need recommendation for a TC

[airdima]

Hey guys, new here :)

Got a canon 100mm macro lens and i'm looking for a TC to get me beyond 1:1 (already ordered a set of kenko tubes). any specific recommendations for that specific lens?

also in the future i'm thinking of buying a sigma 150mm, would be nice if the recommended TC would give good results with both

thanks in advance :)
Dima

[rrdjserv@earthlink.net]

I've always heard that you are suppose to stick with the same lens manufacturer for the TC. However, Canon has the protrusions on their TC's which can cause incapatibility on many nonCanon lens. Always try before you buy. --Rick

[Greg_C]

Another thought out of left field is the Canon Life Size Converter (LSC). It was made specifically for the Canon 50mm Macro to enable it to achieve 1:1, however it does fit onto other lenses ie your 100mm macro. It works like a teleconverter and tubes combined.

One big problems with this is that as a teleconverter for use on other lenses it's not a lot of good as you will loose infinity focus. I use one every now and then on my Canon 180 Macro with good results. The 180 won't Auto Focus with it on, or at least not very well as it hunts badly.

Some samples of the 180 and the LSC


No.1
http://www.steadyhands.net/photogallery/albums/temp/2008/image36080.jpg

No.2
http://www.steadyhands.net/photogallery/albums/temp/2008/image36642.jpg

No.3
http://www.steadyhands.net/photogallery/albums/temp/2008/image37961.jpg

[airdima]

thanks for the replies so far :) i heard that kenko TCs are decent, any1 with a personal experience that can compare to original canon TCs?

greg i run a small search on that LCS and from some of the reviews i've read it looks like i will need something more powerful and versatile. LSC seems like a x1.4 coupled with a 17mm tube. i want something more powerful :)

[troypiggo]

I'd recommend the Kenko/Jessops tubes set over a TC.

[airdima]

troypiggo: the tubes set is on it's way, but a full set of tubes won't even give me 2:1, i was looking for something to help me get even bigger magnification without getting the mpe 65 ;)

lens stacking also came to my mind but it's impossible to find a stacking ring in Israel, gotta order from B&H or smth and their mail fees are killing me :(. so in the future i'll add a reversed 50mm on top, but meanwhile i'm looking for something i can get nearby and the TCs seemed the way to go...

[troypiggo]

A full set of tubes (68mm) on a 100mm lens will give you just over 2:1. ;)

[John_B]

airdima,
Like troypiggo said, you will get 2:1 with a full set of Kenko extension tubes. You need a 2xTC to get the same magnification but get a reduction in sharpness. Check out Macro Variations (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=578274) which show the magnification levels of different lens, extension tubes and TC's

edit: I just saw that you commented on the Macro Variations already :)

[airdima]

thanks guys. the tubes set arrived today and from a brief check it seems that you were right :) before that i thought that the extention tubes will give you an estimated magnification equal to the FL of the tube (like a 20mm tube will give me an additional x0.2 on a 100mm lens). and this thread was opened before i saw the macro variations thread :)

thanks again, i'm gonna go play with my tubes now...

[gasrocks]

Do not use the Canon life size converter. It has glass in it and really was only designed for use on one lens. Use ext. tubes before you add a TC. If you do want to use a TC get a Tamron SP 1.4x - I have 2 of those. Good quality, similar to Canon's TCs, fair price, can be stacked together and it works on any lens.