DSLR Extension Tube: I bought a set of 3 Extension Tubes, but as yet I have not learned the proper way to use them. I would appreciate any advice that my fellow Hedgehogs UHH may be...

Silverman Loc: Michigan

I bought a set of 3 Extension Tubes, but as yet I have not learned the proper way to use them. I would appreciate any advice that my fellow Hedgehogs UHH may be able to assist in teaching Me. Thank You.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

For starters, do you have a 50mm? 35?

Note if the tube has to be mounted to the lens or camera first. Should be in the instructions.
Put one tube with the 50, look through the viewfinder and note the focusing distance and maybe the depth of field.
Then use another, and the other, then try in pairs.
You can use #1, #2, #3, #1+#2, #1+#3, #2+#3, #1+#2+#3 each combination yielding different results.
That's the best way to see how they work on your camera.
Oh, and take a couple of pictures while doing this exercise.
The more the extension, the closer the focal point, and the shallower the depth of field.

You can also try them with other lenses.
Experiment to see how they work for your camera.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Longshadow wrote:

For starters, do you have a 50mm? 35? br br Note... (show quote)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

And unless you are REALLY, REALLY steady, you'll want to put the camera on a tripod.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Extension tubes let you focus closer with the lens mounted. The longer the length in millimeters, the closer the lens will be able to focus, 'close' being the distance from camera / lens to subject. The extension tube also prevents you from using the lens to focus to infinity, or to any distance much beyond the new close-focus distance. As noted, plan to use a tripod for steady holding the camera on the subject.

User ID

Longshadow wrote:

And unless you are REALLY, REALLY steady, you'll want to put the camera on a tripod.

And using a tripod, you may go nuts without a focus rail.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

Silverman wrote:

I bought a set of 3 Extension Tubes, but as yet I have not learned the proper way to use them. I would appreciate any advice that my fellow Hedgehogs UHH may be able to assist in teaching Me. Thank You.

Their use is simple so I won't bother to repeat what others have already said.

What I will suggest is that if your intention is to undertake 'high magnification' (I'm using that term loosely as you have made no reference to lenses or subject type) you can also consider the use of flash with some subjects to alleviate the need for tripods and rails.

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

You have excellent advice here. In summery, practice and play with them. They open the eye (sorry for the pun) to extreme close up as you may have never experienced before. Be patient, and take many images, and then enjoy them on your computer screen.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Silverman wrote:

I bought a set of 3 Extension Tubes, but as yet I have not learned the proper way to use them. I would appreciate any advice that my fellow Hedgehogs UHH may be able to assist in teaching Me. Thank You.

I use mine with a Nikkor 200mm f4 Macro ( all three stacked ) Nikon Manual tubes .

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

User ID wrote:

And using a tripod, you may go nuts without a focus rail.

Definitely!!!
Moving the tripod a quarter/eighth of an inch will be, lets say, difficult.

agillot

For insects , close up , not macro , the 20mm tube with a OLD nikon [ first auto focus ] 70 / 210 zoom work great . you pre set the focus where the distance of the bug or plant will be , then zoom in / out to focus .

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Silverman wrote:

I bought a set of 3 Extension Tubes, but as yet I have not learned the proper way to use them. I would appreciate any advice that my fellow Hedgehogs UHH may be able to assist in teaching Me. Thank You.

You will find that tubes play much better with PRIME lenses than zooms. You will loose light and focusing range with all tubes - the bigger or more tubes you use, the more the light loss and the smaller the focusing range..

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

imagemeister wrote:

You will find that tubes play much better with PRIME lenses than zooms. You will loose light and focusing range with all tubes - the bigger or more tubes you use, the more the light loss and the smaller the focusing range..

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Silverman wrote:

I bought a set of 3 Extension Tubes, but as yet I have not learned the proper way to use them. I would appreciate any advice that my fellow Hedgehogs UHH may be able to assist in teaching Me. Thank You.

check out this post

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-760280-1.html

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Here is a video from Tony Northrup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk1Kidkj9Sk

1. 50mm extension will produce 1x with a 50mm lens focused to infinity. There will be 2 stops of light loss. Focus moving back and forth or use tripod with focusing rail.

2. It is much easier to use prime lenses.

3. with steady hands focusing to 1x by hand is quite possible. Move your body back and forth.

4. At lower magnification you may be able to autofocus but focusing the lens changes the magnification.