Extension Tubes - Full Disclosure

[Loupey]

Ok, I've been talking about tubes ever since joining PR and have posted some real-world examples in this forum.

So here are some test examples which I hope you find helpful. I thought pencils would be a good universally recognizable (and stationary ) subject.

Since there are so many variables, the following will remain unchanged throughout:

Lens: 70-200 f/2.8L IS
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 200
Focus: manual (rack focusing) at minimum lens setting
Metering: AV
Mirror Lockup: enabled
Shutter Release: remote
File Capture: RAW
Post Processing: None except resize and convert to JPEG (no cropping)

The setup:

[Loupey]

Images with NO extension tubes.

Left to Right:
70mm @ 112cm working distance (subject to front of lens)
135mm @ 112cm working distance
200mm @ 112cm working distance

[Loupey]

Images with 12mm extension.

Left to Right:
70mm @ 29cm working distance (subject to front of lens)
135mm @ 62cm working distance
200mm @ 81cm working distance

[Loupey]

Images with 20mm extension.

Left to Right:
70mm @ 18cm working distance (subject to front of lens)
135mm @ 48cm working distance
200mm @ 70cm working distance

[Loupey]

Images with 36mm extension.

Left to Right:
70mm @ 8cm working distance (subject to front of lens)
135mm @ 33cm working distance
200mm @ 56cm working distance

[Loupey]

Images with 48mm extension.

Left to Right:
70mm @ 5cm working distance (subject to front of lens)
135mm @ 27cm working distance
200mm @ 48cm working distance

[Loupey]

Images with 56mm extension.

Left to Right:
70mm @ 4cm working distance (subject to front of lens)
135mm @ 23cm working distance
200mm @ 45cm working distance

[Loupey]

Images with 68mm extension.

Left to Right:
70mm @ 2cm working distance (subject to front of lens)
135mm @ 20cm working distance
200mm @ 40cm working distance

Remember, changing the focus on the lens at any time will also affect the working distance and magnification. The bottom image is still with the 68mm extension at 200mm, except now the focus on the lens is set to infinity. Working distance has now increased from 40cm to 62cm. The magnification is now about the same as it was when only the 36mm tube was used with the lens set at the mininum setting.

[Loupey]

200mm with 48mm extension.

Slightly off perpendicular (sharpened pencil is out of DOF), angled, and post processed with PS.

This is the final example. Hope this helps demonstrate the flexibily that these things offer and why I love 'em so much :thumbsup:

[Old Timer]

Very nice demonstration. Thanks for the time and trouble.

[Loupey]

Very nice demonstration. Thanks for the time and trouble.

Your welcome! Just here to give (hopefully) wanted advice, demonstrations, and examples. I know you already shoot fantastic macro work, but I wanted to show that there are different ways to skin a cat. I'm all for using existing equipment to its full capabilities and knowing just how far they can be pushed :thumbsup:

[Knight]

Thanks for all the info Loupey

[Loupey]

Since I originally posted this thread (almost 4 years ago now!!!) I haven't included any real-world examples in it. I keep posting examples in other threads but I'm sorry to have not kept this thread updated.

So the following few posts will include some samples.

So that you can gauge the usefulness of the combos, I will post images UNCROPPED and state which camera was used and the amount of extension (if noted).


Besides, it's almost spring and thoughts of photographers' turn to... macros

[Loupey]

For any given amount of extension, the shorter the lens, the high the magnification will be.

A 50mm lens can be useful if the camera-to-subject distance can be short (or preferrably short) while maintaining a high magnification. Using multiple tubes will result in extremely short distances (2~3 inches in front of the lens).

Here I used a cheap Canon EF50mm f/1.8 that I paid $80 new several years back. I was doing work for a high-end aquarium store and I wanted to be as close as possible to the glass to reduce my reflection and also to minimize the effect of the glass itself.

Shot with a Canon 30D and 12mm tube.
Uncropped.

