Very dark viewfinder (7D)

So, I'm getting into macro and whenever I have my extension tubes with my 50mm lens, my viewfinder is always so dark even in broad daylight that I can barely ever get a shot worthy of keeping, let alone getting in focus at all. One of my best friends, who shoots Nikon was taking pictures with me the other day, and with the same lens / extension tube setup, his viewfinder was broad as daylight. Does anyone know why?! I'm getting very discouraged.

Does your images look the same as they do when you look through the viewfinder?

Maybe the aperture wont work with your extension tube...

Another question: is it a real extension tube or is it a reverse ring?

davidfarina wrote in post #15959228
Does your images look the same as they do when you look through the viewfinder?

Maybe the aperture wont work with your extension tube...

Another question: is it a real extension tube or is it a reverse ring?

The images tend to look the same, but it's hard to tell when the viewfinder is so dark.
The aperture doesn't work when the extension tubes are on, but I change it using the DOF preview button. They are real extension tubes. I also have a reverse ring, and it does the same thing.

You can't be using the same extension tube/lens setup on both a Canon and Nikon. Show us the equipment you are talking about or give us specifics.

John from PA wrote in post #15959234
You can't be using the same extension tube/lens setup on both a Canon and Nikon. Show us the equipment you are talking about or give us specifics.

We are both using the 50mm 1.8

http://www.ebay.com …Tubes&hash=item​5d3f0a00a6

I use those, he uses the exact equivalent but for Nikon

Are you stopping down your lens before putting them on your ext tubes? If you have your aperture at f8 and your buddy has not you will be darker. Canon cameras (and I am sure nikon also) leave the aperture open for metering and stop down when the shutter is pressed. I assume you are pressing the dof button, then removing your lens and taking it off and putting it on with the tubes. This will always make the viewfider darker as you now are letting very little light in to visualise your shot. Try not stopping your lens down before the tubes to see what I mean. Is your friend doing the same actions as you?

jaomul wrote in post #15959252
Are you stopping down your lens before putting them on your ext tubes? If you have your aperture at f8 and your buddy has not you will be darker. Canon cameras (and I am sure nikon also) leave the aperture open for metering and stop down when the shutter is pressed. I assume you are pressing the dof button, then removing your lens and taking it off and putting it on with the tubes. This will always make the viewfider darker as you now are letting very little light in to visualise your shot. Try not stopping your lens down before the tubes to see what I mean. Is your friend doing the same actions as you?

This makes alot more sense to me.. Another dumb realization I should've noticed before, lol. So basically I need to invest in better extension tubes, or a dedicated macro lens. Thanks!

Megapixel123 wrote in post #15959262
This makes alot more sense to me.. Another dumb realization I should've noticed before, lol. So basically I need to invest in better extension tubes, or a dedicated macro lens. Thanks!

To be honest, the non electrical extension tubes are difficult to use and for me at least, take the fun out of taking the photos. The electrical ones (sometimes labelled as autofocus capable) are much better. You will still likely use manual focus for most items but at leat you can select an aperture that gives you your desired dof and still see through your viewfinder. If you decide to move on then to a dedicated macro lens the extension tubes can also be used with the lens to give magnifications greater than 1:1. Kenko make well reviewed sets of these. Take care