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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Macro with converters?
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 03/23/2004 10:11:32 AM · #1
Please pardon my ignorance with this topic but I don't know anything about it.

I have two lenses for my 300D: an EF 18-55mm that came with it and a Canon EF 75-300 USM lense that I bought later.

The nearest I can focus with the 75-300 is something like 5.7ft. Will a converter (or something else) make it possible to focus closer?

Or... should I just use the 18-55 lens since it does accept much closer range for focus.
 03/23/2004 10:30:08 AM · #2
if you want to focus closer try extesnion tubes, they work great for macro shots

I have the Kenko extension tube set Kenko's

you can find the set of 3 from $89 to $149...

here are some samples

Macro shots

Bugs

the shots are a mix of using my Canon 50mm lens and my Quantaray 28-200mm lens.

I like using the 28-200 because it gives me a lot more flexibilty in the size of the image when I use just 1 or stack all 3 extension tubes together

James

Message edited by author 2004-03-23 11:04:40.
 03/23/2004 10:41:11 AM · #3
I've never really seen the Extension Tubes recomended on this site before. I don't really have the justifiable play cash right now to go out and buy a nice macro lens, but could I buy these and effectivly get a much shorter focusing length and/or more zoom?

Is there a quality loss or anything else I have to take into consideration?
 03/23/2004 10:44:15 AM · #4
Extension tubes do work very well for this purpose and I also recommend the Kenko set due to their low cost and decent build quality. Another option to consider is a close-up lens such as the Canon 500D. I have found that the 500D gives wonderful results for zoom lenses such as the 75-300. I would imagine that you will be doing most of your macro shooting at small apertures (f/11-f/22) to gain DOF so you might also want to consider an external flash such as the Canon 420EX so that you can hand-hold the camera during macro shooting and maintain fast enough shutter speeds at the small apertures (1/125sec – 1/200 sec). Another thing you might want to consider is turning off autofocus when you are doing your macro shots with the extension tubes or close up filters. I have found that the most effective technique for me is to set the focus where I want it and then move the whole camera back and forth until my subject is in focus then I take the picture. I have found that with tubes or close up filters the AF hunts a LOT and can become very frustrating. One other thing you will notice with either the extension tubes or close-up filters is that you will not be able to focus to or near infinity with them in place. When one or both of these items are installed on the camera you are pretty much stuck doing macro until you take them off.

I hope this helps,

Greg
03/23/2004 11:00:17 AM · #5
Originally posted by Russell2566:

Is there a quality loss or anything else I have to take into consideration?


the extension tubes have no optics, just open air space so there is nothing to reduce image quality. the limiting factor will be the quality of the lens you are using.

something else you will need to do is make sure your lens is clean, shooting at f16 to f22 (especially at f22) you will see any dust that may be on your lens or on your sensor.

I agree with Greg( dadas115) that you will want to use manual focus, especiall when all 3 extension tubes are in use.

Also later on you may want to get a canon Angle C finder
Angle C finder

this will greatly help in focusing since it has the ability to magnify the image through the view finder by 1.25x or by 2x

James
 03/23/2004 11:00:19 AM · #6
Russell,

The degradation that happens with extension tubes strongly depends on how much extension you are applying. If you only use a little (12mm or 20mm) the difference will most likely not be noticeable. The degradation that occurs can be seen in the form of lost light (requiring longer exposure times and increasing the possibility for camera shake) and some softening of the images. The softening really is dependant on the lens. If you have a lower resolution lens like a large FL range zoom (eg 28-300mm) the increased magnification that is caused by the extension will begin to show the limits of the lens̢۪s resolution resulting in less sharp pictures. If you use a good prime lens like the EF 50mm f/2.5 macro you can apply a great deal of extension and still get VERY sharp photos.

Greg
03/23/2004 11:11:44 AM · #7
I have exactly the same setup as you (same camera, and same lenses), and I have just bought the Jessops extension tubes. They come in a set of 3 for around £80. Well impressed with the photos I can now take. Instead of standing about 6 foot away from the subject with the 75-300mm lens you can move right up to the subject.
 03/23/2004 11:39:25 AM · #8
So would my new Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 (constant) be considered a decent lens to apply these too?

Thanks for all the help!
 03/23/2004 11:48:39 AM · #9
I´m buying 300D and have been considering thease macro -things. Thous Kenko´s extension tubes (and other brands) do they fit for any lens or do you have to buy it with different diameters for different lenses?
I have a EF 24-85mm USM and am considering 50mm f/1,8 II. Can I use the same set for both?
 03/23/2004 11:54:48 AM · #10
the extension tube goes between the camera body and the lens.

they will work on any lens to help you get much closer to your subject

yes you could use them with the sigma 24-70, but I would not use f2.8 unless you only want one bug's eye in focus.. lol

James
 03/23/2004 12:18:42 PM · #11
Russell,

Back when I had the 24-70mm f/2.8 EX I never tried it with tubes but my experience was that it was a decent zoom lens and I would expect you could get very decent results when using it. I am going to guess that you probably won̢۪t want to use more than about 35mm of extension with it because the magnification will be so high with more that it will be difficult to use, especially at the wider focal lengths. You should be able to get pretty better than 1:1 mag at 70mm with all three tubes in place and even greater mag at shorter FL̢۪s.

Garlic,

You only need to buy one set of tubes. They fit on the lens mount so you can use the same tubes with any EF lens.

Greg
03/23/2004 12:52:38 PM · #12
Of course now that I'm all excited about these, no-one witha decent price has em in stock :)

What about this Pro Optic's set?

Message edited by author 2004-03-23 12:55:34.
 03/23/2004 01:01:02 PM · #13
Thanks to all for your valuable input. It was all very helpful.

I checked some prices and the 3 Kenko tubes here in Canada are CDN 199.00 ($149US). Maybe I need to go to another Bills football game to benefit from the cheaper US prices... (last Bills game got me the 300D).

It also looks like I need to invest in a 420EX since I so far only use the built-in flash on the 300D.

I also like to get the Canon Angle Finder C for easier focusing.

Message edited by author 2004-03-23 13:02:51.
 03/23/2004 01:03:58 PM · #14
Originally posted by Russell2566:
Of course now that I'm all excited about these, no-one witha decent price has em in stock :)

What about this Pro Optic's set?


I think I have heard of a few people using them over on the canon talk forum at dpreview, but many go with the Kenko's. But since there are no optics and you will more than likely be using manual focus any set will work

James
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