Kenko Extension Tubes

Someday I'd like to own the 100mm 2.8L but until then I'm considering some Kenko extension tubes.

Just how close can I get with a 50mm 1.4 or a 15-85mm? And what kind of results can I expect compared to a "true" 1:1 Macro lens?

I want to mess around with Macro right now but don't want to break the bank just yet until I'm certain I'd enjoy it.

My mom wants to buy me a gift for xmas but I just ordered everything I needed yesterday so I thought this might be fun to ask for.

The tubes will allow you to get very, very close with the 50. Even if you get the 100 macro you will probably still want them because you can use the tubes to get even greater magnification.

Get the Kenko tube set... Just be sure it's the "DG" version, so it will work on both your EF and EF-S lenses.

With the longest (36mm) or a couple of the tubes you can get to around 1:1 with your 50mm. That particular lens tends to be soft around the edges and vignette with macro tubes, but it helps to stop down a bit (which you might need to do anyway)... Unless you want it to get soft in the corners and vignette. I did for the following image, wanted very limited sharpness and shallow depth of field, so deliberately used the 50mm with an extension tube and a fairly big aperture for the following shot:

Go for it. I bought the Fotodix tubes from Amazon, they are currently $6.95 plus shipping. For $11.00 total you can't loose anything. $11.00 is the cost of 2 combos at Mickey D's.

I've taken pictures of a Christmas Cactus in bloom with the 50mm 1.8 and the pictures are very good as well as other blooming flowers. Just make sure you have a tripod, that is one of the must haves if you are going to get into Macro.

I was also thinking of buying the extension tubes but for the money spent, probably 100-140$, I thought why not just plunge and get the 100mm f2.8 non-L lens which we can get from canon direct refurbished for 408$. umm. Extra 250 bucks but don't u think it is worth saving for and buying that? Thanks.

If you have $$ burning a hole in your pocket go for it. I would try the cheapest route to get technique down, then splurge on the L glass. You may find another L lens for other uses like a wide angle lens for landscapes. You can only shoot a few things in Macro, but using a good wide angle or L telephoto can save you some $$$.

But if you have more of a disposable income, go for it, you'll enjoy Macro.

thallikar wrote in post #13533753
I was also thinking of buying the extension tubes but for the money spent, probably 100-140$, I thought why not just plunge and get the 100mm f2.8 non-L lens which we can get from canon direct refurbished for 408$.

Because the 100mm macro (either one) is an excellent lens, but it's only a 100mm lens and it only goes to 1:1 magnification. With the tubes you can use the 50mm or any other lens as a macro lens. With the tubes you can shorten the minimum focus distance of longer telephoto lenses, even though you are not going into real macro territory. And with the tubes you can get the 100mm macro up to 2:1 magnification, double life size.

And then there is the fact that the OP is not saving up for anything, he's giving a list to somebody who wants to buy him a gift for Christmas.

I got these as a nice surprise for my Christmas last year - I love them. Only really used them with my 50mm 1.8 and I mainly use the 25mm tube. Always been pleased with the results.

be careful when you use these Kenko DG extension tubes, I have them and last time I put them on it took a chunk of weather/dust sealing off of the rear of my 24-105L, the rubber sealing got caught in between when I tighten the lens down.

I got the Kenkos with electronic connections so autofocus still works. Handy for when I'm holding a flash in one hand and focusing with the camera in the other hand. The set comes with 3 different sizes and will allow you to get very close. Use the tubes on a kit 18-55 and you'll find a new apprecation for the lens because of how lightweight it is.
I used to really want the 100macro but the tubes satisfy me more than enough for now.

krb wrote in post #13533815
Because the 100mm macro (either one) is an excellent lens, but it's only a 100mm lens and it only goes to 1:1 magnification. With the tubes you can use the 50mm or any other lens as a macro lens. With the tubes you can shorten the minimum focus distance of longer telephoto lenses, even though you are not going into real macro territory. And with the tubes you can get the 100mm macro up to 2:1 magnification, double life size..

Ah, yes. Thanks for the info.

...and a 100mm macro lens has quite short working distance so trying to shoot bugs can be a problem therefore a combination of a long telephoto lens and extension tube may work better.

Don't waste your money on the Fotodiox, Zykkor and some other tube sets that sell for between $8 and $50. They are "dumb" tubes that don't have the electronic contacts allowing your camera and lens to auto focus or - worse - for you to change the aperture easily. There's a work-around, but it's a real pain in the arse just to change the aperture. Alternatively, you're stuck with shooting wide open all the time.

Like most things in life, you get what you pay for with macro tubes. Go really cheap and you'll get really cheap. Spend a little more and you'll get something that's much more fully functional.

At the cheapest, look at the Zeikos tube set, which does have the electronic contacts and usually sells for around $100 US. These also sell under the Pro Optic, Vivitar, Cowboystudio, and some other brand names (and sometimes are ridiculously overpriced). They considerably are more plasticky than the Kenko, but will still allow full function of your lens.

The Kenko appear to be virtually same as the Canon macro tubes. Kenko even sells individual tubes in 12mm and 25mm, same as Canon. But the Kenko tube set of three is probably the best value. It includes 10mm, 20mm and 36mm for about $180. Canon doesn't sell a set of three... they only offer the two sizes, sold individually.

Again, be careful whatever you get will work with both EF and EF-S lenses. The Kenko DG will. Canon "Mark II" will. Some of the later Zeikos will, too.