How to focus when using an extension tube

RaymondPhotos

I own a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens and recently purchased an EF 25 extension tube in order to reduce the focus distance in hopes of pursuing some marcro photography without purchasing another lens. My question concerns with how to focus properly with such an arrangement. Should I use the zoom as the primary focus? Also how close can I expect to get to the subject?

And finally... is there any reason to use a lens hood with marcro photography?

Thanks for the help, hopefully I am not out of my league.

Qarik

RaymondPhotos wrote:

I own a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens and recently purchased an EF 25 extension tube in order to reduce the focus distance in hopes of pursuing some marcro photography without purchasing another lens. My question concerns with how to focus properly with such an arrangement. Should I use the zoom as the primary focus? Also how close can I expect to get to the subject?

And finally... is there any reason to use a lens hood with marcro photography?

Thanks for the help, hopefully I am not out of my league.

Lens hood will most likely get in the way.

If you are tripoded then just manual focus. If not tripoded (I think this is the majority case) many macro photographers focus by manual until you get the approximate distance away from subject that you want. Then leave the manual focus ring alone and simply rock back and forth very slowly until focus is achieved and snap. The reason turning the ring to focus is not often employed is that:

1) the ring can often be too course for very small subjects
2) your body is swaying very slightly anyway..might as well take out one variable and fix the lens focus and let your sway be the focus!

It does take bit practice for this.

Tim Kamppinen

Just focus by moving the whole camera, either by swaying back and forth or by minute tripod adjustments. Macro rails are specifically designed for this. They mount on your tripod, you mount your camera on the rail, and it allows you to slide it back and forth with precision.

RaymondPhotos

Thanks to both of you. I am still confused on whether I should be shooting at the telephoto side or at 70 mm? Or does this depend on how close I can physically get to the subject?

Qarik

RaymondPhotos wrote:

Thanks to both of you. I am still confused on whether I should be shooting at the telephoto side or at 70 mm? Or does this depend on how close I can physically get to the subject?

That is an artistic choice!

RaymondPhotos

Qarik wrote:

That is an artistic choice!

Thank you. I think trail and error will be the best way to find out what works and what doesnt.

Art Scott

RaymondPhotos wrote:

I own a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens and recently purchased an EF 25 extension tube in order to reduce the focus distance in hopes of pursuing some marcro photography without purchasing another lens. My question concerns with how to focus properly with such an arrangement. Should I use the zoom as the primary focus? Also how close can I expect to get to the subject?

And finally... is there any reason to use a lens hood with marcro photography?

Thanks for the help, hopefully I am not out of my league.

For precise focusing I feel one needs a focusing rail.....here is one I have up in the KITCHEN SINK for sale........

these work like a charm for very precise focusing with extension tubes or reversed lenses or standard macro lenses. Sorry for the dusty pic.....hasn't been used in a while.........