Extension tube reccomendations

bobbyz wrote in post #15412903
Huum, when I had them they looked like plastic. The mount is metal of course.

Now that I am holding them in my hand I think you might be right. However they do have some mass to them. Also I did a quick google and found this from The-Digital-Picture.com

"The Canon 12mm and the Kenko 12mm extension tubes are identical in weight (2.2 oz) - it is unlikely the one is much stronger than the other as they both feature metal mounts."

After one of the mounts got a little loose, I removed the bayonet mount screws to put some LocTite on them on both my Kenko set and three Canon tubes(a 25mm and two 12mm, all the "Mark I" version) and... yep... all of them are metal. Mine are the older Kenko set, too. I've had them for at least 6 or 8 years. In fact, besides some cosmetic differences and a small piece of trim near the electronic contacts, I see very little difference between the Kenko and the Canon... thought maybe the Canon were being made for them, by Kenko.

vertigo235 wrote in post #15413294
I'm pretty sure the Kenkos I had were plastic with a metal mount, but maybe they are different now.

Honestly, when I had them I didn't think they were worth it since there is zero optics inside. But they were good (not sure how they could screw it up honestly).

I wouldn't be surprised that the cheap Meike and Kenko are identical - the Kenko description describes mine as well. Meike are made of very thick and sturdy plastic, with metal mounts, and are in fact very heavy. There is no way they can bend

You can get a Kenko set used for a lot less than new. I bought a set on here or FM that looks brand new for about half the new price.

Here are some that are made in Japan for about $120 that have metal mounts.

http://www.ebay.ca …rs_ET&hash=item​5aec947b97

I really, really like the Canon extension tubes, I've been using them regularly since 2007 and always carry at least a 12mm one with me. I use them primarily behind the 24-70, I photograph a lot of flowers and like to be close and kind of wide but notice I do a lot in the 50mm range. I've used them with the 5D classic and IDMKIII. Quite frankly I prefer manual focus while using the depth of field preview to move my focus to where it is visually the nicest. I've got 2-12mm and 1- 25mm but I shoot mostly close ups rather than actually macro shots. I've used them with the 24-70, 70-200 2.8, 24-105, 100-400, 85 1.2, 135L, 200L 2.8 and always had great results. Re, auto focus, when I use it, I've never noticed the speed so I guess it isn't an issue. Most of the time I like to be stopped down to at least a 5.6 unless using the 85 1.2 which is really cool to use on flowers wide open.

Jannie wrote in post #15414078
I really, really like the Canon extension tubes, I've been using them regularly since 2007 and always carry at least a 12mm one with me. I use them primarily behind the 24-70, I photograph a lot of flowers and like to be close and kind of wide but notice I do a lot in the 50mm range. I've used them with the 5D classic and IDMKIII. Quite frankly I prefer manual focus while using the depth of field preview to move my focus to where it is visually the nicest. I've got 2-12mm and 1- 25mm but I shoot mostly close ups rather than actually macro shots. I've used them with the 24-70, 70-200 2.8, 24-105, 100-400, 85 1.2, 135L, 200L 2.8 and always had great results. Re, auto focus, when I use it, I've never noticed the speed so I guess it isn't an issue. Most of the time I like to be stopped down to at least a 5.6 unless using the 85 1.2 which is really cool to use on flowers wide open.

Lets be honest here, since you prefer MF, what you really like is extension tubes, not the Canon extension tubes. All they do is effectively move your lens a little bit further away from the sensor.

You can get lightly used Kenko's, here on POTN and on Craigslist for $100. I have Kenko's and they seem very well made. I have heard that some of the non Kenko's leak light, and the mounts are either too loose or too tight. -rick

Well, I plumped for the Polaroid extension tubes and have to say I am very happy with them. I took a photo of them with my 50mm f/1.5 and a little lightbox I made over the weekend for you all to see.