extension tube question with a macro lense

shawn · 09-07-2008, 8:12 AM

hi guys i just bought my first camera a canon d300 with EF-S 18-55mm lens and new to macro photography.

i want to take some bug pictures up close, i have just bought a Sigma MACRO 105mm f/2.8 EX DG which will be here in a couple of days.

i heard about extension tube be used with macro lens and they dont seem that expensive , would i benefit useing a Sigma MACRO 105mm f/2.8 EX DG with extension tubes i seen seen on ebay here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...3D0%26_fvi%3D1

will this be ok to use and get me even more close to bugs?

thanks

cedmondson · 09-07-2008, 8:41 AM

Yes, you can use extension tubes with a macro lens. See this thread for a rough idea of how much closer you might get.

werewolf40 · 09-07-2008, 1:42 PM

I bought them tubes myself,and they work perfect.

shawn · 09-07-2008, 3:07 PM

cool thanks werewolf40

will it work well on a canon 300d with Sigma MACRO 105mm f/2.8 EX DG macro lens mate

werewolf40 · 09-07-2008, 4:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn

cool thanks werewolf40

will it work well on a canon 300d with Sigma MACRO 105mm f/2.8 EX DG macro lens mate

No reason why you shouldnt get excellent results with that setup.

dood · 10-07-2008, 7:06 AM

I would wait and try the sigma on its own first. Adding tubes to it may be overkill and technically very difficult to achieve results ie you would probably only be a few mm away from the subject and the depth of field would be extremely shallow. Tubes come into their own when used with a non-macro lens.

jomike · 10-07-2008, 7:19 AM

Agreed with Raj. Get used to shooting at 1:1 with the Sigma 105 first, before adding tubes.

The tubes you have linked to will only allow manual operation, both focus and exposure. This means you will have to focus manually, not a problem as you will be doing this anyway, but also you will have to set exposure manually and go by the histogram on the LCD to check exposure after shooting. The more expensive tubes, like Kenko, will allow AF and metering.

shawn · 10-07-2008, 7:36 AM

thanks guys for the help i will indeed try the sigma macro first,

i did notice there was a 90mm f/2.8 EX DG sigma macro and the Tamron Sigma MACRO 105mm f/2.8 EX

i managed the get the 105mm sigma,

with the 90mm tamron and 105mm sigma does the 105mm mean its more magnafaction than the 90mm?

jomike · 10-07-2008, 7:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn

thanks guys for the help i will indeed try the sigma macro first,

i did notice there was a 90mm f/2.8 EX DG sigma macro and the Tamron Sigma MACRO 105mm f/2.8 EX

i managed the get the 105mm sigma,

with the 90mm tamron and 105mm sigma does the 105mm mean its more magnafaction than the 90mm?

No, both the Sigma and Tamron magnify to 1:1. This means that an object about 22mm X 15mm will fill a crop sensor DSLR frame.

What the extra 15mm does is get you more working distance. The front of the lens on the Tamron 90mm macro will be 95mm from the subject at 1:1 magnification, the Sigma 105mm macro will be 121mm from the subject for the same magnification.

d_pipa · 11-07-2008, 10:22 PM

wow, shawn, im in the same situation. I have ordered a Sigma 105mm macro hopefully it'll be delivered to me tmw, and i was thinking to get extension tubes as well. But i guess, i should test the macro lens first

Just let you know, the extension tubes wont accept EF-S lens like 18-55mm lens and all with the 'red dot'. If you have got EF-S lens and want to use it with the extension tubes, there is an option: mod the tubes : http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/extube.html

shawn · 12-07-2008, 1:00 AM

d pipa good mate im getting mine tommorow to got to collect it in morning

guess we will both experimenting tommorow lol let me know how you get on with your sigma 105 mate

.

so the extention tubes wont be straight forward fit onto canon lens with Sigma 105mm macro??

heres the tubes im getting

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...3D0%26_fvi%3D1

i thought they would all fit ok straight fit ? or am i mistaken ????

shawn · 12-07-2008, 11:50 AM

ok just a update i got my Sigma MACRO 105mm f/2.8 EX today.

as im still new to macro, just a couple of questions,

i took some pics of a fly i could not really get that close as it would not focus on af, or m,

heres the closest i could get to the fly

am i missing somethink here as noticed other people can get real i mean real close.

im still learning

Mike.P® · 12-07-2008, 12:12 PM

I think it's fair to say you are missing something.
best way is to put the focus to half way and move the camera iteself in.
Once you have done that move the focus ring more and then move the camera. Keep going until either the fly flys off (Dont think that one is going to tho), you get as close as the lens will allow or as close as you need.

Here is my closest fly shot .. although that was a 90mm Tamron with a 2X macro converter attached (what you should be getting with your lens and tubes.

shawn · 12-07-2008, 12:18 PM

hi Mike.P®,

thanks im new to this thanks for pointing it out.

i must say WOW :eek thats a great picture and close thats the sort of distance im aiming to get.

i have not got the tubes yet, im just useing the Sigma MACRO 105mm f/2.8 EX on its own.
im getting these ones to try http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...3D0%26_fvi%3D1

but someone said you need to mod the tubes however im not sure on that.

also would u suggest getting a 2X macro converter as well? will this give ven more of a closeup than the macro lens with tube.
fantastic picture

Mike.P® · 12-07-2008, 12:29 PM

Just stick with the Sigma for now, its a fine lens and will do everything you want.
Remember, you can always crop the picture once taken to get the shot you require but always check your aperture (needs to be in the F13/16 region for macro) and you will need a decent flash unit on a lot of occasions.

Also you will find manual focus a valuable tool.

shawn · 17-07-2008, 4:52 PM

noticed the cheaper extension tubes on ebay are 9mm, 16mm, 30mm lens

the kenko are 12 mm, 20 mm, and 36 mm

im not really bothered about brands etc as m just starting macro, so just want some cheaper version for now.

questions is the cheaper version tube has 30mm and kenko has 36mm does this mean the kenko gets n more closer than the cheaper version due to the kenko being 36mm? im curious regarding the diffrence between the two?

also can someone also suggest a decent flash for macro work as also heard with cheaper tubes theres no metering & hard to see any light at all with tubes so what guess will need to buy a decent flash too as ony have the built in at he moment.