extension tubes vs teleconverters?

what is the difference between the two?

i was looking at getting a macro lens but i've seen people adding tubes to achieve macro shots, especially on the 50mm 1.8. do teleconverters achieve the same effect?

If macro is what you're going for then extension tubes will allow you to get closer. The 50 1.8 is a good choice for using them. The drawback is you cannot focus to infinity with extension tubes. If you want to shoot live subjects (insects etc) a good macro lens is better because they take off if you get too close.

No, a teleconverter and macro extension tube are completely different. If you do a search you will find posts that have some really great answers to your questions.

Extension tubes let you get closer, T-Cons decrease your field of view, i.e. increase your focal length. No IQ hit with tubes, but there is a hit with T-Cons. For macro, tubes are what you want.

Having said that, T-Cons don't affect minimum focusing distance so they do increase your macro capabilities, some people use both simultaneously.

When you focus, the optics will typically move farther from the sensor/film plane on a typical lens as you focus closer. Extension tube simply allows them to move even farther, so you can focus even closer. No optics in an extension tube. You lose infinity focus while an extension tube is in place.

Teleconvertor has optics so that the FL of the lens is essentially multiplied to become even longer FL. You do not lose infinity focus, and you cannot focus any closer...the image is merely enlarged/magnified.

with tubes you can focus on very short distance "move closer to your subject".


If you can not get close than you have to use TC

With TC you can step back but you lose a bit on quality and you need more light compared to tubes.

thanks, looks like tubes are what im looking for. im looking to shoot my fish better

HiImSean wrote in post #4912102
thanks, looks like tubes are what im looking for. im looking to shoot my fish better

Get a proper macro lens - tubes are hard to use and you will find that following a fish round your tank with them an excercise in frustration - seriously

The biggest problems with tubes is that the view finder gets really dark, AF is slow or absent ( tho most macro shooters MF anyway) and you have to0 fine tune focus by moving back and forth. Bear in mind reflectioins off the glass, and I think you are going to have a bad time with this. A circular polariser helps with reflections and boosts colours, but makes the view finder even darker!

You might want to re post this question in the macro secction, and ask specific advice on shooting aquarium fish there.

HiImSean,
I always recommend a true macro lens over using extension tubes for ease and convenience. A Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro will give you more working room between your lens and subject then a 50mm with extension tubes will. Which will come in very handy for fish in a tank, unless you have them trained to pose

steved110,
According to the moderator CyberDyneSystems the macro forum is in the 'Photo Sharing' section and are for images only.
Reminder Share Forums are for Images <-- click to see

i have also been contemplating trading my 70-200 b/c for the 100mm macro since i dont use it as much as i thought i would