Posted by Michael Wade on September 19, 2006 at 2:45 PM
I have always had pretty good luck getting close up shots with my lens collection on my Nikon cameras. I find myself more and more lately trying to get closer than my lens will allow and think some extension tubes might be in order. I'll admit I have very little knowledge about these tubes so can anyone help? Is one brand better? Is there anything special I should know before I buy? If you have any comments I would appreciate a response.
Posted by Guy Tal on September 19, 2006 at 3:03 PM
They really are just hollow tubes so different brands will not give you better or worse image quality. The main difference is whether or not a given brand has the electrical contacts to allow for AF and metering. I think Kenko tubes will do that on Nikon cameras but I may be mistaken.
I've heard the same thing Guy, but don't actually own the Kenko's. I've got an ancient set of Nikon tubes and for my uses have never needed the additional feature of the Kenko's. If I were buying today, I would go straight to Kenko.
Extension tubes will let you focus closer with a lens Michael, but with two losses. You lose light and have to resort to more open apertures or slower shutter speeds, and you lose your distant focusing capabilities. It's not a problem to remove the tubes when you switch from close to far shots, but you do have to remember to do it even if the action is hot.
I experimented with storage and carry means for my tubes, finding that it was awfully easy to lose them in the grass or leave them at home. I finally settled on leaving the set stacked together and attached to my macro lens. That way I always have them with me, and since I seldom use the macro for anything but close work, they're not in the way like they would be stored on any other lens. Fine tuning, but every little bit helps when you use your gear a lot.
Yes, I have a set of Kenko tubes that works fine with my Nikon equipment. Just make sure that you specify Nikon compatibility as they make tubes for other brands also.
The PN-11 is a beautiful thing - an extension tube with a tripod collar. Anything with a tripod collar on it is a beautiful thing.
Pete D.
Posted by Colin Smale on September 20, 2006 at 2:51 AM
I have used extension tubes for close-up/insect photography for 40+ years and never owned a 'macro lens'.
I don't think I have ever used them without flash as I always stop down to maximum, f22-f32. In ambient light the shutter speed would be glacial of course, hence the use of flash.
Quality is as good as the lens you use, I have had a great many of my insect pictures published over the years and I still swear by these simple little gadgets. I still use the same old tubes on my Nikon D200.
Posted by Bill Chambers on September 20, 2006 at 10:07 AM
You might also check out ebay before buying. I know a lot of people are wary of ebay, but I've never had a problem myself (knock on wood) I picked up a mint conidtion Nikon extension tube a while back that was much cheaper than even the Kenko. It may take a while to find what you want and then to win it, so if you're in a hurry ebay may not be suitable, but when no timeline is involved you can pick up some real bargains sometimes.
Posted by Ronnie Gaubert on September 22, 2006 at 8:41 AM
Hello Michael,
I have been using ext. tubes for over 35 years for macro/closeup work. The vast majority of my images are made with the Nikon 300mm f/4d and tubes.
Kenko tubes for Nikon:
The new design (DG series) will operate all functions including autofucus. The older ones will not autofocus but all other functions will be operable.
The same goes for the Kenko tubes for Canon.
I will warn you that I've never had a set of Kenko tubes for my Nikon equipment last for over 1-1/2 years. After about a year of heavy use they start to loose connectivity with the lens which equates to erratic meter readings. It eventually gets so bad that they can't be used.
My good friend David Chauvin has had very little problems with the Kenko tubes for his Canon equipment. Must have something to do with the lens mount design.
I have now switched to using the Nikon (Non CPU/Mechanical) extension tubes. These are compatible with the D2h, D2x and D200 series Nikon DSLR's.
Those tubes are the PK-11a, PK-12, PK-13 and PN-11.
If you go into the camera menus and set the camera for the lens you are using and the maximum aperture of that lens you will be able the shoot in Aperture priority mode, be able to use all of the metering modes and the EXIF data will be accurately displayed.
Note that the Nikon tubes will only operate with the "D" series lens as this setup requires that the lens have an aperture ring. The "G" series lens do not have the aperture ring.
