Extension tubes and 70-x00?

TristanP

Anyone have examples or experience using tubes (Canon or Kenko) with zoom telephotos like the 70-x00? I have the 70-300 IS which does pretty well with larger bugs like dragons (especially since the IS cancels out the handholding shakiness @ 300mm) but minimum focus distance is ~5 ft. I was wondering if gettting some tubes would benefit the lens at all (decrease minimum focus a bit and still maintain a fair working distance). I would of course be able to use them on my 100 macro as well. Thanks.

darkdragon

TristanP wrote:

Anyone have examples or experience using tubes (Canon or Kenko) with zoom telephotos like the 70-x00? I have the 70-300 IS which does pretty well with larger bugs like dragons (especially since the IS cancels out the handholding shakiness @ 300mm) but minimum focus distance is ~5 ft. I was wondering if gettting some tubes would benefit the lens at all (decrease minimum focus a bit and still maintain a fair working distance). I would of course be able to use them on my 100 macro as well. Thanks.

My 70-200mm is my favorite lens to use extension tubes with. I use the full set of Kenko tubes on it and it is great!

TristanP

Do you have example pics with and without the tubes to show the difference? How much do the tubes affect minimum focus distance?

darkdragon

TristanP wrote:

Do you have example pics with and without the tubes to show the difference? How much do the tubes affect minimum focus distance?

I don't really have anything like that, but I'll see what I can come up with this week. I can tell you that the focus distance was as close as 5" with the tubes.

darkdragon

TristanP wrote:

Do you have example pics with and without the tubes to show the difference? How much do the tubes affect minimum focus distance?

As promised. Here is a shot and some snaps of the setup. Full set of Kenko tubes and a normal size playing card. Lens is about 3" away from the card. I think i could have got aprox 2" away and still focused but my tripod was in the way.

1. The photo of the card


2. The complete setup


3. closeup of the lens/card with a ruler

Robinivich

The farther out you zoom, the less effect the tubes will have, ie kenko tube set (68mm all in) will move a theoretical 70mm lens from infinity focus down to nearly 1:1 macro (the lens will probably go beyond this when set at minimum focus). But a 200mm or 300mm lens will have only 1:2.9 or 1:4.3 magnification (when set to infinity, if focused close the math is too much for me )

From what I've read, close up lenses like canon's 500D, which screw onto the filter threads, are better for tele-zooms and subjects like dragons, where you want maximum working distance.

I understand your desire to have a dual purpose accessory though. For what it's worth, I have a 150mm macro and the kenko tubes, and the tubes are worth their weight in gold!

TristanP

Thank you both for the responses. Looks like tubes will be my next purchase.