Advise On Extension Tubes

maggie1969

Hello All,

I have the Canon 350d and kit lens. I am very interested in a macro lens but money is a problem!

While I'm saving towards that, I wonder could someone advise me if buying extension tubes would be a good idea? Would they be suitable for the 18-55mm lens? Is the photo quality ok? What size should I get? Where online could I buy them?

Sorry for so many questions!

Thanks so much!

ThOnda

There is very cheap way for macro - you just need another lenses. I mean any camera lense.

The trick is to use the same lense you are using normaly and the second one, mounted on the main one, however in the opostie way.

It is described here a little - http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=000aUN

It could look this way - http://www.frenki.net/makro_fotografija/makro_fotografija_nastavek_objektiv.jpg

The bestg thing is that you can use any SLR lense you can find and all you need is just a steady hand or duc-tape. Or few Euro for the ring with two threads.

Fionn

Canon EF 25mm Extension Tube II is compatible with EF-S lens and would be suitable for your lens, but it's not cheap tho! €149.99 in Conns (not sure if it's the II one or not)
quality should be ok, obviously the DoF is very narrow when these tubes are fitted so exact focussing is vital.

Kenko tubes are cheaper but i've read someplace that they may need to be modified somewhat if being used with EF-S lens, maybe someone else here knows more about them. Dont know where you'd get them locally but they're available (three set) on e-bay UR Galaxy for around €80 or so

Aico Ext Tube Set can be got from Ffords Scotland i don't know if they'd suit an EF-S lens or not, they cost £25.00 + shipping

5uspect

Kenko tubes don't support EF-S unfortunately but TBH I would get tubes with the 50mm f1.8 prime. Zoom rings become additional focus rings with extension tubes so you're better off with a prime. Plus the f1.8 is a great addition to the 350D with the kit lens. Its nice and sharp.

you should get a set of three tubes and the 50mm for about €80 each from the HK ebayers.

Roen

Can you reverse mount the 50 1.8?

5uspect

I've seen something like that done before alright,
I've also seen a guy use a pringles tube as an extension tube...

EDIT linky

ThOnda

Roen: Yes, you can mount any lenses you have. Just be aware that there could be some "vignetting".

I didi few shots of technical equipment for my work that way just by holding the second reverse lense at the lense on my SLR. There is absolutely no problem, if you have enough light. If not, try to fix the reverse lense on the main one and use a tripod.

If the reverse lense is "zoom" one, try different focal lenghts to get the best results.

The smaller apperture you have, the better (on the reverse lense).