DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Extension Tubes-How to Properly Use?
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 4 of 4, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 12/18/2006 02:12:48 PM · #1
What are the "Best Practices" around using extension tubes?

Basically, light reaching the sensor is very scarce when using these--so what are the tips that help? When I connect mine, I lose all the automatic lens functionality (e.g. aperture)--which is expected with the tube set that I have.

What menu items (generally speaking) do I have to be mindful of? I need to turn off the automatic aperture setting ("A") that is on the lens, yes?...as well as set the menu item to honor the lens-based aperture, correct?

Any other hints and tips would be greatly appreciated!
 12/18/2006 02:20:15 PM · #2

I used my extension tubes on my 50mm for the first time seriously with this image. I ended up going with P mode and didnt set anything myself. I had two desk lamps backlighting the flower so I had pretty good light coming through. I think I had tried once before using Tv mode but never had good enough luck finding the right shutter speed in any kind of consistent manner. And then alot of moving back and forth to find the focus I wanted. I look forward to having a reason to play with them again. Macro isnt a technique that I do well or focus on.
 01/04/2007 03:15:25 PM · #3
Just bumping to see if anyone else "plays around" with extension tubes and would like to share any tips.
 01/05/2007 08:17:44 AM · #4
Obviously, use the fastest lens you have, having f/2.8 or faster makes life a lot easier, the long end of a zoom lens is going to be difficult to work with.

Using a tripod will let you use longer shutter speeds which can help too. A "macro plate" (which sits between your camera and the tripod head, and has a screw-thread for fine control of forward/backward adjustments) can be helpful.

For inside work, even one or two modest desk lamps placed near the subject can be enough to get good results, whereas room lighting will rarely be enough.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 01/02/2026 10:01:25 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2026 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 01/02/2026 10:01:25 PM EST.