picture snapper Loc: Baltimore, MD

I'm considering Mcoplus extension tubes from Amazon. Does anyone have any experience with them?

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I have no experience with them, but the Amazon customer reviews seem encouraging.

BJ in OKla Loc: No Water Oklahoma

There are some good videos on Youtube,, I watched several..
One thing that I got from them was you loose light.
Bj

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

That happens regardless of the brand or type. Plus you lose infinity focus as well

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

I would caution against buying plastic extension tubes. Some even appear to have plastic mounts as well.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

While there is some light falloff with extension tubes, your camera's internal, through-the-lens metering system takes that into account and automatically compensates. And, yes, while an extension tube is installed you don't have infinity focus... but you should be using them to focus close-ups anyway, far from infinity.

I looked at "MCOPlus" and the ones with electronic contacts and metal bayonet mounts seem okay. They're probably made by Zeikos (set of three: 13mm, 21mm & 31mm) or Opteka (12mm, 24mm & 36mm) and relabeled. Those two make most of the less expensive, more plasticky ones, which are then sold under a bunch of different brand names. Kenko makes a better quality set and only sells it themselves, though they cost more (about $110 in most mounts... 12mm, 24mm & 36mm). But Kenko are still a lot less expensive than OEM tubes from the camera manufacturers. If hoping to use with Nikon AF lenses that have "screw drive" autofocus via a motor in higher-end camera bodies (i.e., no AF motor built into the lens, such as AF-S), be sure to check that the tube support it. No worries with Canon and other systems.

One reason I prefer and use the Kenko is that they seem more durable... I've been using a set of them for 10+ years now. Others just don't seem as well made and might not be as durable, but may be fine for occasional use. I also like the Kenko for what seems like a more secure latching mechanism and the recessed release button they use, which is less easily accidentally tripped than those protruding levers that many others use. I have also heard that some of the cheaper ones tend to "flex", especially if using a stack of two or more, as well as a heavier lens and camera. Worst case, that flex may cause both image vignetting problems and interrupt electronic communication between lens and camera. I've also heard/read of some connectivity issues in some cases. At one time there was a problem with some of the "cheapies" shorting out Canon 5D models, too, if I recall correctly. But a lot of people use them successfully, too.... and none of this is from personal experience. With my modern I currently use the Kenko and several Canon tubes which all seem roughly equal quality, though the Canon OEM tubes are only sold individually in two sizes and cost a lot more. (In the past I've used a variety of macro tubes with older system... Nikon, Canon FD/FL and Konica K/AR primarily. With them I've also used bellows and helicoids, both of which are essentially adjustable length extension tubes.)

I'd recommend you avoid the plastic bayonet mount "economy" versions for anything other than infrequent use with very lightweight lenses. Also avoid the very cheapest tubes without any electronic contacts at all, if you want autofocus to work and, more importantly, to be able to control the aperture on many modern lenses where it's done electronically. Those cheap "dumb tubes" are fine with vintage manual focus lenses that have a mechanical aperture control ring, but aren't good for use with many (most?) modern lenses.

You'd have to experiment using any tubes with your particular lenses.

How much extension you'll need will depend upon the lens you're using the tubes with and how high magnification you're trying to achieve. Theoretically, to reach full :1 (full live size) with a lens you'll need extension equal to the lens focal length... such as 50mm of extension with a 50mm lens. However, this doesn't take into account the lens' native close focusing ability, which varies a lot. But, basically you won't need that much extension.

Some lenses will also tend to "go soft" in the corners and at the edges of the image, as well as show some vignetting. This is more likely to occur with larger apertures, stopping down can counteract it to some extent. But it's not necessarily a bad thing... I've deliberately used my 50mm f/1.4 lens at large apertures with extensions at times, in order to make a somewhat dreamy looking image.

Non-macro lenses forced to focus closer than normal generally won't be as sharp edge-to-edge as a true macro lens. That's because macro lenses are often "flat field" designs using optical formula that optimize focus at very close distances, 6 or 8 inches in some cases. Non-macro lenses, on the other hand, are optimized for greater distances... usually 6 or 8 feet or more.

But, macro extension tubes can be very handy. I always have a few in my camera bag, just in case. Have done so for 25 or 30 years with every camera system I've used. If not being used for higher magnification work with a lens that's usually unable to do so, they're good to make a super telephoto focus a wee bit closer... or even to make a macro lens able to focus beyond it's usual 1:1. I've used extension tubes with everything from 20mm to 500mm lenses.

RobertW Loc: Breezy Point, New York

I have and have used quite frequently the MCOPlus lens extensions with the electronic interface and they seem to be doing fine so far

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

I have plastic extension tubes for over three years now, no problems what so ever and use them a lot.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

I do mostly close-up work in the field, and my most used setup the last 20 years has been a 52.5mm aluminum tube with a rotating tripod mount, with a 44.5- 68mm brass focusing tube and a 1300g lens on the front, with over 2300g worth of camera and flash on the rear. The bayonets are stainless. Thus far there is zero flex or slop. Try that with plastic tubes! I also have been using other tubes, some brass, some aluminum, for up to 60+ years which show no sign of wear. I believe plastic tubes are suitable only for light duty use, with lightweight cameras and lenses.

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

I have those old sets of tubes, 3 sets of them, have shot them for years, I stop using those trot line weights and went to plastic with no problems. it doesn't mater what your equipment weighs, it maters if it will support the lens. in witch it does, much easier and cleaner set-up, my tripod mount is no longer on the tubes it's on the lens except when I use a shorter lens, my flash is off camera with a trigger.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

You should have no problems. There are no optical problems with any of them, they are only tubes.
If you have a choice, get the ones that keep the electrical contacts with the lens, otherwise, it will be al manual.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

and I disagree I find the electronic contacts useless. On my tubes I always focus it my self. I get a much better pic this way, auto focus just doesnt seem to work that great for me. I tried it on my 810 and my 5200 , both times better with manual focus