Canon EF25 and 100mm Macro lens Question

[Sendide]

Hi dear friends,
can someone help me about this:
how can I get a magnification higher than 1:1 with a canon 100mm Macro USM?
what would the extension tube Canon EF 25 give in assocaitation with this lens? if the magnification is increased, will the distance to the subject change?
(Canon 10D and aoomm Macro USM)
thanks in advance for your help
regards
Khalid

[Scottes]

Extension tubes allow you to focus closer and "increase" the length of the lens. They will allow you to get greater then 1:1, but you will need to move the lens closer.

Diopters (aka Close-up Filters) are like magnifying glasses which screw onto the end of the lens like a filter. They will magnify and also allow you to focus closer. They will allow you to get greater than 1:1.

There are cheap, single-element diopters, and good two-element diopters like the Canon 250D and 500D. The two-element ones are much better and much more expensive than the cheaper ones. But for a lot less money you can get a set of cheap diopters, allowing you different magnifications.

Diopters magnify more than extension tubes, but at the cost of having an extra piece of glass in front of the lens, thus possibly causing aberations and distortions. Tubes lose some light, but there are no optics inside - they're hollow - so you don't lose quality.

Cheap diopters shouldn't even be considered on a quality lens like the Canon Macro.

I'd recommend a set of Kenko tubes. 3 tubes in 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm for slightly more than the cost of the single Canon 25mm one. You'll have more variances - anywhere from 12mm to 68mm depending on how you stack them. You won't see a difference in the quality compared to the Canon - the Canon is much better made but it doesn't make much difference with tubes. And the Kenko ones are well-made, just not as good as the Canon.

Tubes vs Diopters is a matter of opinion. Tubes give better quality, and more versatility as you can use them with ANY lens, allowing you to add magnification to long telelphotos, too. Diopters don't lose light and give more magnification - important if you're chasing bugs or even flowers.

[Sendide]

thanks scottes,
very interesting settings, I'm gonna go through your suggestions in detail and make a decision.
regards
Khalid

[tdaugharty]

Just purchased the EF-25 Tube and have used it with the 100mm Macro 1:1. Sweet! is all I can say for it. I'm loving how close the macro world comes in now.

[photo kid]

Any chance of seeing some photos of the Canon EF Macro 100mm USM f/2.8 with the Canon Extension Tube EF25 II or the Kenko Extension Tube Set DG? I have the 100mm macro and am considering my options just like the O.P. but I think seeing the photo results will only decide my option in this case.

[Saint728]

I use the Canon 12mm and 25mm extension tubes on my 100mm f/2.8 Macro and they do get a little closer and a little better then 1:1, but the only real way to get really close is to buy a Canon Macro Photo MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Manual Focus Lens for EOS. It lets you change from 1X magnification to 5X. With this lens you can get extremely close and magnified shots. Really I wouldn't waste my time with extension tubes. Use that money on a better lens. Those two extension tubes cost $225.00 plus shipping.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

[photo kid]

Thanks Patrick, thats good advice mate. I reckon your right, common sense told me exactly what you said, but its nice hearing it from another to help decide. I think I will save my money and wisely buy the MP-E 65mm f/2.8 when I got the cash. As for now I think the 100mm will be used to master my 1:1 macro before I head onto other magnifications.

Cheers and beers,
Rob

[Mike Bell]

There are much cheaper extension tubes than the the Canon ones - Kenko in the US and Jessops in the UK do a set of three for about £60.