Loupey, can you please.....

Post some photos that you have taken with your 100-400 and extension tubes? I recall you mentioning at one time that you have used extension tubes with this lens. Now, with spring finally here, I'd like to see what this combo can do, particularly on flora.

Mike, I don't have the 100-400mm. The best I can do is use a 2x and extension tubes on the 70-200mm.

I know SmartWombat and readingr both have this zoom and extension tubes. Hopefully they can post some examples.


Keep in mind that, at any given amount of extension, the close-focusing effect diminishes with longer focal length lenses. So, if you plan to use the 400mm end of the zoom, you will need a LOT of extension to make a significant difference.

If I use the 70-200mm with the 2x, the closest focusing distance is about 55". Adding 56mm worth of extension, it will focus down to about 45" at the 400mm setting. But if I now remove the 2x so that the focal length is 200mm, it can focus down to 28" with the same amount of extension.

So with the 100-400 range, you will have an infinite number of focal length/extension amount/focusing distance combinations. If using zooms with tubes, I would try to always use one zoom setting (say 150mm) so that the effect of the tubes can be easily predictable and repeatable.

Hope that helps.

Yes, that does help and it makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

Mike, I shot this yesterday using the combination previously stated (70-200mm + 2x + 56mm of tubes, in that order). Uncropped.

I think the effect is similar to what you would experience. Effective focal length is 385mm. The frog is about the size of a small child's palm.

Loupey, that's a nice example. I really like the bokeh. I've found that my Panasonic P & S will actually take nice macros. Unfortunately, I can't adjust the aperture or shutter speed, in macro mode. Also, even at f2.8, obtaining the same measure of bokeh, isn't possible. I believe I'm going to have to rent a set later this spring and play with them a bit. Rental is only $15 for a week, so it'll be a cheap trial.

Thanks again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Loupey

Mike, I don't have the 100-400mm. The best I can do is use a 2x and extension tubes on the 70-200mm.

I know SmartWombat and readingr both have this zoom and extension tubes. Hopefully they can post some examples.


Keep in mind that, at any given amount of extension, the close-focusing effect diminishes with longer focal length lenses. So, if you plan to use the 400mm end of the zoom, you will need a LOT of extension to make a significant difference.

If I use the 70-200mm with the 2x, the closest focusing distance is about 55". Adding 56mm worth of extension, it will focus down to about 45" at the 400mm setting. But if I now remove the 2x so that the focal length is 200mm, it can focus down to 28" with the same amount of extension.

So with the 100-400 range, you will have an infinite number of focal length/extension amount/focusing distance combinations. If using zooms with tubes, I would try to always use one zoom setting (say 150mm) so that the effect of the tubes can be easily predictable and repeatable.

Hope that helps.

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Here is a couple I prepared earlier a lot earlier:lol:

100-400mm L IS USM with a 31mm, 21mm, and a 13mm tube on.

Roger

Just been out with the tubes and the 100-400L.

Tulip
Attachment 53121

House Flies in a feeding frenzie I think? on Dog Poo
Hope they don't put you off your food.
Attachment 53122
Attachment 53123
Attachment 53124

Roger

Definitely love the tulip. However, the other shots.....

LoL, Roger - I must say that I don't recall ever seeing poo images on this site :p

Not that I haven't thought about shooting some myself - just that I've not seen any as artistically rendered as yours! Lovely first image too!

Mike, if you haven't already purchased or rented a set, be assured that they are versatile. If not with your present 100-400mm, they can always be used with other lenses down the line. I used them on my 50mm and 85mm to great effect and they practically live on my 300mm.

If you ever get into 400mm, 500mm, or 600mm primes later, they are instrumental in getting the focusing down below the "advertised" limits. You won't ever have to be concerned about the focusing limits when buying lenses (to within reasonable limits of course).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Loupey

LoL, Roger - I must say that I don't recall ever seeing poo images on this site :p

Not that I haven't thought about shooting some myself - just that I've not seen any as artistically rendered as yours! Lovely first image too!

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Well I like getting dirty photos:D :rolleyes:

The hardest bit around using tubes for me is the speed required to capture things like flies. They do jump around a lot.

I also found out the other day that you can't put all three tubes on the 24-70mm as the focusing at that point puts the lens on the subject, well almost.

Roger