Equipment question

[Jaedon]

I am about to experiment with this but I thought I would ask in case anyone knows the answer before I begin. If a lens is already considered a Macro lens by the manufacturer and has a decent close range focusing distance... would an extension tube or a teleconverter be better for increasing the magnification?

Example .. my Sigma 70-200 f2.8 is a macro lens. Will I be better suited shooting with a 25 mm extension tube or a 2x teleconverter when trying to get close ups of bugs on flowers?

[Frog]

I've used extension tubes on my sigma 70-300 macro and yes you can get way closer.
I prefer the zoom lenses for using the tubes...helps with focusing.

[Loupey]

Yes, they both will increase your subject magnification - but in two completely different ways:

Extension tubes will allow you to focus closer. So your background will "move away".

Teleconverter multiplies your focal length while at the same distance away. So your background will "move closer".

Different tools to achieve two different looks.

[NoKnees]

And, one thing to keep in mind, is the greater potential for IQ loss with a TC. TC's add glass elements that can degrade the quality, where a tube just costs you a little light loss...

So, if the working distance isn't an issue, go with a tube setup to keep the sharpness and detail as high as you can... But that's just my opinion... ;)

[mjs1973]

Another option is to use both the TC and the tube together. Depending on how you set it up, you will get different magnifications. If you go Lens+TC+Tube+Camera you will get a higher magnification that if you go Lens+Tube+TC+Camera.

I think your question points out an interesting thing when it comes to lenses and marketing. The term "macro" is uses more as a marketing tool than it is to designate a true macro lens. Many people consider a "true" macro lens to be a lens that is able to create an image at 1:1 magnification. The specs on your lens say that the magnification is 1:3.5 with a minimum focusing distance of 3.3'. I would not consider this to be a "macro" lens. The use of the tube and TC will no doubt help you get closer to a true macro image.

[Jaedon]

sweet... I never even thought of using them both together with the lens... a whole NEW playground for the mind now lol. Thanks everyone. Saturday morning will be my shooting time to myself this week so I have some fun ideas to mess around with before I have to chase 6 - 8 year olds around a baseball diamond.