Clueless..

[LazyPhotographer]

Canon 10D, 100-400 @ 400, 12mm Ext. ISO200, 1/100 @ f5.6

1D MkII, 500 f4.5, 1.4x TC, extension tube, 1/3200 sec, f/7.1, ISO320


I've seen the types of combinations listed above noted on some bird shots in another forum.

An extension tube on a big honking lens? Or on top of a TC? What the ...?

This must be new math or something, because I don't get it. Why wouldn't they just move backwards or take off the TC or not shoot at 400mm? Could someone explain this to me please?

Clueless..

[Tom W]

The teleconverter magnifies the image 1.4X, and the extension tube allows the user to focus at a closer distance than ordinarily would be allowed, resulting in an image that is closer to true macro than would be available without the tube.

[ssim]

I was under the impression (perhaps I am clueless about this too) that when you put extension tubes on that you cannot focus at infinity. If you are shooting birds wouldn't you want your lens to go to infinity??

[CyberDyneSystems]

Your right Ssim.. you can't focus at infinity.. but this does not stop the birders that are shooting small perching birds like Warblers etc from using them. When you have a blind or even just a nice perch near a feeder.. this is the way to grab the ultimate intimate close up f a tiny little finch etc...

So.. the 1/TC brings the bird closer,. and the extension tube allows you to actually move in closer physically.. (reduces minium focus distance)

Both increase total magnification.

The extension tube at the expense of infinity focus.. and forcing you to get closer rather than rely on the lens to do it for you.

[IanD]

Extension tubes are not recommended for capturing images of lions in the wild.:):):):):):)

[Ikinaa]

Extension tubes are not recommended for capturing images of lions in the wild.:):):):):):)

When you're inside the lion, you'd better have an extension tube because else you can't focus the other things floating around where you are :lol:

[PacAce]

Canon 10D, 100-400 @ 400, 12mm Ext. ISO200, 1/100 @ f5.6

1D MkII, 500 f4.5, 1.4x TC, extension tube, 1/3200 sec, f/7.1, ISO320


I've seen the types of combinations listed above noted on some bird shots in another forum.

An extension tube on a big honking lens? Or on top of a TC? What the ...?

This must be new math or something, because I don't get it. Why wouldn't they just move backwards or take off the TC or not shoot at 400mm? Could someone explain this to me please?

Clueless..
Scottes is our resident expert on this subject matter by virtue of the fact that, well, he just likes to putz around with stuff like that and then report his findings here in POTN. :mrgreen:

See his thread here if you haven't seen it yet. :)

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=28037&highlight=extension+tube

[LazyPhotographer]

OK, I think I kinda understand. Thanks everyone for the education.