Shorten focusing distance.

[aeroshots2003]

With the 300mm f/2.8 L I have 3 m as the closest focusing distance. Can I use the EF 12 or EF 25 extension tubes to shorten this distance? Anyone have an idea what the result would be if I combine my lens with one of the above?

Thanks,


Johan

[defordphoto]

Yes you can. What is the result? Closer closeups. Try a 500D if you want to venture into macro-land. I'm going to get a 500D for my 100-400 one of these days.

[Jim_T]

I'll second the 500D.. I use one on my EF 100-300 lens.

It lets you take high magnification shots from a distance. You can get a couple of feet away from a fly, yet fill the frame with the image.

Getting real closer is usually a pain. You wind up with the lens blocking the surrounding light.. Also, insects will usually get scared and fly/scurry away when you're right on top of them :)

The only downside is that the 500D is quite a bit more expensive than an extension tube..

I'd like to eventually get one for my 100-400L too..

[drisley]

Has anyone here ever used the cheaper "500" lens?

Also, is there any problem using the 500 or 500d on say, a 50mm lens?

I dont do alot of macro work, so a cheaper solution like the 500 would be nice to use from time-to-time.

[aeroshots2003]

Thanks for the info on the 500D.

However, I would like to have a solution that combines with most of my lenses. I found on the Canon site that the extension tubes EF 25 and EF 12 might do the trick. Anyone used these before? :wink:

If I buy a 500D for my 70-200 4.0, the close-up lens wouldn't fit on other lenses.

Coming back to my problem : I would like to be able to use the 300 2.8 at a shorter distance than 3 m. Any ideas? :idea:

Sorry for the hassle, but I think this is the only forum with the knowledge to help me out :D


Johan

[Scottes]

Try a set of extension tubes. A Kenko set will give you 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm for slightly more than the Canon 25mm.

You'll get shorter focus distances, but what distances are you trying to shoot at?

On my 100-400mm the 12mm let me still focus up to 60 or 70 feet away. But that did very very little for the bird I was trying to shoot about 20 feet away. With the 20mm on I could no longer focus on something 20 feet away - only from 1 or 2 feet out to maybe 15 feet.

With the same lensat 400mm, the 500d let me focus ridiculously close, about 14" from the front of the lens. But I could no longer focus on something 22" from the front of the lens. The 500D was severely limiting my range.

Come back in a while - I'll run some tests with tubes at 300mm and post the results.

[Scottes]

My 100-400 L IS set at 300mm. The numbers may be different for your lens, but it will give you an idea.

The statue's eye is 3/8" diameter. From the tip of the nose to the tip of the ear is 3"

All images at f/11, ISO 100.

Just the lens. This is at minimum focus distance, 67-1/2" from the sensor:
http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/tubes300.jpg

Added the 12mm tube. Minimum focus is 55" to sensor. Max focus is now limited to about 35 feet.
http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/tubes300_12mm.jpg

Changed to the 20mm tube. Minimum focus is 51-1/4" to sensor. Max focus is now limited to about 21 feet. And I forgot to convert this one to sRGB so the colors are off.
http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/tubes300_20mm.jpg

Changed to the 36mm tube. Minimum focus is 44-1/2" to sensor. Max focus is now limited to 11 feet.
http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/tubes300_36mm.jpg