First attempt at macro using extension tubes

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

01/17/2012 09:57:07 PM · #1

I am using an 85mm 1.8 with extension tubes. These were quick shots to try them out. I sat the penny on a piece of paper and the lighting is just my living room incandescent. I used a tripod also. What do you think? What could be done better/tips for the next time I try. I did notice that I am not getting good focus across the entire image. Is this aperture? Distance from object?

Next time I think I will take my DIY light box out of the closet and try a setup. Maybe put a bug in the fridge?

IAmEliKatz

Nikon D5

01/17/2012 09:59:42 PM · #2

Pretty cool. What extension tubes are you using?

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

01/17/2012 10:07:24 PM · #3

No name. Bought them on Ebay for around $10-$20 about a year ago and never really experimented with them. It was something that I knew I would want to try at some point so I got them and figured at that price even if they were junk I wasn't losing much.

Ja-9

Nikon D750

01/17/2012 10:40:11 PM · #4

it is aperture...what did you shoot it at? try one at the 1.8 then try one at 16 and see the difference...it all depends on whether or not you want background or not...for instance in the red challenge for SDOF I wanted the petals to be nice and clear but the inner part of the flower to be soft...so I used a low aperture

f/1.8

f/2.8

f/3.2

f/3.5

I use my tubes all the time...they are wonderful...

one this one I wanted it to "all" be super sharp...

these are at f/16

you get the idea...I will often use all three together

f/5.6 with my 70-300mm

f/11 70-300mm

MelonMusketeer

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

01/17/2012 10:59:54 PM · #5

Are the aperture tubes the type that work the aperture in the lens? You may be composing and shooting wide open if they are just the tubes without mechanical or electrical linkage through to the lens. I use ext tubes when I need to, but with older all manual lenses, and the tubes that work the aperture with them.
If you are using a G lens, then you would have no control over the aperture with the full manual type tubes . With other Nikkors, you would set the aperture on the lens using the aperture ring after focusing and before shooting the image.
With manual or D series lenses, and the mechanical linkage type tubes, you would set the aperture ring on the lens, then adjust exposure until it looks right.
Look into the lens with the aperture set at 16 and shoot a test shot at .5 sec while looking to see if the aperture is closing down when you shoot.
Depth of field gets very skinny when you get in the macro range.
Here is one of a fly smaller than a housefly on a banana leaf, and you can clearly see in the leaf the thin depth of field at f2.8.

kenskid

Nikon D700

01/17/2012 11:26:51 PM · #6

Pretty good for a first extension try !

The shot below has two tubes along with my 60mm close up lens....it is not cropped. Check out the paper clip at the top right and the "brick" texture under the penny...almost looks like I was using a microscope!

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/18/2012 01:52:23 AM · #7

Looks like you got things pretty figured out there, Louis!
Definitely consider stopping down your aperture, and get your tripod ready, as you'll really start to need it (or you'll need to start using more lights).

NiallOTuama

Google Pixel 2

01/18/2012 06:11:20 AM · #8

I love what extension tubes can do! This was a tiny tiny fly and was taken with my kit lens.

Was very impressed with it. The only annoying thing is that the extension tubes I have are dumb and passive so I babe to out my.camera on manual.

bohemka

Nikon D700

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM for Nikon

01/18/2012 08:19:49 AM · #9

When you're really getting in there, many people (

Roz, for exampe) turn to focus stacking to increase the focal depth. It's a blending of multilpe images shot at different focal depths. Gets tricky with macro lenses, as the front element will move during this, throwing it off a bit.

I'd also recommend using live view (tripod as well, of course). You can really zoom in and see exactly where you're sharpest.

MelonMusketeer

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

01/18/2012 09:04:33 AM · #10

The shorter focal length lens you use with an ext tube or tubes, the more magnification you will get. I'm sure that there is a formula for it, but from my observation it seems to be a linear function, i/e 50mm lens and 25mm tube is twice the magnification of a 100mm lens and 25mm tube combination with the lens focusing scale set at the same distance.
There is one big disadvantage when shooting outdoors with the tubes. You can't focus to infinity, and with some combinations not even to two feet, so if a deer walks by or an Ivory Billed Woodpecker lands on a limb above you, you have to change your lens setup to get the shot.

NiallOTuama

Google Pixel 2

01/18/2012 09:47:07 AM · #11

Also, don't forget a piece of card board to keep the aperture open at its widest (if, like me, you don't have aperture control with the camera through the extension tubes).

Giles

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

01/18/2012 11:04:16 AM · #12

ive got the smart extension tubes with the connectors will break them out over the weekend and give them a go :)

01/18/2012 11:51:55 AM · #13

Thanks for all the pointers. I guess I have no excuse not to try it out for this next challenge now.

in2truth

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

02/02/2012 12:47:43 PM · #14

After reading this thread, I'm going to get me some extension tubes :)

One question though...

Metal or ABS which I think is plastic

Thanks for all the info :)

Tiny

Apple iPad mini 4

02/02/2012 12:55:11 PM · #15

I don,t think it really matters I just got some metal ones from Ebay for Â£6,seem to work well enough.
No connections for that price,but they do the job.I came 165th in the challenge with them.What a result.!!

Message edited by author 2012-02-02 12:57:30.

in2truth

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

02/02/2012 01:06:34 PM · #16

Originally posted by Tiny:

Haha... Thanks ;)

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/02/2012 01:09:19 PM · #17

Mine were some eBay cheapies. I did well in the macro challenge with it. Makes it easier if you have a lens with a manual aperture ring.

Giles

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

02/02/2012 01:21:57 PM · #18

i have teh connector type ones but they were Â£100 or more

fyi this works on Canon's with normal ef lenses

set your aperture on camera

press the dof preview button and unlock the lens at the same time and your aperture will be set allowing you to reverse the lens onto a telephoto for extreme close up or for use with manual extension tubes

Tiny

Apple iPad mini 4

02/04/2012 05:51:09 AM · #19

Originally posted by Giles_uk:

fyi this works on Canon's with normal ef lenses

set your aperture on camera

press the dof preview button and unlock the lens at the same time and your aperture will be set allowing you to reverse the lens onto a telephoto for extreme close up or for use with manual extension tubes

Thanks very much for that Giles a great tip.

in2truth