If you have any of the other Nikon DSLR cameras,(D50, D70, D70s, D80) and/or use the "G" series lens you will have to use the Kenko tubes.
Ronnie
Posted by Michael Wade on September 22, 2006 at 8:54 AM
Thank you all for the comments so far. The information has been wonderful in helping me decide what to buy and why as far as extension tubes. I'm going to try the Nikon tubes and will post some photos after I get a chance to use them and practice a little. It is great to be part of a group of nature photographers such as you guys who will readily share information. I appreciate it greatly.
----- Michael Wade
Michael,
I own a series of 3 kenko tubes (12, 20, &36mm). I use them in combination with a $100 Nikon 50mm f1.8. This provides me with a very cost effective setup for macro. Don't let the cost and relatively cheap, plastic construction of the lens scare you away... it's tack sharp.
I also should mention that I consider some sort of focusing rail an absolute essential. I use
a Novoflex, but probably any brand would do. The rail is very important as it facilitates minute
adjustments in focus without the hassle of adjusting tripod (it's near impossible to be precise without one).
Discussion
9 repliesGuy
Extension tubes will let you focus closer with a lens Michael, but with two losses. You lose light and have to resort to more open apertures or slower shutter speeds, and you lose your distant focusing capabilities. It's not a problem to remove the tubes when you switch from close to far shots, but you do have to remember to do it even if the action is hot.
I experimented with storage and carry means for my tubes, finding that it was awfully easy to lose them in the grass or leave them at home. I finally settled on leaving the set stacked together and attached to my macro lens. That way I always have them with me, and since I seldom use the macro for anything but close work, they're not in the way like they would be stored on any other lens. Fine tuning, but every little bit helps when you use your gear a lot.
Pete D.
I don't think I have ever used them without flash as I always stop down to maximum, f22-f32. In ambient light the shutter speed would be glacial of course, hence the use of flash.
Quality is as good as the lens you use, I have had a great many of my insect pictures published over the years and I still swear by these simple little gadgets. I still use the same old tubes on my Nikon D200.
I have been using ext. tubes for over 35 years for macro/closeup work. The vast majority of my images are made with the Nikon 300mm f/4d and tubes.
Kenko tubes for Nikon:
The new design (DG series) will operate all functions including autofucus. The older ones will not autofocus but all other functions will be operable.
The same goes for the Kenko tubes for Canon.
I will warn you that I've never had a set of Kenko tubes for my Nikon equipment last for over 1-1/2 years. After about a year of heavy use they start to loose connectivity with the lens which equates to erratic meter readings. It eventually gets so bad that they can't be used.
My good friend David Chauvin has had very little problems with the Kenko tubes for his Canon equipment. Must have something to do with the lens mount design.
I have now switched to using the Nikon (Non CPU/Mechanical) extension tubes. These are compatible with the D2h, D2x and D200 series Nikon DSLR's.
Those tubes are the PK-11a, PK-12, PK-13 and PN-11.
If you go into the camera menus and set the camera for the lens you are using and the maximum aperture of that lens you will be able the shoot in Aperture priority mode, be able to use all of the metering modes and the EXIF data will be accurately displayed.
Note that the Nikon tubes will only operate with the "D" series lens as this setup requires that the lens have an aperture ring. The "G" series lens do not have the aperture ring.
If you have any of the other Nikon DSLR cameras,(D50, D70, D70s, D80) and/or use the "G" series lens you will have to use the Kenko tubes.
Ronnie
----- Michael Wade
I own a series of 3 kenko tubes (12, 20, &36mm). I use them in combination with a $100 Nikon 50mm f1.8. This provides me with a very cost effective setup for macro. Don't let the cost and relatively cheap, plastic construction of the lens scare you away... it's tack sharp.
I also should mention that I consider some sort of focusing rail an absolute essential. I use
a Novoflex, but probably any brand would do. The rail is very important as it facilitates minute
adjustments in focus without the hassle of adjusting tripod (it's near impossible to be precise without one).