best extension tube for birds?

[Tom Reichner]

From time to time a subject will get so close that I can't photograph it, as it approaches closer than the minimum focusing distance of my lens.

I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations as to the best extension tube for use with the big 400 2.8 IS. I'm really interested in knowing what the best tube is, and am not interested in getting something that is "almost as good as ______" just to save a few bucks.

I'd especially appreciate hearing from anyone with experience using a tube on a big, heavy lens. This is much different than slipping it on a realtively small, light 100-400, or a 400 5.6. Many pounds of lens will have to be supported by this tube, and I don't want to trust the lens' welfare to just any tube. If a tube fails and, as a result, my lens drops, I would not be in a position to repair or replace the lens.

I need something as tough as nails! What should I get?

[artyman]

Surely you are supporting the lens body with either your hand or a tripod collar, a small extension tube attached to the camera mount is just a connection not a support tool, and should have no problem supporting the camera hanging off the back.

[JimTx]

I use the Kinko tubes ... and have had no trouble supporting the Sigma 150-500mm lens. So far ... I have handheld all of the shots I have taken with this setup ...

I like the 12 and the 20mm results with this lens. If the birds are fairly close I will use the 20mm and get full frame with a Humming Bird .. if they are farther away I will use the 12mm and get good crops.

I don't know if if will work the same with all 12s but I can focus out to infinity with the tube and the lens set to 500 mm. This enlarges what I would normally get with the 500mm and does give me a much better crop. There is a dead spot with out of focus results ... if you try to zoom down to less than 500mm. But... I am going for a full frame on birds so almost always leave it on 500mm.

[stargazer77517]

Same here, just yesterday with my 150-500.

I use the Kinko tubes ... and have had no trouble supporting the Sigma 150-500mm lens. So far ... I have handheld all of the shots I have taken with this setup ...

I like the 12 and the 20mm results with this lens. If the birds are fairly close I will use the 20mm and get full frame with a Humming Bird .. if they are farther away I will use the 12mm and get good crops.

I don't know if if will work the same with all 12s but I can focus out to infinity with the tube and the lens set to 500 mm. This enlarges what I would normally get with the 500mm and does give me a much better crop. There is a dead spot with out of focus results ... if you try to zoom down to less than 500mm. But... I am going for a full frame on birds so almost always leave it on 500mm.

[artyman]

That's interesting that you can still get infinity focus with a 12mm tube on the Sigma 150-500, how would that relate to an extender factor anything like 1.4?

[John_B]

Tom Reichner,
The Kenko are better for price and have them a few times with my 100-400L, but for the 400 2.8 IS if $$$ is no object it just might be better to get the Canon 12 or 25mm tube.. as it might be a bit stronger. :)

I don't know if if will work the same with all 12s but I can focus out to infinity with the tube and the lens set to 500 mm. JimTx,
Yes you can focus on the infinity symbol on your lens however you might find that at 500mm your infinity is about 21m with just the 12mm ;)

[JimTx]

Not sure about the actual distance but am thinking it is over 60'. However ... most of the birds that I "try" and shoot are usually closer than that so it is still a winning setup.

I would like the 800mm lens .... really would ... but I am still in love with my wife and would hate to think of her as a Widow and spending time in jail for my murder! :lol:

[Hawkman]

The kenko tube set is a bargain for the possibilities they open up. I hang a 1D series camera and 500/4 off of them with no difficulties. As mentioned - the lens weight should not matter - you either have it on a tripod in which case it is the body weight - or are supporting it in some other way. I use the full stacked 68mm with this equipment and there is plenty of focus range for close ups. Since the 400/2.8 and 500/4 have the same maximum magnification, you should be able to get even more magnification thatn with the 500 since the focal length is a bit shorter. Here are a couple, not too extreme though (could have gotten closer).

http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/image/93631020/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/image/84782064/original.jpg

[canonloader]

I have used the Kenko tubes for three years now, on everything from the 100-400, the Bigma and the little Sigma 105 Macro lens they were made for and on the 30D, 40D and 1D bodies. Kenko tubes are plastic bodies with metal mounting rings. They are looser than a lens mount, but do not leak light but the actual tube part is plastic. I can't imagine your swinging that heavy lens around by holding the camera body, as the body end lens mount is probably no more sturdily attached than the ring mount on a Kenko tube. If your holding the tripod mount, then they are safe to use.

[BradM]

I have used the Kenko tubes on lenses like the Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 or the 500 and 600mm Canon f/4's and never had an issue. These lenses were all tripod mounted and supported by a gimbal, though a few handheld shots were taken as well.

I have never had a concern that the tubes or tubes mounted would result in the body levering itself off the body. Like Mitch mentioned the Kenko's seem to have a looser fit than the Canon tubes which I have also used. However I never felt that the Canon tubes were any stronger.

What I did find was that the Canon tubes with only the 12 or 25mm tubes had less ability to fit into the situations I wanted to shoot from with the particular lens I was using.

The more variablity in the tube combinations the more often you can find a tube or combination that will work in being to bring the MFD down to where you need it and a still have enough range to capture the subjects at a distance you might normally be shooting them from.

I'm like you Tom I would rather have the best gear for the task than the almost good enough to save a few bucks but with the extension tubes I haven't found that Canon's offer anything that the Kenko can't do as well, in fact with fewer options and cosiderably more money Canon's perform at at a lesser level IMO.

[BOUNCINGNRG]

The kenko tube set is a bargain for the possibilities they open up. I hang a 1D series camera and 500/4 off of them with no difficulties. As mentioned - the lens weight should not matter - you either have it on a tripod in which case it is the body weight - or are supporting it in some other way. I use the full stacked 68mm with this equipment and there is plenty of focus range for close ups. Since the 400/2.8 and 500/4 have the same maximum magnification, you should be able to get even more magnification thatn with the 500 since the focal length is a bit shorter. Here are a couple, not too extreme though (could have gotten closer).

http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/image/93631020/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/image/84782064/original.jpg
Hawkman,

These are a couple of cracking shots, outo intrest how far were your from them and have you cropped much?

Cheers
Mark

[ofafeather]

Anyone have experience with the Promaster tubes? Wondering who actually makes them. Looking for a set for my Bigmos.

[Crimzon]

Extension tubes are just air. Just make sure you get ones with connections. If you don't care about looks, but rather just function. Then, I have had great success with this seller and the tubes they offer http://myworld.ebay.ca/foto-tip

If it were lenses or extenders, then you should worry about quality. But since they are just providing distance and a connection. All yo uhave to worry about is price in my opinion. Why pay $250 for plastic and 10¢ worth of nickel plated wiring?

It ships from Poland so it may take a while, unless you want to pay a lot for shipping, ( theres a reason your buying budget so why bother paying for large shipping costs?) so just be patient. IMO they are worth it. I have had no problems with them and have used them with success.