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Extension tubes are designed to enable a lens to focus closer than its normal set minimum focusing distance. Getting closer has the effect of magnifying your subject They are exceptionally useful for macro photography, enabling you to convert almost any lens into a macro lens at a fraction of the cost while maintaining its original optical quality. However, you lose the ability to focus to infinity and the focus range is greatly limited to a very close focusing range.
Unfortunately I couldn’t get my hand on the Kenko extension tube set, however instead I got a set from Marumi to test. The functionality probably is identical except Kenko comes with a set of 12, 20 and 36mm tubes compare to 13, 21 and 31mm tubes from Marumi.
When stacked, they give a combine extension of 65mm. The extension tubes are made in Japan.
The tubes are solidly made, mostly are metal. Notice the metallic contact circuitry on the tubes to maintain metering data and TTL auto exposure. I did try using the auto focus function, it kind of work only when you have the subject near focus anyway. Don’t expect it to find the focus automatically for you.
Magnification test was done using Nikon 50mm f/1.4, which is a typical lens used with the extension tube set. The test subject is a 62mm Nikon cap.
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No extension tube, minimum focusing distance with 50mm f/1.4 |
13mm extension tube |
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21mm extension tube |
31mm extension tube |
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13+31mm extension tubes |
21+31mm extension tubes |
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13+21+31mm extension tubes Notice the distortion near the edges |
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I require some advice regarding the Marumi Extension Set. I purchased a set (for Minolta) to attach between my Dynax 404si and my AF Lenses. Unfortunately, they do not “marry”.
Is there an adaptor available (for both ends) to enable me to connect the set and the AF Lenses to my camera?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Michael.
I did not need any adaptor to couple the two together. AF was semi working, but at such a macro level, MF is much preferred
Peter,
Some fascinating work you have got there.
Both Marumi and Kenko specified that AF can be achieved, however from experience when taking extreme Macro images i.e. <3cm away from the subject, AF is very difficult. MF would seems to be a lot easier.
Exposure metering does work very well in general.
Hope that helps
Cheers
Wonderful website, excellent.
Topic: MARUMI auto extension tubes connectivity for Canon 450D – 100mm Macro AF lens.
We operate a Canon 450D, and AF 100mm Macro, connected to a computer via remote control Canon 'live view' software. Using computer based remote software as a remote digital console; we have full connectivity and control over the camera and more importantly over the lens focus and aperture functions.
To escape the limitations of ‘high magnification-depth of field’ problems, our process involves taking multiple shots of say a 5mm wide, 3mm deep, 3D subject, (with the camera being mounted on a copy stand). We begin shooting a series of say 10-100 shots traversing the subject from top to bottom or front to back, at say 2.8.
We then save these multiple limited 'depth of field' images, to computer. These images are then combined using now prevalent 'montage' software, (Helicon, Zerene), thus we create one entirely clean, clear, sharp, in focus image. To secure these we need to either incrementally lower the whole camera and lens on the copy stand to adjust the focal point or we simply use the remote control software to control the lens and adjust the focal point via the 100mm Macro Lens AF motor in fine and equal steps. We use the later technique which provides predicable focal steps and supports a clean and sharp outcome.
Question: does the MARUMI product support full connectivity between body and lens, so as to support full integrated functionality which includes full AF control that can support the practice outlined above. Does the KENKO offering support full Canon body to lens intergration?
Why am I blogging?
I'm strugggling to get any sort of local pre-sales support for either product!
Cheers
pquin@aucklandmuesum.com