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Posts Tagged ‘Extension’

This Chrome extension makes Instagram ‘likes’ visible again

06 Dec

Over the past several months, Instagram has steadily removed publicly visible ‘likes’ from content posted on its platform, a decision that has polarized users. As the company explained earlier this year, hiding ‘likes’ removes the competitive feel from the platform, encouraging users to focus on the content, not how many people are engaging with it. A new Web browser extension changes that.

Called ‘The Return of Likes,’ this new Chrome extension enables users to view like and comment counts on images when browsing Instagram using a Web browser. ‘Instagram has stopped displaying the number of likes and comments in some areas,’ developer Socialinsider explains, ‘[and] that makes the life of a Social Media person very complicated so we thought about lending a hand.’

‘The Return of Likes’ extension is available in the Chrome Web Store now; it doesn’t appear to be available for any other Web browsers at this time.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Why Your Extension Tube Won’t Focus (With Fixes)

20 Nov

You want to take a lovely photo of the delicate swirls of a seashell. The only problem is…you can’t figure out why your extension tube won’t focus.  Macro photography takes you into the beautiful and enticing world of the minuscule. A dewdrop hanging from the end of a calla lily, an insect drinking nectar from a flower, the brilliant sparkle Continue Reading

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An In-Depth Look at Kenko DG Auto Extension Tubes

02 Sep

The post An In-Depth Look at Kenko DG Auto Extension Tubes appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.

Extension tubes are neat little photographic accessories that allow you to create macro-like images without a macro lens. Are you considering getting into macro photography but don’t have the funds for a dedicated macro? Extension tubes could be the way to go.

There are plenty of different makes and models of extension tubes. The variety we’ll be looking at here are by a Japanese company called Kenko, which produces some of the most popular extension accessories available, the DG Auto series.

kenko extension tubes

What are extension tubes?

An extension tube is essentially a hollow spacer that locks between a lens and camera body. An extension tube adjusts the minimum focusing distance (the closest point a subject can be from the camera’s sensor while still being able to focus) by moving the lens further from the camera sensor.

You can stack extension tubes for greater magnification. The thicker the stack of tubes, the closer you’re able to get to a subject and still achieve focus.

comparison extension tubes with a coin

A comparison reveals the different capabilities of the Kenko DG Auto extension tubes. Taken with a Canon 50mm f/1.8 II.

Why use extension tubes?

There are numerous benefits that extension tubes have over a conventional macro lens.

Generally, extension tubes are much cheaper than a dedicated macro lens, making macro photography a lot more accessible.

Another benefit is the lack of additional glass between the lens and the sensor. You won’t have to sweat about the quality of extra glass degrading your image. The lack of glass also means extension tubes are quite durable.

Finally, extension tubes are light and easy to carry. So if you don’t want to lug around heavy lenses, extension tubes can be a great option.

extension tubes on camera

What are the drawbacks of extension tubes?

Extension tubes are suited to lenses with small or medium focal lengths and generally work best with prime lenses.

Extending the amount of space between the sensor and the front lens element results in a reduction of light reaching the sensor. This requires an adjustment in shutter speed, ISO, or aperture to compensate. But when aperture controls the fine depth of field balance in a macro image, your only real options are a longer exposure, more noise, or a combination of both.

Also, because extension tubes increase the magnification of the lens, they magnify any flaws in a lens’s design.

In addition, extension tubes require you to remove your lens from the camera body each time you want to adjust the lens extension. This increases the chance of dust settling on the camera sensor.

While some extension tubes (like the Kenko DG Autos) offer autofocus compatibility, the results are generally mixed. Switching to manual focus is your best bet, and this isn’t entirely a bad thing, but it can slow you down in the field.

flower abstract

Not all macro photography has to be razor-sharp. For a softer effect, try adjusting your focus to just in front of your subject.

How do the Kenko DG Auto extension tubes perform?

Construction

Available for Canon, Sony, and Nikon makes, Kenko DG Auto extension tubes usually come in a set of three: one 12mm tube, one 20mm tube, and one 36mm tube. These can be used individually or in a stack.

extension tubes together

Each tube has a diameter of approximately 62mm with clear alignment markings to show where you should connect the tube to the camera body and lens. Unlike some cheaper plastic varieties of extension tubes, the Kenko DG Autos all have metal mounting mechanisms.

