Macro - extension tube, lens, compact?

[Monkey Orchid]

Hi, all.

I have a Canon Eos 400D with 18-55mm lens which I have been using for general landscape and wildlife photography, plus a Pentax Optio W10 which has been a really nice little compact camera for macro shots (as well as being waterproof, which is useful).

I've been getting more into macro photography (invertebrates, plants etc) and had been thinking about buying an extension tube for my Canon Eos... However, a quick enquiry at a local camera shop gave me a price of £289 which seemed exorbitantly expensive.

Would people recommend the extension tube option? I know that there are actual macro lenses, but these would be pricey.

The other alternative I'm considering is investing in a compact like the Canon Powershot G10, which folks here seem to rate pretty highly. The optical image stabiliser particularly attracts me - I sometimes struggle with camera shake when I'm not using a tripod. Again, the price tag is high but a friend who uses the G9 produces some lovely shots with it, so I am tempted to start hoarding my pennies.

What do folks recommend? Any and all opinions, advice etc welcomed!

[charlieb]

I think the reason why the extension tubes are so expensive (and probably are for all digital SLRs?) is because they have to send the electrics through them to the lens on the end, unlike "old-fashioned" tubes, which are literally just plastic tubes.

I think I would be right in saying you can use old-fashioned extension tubes, but you would loose out on auto focusing etc.

Macro lenses vary in price from £300 upwards (e.g. Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens £350).

[Lancashire Lad]

The price you were quoted was probably for Canon's own brand tubes.

However, since extension tubes have no optics, there should be no reason, other than brand loyalty, to purchase Canon branded tubes.

A set of 3 "Kenko TPL DG AF Extension Tubes for Canon EOS" tubes, with all control functions through connected, (so no loss of stop down /auto focus etc. etc.), should cost no more than £150.00 from any of the major high street retailers. (I've seen them as low as £85.00 online).

One downside is that there is a loss of light, (i.e. the amount of light that actually reaches the camera's sensor), when using tubes, which can be quite considerable if the 3 tubes are stacked together for maximum magnification.

If you do go down the extension tube route, I would recommend buying from a local retailer, and asking to try the tube set out with your particular camera and lens, so that you can actually see the magnification and any light loss problems you will be getting.

As for your other options, since you already have an EOS400, I would definitely go for a dedicted 1:1 macro lens rather than going down the G10 route, as you'd be paying over £300 for that, and it would still only give you 1:2 macro at best.

Regards,
Mike.

[Cellarman]

I recommend having a try with some supplementary close-up lenses before you try extension tubes. In my experience, they work better than extension tubes on lenses which are not designed for macro. A +2 and +4 will allow you to get really close. Another benefit is that they have little effect on the amount of light reaching the sensor, unlike has already been explained with ext tubes.

[squishy]

I can recommend raynox multi element macro add-on lenses. They let you get alot closer, but with a very small DoF (the general tricky part of very close macro) they can be tricky to use.

I dont think anythink like extension tubes or supplementary lenses can really compete with a true 1:1 macro lens though . I know 99% of people on this site will recommend the sigma 105mm and 150mm f/2.8 lenses.

[ceterach]

Don't forget the Olympus M-CON 40 add-on, it has a 55mm thread. A very heavy bit of glass and certainly the perfect lens for butterflies and flowers.

I use it on the Panasonic FZ30 with excellent results (or at least if it wasn't for me!).

All the best

[Geoff F]

That extension tube price is probably for a full set; and even then it sounds expensive. My experience has been that one 25mm tube gives the best results and should be available for around £100 for a genuine Canon tube.

They can be useful for converting a decent sized zoom into a macro type lens, say something over 200mm lens size. The light loss can be compensated by increasing the ISO; but this can sometimes create other problems.

However, with your current lens my advice would be to save your money and put it towards a 'proper' macro lens, as previously advised.

From my experience, something around 100mm is fine for flowers and larger approachable insects like butterflies and will make a useful general purpose lens as well. But if you want to photograph smaller creatures like hoverflies or spiders etc then I would recommend 150mm.

I prefer a bit more working distance for those nervous species so I use a 180mm but this is even more expensive and is virtually a tripod only lens.

Incidentally, a tripod will prove its worth with most macro photos whatever the lens.

[Tringa]

It depends on what you really want to do. If you want to go down the hardcore macro route then, I'm sure top quality lenses on a DSLR are the right way. It will cost, but the results will be second to none.


However, you mentioed a G10. I have seen some excellent photos from one of these and I some folks like the almost "pop in the pocket" abilities of some bridge cameras. like the G10. Although they are not in the same league as macro lenses on a DSLR, they are not bad.

The photo here is from a Panasonic Lumix FZ28. It is probably a bit too big to fit the pocket, but it is much smaller and lighter than a DSLR and lenses.

[tristanba]

If you want to do macro with your SLR then get a macro lens. Don't even consider extension tubes until you've exhausted the possibilities this will offer at 1:1 magnification

[Monkey Orchid]

Thank you, everyone, for lots of useful information and feedback.

Your replies have given me plenty to consider. I think my next step will probably be to have a look at some macro lenses and the G10, have a play with them in a camera shop, and see how I feel afterwards. As most of you have pointed out, I'll have to invest a reasonable amount whatever choice I make, so it makes sense to take some time to think through my options.

Thanks again, all!