Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
lens tube extensions
Aug 7, 2012 04:21:21   #
john Muriel Loc: WEST LONDON
 
Has anyone try the lens tube extensions? Does it really work? Is there an alternative solution?

I have a Nikon D3100 with standard lens, i would like to take some macro photographs but i can not afford a macro lens, so i was wondering if there was a cheaper solution that works.

how about the M42 lenses or is it better to use the extension tubes or neither?


Regards

Reply
Aug 7, 2012 07:14:35   #
Erv Loc: Medina Ohio
 
I don't use tubes, but lots of folks do here and get awesome pictures. If you ask in the Micro section I am sure you would get more feed back.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html
Erv

Reply
Aug 7, 2012 08:01:05   #
Dutch01 Loc: Florida
 
I use the Kenko tubes for working inside the minimum range of a lens. The two pix below were taken with a 50-500mm Sigma using both a 12 and 20mm tube stacked. I was within 4ft if the dragon flies. This link to Amazon will show you a variety of tube extensions for most cameras and wallets.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=extension+tubes





Reply
 
 
Aug 7, 2012 09:44:07   #
Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.
 
You can also consider reverse mounting a short focal length lens to your standard lens for high magnifications... This is done by simply buying a $6 or so male to male adapter..

Reverse lens is amazing but problematic in that the working distance is only about 2" or less and generally it needs to be aided by an external flash... Here is a photostream of a guy that uses a reverse mounted lens to lens setup... He also uses macro lenses so you have to read his descriptions to know which setup he used on different photos. but generally the extreme closeups were done with reverse lens, the problem with reverse lens is that it is only good for very high mag close up,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecs-photography/

Reply
Aug 7, 2012 09:54:26   #
Dutch01 Loc: Florida
 
Yes. But you are getting some drop dead great macros! On line there are some great tube extension buys. One shooter I talked to gets great results with an off brand set of tubes from Amazon - paid under 20$.

Reply
Aug 7, 2012 09:56:16   #
john Muriel Loc: WEST LONDON
 
thank you for your reply, been really helpfull

Reply
Aug 7, 2012 12:35:01   #
Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA
 
Your question about extension tubes is answered here:
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers Concerning Macro
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-36372-1.html

I would encourage you to review all four of the first threads on this forum.

Reply
 
 
Aug 7, 2012 18:21:42   #
tinusbum Loc: east texas
 
i use extension tubes on my macro lenses.i like them.tom

Reply
Aug 8, 2012 02:18:03   #
BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA
 
Dutch01 wrote:
I use the Kenko tubes for working inside the minimum range of a lens. The two pix below were taken with a 50-500mm Sigma using both a 12 and 20mm tube stacked. I was within 4ft if the dragon flies. This link to Amazon will show you a variety of tube extensions for most cameras and wallets.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=extension+tubes

Ditto!

Reply
Aug 8, 2012 08:02:10   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
john Muriel wrote:
Has anyone try the lens tube extensions? Does it really work? Is there an alternative solution?

I have a Nikon D3100 with standard lens, I would like to take some macro photographs but can not afford a macro lens, so i was wondering if there was a cheaper solution that works.

how about the M42 lenses or is it better to use the extension tubes or neither?


Regards

When I started with macro, I didn't want to spend lots of money and find that I didn't like it. I bought the cheap, manual tubes for about $10. Since I like to use manual focus and exposure for macros anyway, I didn't need the auto features. The manual tubes work fine. Afterall, it's just a hollow tube to put space between the camera and the lens.

Removing the tube from the body can be a problem if you don't know how. There is a small silver knob that releases the tube. That must be slid one way or the other, and the tube comes right off.

I eventually got the Nikkor Micro 105mm - great lens.

http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/camera/lens/extensiontube.shtml

Reply
Aug 8, 2012 14:19:30   #
bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri
 
With your camera, when using ordinary tubes, the lens can't communicate with the camera and your lens will remain at its smallest aperature. While desirable for depth of field, the f32 your lens will go to can make it too dark to see anything. I bought a manual lens for that use. That way you can set the aperature any way you want. You will need to use the manual setting on your camera.

Reply
 
 
Aug 8, 2012 18:40:24   #
Gerald Sr Loc: Idaho
 
is the kenko $190.00 dollars better than the fotodiox for $9.00?

Reply
Aug 8, 2012 18:45:36   #
Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA
 
Gerald Sr wrote:
is the kenko $190.00 dollars better than the fotodiox for $9.00?
Auto-extension tubes contain elecronic connections so that your lens can talk to your camera, preserving auto-focus, auto-aperture, and recording to your Exif mega-data. You can focus wide-open, then the lens automatically closes to chosen aperture when you depress shutter release button.

Straight extension tubes are like a TP roll tube with camera mount on one end, and lens mount on the other.

Reply
Aug 8, 2012 19:46:07   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Use the Canon close-up filter lenses 500D or 250D on whatever lens you have. Diameters are 52-77mm and cost ? $75-150. Easiest to use and no light loss.

Reply
Aug 9, 2012 01:35:02   #
Larrie Loc: NE Ohio
 
I have a 25mm Canon tube that I use for more magnification of either of my macros primes

without
without...



Reply
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.