[bren-escape]

Was testing my latest purchased yesterday (a SH canon 400mm F5.6) and was really impressed, although the minimal focus distance meant I missed some shots I would have got with my sigma 50-500mm.

I guess adding extension tubes would reduce this minimal focus distance, but by how much? and what combination is required?

If I did use extension tubes would there be anything wrong with leaving them on all the time? (apart from obvious extra weight and length).

Many thanks in advance.

Bren

[Holowlegs]

Hello there


Will also be interested in this as I may also be buying one of these lens.


Cheers Holo

[RobDickinson]

400/5.6 has a min focus distance of what 3m?

I put tubes on my 70-200 wich has a min focus of 1.9m and managed to get it down to about 50cm at 200mm I think I got a little less than 1:1 but it was hella difficult to use.

[Mike.P®]

This was taken on a 300mm f4.5 with a full set of tubes.
Uncropped if I remember correctly, was the closest I could get with the combo.

[bren-escape]

Thanks for the replies. I will update if I get some.

Do most use the kenko tubes?

I am hoping I will be able to use the lens from a hide etc and getting butterfly shots etc close up rather then full macro shots which I have my macro lens for. I walk arounf Colchester Zoo testing it on monday, was pleased with majority of shots, but sometimes the animals etc were just too close to focus. The prime is making think more about how I take pictures.

[cedmondson]

Originally Posted by bren-escape

If I did use extension tubes would there be anything wrong with leaving them on all the time? (apart from obvious extra weight and length).

In a word, yes! With extension tubes, you'll lose the ability to focus at longer distances.

[JSW]

65mm of ext tubes on my 300mm F4 brings the close focus down from 2.5m to around 4ft

Incy Wincy

[Mike.P®]

I usually carry just one of the tubes when I take out my 70-200mm f2.8 (10mm IIRC). This seems the best compromise focusing distance wise.