36mm extension tube with grip

The 36mm Kenko DG Auto extension tube has a grip running around the outside of the tube.

Out in the field

For my close-up photography, I’ve been pairing my Kenko DG Auto extension tubes with my trusty Canon 50mm f/1.8 II. Without the added complications and weight of a zoom lens, the setup is simple and easy to assemble. The wide maximum aperture of the 50mm also helps compensate for the reduction in light that reaches the sensor as a consequence of the extension tubes.

One thing I look out for with the Kenko DG Autos: I ensure each tube has clicked firmly into place. While I haven’t had any accidents (thankfully), the mounts can be a bit soft sometimes. The potential amount of switching between extension tubes during a single shoot makes the chance of a misalignment higher, so make sure you fully lock each component.

bottle fly macro photo

A beautiful and rather patient bottle fly. This image required my 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm extension tubes attached.

Kenko DG Autos are designed with all the circuitry and mechanical coupling to maintain autofocus and TTL auto-exposure (provided there is enough light). However, as I mentioned before, the autofocus can still be a bit iffy. Plus, when taking an extreme close-up, there is such a small area of sharpness that any extra control over the focus of your composition is crucial. I still switch to manual focus 90% of the time for that degree of control.

As with all close-up photography, I use a tripod in a lot of cases to reduce camera shake. In addition, because of the reduction in light reaching the sensor, I often have to compensate with a longer exposure – which makes the tripod a valuable piece of equipment to have on hand.

Price

The Kenko DG Auto set is markedly cheaper than offerings from Canon. While a Canon EF 25 II extension tube is about $ 150 USD on Amazon, the Kenko DG Auto set (the 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm) is priced at just over $ 100 USD. Given that the tubes contain no glass, they have no optical difference and are very similar in construction. The largest difference between the two brands online is the release levers. The Canon tube release lever is reportedly smoother to that of the levers on the Kenko tubes.

gerbera flower macro

A flower head photographed with a 36mm Kenko DG Auto extension tube

Conclusion

Extension tubes have made macro photography much more accessible. If you’re interested in macro photography, it may well be worth investing in the set offered by Kenko. For their price and utility, the Kenko DG Auto extension tubes are a definite staple in my photography kit.

kenko-extension-tubes

The post An In-Depth Look at Kenko DG Auto Extension Tubes appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.


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Shoot 5x macro with this DIY 3D-printed 300mm extension tube

09 Aug

Can’t quite fill the frame with your macro subjects? New Zealander Nicholas Sherlock might have the answer you were looking for as he has shared his plans for a 3D printed macro extension tube that’s helped him achieve a whopping 5x magnification.

Software developer Sherlock designed and produced his extension tube for his Canon DSLR system, and incorporated electrical contacts to allow the camera and lens to communicate across the 300mm tube, allowing him control of the aperture settings from the camera body as well as metering and focusing functions. When mounted with the Sigma 180mm f/3.5 APO Macro DG HSM he is able to fill the frame with subject matter measuring only 7.2×4.8mm/0.28×0.19in with a working distance of 170mm.

The front and back ends of the tube are fitted with a lens mount and camera mount borrowed from a Kenko 12mm extension tube, and in between Sherlock has printed two lengths of tube measuring 150mm each. He also used gold contacts on either end with connecting cable so information can be passed between camera and lens.

Below are a few sample images captured with the extension tube:

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On his Thingiverse profile Sherlock shares detailed information on how he went about making the extension tubes with step-by-step instructions for others to follow. He also lists known issues, advice on what to avoid and warnings about what could go wrong as well as recommended sources of the materials needed. Below is a comparison slipover showing 1x magnification without a tube and 5x magnification with his 300mm extension tube:

1x magnification 5x magnification

For more information see Nicholas Sherlock’s 300mm macro extension tube thingiverse page, and his personal website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Microsoft releases Raw Image Extension to get raw image previews on Windows 10

06 Jun

Windows 10 does not ship with native support for previewing raw image files, meaning users can’t view thumbnails or metadata in the Photos app or Windows File Explorer. Microsoft has a solution for photographers in need of this capability, however, and it’s called the Raw Image Extension.

A screenshot of the download page for Raw Image Extension.

