Do you prefer the close-up lens to an extension tube, and if so, why?
1782140
I think the best option is macro lens. I didn't like so much the close-up lens .
1782141
They both have their strengths: the close-up lens is great for telephoto lenses and you can generally get more magnification by using a close-up lens with a telephoto than you would using an extension tube. The close-up lens is also easier to use because it simply screws on the front of the lens. The extension tubes are better for non-telephotos, and can give you some impressive magnification when used with a macro lens. They also help retain the inherent sharpness of the camera lens you are using.And of course, it is not either/or. You can use a close-up lens and extension tubes together on the same camera lens, with perfectly good results. They both have their strengths: the close-up lens is great for telephoto lenses and you can generally get more magnification by using a close-up lens with a telephoto than you would using an extension tube. The close-up lens is also easier to use because it simply screws on the front of the lens. The extension tubes are better for non-telephotos, and can give you some impressive magnification when used with a macro lens. They also help retain the inherent sharpness of the camera lens you are using.And of course, it is not either/or. You can use a close-up lens and extension... » Read More They both have their strengths: the close-up lens is great for telephoto lenses and you can generally get more magnification by using a close-up lens with a telephoto than you would using an extension tube. The close-up lens is also easier to use because it simply screws on the front of the lens. The extension tubes are better for non-telephotos, and can give you some impressive magnification when used with a macro lens. They also help retain the inherent sharpness of the camera lens you are using.And of course, it is not either/or. You can use a close-up lens and extension tubes together on the same camera lens, with perfectly good results. « Show Less
1782142
Sorry I really can't answer that, I have never used an extension tube to make the comparison, also my use the with close-up lens is been limited by this harsh winter. Hoping to really test it this spring with the new blooms.
1782143
Personally, yes, for 3 reasons. However extension tubes are great as well. Here is why I use this more often though: 1. No loss of light 2. Easy to put in a pocket and stick on your lens at a moments notice. 3. Don't have to remove lens to use, so less dust introduced into sensor.
1782144
Personally, yes, for 3 reasons. However extension tubes are great as well. Here is why I use this more often though:1. No loss of light2. Easy to put in a pocket and stick on your lens at a moments notice.3. Don't have to remove lens to use, so less dust introduced into sensor.
1782145
Here is what I understand. 500D is close-up which I attached to 24-70mm 2.8L and no loss. I have been using this 500D for close-up without any problem and I love it. I do not own extension tube but thinking about it so I read about extension tube. It seems to me extension tube will extend the focal length of the length it attached to. If 2X extension tube attached to 70-200mm, 70-200mm lens becomes 140mm-400mm so not need to buy 100-400 but your lens will loose 2 stops from its original. Hope it helps.Minh,
561672
This extension tube set is manual focus and manual exposure only. For close-up macro work manual exposure is preferred and manual focus is almost a necessity. There are auto-exposure extension tubes available from other companies, but they are quite a bit more expensive and provide the exact same optical quality.
1750105
Absolutely. Just remember, these tubes will not perform miracles. What they do- the ONLY thing they do- is allow you to move the lens closer to your subject, thereby filling more of the frame with your subject. But they do that job beautifully!
701820
Autumn, Your question is a little hard to answer because you do not mention what camera you are using. Tubes help you to get really close up shots. The tubes screw into each other and are connected to your lens and camera body. The greater the division of the tube you attach, the greater is the magnification. One of the problems with tubes is that you cannot use the automatic features of your camera. Focus and exposure would have to be handled manually. If you want automatic features, then you need to buy tubes that have an automatic feature built into them, however the cost of the tubes will be much higher. 'Hope this helps you Autumn, Your question is a little hard to answer because you do not mention what camera you are using. Tubes help you to get really close up shots. The tubes screw into each other and are connected to your lens and camera body. The greater the division of the tube you attach, the greater is the magnification. One of the problems with tubes is that you cannot use the automatic features of your camera. Focus and exposure would have to be handled manually. If you want automatic features, then you need to buy tubes that have an automatic feature built into them, however the cost of the tubes... » Read More Autumn, Your question is a little hard to answer because you do not mention what camera you are using. Tubes help you to get really close up shots. The tubes screw into each other and are connected to your lens and camera body. The greater the division of the tube you attach, the greater is the magnification. One of the problems with tubes is that you cannot use the automatic features of your camera. Focus and exposure would have to be handled manually. If you want automatic features, then you need to buy tubes that have an automatic feature built into them, however the cost of the tubes will be much higher. 'Hope this helps you « Show Less
2122950
I've read elsewhere that you *can* zoom in with the LW46 on. As I own the LX3, I can tell you that when it zooms the lens goes *in*, so the conversion lens and the tube extender shouldn't block it from doing that. The only issue I'd be worried about is distortion at higher zooms, which I have read is an issue.
