Hey guys, anyone use extension tubes? Thinking of adding one to Nikon 7200 and 50mm 1.8 for flower close ups. Any suggestions?
Royce Moss wrote:
Hey guys, anyone use extension tubes? Thinking of adding one to Nikon 7200 and 50mm 1.8 for flower close ups. Any suggestions?
Kenko has some good quality ones. Also the old 105d micro Nikkor lense is as sharp as my newer one and will work with your camera
I have used extensions tubes and I have them in both Canon EF and Nikon F mount. They are convenient but I prefer macro lenses.
Thanks for the answer Dr. I have been looking at the 105vr but not spend more than $300 and I don't need VR. I found a D at MPB. I will probaby pick it up
I use extension tubes. The difficulty with a 50mm or shorter focal length is how 'close' the tube will shorten the focus distance. You might need to be a foot or closer to get the 50mm lens to even focus on the subject, depending on the length tube you use. Also, for Nikon options, make sure the tube you select passes the electronics to control the aperture and auto focus. So, a tube on a 50mm lens can give you some interesting results, but a dedicated macro and / or a tube on a longer focal length lens might be the more useful approach.
Drbobcameraguy wrote:
Kenko has some good quality ones. Also the old 105d micro Nikkor lense is as sharp as my newer one and will work with your camera
Good point. Cost a bit more than tubes, but well worth it.
I find tubes handy to get closer with older long FL lenses. Newer long lenses focus much closer than oldies. Tubes are slowly headed for obsolescense.
Royce Moss wrote:
Hey guys, anyone use extension tubes? Thinking of adding one to Nikon 7200 and 50mm 1.8 for flower close ups. Any suggestions?
I use extension quite often.
I use Nikkor manual tubes(not cheap) along with a Nikkor 200mm f4 micro ! but after trying the lower priced Kenkos and after much aggravation I threw them out!! The main problem was loss of electronic connection.
You might be ok on the 7200, but i had problems with full frame vignetting badly with the kenko tubes. Internal baffles impinge. Nikon tubes are fine.
With a 50mm, you will only need a very thin tube before working distance becomes unmanageable. I would suggest using them on a longer lens, or going for a micro/macro lens in the 85-105 range.
A great budget alternative are the ai/ais manual focus micro 105s, either in 2.8 or f4
Another option is to get high quality close up lenses that screw onto the front of the primary lens. Both Canon and Nikon made thigh quality close up lenses with multiple lenses combined to provide good image quality. Both are available used. Additionally, Raynox currently makes a selection of them.
Incidentally, extension tubes add more magnification on shorter lenses and close up lenses add more magnification on longer lenses. As an example I have a400 mm lens that focuses to 0.63x adding a +2 close up lens allows it to focus to 1.83x.
One of the great things about extension tubes is that you can use them with any lens you have. I've used Kenkos for years. I shoot with my 24-70 if I'm shooting flowers, bugs, etc. I have also used them with my 80-400 so I can keep my distance from things like a very large spider or an anemone under shallow water. With the larger lens I find it takes a minute or two to find focus but using the zoom to get focus and then using the focus ring to make it tack sharp helps. Practice once or twice and you'll be fine. I also have a 105 macro lens which is a great lens but it has only one focal length. And the tubes are cheaper, lighter, and don't add glass between the sensor and subject. Good luck!
Royce Moss wrote:
Hey guys, anyone use extension tubes? Thinking of adding one to Nikon 7200 and 50mm 1.8 for flower close ups. Any suggestions?
I do.
But use a bellows with them to make focus easier.
Got a set from Meike [ 3 pieces ]MK-N-AF1-B , around $ 50 .Work very well .good quality .
I got a 100 mm macro from tokina $164 but on the 7000 focus problem on my 810 it’s a beautiful lens ....
I've used them in the past, and they can be an inexpensive way to get good macro shots. I have the cheap, manual kind, and they're fine. One tip: To remove the tube from the camera, in most cases, you have to slide the sliver button. Pushing it in will not release it. We've had lots of questions about that here.
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