IQ Zero wrote in post #12224231
Ok here is a newb question:
Is there a difference between a Teleconverter and an Extension Tube?
And if so what is it?
Simply put, a teleconverter optically (with glass) magnifies the image from a lens without changing the minimum focusing distance. It allows you to "bring" objects that are further away closer. You can focus from the minimum focusing distance to infiniti with it. An extension tube does not use glass, and changes the minimum focusing distnce of the lens so you can get very close to an object and make it appear very large on a sensor. The tradeoff is that you get shallow depth of field and cannot focus to infiniti.
If you want far away objects to be bigger, get a teleconverter. 1.4X costs you a little image degradation and a stop of light. 2X costs 2stops and even more degradation of the image. If you want to take close ups of bugs (like macroshooter!) get the extension tube. If you want a really cheap and good macro combo, get an old FD 50 or 100 macro lens with an FD "life size," "25" or "50" tube and an FD/EOS conversion ring. Or you can get an old set of FD bellows, which are the accordion style stretching tubes (many different companies actually made them for Canon). Focusing to infiniti doesn't even matter (the main reason people don't use FD lenses on EOS bodies), and you'll probably want the manual focus ring anyway.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bow lines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. -Mark Twain.
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