Automatic Extension Tubes for Macro Phototography: I have read some articles concerning Photography Auto Extension Tubes, some say they are great for doing Macro Photography, other...

Silverrails

I have read some articles concerning Photography Auto Extension Tubes, some say they are great for doing Macro Photography, other articles seem to relate issues, with not enough light, requiring to low of a Shutter Speed or Aperture. Also difficulty with motion blur. I am considering them to use with my Nikon D3300 and possibly with my Nikon 18-140mm Lens. I have seen them used on Ebay for a variety of prices, also know they are available at B&H and other stores for around $129.00 new, or depending on the particular Brand at a different price.
I would like to have more advice, suggestions, etc. from my fellow Hedgehogs, before I choose.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

Extension tubes simply create more distance between the lens and the sensor, which gives you the ability to focus more closely. They are a cheap substitute for a macro lens. If you plan to get into macro photography I would get a dedicated macro lens as the IQ generally is better. Extension rings are fine of occasional use.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I purchased a set (Meike) 10mm and 16mm auto extension tubes for under $30 for my Sony a6000. They work very well. I own and use diopter close up filters and a true macro lens. I find that there is only minor differences in the final results. Since there is no glass in extension tubes it doesn't affect the exposures that much. Happy shooting.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Extension tubes are one of a few method possibilities.
They do have operational/quality conditions/differences associated with them.
It simply depends on how persnickety one is about those conditions, how much each may matter.
Some people are much more critical than other people.
You need to figure out where you might stand.
(And that could change later...)

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I've had good experiences with Kenko.

User ID

Someone gave me set of auto tubes for EF mount when they switched away from EF SLRs. They are not Canon brand but this is not newkular physics. It’s not even rocket science. No problems. Easy to use with both EF lenses and with adapted Nikkors and such. Sensor size is a non-issue. I use all three formats.

For reeeeally close work a tripod is very important. For routine needs to just get closer than the built-in limit of an EF lens I use a single tube and don’t always need a tripod. Often image stabilization is more than sufficient ... depends on shutter speed and on which lens is used, and at just how close.

Tubes are cheap, effective, reliable, easy to use, and do not alter your optics. I tend to use the EF tubes and lenses on Sonys cuz Canon cameras lack IBIS. However, the adapter to Sony E-mount costs more than a set of tubes !

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

I use the Canon brand tubes with my Canon and Sigma lenses, and they work great. You do lose infinity focusing, but then that's not the point of the tubes. The metering and AF work fine with the data pass-thru tubes.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Silverrails wrote:

I have read some articles concerning Photography A... (show quote)

Extension tubes shortens your already limited depth of field. Keep this in mind. A true maco lens does better.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Have them, seldom use them and they do affect exposure,. IQ isn't affected by them and I think that is what OR pilot meant. The IQ of the lens they are mounted on will stay the same...I prefer my true macro lenses and I don't use a tripod for my macro shooting unless I'm stacking images...

bikerguy

While macro lenses are the best for macro photography, to decide whether you like macro or not use either extension tubes or a high quality diopter such as the Canon 500D. Currently, I have a macro lens, diopters and extension tubes and have used all three together. One of the advantages of the extension tubes or diopter over a macro lens is the ability to use them on multiple lenses including high quality zooms. For years I used the 500D diopter on a Canon 70-300 mm lens with very good results. By using a zoom I was able to fine tune my composition without moving the camera just slightly adjusting the zoo's focal length. Start with either extension tubes or diopter before buying a macro, even if you buy a macro you will still use the accessories. It is easy for someone to say buy the best macro out there it will be better, they are simply spending your money.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

A disadvantage of tubes and diopters is the loss of infinity focus. Say you were shooting a macro subject and another non-macro opportunity presented itself. In order to capture it, you would have to remove the aforementioned and that may cause you to lose the shot. Used on a consumer zoom, the loss of light might also cause your camera to not AF, thus fast zooms are better and certainly not cheap. In actuality, what to choose depends on what you want to capture... Here is a link to an image from several years back of some of my macro gear. I have since added to it. Oh, and I use my macro gear almost exclusively for macro as I have other lenses for other situations...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/25869613221/in/album-72157604924638757/

Winslowe

billnikon wrote:

Extension tubes shortens your already limited depth of field. Keep this in mind. A true maco lens does better.

That is plain bogus! You can take a normal 50mm lens with a 50mm extension tube for a 1:1 magnification ratio, or a 50mm macro lens at 1:1, and the depth of field will be the same. The macro lens, of course, will exhibit better corner to corner image quality.

bikerguy

Winslowe wrote:

That is plain bogus! You can take a normal 50mm lens with a 50mm extension tube for a 1:1 magnification ratio, or a 50mm macro lens at 1:1, and the depth of field will be the same. The macro lens, of course, will exhibit better corner to corner image quality.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Winslowe wrote:

That is plain bogus! You can take a normal 50mm lens with a 50mm extension tube for a 1:1 magnification ratio, or a 50mm macro lens at 1:1, and the depth of field will be the same. The macro lens, of course, will exhibit better corner to corner image quality.

The DOF and image quality are as you state, but IIRC a 50mm lens with 50mm of extension would give you greater than 1:1 magnification

Canisdirus

I have some Vello EX tubes with contacts...work very well.
I even put them on my macro lens...with a slider.