The Raw Image Extension gives Windows 10 native support for previewing raw file formats from ‘many mid- to high-end digital cameras,’ according to Microsoft. Once installed, both Windows File Explorer and the Photos app in Windows 10 will support displaying thumbnails and metadata for these raw image files.

The extension is only supported on systems that have installed the Windows 10 May 2019 Update version 1903. Microsoft utilized the libraw open source project for this extension; a full list of supported formats is available here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Using four Godox EC-200 extension heads as a quad-flash for beauty and close-up lighting

25 May

Flashpoint/Godox have just announced the EC-200 extension head, adding an effective and extremely low-cost tool for cosmetic and macro photography. These heads are exclusively designed for the Evolve 200 / AD200 pocket flash, a widely popular and highly efficient product, operated by long-lasting lithium batteries.

Throughout my career I have used various types of ring flashes and parabolic umbrellas. I also collaborated with Swiss lighting manufacturer Broncolor for over a decade on countless marketing and promotional projects, and shot their launch campaigns for the original Para 330 and Ringflash C.

Super model Iman for DeBeers global campaign (2003), shot with Broncolor Para330, and Fujifilm GX680III, on Fujifilm Provia film.

These types of lights are often used by fashion photographers, as they are both easy to work with and offer many options—the Broncolor Paras in particular, which range from the 88 to 330, can produce a wide variety of effects. However, neither types are ideal for extreme close up work when balanced, even front-lighting is required.

The new remote heads from China on the other hand, are small and light enough to allow for several of them to be mounted on a camera flash bracket and rail.

Selecting tiny but wide-angled reflectors, the resulting light is much less harsh, and more feathered than the output from a ring flash, in very close distance. The total weight of, let’s say, four extension heads with the small reflectors and including the bracket/rail set is just about 24 ounces, making handheld shooting is easy.

This new kind of ‘Quad Ring’ set up offers also the additional advantage over traditional ring flashes of allowing individual control of each of the flash heads in turn, which permits me to limit the output of the flash hitting the model’s face from underneath.

This is not as easily achieved with a ring flash.

Placed on tripod, the four extension heads are still mounted on the bracket and rail, but the camera is hand-held, so the four lights hit from a slight angle.

Fujifilm GFX 50S, GF 250mm lens, F8, 1/4000 sec, ISO 100

The Evolve 200 / AD200 pocket flash performs extremely well and reliably in HSS (High Speed Sync) mode, and when used for this ‘Quad Ring’ arrangement, provides output powerful enough to completely black out direct midday sunlight.

This four-light arrangement also makes an excellent off-camera light by simply setting the contraption on a tripod and shooting from various angles around it.

The ‘Quad Ring’ is also off-centered in this image. This time it’s placed to the camera angle, resting on a tripod.

Fujifilm GFX 50S, GF 120mm macro lens, F11, 1/125 sec, ISO 100

 As evident by the unusual catchlights, the four extension heads are mounted on bracket and rail around the lens here.

Fujifilm GFX 50S, GF 120mm macro lens, F11, 1/125 sec, ISO 100

The announcement of the new remote heads is timely. The recent release of new macro extension tubes by Fujifilm for the mirrorless medium format GFX 50S (and the release of the GF 120mm macro lens) have ushered in a new era for macro photography. One can now easily shoot 1:1 handheld, with very fast and reliable autofocus, or manually focus while zoomed in.

Compared to previous systems, macro photography with medium format mirrorless cameras has become easy and accessible. Adding the creative options created by the convenient new remote heads, it has never been more fun to shoot close up!

About the Author: Markus Klinko is an award-winning, international fashion/celebrity photographer and director, who has worked with many of today’s most iconic stars of film, music, and fashion.

Klinko has photographed the likes of Beyonce, Lady Gaga, David Bowie, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Anne Hathaway, Kate Winslet, Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kim Kardashian, Naomi Campbell, and Iman. His editorial clients include Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and Interview magazine.

You can find more of his work on the Markus & Koala website or by following him on Instagram.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Fujifilm releases 1.4x teleconverter and macro extension tubes for GF system

13 Apr

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Fujifilm is set to ship three new lens accessories for its medium format GF system.

