I desperately want a macro lens for my Canon, but that is not happening anytime soon. So, I was wondering, which works better macro extension tubes or macro filters? Do you use either? Which one is the best bang for my buck? Thanks for any advice you have!
I don't know about macro filters but I use macro tubes all the time and love them. They can be a bit fiddly to start out with but you can get some great results
I have a macro extension tube. I inherited it along with a couple of manual lenses. I really like it and I am starting to use it more and more. I have never used a macro filter so I can't say anything about one vs the other though.. Don't know if that helps at all...
Heya, We have Kenko extension tubes... i used to hate them... but i've come to love them... yes a macro lens would be nice but no money tree in our yard (ok so balcony not yard! LOL)... anyhow... i've never used a macro filter though so cant compare...
i've got a few photos in my albums at the moment that i've used the extension tubes for - all my bubble/fizzy photos, one my hair and my husbands eye lashes... and nearly everything in @dcr 's album (my other half) he has used the extension tubes with our 50mm lens.
Go with the tubes. The problem with a macro filter is it's another piece of glass on top as opposed to the filters extend the lens. I have a macro lens and on occasion will use the tubes as well.
note:
there are 2 type of ET. With electric contact and without electric contact. Mine (Kenko ET) have electric contact, which is allow me to connect with my lens. Fully control of lens' aperture is possible. No optic within so no image quality degradation...
I have the Kenko extension tubes and have been having so much fun with them - as a bonus, the three photos I had on the popular page last month were done with the tubes! Eventually, I hope to get a macro lens, but for now these have been well worth what I paid for them.
Have fun and update us if you get them so we can see what you find with them! :)
@silverhorn@shadesofgrey@sam_cr@sueb@wahyusp@michellepj Thank you so much for responding! I have been leaning toward the tubes and so this helps a lot! Thank you! Also, thank you for the information you all gave about the tubes you use. Now, I know what to research and what to pass along to my hubby. We have an anniversary coming up and am hoping to score a photography based present. :0) Thanks again!!!! I will keep you updated!!!
I have the same question, so thanks for posting this question - and thanks everyone for the answers! Now I know what to start with. One question though - how much would the extension tubes cost??
I also go for Extension tubes its more sharper and less distortions. But if you really want and love macro you can but second hand lens on ebay maybe which are also cheap specially the manual macro lenses. You can also explore on Macro Reverse Ring for Reversing your lens mount making the lens macro, its cheaper than the 2 options above.
Tubes are the best option out of the two, love em! I use it on both my macro lens and my 50mm :) works perfect on both, the filters tend to cause a little too much distortion from what I can tell :) Happy hunting :)
I have a canon extension tube, works really well. Means I don't have to have a filter for each of my lenses the way filters would require. I'd love a proper macro lens, but just can't justify the price even though I do a lot of close up shots.
With my cheap 50mm lens the auto focus tends to be very slow, but that lens is slow to focus anyway and I tend to just shoot manual with it. They do reduce the amount of light, not sure if filters do too.
As Samantha mentioned I use a full set of Kenko tubes for basically all of my shots. They did take a bit of getting used to with the very shallow DoF, but once you get used to that you can get some very solid results. You'll need a good light source as well!
That said though I've seen some great results with Raynox macro conversion lenses.
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i've got a few photos in my albums at the moment that i've used the extension tubes for - all my bubble/fizzy photos, one my hair and my husbands eye lashes... and nearly everything in @dcr 's album (my other half) he has used the extension tubes with our 50mm lens.
Have fun!
note:
there are 2 type of ET. With electric contact and without electric contact. Mine (Kenko ET) have electric contact, which is allow me to connect with my lens. Fully control of lens' aperture is possible. No optic within so no image quality degradation...
Have fun and update us if you get them so we can see what you find with them! :)
@gavincci Thanks for the tip. I honestly want it all!
With my cheap 50mm lens the auto focus tends to be very slow, but that lens is slow to focus anyway and I tend to just shoot manual with it. They do reduce the amount of light, not sure if filters do too.
That said though I've seen some great results with Raynox macro conversion lenses.
Good luck!
@jessicapena Thanks!
@meshinka Thanks, I will look at your album.
@neda Thank you!
@dcr Thanks for your response and another brand. I appreciate all of the help!
THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HELP ME! Can't wait!