Extension tube for 100-400mm L??

[dickhub]

The 100-400 L lense minimum focus distance is 1.8 meters. Will a extension tube work on this lense, or for that matter any zoom lense, to shorten the minimum focus distance??
I am a new member and learning my way around this wonderful digital world..
Thanks for your help

[Scottes]

Yep, they work like champs. I don't go anywhere without my tubes.

Tubes will let any lens focus closer, at a cost of loss of light and the inability to focus at infinity. In fact the max focus distance gets quite short.

I did some testing using tubes on my 100-400 - here's a good thread for info and example pictures: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=28037&highlight=tubes

[PacAce]

Scott, I would imagine that you would lose the AF capability on the 100-400 with these extension tubes just like you would using the TCs, is that right?

And do you know if there's an advantage to getting the mark II versions of the extension tubes vs the original? Since these are just hollow tubes (no optics) I can't imagine why there would be a difference but I ask because the mkII versions cost several tens of $$ more.

[Scottes]

Actually I was amazed but even with the 36mm on the lens will AF - and it does a fine job as long as you aren't at either extreme of distance. That is:

With the 36mm tube. Minimum focus is 44-1/2" to sensor. Max focus is now limited to 11 feet.

As long you're between 5 and 10 feet of the subject it will still AF. Or thereabouts. But near that minimum focus distance it seem to want to hunt a bit, and near the max focus distance the same.

And I have a set of Kenko tubes - 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm - all for slightly more than the cost of Canon's 25mm. It didn't make much sense to me to get the Canon ones - I didn't want to spend $210 for 2 when I could spend $130 on 3, and there didn't seem to be any reason to get the Canon ones. The Kenkos haven't failed me in any way and I do use them quite a bit.

[PacAce]

Thanks, Scott. I guess Kenkos does make sense considering we're not really talking about optics or anything else that can degrade the images (unless Canon has a way of creating a vacuum within the tube so that atmospheric distortion does not come into play. :lol: :mrgreen: ).

[dickhub]

:D Thanks Scott ,your info was very useful. Tried to order a set from of Kenko tubes from B&H and then Adorama. Both out of stock... Guess I can be patient. Leaving AZ for MN end of next week with a stop at White Sands, NM and I can imagine only using my wide angles of landscapes...

[Mark Kemp]

If you manage to take a landscape using a 100-400 with tubes I will be impressed :lol:

[chris maddock]

If you manage to take a landscape using a 100-400 with tubes I will be impressed :lol:

You and me both ;-)

[Scottes]

If you manage to take a landscape using a 100-400 with tubes I will be impressed :lol:

It can be done: sunset over an anthill, bonsai trees.... :)