First is the GF 1.4X TC WR teleconverter, which is designed for the 250mm F4 R LM OIS WR lens also announced today. It boosts the 35mm equiv. focal range of that lens to 277mm, though the aperture increases by a stop. The teleconverter is weather-sealed and weighs in at 400g. It will be available in May for $ 849.95 USD / $ 1059.99 CAD.

Next are a pair of macro extension tubes, which increase the magnification ratio of any of Fujifilm’s GF lens. The MCEX-18G WR is 18mm long while the MCEX-45G WR is 45mm. Both are weather-sealed and are priced at $ 329.99 USD / $ 409.99 CAD.

Press Release:

FUJIFILM INTRODUCES A NEW TELEPHOTO LENS FOR THE GFX MEDIUM FORMAT MIRRORLESS CAMERA SYSTEM

The GFX System Expands with the New FUJINON GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR Lens, FUJINON GF1.4X TC WR Teleconverter and MCEX-18G WR and MCEX-45G WR Macro Extension Tubes;
Firmware Updates for GFX, X-H1, X-T2, X-Pro2, X-E3 and X100F

Valhalla, N.Y., April 12, 2018 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced the launch of the FUJINON GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR, a lens that expands the telephoto range for the FUJIFILM GFX 50S medium format mirrorless digital camera system.

When combined with the GFX medium format sized sensor with an area approximately 1.7 times larger than 35mm format, the GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR lens achieves exceptional image quality. Composed of 16 lenses in 10 groups, this lens delivers unsurpassed color reproduction, three dimensional image quality, as well as ultra-high resolution and rich bokeh.

In addition, this telephoto lens is equipped with a powerful five-stop optical image stabilization and a new focus preset function, which allows the photographer to instantly activate focus settings previously saved in the lens memory. With a rugged, lightweight magnesium alloy lens barrel designed to be dust and weather-resistant, the GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR is capable of operating in temperatures as low as 14°F/-10°C. The front lens element has a fluorine coating designed to repel water and dirt even under tough outdoor conditions.

FUJINON GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR Lens Key Features:

• Ultra-high image quality achieved with16 lenses in 10 groups, 1 super ED lens and 2 ED lenses.
• Powerful five-stop optical image stabilization to maximize high image resolution.
• Silent, high-speed autofocus operation and new mechanism to fix linear motor position. when turning power off or when in playback mode. Available with new GFX 50S firmware.
• Made with magnesium alloy, ensuring a robust, durable body.
• Dust and weather-resistant design capable of operating in temperatures as low as 14°F/-10°C.

FUJINON Teleconverter GF1.4X TC WR

The new FUJINON Teleconverter GF1.4X TC WR is designed for use with the new GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR giving approximately 277mm in 35mm format equivalent, without compromising image quality.

MCEX-18G WR and MCEX-45G WR Macro Extension Tubes

The MCEX-18G WR and MCEX-45G WR Macro Extension Tubes further expand the range of macro photography. Connecting these macro extension tubes to GF lenses allows for images to be captured at high magnification ratio. The MCEX-18G WR and MCEX-45G WR Macro Extension Tubes are compatible with all existing GF lenses.

Availability and Pricing

The new FUJINON GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR lens will be available in Late May 2018 for USD $ 3,299.95 and CAD $ 4,124.99. The FUJINON Teleconverter GF1.4X TC WR will be available in Late May 2018 for USD $ 849.95 and CAD $ 1,059.99 and Macro Extension Tubes, MCEX-18G WR and MCEX-45G WR will both be available in Late May 2018 for USD $ 329.99 and CAD $ 409.99.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Fotodiox’s DLX Stretch adapters feature a built-in extension tube for macro photography

04 Jul

Accessories manufacturer Fotodiox has launched a versatile new series of lens adapters for mirrorless camera users. The Fotodiox Pro DLX Stretch adapters not only allow you to mount off-brand lenses onto several major camera mounts, they also feature a built-in variable extension tube for macro shooting.

The DLX Stretch is a regular DLX lens adapter with one major difference: it features a barrel that turns to extend the distance between the lens and the sensor, endowing the set-up with the macro shooting capability of an extension tube. It isn’t clear how great the extension is for each of the adapters, but total distance will be dependent on the type of lens used.

