topic Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II in EF & RF Lenses

Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

AndyMilnePhotog — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 19:07:40 GMT

Hi guys,

I love macro photography, but I would like to get closer to my subject without spending too much money. I researched that extension tubes are the best option to get started in terms of image quality. I can't decide whether to get the EF 12mm II or the EF 25mm II extension tube. The camera that I have is a Canon Rebel T6i. Also, I have 3 lenses which are the 18-55 IS STM, 50mm f/1.8 STM & 55-250 IS STM. Feel free to share your suggestions on which one to get along with the pros, cons & alternatives. Thank you.

Andrew

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

Waddizzle — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 23:21:14 GMT

The general rule that I once read is use an extension tube that is roughly 25% of the focal length of the lens you are using. go with no more than 50% of the focal length.

It is possible to stack 1-3 extensions tubes to get a longer effective length. However, the problem with stacking is that assembly can become a little shaky and unsteady.

One drawback with extension tubes is that you gain a shorter MFD, but you lose the ability to focus at infinity. But, that is a “don’t care condition” when your goal is to photograph at short distances.

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

ebiggs1 — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 14:46:58 GMT

"... but I would like to get closer to my subject without spending too much money."

This is always the case, isn't it? It (low cost) and photography usually don't play well together. However in your case a true macro lens is a better direction to go. I have seen the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens in the refurb store for less than $300. I think extension tubes are in the $80 dollar range. But a Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens will be far more useful because you can use it in 'normal' situations too. Pretty nice to have a constant f2.8 lens that is super sharp.

An extension tube has one limited usefulness for $80 bucks!

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

RobertTheFat — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 15:20:50 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"... but I would like to get closer to my subject without spending too much money."

This is always the case, isn't it? It (low cost) and photography usually don't play well together. However in your case a true macro lens is a better direction to go. I have seen the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens in the refurb store for less than $300. I think extension tubes are in the $80 dollar range. But a Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens will be far more useful because you can use it in 'normal' situations too. Pretty nice to have a constant f2.8 lens that is super sharp.
An extension tube has one limited usefulness for $80 bucks!

I'll second Ernie's recommendation. My wife has the 60mm macro, and it has served her well on three successive cameras (XTi, T2i, 7D2).

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

AndyMilnePhotog — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 14:39:11 GMT

Thanks Ernie & Robert for the suggestion. In fact, I saw on Amazon that a used copy of the 60mm macro goes for around $275-$300.
I think this lens used is probably a better choice for a first prime lens than a new 50mm f/1.8 that I got a year ago since I love shooting insects and flowers. Also, I heard macro lenses can still be decent as a portrait lens. Thanks again for helping me out.

Andrew

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

ebiggs1 — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 15:02:11 GMT

" I heard macro lenses can still be decent as a portrait lens."

This is true. It is simply a prime lens, not too much different that the ef 50mm f1.8, except it is optimized for close focus.

It can be used as any normal prime lens in the 60mm range would. Some might say it is too sharp for portraits but it will do a nice job never-the-less.

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

AndyMilnePhotog — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 17:23:13 GMT

@Waddizzle wrote:
The general rule that I once read is use an extension tube that is roughly 25% of the focal length of the lens you are using. go with no more than 50% of the focal length.

Now that I want to puchase the 60mm macro lens, let's say I attach a 25mm extension tube on the macro lens which gives me a magnification range of approximately 0.5x to 1.5x. Is this a useful application if I want to get closer to my subject such as photographing a head of an insect or archnid and also for flower pistils? Just a thought.

Andrew

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

ebiggs1 — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 17:54:29 GMT

I can't say as you will have to try it and see if it gives the result you desire. It is likely going to be a tripod situation, you know that? The DOF will be tiny.

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

AndyMilnePhotog — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 18:59:36 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
It is likely going to be a tripod situation, you know that? The DOF will be tiny.

I agree with you on that because the slighest movement of the camera, forwards and backwards can throw your subject out of focus. Also, any camera shake is exaggerated when shooting at macro distances which can result in blurry pictures. I will definitely aquaint myself to use the base macro lens first and of course a tripod until I get more experienced. As always, practice makes perfect. 😉

Andrew

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

ebiggs1 — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 21:37:13 GMT

Andrew,

Do you know how to focus stack in PS? You can increase DOF by a lot.

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

RobertTheFat — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 21:38:00 GMT

@AndyMilnePhotog wrote:
@ebiggs1 wrote:
It is likely going to be a tripod situation, you know that? The DOF will be tiny.
I agree with you on that because the slighest movement of the camera, forwards and backwards can throw your subject out of focus. Also, any camera shake is exaggerated when shooting at macro distances which can result in blurry pictures. I will definitely aquaint myself to use the base macro lens first and of course a tripod until I get more experienced. As always, practice makes perfect. 😉

Andrew

A tripod may not be enough. Remember that this is not a zoom lens. You may need to equip the tripod with one of those platforms with rails that allows you make fine adjustments to the distance of the camera from the subject.

