getting better macro

[atmianzo]

ok ive been looking for macro equiment that will magnify my macro photos with my 100mm macro lens. i only have a buget of about $50 (yeah i know) and all i found was cheap extension tubes W/O conectors, reversing ring, or bellows... none of them have connectors so i know that. whitch one.

[alann]

I know it is a little more but, you can save a little longer and get these: http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=203395983&listingid=11171938&dcaid=17902
That is what I use on my 450 and 100 macro lens. It not only lets me use autofoucus for long range but will communicate with the lens during macro for ETTL etc. To 90 bucks your results are the same as you get with the expensive Kenko tubes.

[LordV]

Agree with Alan get some auto ext tubes like the pro-optics
brian V.

[clancyman]

So, is there really no difference between the Kenko and Pro Optics tubes? This was right on time for me as I was about to buy some Kenko's but would save a considerable amount buying the Pro Optics.

[alann]

You are correct. There is no difference in performance. Some say the kenko's are more durable but, I have been using the Pro Optics for over a year and have had no problems what so ever. I am glad I chose them over the Kenko's.

[clancyman]

That is great news! I think I might order some tomorrow.

[clancyman]

Hmmmmmmm......just looked up some reviews and a couple say to get the Kenko tubes because the others have a plastic mount on the lens side that seems to be flimsy. Also, there seems to be some problem with communication between the camera and the lens when using the prooptic tubes (specifically aperature). Anyone know anything about these issues? Do the Kenko tubes have a plastic mount as well?

[alann]

As stated I have had ZERO problems with my ProOptics. Remember that many say the kit lenses are "flimsy" because of the plastic mount. I have not broken one of those either. The lens and camera have never had a communication problem using the Pro Optics. Hope this helps. Oh, LordV is known as one of, if not, the best Macro photographer on this forum. You can trust his judgment.

[LordV]

Hmmmmmmm......just looked up some reviews and a couple say to get the Kenko tubes because the others have a plastic mount on the lens side that seems to be flimsy. Also, there seems to be some problem with communication between the camera and the lens when using the prooptic tubes (specifically aperature). Anyone know anything about these issues? Do the Kenko tubes have a plastic mount as well?

The pro-optics do have a plastic mount where the Kenkos have a metal one but none of the users I've heard have had problems with this. You can get contact problems sometimes with any ext tube set - normally solved by re connecting them all.

Brian V.

[clancyman]

Thanks for the reassurance. Just wanted to see what your response to those claims would be and I think you voiced what I was thinking. I did not see where anyone had claimed they had broken one just that they were nervous about having a heavy lens on it. They had also mentioned that the contacts were more apt to not communicate than the Kenkos (something about them not being gold plated..which I really didn't think would be much of a problem.) Anyway, when I get whichever set I get I will post some photos.

Bryan