[Loupey]

Perhaps more flexible is a short telephoto like an 85mm or 100mm as they provide a good compromise of subject distance and magnification.

A good choice for still life and studio work (product work).

This image was taken outside with existing lighting. Canon 50D with EF85mm f/1.8 with 20mm of extension.

Uncropped.

[Singletracklovr]

Since I originally posted this thread (almost 4 years ago now!!!) I haven't included any real-world examples in it. I keep posting examples in other threads but I'm sorry to have not kept this thread updated.

So the following few posts will include some samples.

So that you can gauge the usefulness of the combos, I will post images UNCROPPED and state which camera was used and the amount of extension (if noted).


Besides, it's almost spring and thoughts of photographers' turn to... macros

Hi Loupey,
This is the exact kinda macro info I am looking for.
Thank you for expanding on the subject and sharing your knowledge.
My extension tubes are in the mail so I am trying to learn as much as I can before I start using them.

[Loupey]

No sweat.

More examples to come later. I've got to run to make a shoot.

[Loupey]

Another with the "portrait" EF 85mm f/1.8 with tubes.

Shot with Canon 30D, existing light, uncropped.

[Loupey]

My 300mm f/4 is my favorite lens to use with tubes. The camera-to-subject distance is absolutely fantastic for timid subjects and the narrow angle of view is terrific for minimizing distracting backgrounds.

If I know I'm going out to shoot close-ups, I usually start right away with a 36mm tube on the 300mm and keep the other tubes in my pocket. I then add additional tubes as needed. With various tube combinations, I can shoot subjects from 3' to 8' away.

These five all uncropped with various combinations of tubes (sorry but I change out tubes so fast there is no way I can keep track of exactly which tube was used). Image 1 with the Canon 10D. Images 2, 3, and 4 with the Canon 30D. Image 5 with the Canon 40D.

[Loupey]

In this example, I do specifically remember using all three tubes (68mm total) so that I could get a frame-filling shot.

This is a good example of the narrow angle of view possible with a long telephoto. I wanted to use this feature to create a seamless green background of color.

Uncropped shot with the Canon 30D.

[Loupey]

Even when I'm out birding with just my 500mm lens, you will always find that I have a set of tubes (and a 2x converter) somewhere on me.

When I come across a scene like this, the 500mm can be used to get low perspective angle shots at distances around 10 to 12 feet which is well inside the specified close focus distance of the lens itself. So having a set of tubes can allow you to nearly disregard the close focus specifications of supertelephotos when choosing a model to purchase.

Uncropped from the Canon 50D. The lens hood is nearly touching the surface of the water.

[Loupey]

I started this thread by demonstrating how tubes work using the 70-200mm zoom. But I seldom use zooms with tubes for several reasons:

1) there are too many factors that affect magnification and subject distance (focus, focal length, and amount of extension all have a profound effect on each other) that it is difficult to master and recreate

2) zooms do not generally have the resolving capabilities that primes do, especially when pushed by tubes

3) primes are lighter and therefore easier to tripod mount

4) primes are faster and brighter so focusing (and manual focus is always recommended) is easier to see


Still, some zooms have internal stabilization which can overcome some of these shortcomings.

Here is an uncropped shot using the Canon 10D and the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS:

[Loupey]

The moral of this long story is 1) don't let anyone try to convince you that only "macro" lenses are the "proper" choices for quality close-up / macro images, and 2) don't get trapped into seeing the world in only macro focal lengths (50mm/60mm, 90mm/100mm/105mm, and 180mm/200mm).

Difficult situations call for different tools and some creative problem solving techniques. Besides, we don't all want to take pictures like how everyone else takes pictures do we?

These final two images are slight crops from those taken with the Canon 40D and 50D, respectively, with the 500mm and a 36mm tube.

Thanks for reading. Now go out and shoot!

[sajibahmed]

[John2015]

Nice pictures..