally couple aperature settings or may connect to your cpu, etc. Tubes work in full manual only. If thinking of close up lenses don’t waste a dime on single element ones. Get dual lens apochromatics. Canon makes them, Nikon doesn’t anymore. They can be had used in good shape. Have used them all for decades. Close up lenses are easiest in my expetience but good ones aren’t cheap or easy to find any more. Good luck.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Good to know that. Up to 400% with tubes is more than I expected. Seems like the microscope is the king though, at 900X.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

First off your Tokina 100mm is an extremely fine macro lens, I've taken thousand of shots with mine. If you were to get a close up lens I would only recommend the Raynox DCR 150 or 250, http://extreme-macro.co.uk/raynox-adapter-techniques/ The only problem with using this lens and any other close up ring is when your focused to true 1:1 with your macro lens your only 6 inches from the subject. To get higher magnification with the close up lens attached your focusing distance for higher magnification with the DCR150 shrinks to about 4 inches, and with the DCR 250 even further to about 2 inches for maximum magnification. This in turn reduces your depth of field and also requires a flash to get proper lighting and to avoid camera shake. I would recommend a full set of tubes First, which comes in a 3 piece set. This allows you to add one at a time if you chose, slowly increasing your magnification. I could rattle on, but suggest learning how to use your Tokina first at true 1:1 with a flash then venture into greater magnifications. Stop over at the Macro site here on the hogg and pick the brains of the local macro fanatics. Good group and very helpful.
PS a 100mm macro lens plus a full set of tubes gets you 2:1 only.. Adding the DCR250 on the end gets you about 4:1 but your depth of field is reduced to the thickness of fine rice paper. Guys that venture to greater magnifications are also stacking their photos, extremely time consuming and a full understanding of the macro field, additional software, not to mention tripod, more lighting, a whole different ball game..

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

I have a 100 f//2.8 Tokina ATX Macro (early version, 1:2), which performs very well up to at least 2:1 on a bellows or with extension tubes.
I have no idea what a close-up ring is, though I have seen extension tubes called extension rings. I’ve never heard of a close-up filter, but you can buy a warming polarizer (or perhaps combined with some other effect), so I suppose someone could make a close-up lens/filter combination. Close-up lenses do screw onto the lens like a filter, but any I’ve seen were clear and filter nothing. The best close-up lenses are achromats (two elements), and should be OK with your macro lens.
For more information, there are some excellent links in the True Macro-Photography Forum: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Both are the poor mans way of getting macro images. The best but most expensive is to buy a true macro lens.

cthahn

Try it your self and learn something.

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

Hi. I will have to get my tubes out I haven't used in awhile. I know you can auto focus with them, don't remember if you have to use manual only!!

Tom

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I never liked those little screw-on tele and W/A adapters. You can get manual extension tubes for under $20 and use whatever lens you want.