The new adapters will be available for Sony E, Micro Four Thirds and Fujifilm X cameras and will come in a choice of 24 permutations to suit a collection of eight lens mounts—Canon EOS, Canon FD, Contax/Yashica, Leica R, Minolta MD, Nikon, Olympus Zuiko (OM), and Pentax K. If your particular lens mount doesn’t have an aperture control ring, the adapter will throw that in as well.

In addition to the Sony adapter video above, you can find demos for the Micro Four Thirds and Fuji X mount adapters here.

Finally, in conjunction with this adapter release, Fotodiox has also introduced a range of filters for the DLX Stretch that drop in to the rear of the barrel and stay in place using magnets. Three ND filters—an ND4, ND8 and ND16—come with the kit, and feature their own leather case.

All of the Fotodiox Pro DLX Stretch adapters cost $ 130. For more information, visit the Fotodiox website.

Press Release

Fotodiox Pro Launches Multi-Functional DLX Stretch Lens Adapters

Fotodiox Pro, creator and distributor of several lines of specialty solutions for videography, cinematography and photography, has announced a brand new addition to their extensive collection of innovative lens adapters: The DLX Stretch, a new series of 24 multi-function lens adapters for Sony E-Mount, Fuji X-Mount and Micro Four-Thirds mirrorless cameras.

The DLX Stretch is the latest in Fotodiox’s ongoing commitment to creating and manufacturing the largest and most flexible library of lens adapters in the photo and cinema industry. Each DLX Stretch packs three levels of creative functionalty into a single lens adapter. Vintage and modern lenses can be mounted via eight different lens mounts.

A built-in helicoid allows adjustment of the overall length of the adapter for close-focus macro style shooting or backfocus adjustment. Plus, the specially-designed rear section of the DLX Stretch houses drop-in magnetic Neutral Density filters. Each kit includes ND4, ND8, and ND16 glass filters in a leather case.

“When we created the DLX Stretch, we set out to “stretch” what shooters expect from a lens adapter,” said Bohus Blahut, marketing director for Fotodiox Pro. “Today’s mirrorless cameras are amazing, but they suffer from too few native lens choices. The DLX Stretch adapters bring those choices back. Additionally, the DLX Stretch offers amazing imaging flexibility with its built-in macro-focusing helicoid as well as our revolutionary drop-in filter system for rapid-fire filter changes. With DLX Stretch lens adapters, you can get more done with a single lens than ever before.”

DLX Stretch adapters are available for the following lens mounts: Canon EOS, Canon FD, Contax/Yashica, Leica R. Minolta MD, Nikon, Olympus Zuiko (OM), and Pentax K. Select models of the DLX Stretch also include additional aperture control for lenses that lack an aperture control ring. They are available now at FotodioxPro.com.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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JPEGmini Photoshop extension aims to top Adobe’s ‘save for web’

10 May

Beamr, the software company behind the content-aware JPEGmini image compression application, has introduced an extension for Adobe Photoshop. Dubbing it the ‘The Save For Web button Adobe should’ve made’, the company claims the extension will save users time and produce better results than Adobe’s default Save For Web settings.

JPEGmini is an image compression package that analyzes individual sectors of an image and applies different degrees of compression to each sector according to its content. The designers claim that its compression results in no visible degradation of the image, but that it can reduce file sizes by up to 80% while ‘preserving their full resolution and quality.’ The smaller files save space on a hard drive and are also lighter for emailing and web hosting, according to the company.

The Photoshop extension comes as part of the JPEGmini Pro bundle, along with a plug-in for Lightroom, which costs $ 99. Photoshop CC 2015.1 is required to use the extension. For more information visit the JPEGmini website and read our test of a previous version of the software. 

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Let’s Get Up Close with Extension Tubes

26 Jan

If you want to get up close to your subject, closer than you can by setting your lens to its minimum focusing distance, then extension tubes are an excellent way of doing so.

Extension tubes and close-up photography

When you turn the focusing ring of your lens away from infinity, the front element moves out from the lens body. The distance between the front element and the sensor (or film) plane is called extension. When your lens is set to its minimum focusing distance, the front element can move no further forward. You have reached the limit of the lens’s design.

An extension tube is a hollow tube that fits between your lens and camera body. It moves the lens further away, increasing the extension of the front element. In turn, this lets you move the lens closer to the subject, increasing magnification, and in some cases even matching the 1:1 magnification of a true macro lens.