1967329
The EF 12 and EF 25 are mainly used for close up macro work. The EF 25 will get your lens closer to the object. Most people that do a lot of macro work have both. This gives you 12 25 and 37 if mounted together. It's your choice. I understand there are kits that contain two or more tubes, but I have no experience with them.
75925
depends on your expectation. It is not a technically wonderful lens by any means. But i keep it on my old epl1 in the glove box or my coat pocket and use it when an opp presents itself. Its fun. Cheap. And as long as you don' mind the zone focus gets shots i otherwise would not get due to not having a kit with me. Love it these winter months when work kills all my light
201531
As far as I understand the extension tube acts in proportion to the lens it's used with. Using the tube with a longer lens essentially just decreases the focal point. The best macro results I've had were with the 18-55 mm lens, I tried my 55-250 but it basically just made that lens more like the 18-55 without an extension. Hope this helps answer your question. I'm clearly not an expert.
1037105
Telephoto lens is a good question. I dont have a big lens in my arsenal. But love using with what I use and wished I had it a lot sooner. I don't even notice it there with every movement I do while hiking. Way better than a sling that keeps the camera banging your hip.
399350
Yes, on the telephoto end. But 4mm more on the wide end is more beneficial In my opinion.
779772
i focus with the lens attached without problem. While using the close-up lens, i prefer manual focus. Read http://www.eos-magazine.com/articles/macro/closefocus.html to learn more about focus using close-ups
1939956
Depends on the lens you clip it on to... Longer lenses will give you more magnification, but a shallower depth of field.
1372687
When you put a tube between the lens and the camera body you will lose light. You will however get closer to your subject. The camera will think there is no lens attached and you will have to focus manually, and make manual exposures. This can be frustrating and difficult. If you are looking for a closer focus feature think about tubes that are connected to the camera electronically and give you all the lens/exposure controls or think about magnifying filters that go on the front of the lens. With these you maintain control of all the lens features, exposure and autofocus.
1452772
It helps with wildlife photography when trying for an extra close up. Think of a 50mm zoom lens and how much it can zoom.
911878
I can't specify "field of view," but what I can tell you - that I think is important for you to know - is that when I replace a 10x eyepiece in my low-power binocular microscope (1x objective), the image is greatly magnified from what it would appear through the eyepiece . . . perhaps about 5x as much (50x total?). I really would have liked it to stay the same, but I can understand why it doesn't. If you have a 40 or 50x eyepiece (or so) that you replace with the camera, my guess is you will see about the same picture as you see through the eyepiece. The clarity is good. Of course, it could be better, but probably not for the same price. Now that I understand the limitations, etc., I am quite pleased with it. I built my own lens and stand for it, using the barrel of a cheap flashlight and a double convex lens that just happened to fit the tube perfectly (24mm). I added a diaphragm to increase depth of field, and a baffle between the lens and camera to minimize "splash" within the tube. These are all held in position within the tube by O-rings (from Harbor Freight). The added diaphragm requires an additional light source, which I got from eBay for $3.50 (music stand LED lights on flex arms). Works pretty good!
1198226
These extension tubes were hit and miss for me with my 5D MKII--don't expect autofocus to work every lens. Btw, your 100mm macro should be good enough for most of close-up work.
2013168
Yes, that us why I purchased this lens and it has worked well. It definitely adds curvature to the photo, so I find myself cropping the images but you still get way more into the frame for interior shots.