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

kvbarkley — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 21:48:33 GMT

"macro rail"

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

AndyMilnePhotog — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 22:27:59 GMT

@ebiggs: That sounds like a gerat solution. When I tried taking a picture of a dead insect months ago, I noticed that when I used a high f-stop number like f/32 to increase the DOF, diffraction softens the image and the detail/texture is reduced significantly. I will give it a go once I get into college to further my study in photography.

@RobertTheFat & kvbarkley: I wish I can afford a macro rail which

is more precise for focus stacking than a focusing ring. However, I am an amateur/beginner photographer trying to save up for college and contributing to the food bill. I will absolutely keep it in my wish list and stick with the focusing ring for the time being until photography becomes my profession someday. Thanks though. 🙂

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

Waddizzle — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 09:41:17 GMT

@AndyMilnePhotog wrote:
@ebiggs: That sounds like a gerat solution. When I tried taking a picture of a dead insect months ago, I noticed that when I used a high f-stop number like f/32 to increase the DOF, diffraction softens the image and the detail/texture is reduced significantly. I will give it a go once I get into college to further my study in photography.

@RobertTheFat & kvbarkley: I wish I can afford a macro rail which
is more precise for focus stacking than a focusing ring. However, I am an amateur/beginner photographer trying to save up for college and contributing to the food bill. I will absolutely keep it in my wish list and stick with the focusing ring for the time being until photography becomes my profession someday. Thanks though. 🙂

If you do not have a high quality, professional grade tripod, then I suggest you make the investment. Figure on spending upwards of $200. The “load ratings” of tripods are pretty meaningless, because there is no standard that I am aware of.

Some manufacturers seem to have load ratings that are overly optimistic, while others seem rather conservative. I have found that Benro falls into the latter category. Benro makes fairly robust tripods and tripod heads, but the best part is the high quality carry cases that come with the tripods.

Choose a tripod and head that can handle 5-10 times the amount of weight of you camera and largest lens. Ball heads are the most popular type of head. If you buy a ball head, then make sure that it has a friction adjustment. A ball head is useless without it.

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

AndyMilnePhotog — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 12:53:59 GMT

@Waddizzle: Since I'm a hiking kind of guy for my photography style, is a lightweight tripod good for me such as the Benro Slim CF tripod? A good number of reviews on Amazon say it is lightweight to carry around for travel/hiking, but the legs are sturdy. The ball on this tripod does not have drag knob, only the ratchet style single adjustment knob to lock and unlock the ball head. The price is $140 I think.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the Mefoto Roadtrip is $150 & the ball head has 3 adjustment knobs including the drag knob like you suggested. It weighs 3.6 LBS & the load capacity is 17.6 LBS vs. the Benro Silm weighing 2.2 LBS and has a 8.8 LBS load capacity.

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

RobertTheFat — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 13:13:33 GMT

@AndyMilnePhotog wrote:
@Waddizzle: Since I'm a hiking kind of guy for my photography style, is a lightweight tripod good for me such as the Benro Slim CF tripod? A good number of reviews on Amazon say it is lightweight to carry around for travel/hiking, but the legs are sturdy. The ball on this tripod does not have drag knob, only the ratchet style single adjustment knob to lock and unlock the ball head. The price is $140 I think.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the Mefoto Roadtrip is $150 & the ball head has 3 adjustment knobs including the drag knob like you suggested. It weighs 3.6 LBS & the load capacity is 17.6 LBS vs. the Benro Silm weighing 2.2 LBS and has a 8.8 LBS load capacity.

Everyone wants a tripod that is light, sturdy, and cheap. The Fundamental Rule of Tripods is that you can have any two of those qualities, but not all three. If you think you've found one that does have all three, you're probably mistaken and should investigate carefully before laying out any money.

When judging load capacity, remember that one of the main reasons for owning a tripod is to accommodate camera/lens combinations that are too heavy to hand-hold.

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

ebiggs1 — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 13:58:47 GMT

"When judging load capacity, remember that one of the main reasons for owning a tripod is to accommodate camera/lens combinations that are too heavy to hand-hold."

Good advice but a tripod that is the best in the world isn't any good at all if you can't carry it. I is too darn expensive and you can't afford it. Bottom line, therefore you don't use it. Find one that fits your needs or most of them any way.

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

ebiggs1 — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 14:00:47 GMT

"...good number of reviews on Amazon ..."

Off subject a bit, if you are looking at any photo gear that is in a package deal from Amazon, don't buy it. You will be sorry. Go to a real camera store.

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

AndyMilnePhotog — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 20:51:55 GMT

@ebiggs1
...if you are looking at any photo gear that is in a package deal from Amazon, don't buy it. You will be sorry. Go to a real camera store.

...Good advice but a tripod that is the best in the world isn't any good at all if you can't carry it. It is too darn expensive and you can't afford it. Bottom line, therefore you don't use it. Find one that fits your needs or most of them any way.

Thanks for letting me know about that. It is probably a better idea for me to try out a tripod at a brick-&-mortar authorized retailer and get a hands-on demonstration. I like to hike several miles so a travel tripod is more suitable for my shooting style and getting the composition that I want.

Re: Extension Tubes - Which One To Get: EF 12mm II or EF 25mm II

ebiggs1 — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 20:43:12 GMT

Ditto that!