300f4 + Extension tubes (macro)

[woollyback]

Folks,

I have a 300 f4 IS lens coming and want to have a go at semi macro.

Does anyone shoot with the 300 plus extension tubes?, that can offer me a bit of advice.

I am looking mainly at butterflies and plants - would this combination be much good to try macro without a dedicated macro lens

Thanks for any advice anyone can offer.

Best regards

Rob

[LordV]

A set of extension tubes will get you a bit closer with a 300mm lens but I suspect you may be better off getting a canon 500D add on dioptre filter with a lens that length.
Brian V.

[woollyback]

Brian,

Many thanks for the reply - I will lookinto your suggestion.

Best regards

Rob

[khukri]

Hullo Rob!

I am an amaeteur. I mostly shoot in the upper Himalayas between 12000 and 22000 ft. Tripods are a no-no for me as I shoot mostly frisky butterflies and wild flowers on streep awkward slopes. I use the 300/f4 IS for, as you say, 'semi macro'. I can send you some pictures if you send me your email. (I really am not too clued up on how to upload pictures here.)

I use a 12mm extention tube. It gets me close as 1 to 1.2m; with a 300mm that is good enough magnification to shoot a butterfly'sized object (2.5" wing span) to include some immediate environment. I shoot hand held with IS on and I find the results are acceptable in terms of image quality and sharpness 60% of the time. 40% I attribute to human error (camera shake) as I am now growing old. I sometimes feel a 20mm tube will also be useful to get closer, although I do not have one.

Another option I am considering is a 70-200/f4 IS with a 20mm extention tube. It is lighter and hence less tiring to lug around. Magnification and IQ should be similar. Plus with its zoom, it will prove easier to compose without moving too much.

A dedicated macro 100mm will ofcourse get you closer and give you quality results but most of the time (if you wish to equate the magnification of the 300mm) you will have to come in so close to the butterfly that it may take off. A 150/180mm sans IS and tripod is a no-no. (I wonder when Canon/Sigma willl wake up and give us a 150mm IS macro lens!!)

A supplementary lens (dioptre) brings you closer, blurs background better; but it gets you too close for live subjects, I feel.... One risks spooking them with a 77mm dia white blunderbuss! For static subjects or basking 'tortoises' it is OK!

Hope this helps. The very best!

[woollyback]

khukri,

Thanks for the reply.

Great to see you have used it for what I would want to do (not the 22000ft part though).

Best regards

Rob