I'm getting hooked on macro photography and would like to increase my magnification if possible.
Currently am using AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D from Nikon with D200. From what I'm reading, upgrading to 100 mm will not offer increased magnification, but will allow me more room to work than the 60. Would rather not upgrade if this is the case unless sharpness of subject is significantly improved. I've been comparing my stuff to others on this site and am not seeing the same sharpness even with the use of a tripod.
In lieu of shelling out big bucks for a new lens, I was wondering if anyone on 365 has used extension tubes with their macros and received favorable results. I've never used extension tubes, so know absolutely nothing about them. Will I see an increase in magnification without degradation of the image? Any advice on using tubes with macro lenses, getting greater magnification or on tubes in general would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.
I have the "dumb" extension tubes, the ones without electronic contacts. 10 bucks off amazon. I use non macro lenses on them and have gotten some pretty good results, although it is MUCH more difficult to do it this way. I use a manual focus lens, stop it down to f16, and therefore cannot see what I am focusing on. The electronic tubes will help you avoid that. If I use my autofocus lenses for macro, I have to hit the depth of field preview button, and while holding it unmount the lens so the aperture stays closed, then put then lens on the tubes and the tubes on the camera. Pain in the ass but it works.
You won't see any quality drop in your image with extension tubes. There is no additional glass between your lens and the sensor, just air. People get GREAT results using this method. I would buy without hesitation (although if you have the funds, get the ones with contacts, it'll save you the hassle).
@bradleynovak Thank you so much for the advice - I'm still a newbie at all this technical stuff and although I do use manual focus, really like the fact that I can use ap priority. From what I'm gathering from you, if I get the rings with contacts, I will still be able to use ap priority.
I just dug out my extension tubes and have been playing with it. Basically what it does is it allows you to get closer to your subject which can be tricky when it comes to insects as they may fly away. I've used it with my 50mm and it reduces the minimum focussing distance from 1.5m to 30cm which is significant and makes macro possible for my 50mm. I've also used it on macro 100mm and as far I can see there's no photo degradation. Attached 2 photos taken with both lenses and tubes respectively.
@beadedgalaxy Thank you so much for your advice and for posting some marvelous examples... looking at some Kenko extensions through B&H. I suppose whether or not I'm thrilled with using these with a macro lens - they're probably a great thing to have in my kit. Still open to other suggestions if someone out there has some more!
@tandem02 Thanks Kathryn, but I've got a macro, wanted to see if I could get even closer with tubes. Wonder of you could use reverse ring with macro lens? Great macro work btw. Thanks for your input.
The ones with electrical contacts let the lens still communicate with your camera (ie. you can set the aperture and use autofocus), while with the cheap "dumb" extension tubes you'll have to set the aperture before using the extension tubes (as @bradleynovak explained), and you'll have to focus manually.
Honestly, setting the aperture isn't a huge pain (since you likely won't change it), and with the manual focusing, you need to practice "focusing with your body," which translates to simply leaning in or out until you have what you want in focus. It takes practice but gets far better results than trying to use autofocus in macro.
The other key thing to remember with extension tubes (of any type) is that they will result in a significant loss of light, meaning you'll need to use slower shutters or different apertures than when shooting without them.
Here are a few 365 shots I've taken using extension tubes on various lenses.
Other folks have already mentioned using a reverse ring (which works excellently with my 50 mm lens), so I imagine would work well with yours too. Same deal with having to set aperture using the depth of focus preview button. If you want to see the effect, you can just handhold your lens backwards too and try it.
Here's one I did, hand-held, 'cause I didn't have the adapter with me.
Last option would be to buy a set of "close up filters" that screw onto the front of your lens. These allow you to get a closer focusing distance, making whatever you are photographing appear larger (assuming it's not something like a butterfly that might get freaked out if you get too close). The extra benefit to these is that there is no light loss, you can still use autofocus, and you can still set the aperture in camera. They can also be gotten fairly cheaply. Honestly, each option is about $10-15 USD on Amazon, so I'd try all three before thinking about plunking a lot of money down for a new lens!
@lesphoto - I don't shoot Nikon so am not familiar with your lens. Not all macro lenses offer 1:1 magnification (where a 1 cm object will cast a 1 cm image on the sensor), some are only capable of doing 1:2 (where a 1 cm subject will cast a 1/2 cm image on the sensor). If yours is capable of 1:1, then going with a longer lens only gives you greater distance, no additional magnification.
When you get into greater than 1:1 magnification you will have to get closer still in order to get things in focus. Your dof becomes really tiny. You pretty much need a sturdy tripod and preferably an external flash. Adding extension tubes to a macro lens could interfere with an on-board flash (the lens combination could be too long and will cast a shadow).
I've used a home-made extension tube, a lens reversed in front of my macro lens and a dioper/close-up filter to get greater than 1:1 magnifcation. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, and it can be fun to combine more than one. The one thing I don't have that I wish I did when shooting macro is macro focusing rails. It can be frustrating not to have that extra little bit of distance control when shooting with such a tiny dof.
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You won't see any quality drop in your image with extension tubes. There is no additional glass between your lens and the sensor, just air. People get GREAT results using this method. I would buy without hesitation (although if you have the funds, get the ones with contacts, it'll save you the hassle).
Honestly, setting the aperture isn't a huge pain (since you likely won't change it), and with the manual focusing, you need to practice "focusing with your body," which translates to simply leaning in or out until you have what you want in focus. It takes practice but gets far better results than trying to use autofocus in macro.
The other key thing to remember with extension tubes (of any type) is that they will result in a significant loss of light, meaning you'll need to use slower shutters or different apertures than when shooting without them.
Here are a few 365 shots I've taken using extension tubes on various lenses.
Other folks have already mentioned using a reverse ring (which works excellently with my 50 mm lens), so I imagine would work well with yours too. Same deal with having to set aperture using the depth of focus preview button. If you want to see the effect, you can just handhold your lens backwards too and try it.
Here's one I did, hand-held, 'cause I didn't have the adapter with me.
+10 close up filter on my kit lens (18-55mm)
When you get into greater than 1:1 magnification you will have to get closer still in order to get things in focus. Your dof becomes really tiny. You pretty much need a sturdy tripod and preferably an external flash. Adding extension tubes to a macro lens could interfere with an on-board flash (the lens combination could be too long and will cast a shadow).
I've used a home-made extension tube, a lens reversed in front of my macro lens and a dioper/close-up filter to get greater than 1:1 magnifcation. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, and it can be fun to combine more than one. The one thing I don't have that I wish I did when shooting macro is macro focusing rails. It can be frustrating not to have that extra little bit of distance control when shooting with such a tiny dof.