To get very fine sharpness of flies and insects can I use Canon tele extender 1.4x on my Canon 60D Camera with Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 lens ? Please advise...
I am a Nikon User so I cannot comment on the compatibility of Canon 1.4X TC with Sigma 105mm F/2.8 Lens. Assuming you can, you will lose 1 stop of light and gain magnification at the same working distance. Sharpness will take a beating but it depends on you actually whether its OK for you or not - my guess is that it should be manageable.
Another option is to use Extension Tubes but in that your gain in image quality (as opposed to using a TC) is nullified by the shorter working distance.
I also shoot Nikon but can use a 2X TC with my 105mm Macro lens. The part of the picture in focus can be very sharp but the DOF is very narow. You have to be very precise. Of course you can stop down the AP to help, but there goes more light. Tricky shot.
Hussain,
Be very careful about attaching the Canon TC to ANY lens other than those listed on the compatibility charts for that TC. B&H has a chart here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/charts/canon1_4xExtender.html. The problem is that the Canon TCs lens protrudes into any lens attached to it, so lenses with rear elements close to the camera-end of the lens body bump into the Canon TC. If you want a 1.4X TC that works with just about any lens, get another brand such as one from Sigma. I have the Sigma 1.4X TC, and it works fine on my Canon and Sigma lenses (including the Sigma 150 macro). Image quality is comparable to Canon's.
Hi Hussain,
I don't think you can use Canon TC with sigma lens. You can use them with Canon grey lenses. As far as I am aware of. As Wayne suggested check the chart before you buy or use them together.
Thank you everyone for your replies. I checked and could not find anywhere recommending the use Canon TC1.4 with Sigma 105mm lens. In that case the only option left is to use extension tubes. Can I use extension tubes on my camera body and then in front of the extension tube fix the Sigma micro 105mm lens ? Will I get better results that using just the Mico lens alone ? Please comment.Is there a tutorial in You tube on how to use the extension tube with micro lens ?
You can use extension tubes with macro lenses to get magnification greater than 1:1 by allowing the lens to focus closer than you can without the tubes. You will lose some light, depending on how long the tubes are, and the depth of field becomes even smaller. As a result, exposures need to be longer (or ISO higher), and much less will be in focus. If you don't need to fill the frame with a subject that is a lot smaller than your sensor, you are better off without the extension tubes, so only put them on when you really need to shoot something VERY small.
Actually,you can get around the teleconvertor/lens compatibility issue by placing an extension tube between the the lens and the teleconverter. The setup would be lens, extension tube, teleconvertor, camera.
What the combination of the Canon 1.4x and the macro lens will give for image quality, I don't know. Mixing brands is generally not a great idea.
Also, if it were Canon equipment, I would have not hesitation doing that. Yes, you lose some image quality, but the macros are so good optically that I'd be hard pressed to see the loss in a print. I would consider the loss to be irrelevant. (NOTE: You cannot attach a Canon teleconvertor to the Canon 105 macro. Not enough space between elements but adding an extension tube makes it work).
Teleconverters and Lenses work as a matched set. TC A paired with Lens B might give great results but on Lens C, it might not. So also with TC D for example. You will really have to determine which set-up works great for you. Loss of quality will be lesser when using ET alone as compared to using TC because with the TC you are using additional glass elements.
If working distance is not quite as important for you, then use just the Extension Tubes - however with lenses of higher focal lengths will provide lesser gain in magnification for the same amount of extension as compared to lenses with smaller focal length. What I mean is if you were to use 36mm extension on a 105mm macro lens, the resultant magnification would be higher than 36mm on a 150mm or a 180/200mm macro lens.
This is a lecture subject for me and at ACC we have been 100% digital for about 6 years., I teach CU-Macro each semester and among other things I love tele-extenders, 1.4 or 2X (with my film cameras in macro I also use a 3X.
I virtually always use flash in macro especially with critters and tiny objects. I never open up with extenders because it hurts DOF, simply increase the flash power, or hold it closer, or increase the asa/iso. Unlike extenders at great distance, in macro distances you will not notice any reduction in resolution.
This morning I took some pictures with my micro lens Sigma 105mmf/2.8 along with Camera Extension but was not happy with the results. I am posting the pictures I took. Please advice where I went wrong. AV did not work as the Camera and lens was on Manual since the CE were fitted. f/0 shutter 1/60sec focal length 50mm Tripod. Picture no 0279 is the tip of the ballpoint and the picture no 0286 is the screw of frame of my glasses. Thanks for viewing it and awaiting for your advice so that I can improve upon my micro photography.
Discussion
11 repliesAnother option is to use Extension Tubes but in that your gain in image quality (as opposed to using a TC) is nullified by the shorter working distance.
Be very careful about attaching the Canon TC to ANY lens other than those listed on the compatibility charts for that TC. B&H has a chart here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/charts/canon1_4xExtender.html. The problem is that the Canon TCs lens protrudes into any lens attached to it, so lenses with rear elements close to the camera-end of the lens body bump into the Canon TC. If you want a 1.4X TC that works with just about any lens, get another brand such as one from Sigma. I have the Sigma 1.4X TC, and it works fine on my Canon and Sigma lenses (including the Sigma 150 macro). Image quality is comparable to Canon's.
I don't think you can use Canon TC with sigma lens. You can use them with Canon grey lenses. As far as I am aware of. As Wayne suggested check the chart before you buy or use them together.
What the combination of the Canon 1.4x and the macro lens will give for image quality, I don't know. Mixing brands is generally not a great idea.
Also, if it were Canon equipment, I would have not hesitation doing that. Yes, you lose some image quality, but the macros are so good optically that I'd be hard pressed to see the loss in a print. I would consider the loss to be irrelevant. (NOTE: You cannot attach a Canon teleconvertor to the Canon 105 macro. Not enough space between elements but adding an extension tube makes it work).
If working distance is not quite as important for you, then use just the Extension Tubes - however with lenses of higher focal lengths will provide lesser gain in magnification for the same amount of extension as compared to lenses with smaller focal length. What I mean is if you were to use 36mm extension on a 105mm macro lens, the resultant magnification would be higher than 36mm on a 150mm or a 180/200mm macro lens.
I virtually always use flash in macro especially with critters and tiny objects. I never open up with extenders because it hurts DOF, simply increase the flash power, or hold it closer, or increase the asa/iso. Unlike extenders at great distance, in macro distances you will not notice any reduction in resolution.
Lynn