Extension tubes vs proper macro lens

[Vectisbirder]

I am interested in macro photography but don't possess a dedicated macro lens and, frankly, can't afford one at this time. However, I already own a Canon 70-200 f4 L zoom and am considering getting a set of extension tubes for it.
Does anyone else use extension tubes with this particular lens and, if so, what are the results like? How easy is it to use with extension tubes? Even if you don't have this lens, what are your experiences with any mid-range telephoto zoom and extension tubes?

What are the pros and cons regarding extension tubes vs a dedicated macro lens?

Many thanks
VB

[Geoff F]

Firstly, what do you want to photograph? ie fast moving insects or stationary flowers (I mean not blowing about in the wind). How close from the subject do you expect to be able to get?

I used an extension tube on my Canon 70-300 will reasonably good results. How close is the minimum focusing distance with the 70-200 (I can't remember). If you can get down to around 5-6 ft you will be able to reduce this by 1ft or more with a 25mm tube which will produce a decent sized image.

Last year I purchased a Sigma 180mm macro lens which gives slightly better results but at a considerable extra cost and the need to carry 2 lenses with me, which can be a struggle. So unless I am going on a definite macro shoot I use the 70-300 as a general purpose lens, but carry the tube in my pocket just in case something small comes my way. I find that a 25mm tube is the most useful size.

On the down side; you lose a bit of light with a tube but that is easily corrected by slightly increasing ISO. Focusing can be a bit coarse and hit or miss, although it is better if you only use manual focusing. A long zoom plus a tube will need a tripod, or other suitable support.

So, in short, tubes can be useful to instantly convert a suitable general or bird lens into an insect lens and with a bit of extra working distance you won't scare away those flighty insects. But if you get a Canon tube it is a bit expensive (around £100 for a 25mm tube) so you would be well on the way to a 'proper' macro lens, especially if you only need a small lens for flowers, etc.

The decision is now up to you!

[Vectisbirder]

Hi Geoff, thanks for the reply. I am mostly interested in photographing insects and fungi. As for the minimum focussing distance of my 70-200mm zoom it is 120 cm. So how closer could tubes bring me to the subject in order to get a decent image on the sensor?

[GerryNick2]

Hi VB

As an alternative to extension tubes had you considered the Canon 250D or 500D close up lens. The images produced are quite impessive, there is already a thread on the 500D in this forum which might be of interest to you.

Gerry

[Vectisbirder]

Thanks Gerry, I had thought about one of those on reading the thread, but think I might go for extension tubes instead.

[Geoff F]

Reading from the extension tube chart (not personal experience with this lens) you should be able to get down to around 2.2 ft with a 25mm tube.

Difficult to say if that will suit your needs. It is better than, say for instance, a 150 mm proper macro lens at that distance. But the macro lens will allow you to get a lot closer; providing you don't disturb the subject.

Cropping and resizing the image will also help to get a usable photo providing you have sufficient pixels to start with. If you are using a 10mp camera, or better, you should be OK but you might struggle with 6mp or less.

A macro lens, lets say for example, a Sigma 150mm will cost around £450 which is considerably more than a tube. There are some cheaper third party tubes available but I have heard mixed reports about some of them.

So all I can really say is that a tube should be OK for mushrooms or butterflies etc but if you want to get in really close or photograph a smaller subject you will have to get the proper lens.

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

So all I can really say is that a tube should be OK for mushrooms or butterflies etc but if you want to get in really close or photograph a smaller subject you will have to get the proper lens.

Yep, and then you'll want the tubes as well as the macro lens so you can photograph a flies eyebrows! Trust me, macro quickly gets addictive...

Dave P.

[Geoff F]

. . . and expensive!

[ksbuehler]

I have a canon 70-200mm F4L IS and shoot on a 20D. I use the Kenko EF/EF-S extension tube set. It contains a 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm tube. For very close work, I use all three together to create 68mm of extension. This EF/EF-S set is available on ebay for about 150 USD including shipment cost.


I also use the Canon 1.4x EF II teleconverter. I use the following order:
1) Canon 20D
2) 1.4X TC
3) 12+20+36mm extension tube
4) 70-200mm F4L IS

Happy shooting!

-Kevin

[Vectisbirder]

Hi Kevin, many thanks for that info. That's what I might go for, unless I get a second hand dedicated macro lens.