Extension Tubes for Canan EF

[61Dynamic]

I don't know of any Canon-made extension tubes.

I have the Kenko set (similar to what you show). They work just fine with Canon lenses but you loose light using these things. I'm finding the set un-useable for casual hand-held macro photography (all I really wanted to do). Generaly a ring-flash or a tripod is a must is you don't want to shoot high-ISO.

If it wasn't too late to return them I would just exchange them for a Canon 100mm macro. I should have known better, but my cheap-skate side got the best of me. Live and learn.

[aduke]

I've a 100mm macro, a set of Kenko extension tubes and a Canon 12 mm extension tube. I use the tubes on both the 100mm and the 100-300 f5.6L. A tube on the macro allows greater magnification than 1:1, something I don't do often.

Alan

[aduke]

I've no idea whether the Kenko contacts are gold plated, but in a side-by-side comparison of the Kenko and Canon 12mm extension tubes, they appear to be identical. One would expect the contacts to be so, but the construction screws are located identically and design of the outside of the mount ring are also identical. Somewhere hey are not exactly the same, the Canon tube is, perhaps, a gram heavier.

I've had no problems with the Kenko tubes which I've had for over two years.

Alan

[lester_wareham]

I normally like to get Canon parts but the price of the extension tubes looks ridiculous.

Any recommendations for and against independent makes?

The only indipendents I can easily find in the UK are Jessops (Jessops Ext Tubes)

Thanks

[lester_wareham]

If it wasn't too late to return them I would just exchange them for a Canon 100mm macro.

I have the 100mm macro, probably my most useful lens, sharp and very good for general work also.

I want some extension tubes to use with my 200mm f2.8 and future longer tele's.

The 180mm macro is very nice but not priority at this point.

[lester_wareham]

I've a 100mm macro, a set of Kenko extension tubes and a Canon 12 mm extension tube. I use the tubes on both the 100mm and the 100-300 f5.6L. A tube on the macro allows greater magnification than 1:1, something I don't do often.

Alan

Yes, I plan to use the tubes with the 100mm until I can budget for the MP-E 65mm.

Can you tell me if the Kenko tubes have the electrical contacts gold plated?

[Dr. Gary]

I use the Kinko tubes. The nice thing is that you get a stack with several different lengths you can customize to your own lens/needs. I used it a lot with the 100-400 zoom and 300 f/4 for butterfly and hummingbird photography.

drgary

[method]

I have used the wonderous 65mm MP-E with the Kenko Extension tubes (all 68mm of them). Obviously a ringflash is essential. MX-14, which has an ambient light which helps with focusing.

I did it to see what would happen and was very pleased with this photo of a Gnat. So 5x magnification and 68mm extension - can't work out what that means magnnification-wise!!

[lester_wareham]

Nice Pick. At a guess it is probably about 6X.

It is odd Canon don't recommend tubes to be used with the MP-E 65mm, maybe because the aberation correction is designed for a particular exit node to image distance.

[Jack Flesher]

I don't know of any Canon-made extension tubes.

Canon makes two, the EF12 and EF25.  

IMO while they are expensive relative to aftermarket brandes, they are not all that expensive as quality accessories.  They are very well made, provide full connectivity between Canon cameras and lenses and mount/dismount smoothly.  Plus they are strong enough to use with long lenses mounted to the tripod having the body hanging off the rear of the lens by the tube.  (Why do I do this some may wonder -- to provide extra close focusing for small mammals and birds when using he long lenses.)

The biggest gripe I have heard with the aftermarket tubes is the camera and lens mounts are not smooth, followed by connectivity issues...

[lester_wareham]

The biggest gripe I have heard with the aftermarket tubes is the camera and lens mounts are not smooth, followed by connectivity issues...

This is exactly the sort of issue that worries me. However, you are the first I have heard of to report problems with after market tubes.

Any makes mentioned negatively in particular?