Just got a Fotodiox Pro Automatic Macro Extension Tube for R
Dec 26, 2020 23:58:55 #
whlsdn
Loc: Colorado
Has anyone else tried one of these? If so, what's your appraisal of it?
I've enjoyed shooting small stuff, but I haven't had an actual macro lens for any of my exchangeable lens cameras. I currently use a Canon EOS R and a 760D (AKA Rebel T6s). Following advice here once I added a full frame camera to my bag, I've weeded out EF-S lenses to end up with lenses usable on both cameras, and most are Canon L or Tamron SP category. (My 50mm is not.) However, I just ran across a pristine Promaster Spectrum 7 AF 100mm f/3.5 MC Macro for $35 locally, and after reading reviews, I just couldn't resist picking it up to feed my growing interest in macro photography - even though I'll only use it on the 760D. But that lens is a topic for another post... maybe.
While online "studying" what's available at reasonable cost that I could pair with the R, I naturally looked at a variety of extension tube solutions. I even watched a couple of videos about adapters to reverse lenses in one's kit as a way to use them for macro functions. And, of course, I looked at reviews of lots of the possible choices in authentic macro lenses that could be adapted to the R with the EF-to-R adapter rings, of which I have 3 now - one on each of the EF lenses I commonly use on the camera.
While doing this "study," I came across the Fotodiox tube mentioned in the title here, and was surprised to see they were making one for the RF mount series of Canon mirrorless cameras. I found these things for $80 at a variety of places, but when I checked the manufacturer's website I discovered they were offering a discount of $16.75 ($63.20) with free shipping. Even though I was actively browsing the web for a bargain on a nice macro lens with AF and IS (despite the experts who say ya must always use a tripod and always manual focus for macro) but under $400, I went ahead and blew the money on this adapter. It arrived this afternoon.
I've only had time to play with this adapter a little bit, and I've used my only RF lens and my best EF lens with a Canon EF-to-R adapter ring. This is a solid little piece of hardware, and it fits snugly with absolutely no movement once mated with body and/or lens. Just experimenting so far. While I barely know what I'm doing, I've yet to put it on a tripod to try for perfection, so I judge IS to be working. I've relied both on AF and MF. It's easier to pick the exact point which I want most perfectly focused if I use MF, but either works.
What do you think of the outcome so far? The 4th photo is a cell phone shot of the subject of the last 2 photos. The others where shot with one lens or the other +the Fotodiox adapter ring.
Bit of a follow-up story:
By Christmas I found a universally well reviewed 105mm macro lens with AF and IS (Sigma) MPB (rated excellent cond.) under $400 and the Fotodiox order had not yet arrived. I was pretty certain the Sigma would sell swiftly, and I wasn't at all certain how well this adapter would actually perform for real macro work. I asked my wife what she thought, and she actually said "order it." Ha. (This stuff keeps me out of her hair.) Done. Now I wonder if I'll be any better off with my macro play.
I've enjoyed shooting small stuff, but I haven't had an actual macro lens for any of my exchangeable lens cameras. I currently use a Canon EOS R and a 760D (AKA Rebel T6s). Following advice here once I added a full frame camera to my bag, I've weeded out EF-S lenses to end up with lenses usable on both cameras, and most are Canon L or Tamron SP category. (My 50mm is not.) However, I just ran across a pristine Promaster Spectrum 7 AF 100mm f/3.5 MC Macro for $35 locally, and after reading reviews, I just couldn't resist picking it up to feed my growing interest in macro photography - even though I'll only use it on the 760D. But that lens is a topic for another post... maybe.
While online "studying" what's available at reasonable cost that I could pair with the R, I naturally looked at a variety of extension tube solutions. I even watched a couple of videos about adapters to reverse lenses in one's kit as a way to use them for macro functions. And, of course, I looked at reviews of lots of the possible choices in authentic macro lenses that could be adapted to the R with the EF-to-R adapter rings, of which I have 3 now - one on each of the EF lenses I commonly use on the camera.
While doing this "study," I came across the Fotodiox tube mentioned in the title here, and was surprised to see they were making one for the RF mount series of Canon mirrorless cameras. I found these things for $80 at a variety of places, but when I checked the manufacturer's website I discovered they were offering a discount of $16.75 ($63.20) with free shipping. Even though I was actively browsing the web for a bargain on a nice macro lens with AF and IS (despite the experts who say ya must always use a tripod and always manual focus for macro) but under $400, I went ahead and blew the money on this adapter. It arrived this afternoon.
I've only had time to play with this adapter a little bit, and I've used my only RF lens and my best EF lens with a Canon EF-to-R adapter ring. This is a solid little piece of hardware, and it fits snugly with absolutely no movement once mated with body and/or lens. Just experimenting so far. While I barely know what I'm doing, I've yet to put it on a tripod to try for perfection, so I judge IS to be working. I've relied both on AF and MF. It's easier to pick the exact point which I want most perfectly focused if I use MF, but either works.
What do you think of the outcome so far? The 4th photo is a cell phone shot of the subject of the last 2 photos. The others where shot with one lens or the other +the Fotodiox adapter ring.
Bit of a follow-up story:
By Christmas I found a universally well reviewed 105mm macro lens with AF and IS (Sigma) MPB (rated excellent cond.) under $400 and the Fotodiox order had not yet arrived. I was pretty certain the Sigma would sell swiftly, and I wasn't at all certain how well this adapter would actually perform for real macro work. I asked my wife what she thought, and she actually said "order it." Ha. (This stuff keeps me out of her hair.) Done. Now I wonder if I'll be any better off with my macro play.
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