This is the Fujifilm MC-EX 16 extension tube that I use. The electrical contacts, that allow the lens and camera body to communicate, are visible at the back (more on the importance of this later).

Extension tubes and close-up photography

This is the Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 lens mounted to an X-Pro 1 camera. The distance between the front lens element and the sensor plane is the extension. This figure helps determine the closest point the lens can focus on (in this case 28cm), and subsequently the magnification.

Extension tubes and close-up photography

Below is the same lens with the MC-EX 16 extension tube added. You can see that the front element of the lens is now 16mm further away from the sensor plane. Now the lens can focus on a much closer point.

Extension tubes and close-up photography

Extension tubes versus macro lenses

Extension tubes are a great tool, but for the best possible optical quality and the most versatility you should choose a macro lens if you can. The reason for this is that increasing the extension of a non-macro lens means that you are using it outside the limits it is designed to work within. Macro lenses, on the other hand, are designed to give their peak optical performance at close focusing distances. They can also focus at infinity – whereas a lens fitted with an extension tube cannot.

The main benefit of extension tubes is that they are small and light. You can carry them around in case you need them, and leave your macro lens (if you have one) at home. They are ideal for anybody who travels a lot, or who wants to keep the weight of their camera bag down.

Cheap extension tubes versus good quality ones

You can buy inexpensive extension tubes from Amazon or eBay. These may look like a great deal but they break the electrical connection between your camera and the lens. If your lens has an electronically controlled aperture that means, you can’t stop the lens down. The camera also can’t record the aperture setting in the EXIF data.

Your camera will still work, and meter the subject to give you the correct exposure. But, given that depth of field at the widest aperture is incredibly narrow, and that you need to stop down to improve image quality, these cheap extension tubes are not of much practical use. They are only useful if you have a lens with a manual aperture ring.

The best ones to buy are those made by your camera manufacturer, or by a third party like Kenko or Vivitar, who make extension tubes that maintain the electronic connection between lens and camera. There is usually a choice of two sizes. The widest will get you closer, and the narrowest will come in useful when you don’t need to be quite so close. You may want to start off buying one or the other, but will probably end up buying both to cope with different situations.

Extension tubes and magnification

Extension tubes are most effective when used with lenses of focal lengths between 24-100mm. They are not so effective when used with telephoto lenses (for these, use a close-up lens). You can’t use an extension tube with some wide-angle lenses as it becomes impossible to focus with it fitted.

To see how much magnification an extension tube will give you with a specific lens, check the specifications on B&H Photo Video (United States) or Wex Photographic (UK). You may also be able to find the information on the manufacturer’s website. The instruction sheet that comes with the extension tubes also has this information, and you may be able to find a copy online.

There’s an easy formula for calculating how much extra magnification an extension tube will give you:

Increase in magnification = extension distance/lens focal length

For example, my Fujinon 35mm f1.4 lens has a magnification of 0.17x at its closest focusing distance of 28cm (I found this information in the spec sheet). Adding a 16mm extension tube means the increase in magnification is 0.45 (16/35), giving a total of 0.62x (0.45 + 0.17). This figure is a little academic, but it’s useful for evaluating whether you can add an extension tube to your lens and reach the 1:1 (1x) magnification, offered by most macro lenses.

Extension tubes in action

These photos show you how much difference an extension tube can make.

Extension tubes and close-up photography

This first image was taken with my 35mm lens. This is the closest I could get to the flowers.

Extension tubes and close-up photography

This was taken with the 35mm lens plus 16mm extension tube. Look at the difference.

Extension tubes and close-up photography

This photo was taken with a Canon 85mm lens fitted with a 12mm extension tube.

Extension tubes and close-up photography

This was taken with the same lens fitted with a 25mm extension tube. It shows the huge difference a different sized tube makes to the magnification.

Your turn

Do you own an extension tube? Which ones do you have and how useful are they? Let us know in the comments, it will be useful for other readers who are thinking about buying some.

Mastering PhotographyMastering Photography ebook by Andrew S. Gibson

My ebook Mastering Photography: A Beginner’s Guide to Using Digital Cameras teaches you how to take your camera off automatic so you can take control and start creating the photos you see in your mind’s eye. Click the link to learn more or buy.

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