topic Re: Camera problem with extension tubes in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Camera problem with extension tubes

Nsanti — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 00:42:39 GMT

I am having a problem with my canon sl2 and andeer extension tubes with autofocus support. Whenever I change lenses with the extension tube still attached to the camera, the camera will not power on after the lens change unless I take out the battery, and put it back in.

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

MikeSowsun — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 05:06:25 GMT

It sounds like your extension tubes are having intermittent, or poor connections, with the electrical contacts between the lens and camera. It is a fairly common problem with cheaper 3rd party extension tubes, especially if you mount 2 or 3 tubes together.

Here are a couple of reviews from Amazon:

"The primary issue is stability. The tubes to not fit together tightly as a lens and camera do. There is a tiny bit of slack. With just one tube it’s not a big deal. When using all 3 together it’s very noticeable. If the weight of the tubes and lens is not fully supported there will actually be a slight arch in the tube set. It is enough to loose connection between the lens and camera causing the camera to shut off. It can also cause the image to be soft since the bend will cause the image to hit the sensor at a slight angel instead of straight on."

All three of the adapters wouldn't keep any electrical connection. Therefore, there is no autofocus. Its not metal construction either, its made of plastic. The return I wanted to do would cost me more than the 5 dollars I was offered from this seller. I had no choice but to accept the 60% discount and keep the faulty product. In the end I was left to pay 40% of the price for a worthless product that I threw in the garbage! Andoer has some really good products... but this one is junk. Stay away."

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

Waddizzle — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 07:37:06 GMT

@Nsanti wrote:
I am having a problem with my canon sl2 and andeer extension tubes with autofocus support. Whenever I change lenses with the extension tube still attached to the camera, the camera will not power on after the lens change unless I take out the battery, and put it back in.

Review the instructions for the extension tubes. I think you should attach them to the lens, and then attach the combination to the camera. You should not mount the tube on the camera, and then mount the lens to the tube.

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

Waddizzle — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:33:23 GMT

Oh, yeah. The camera should be turned off when you mount and dismount any lens, especially when using an adapter.

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

ebiggs1 — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:41:28 GMT

"... the camera will not power on after the lens change unless I take out the battery, and put it back in."

This is a red flag to me. I would buy some real Canon tubes and not use those anymore. The camera doesn't like them.

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

Nsanti — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:44:32 GMT

after some more testing I discovered it really doesn't matter if the tube is connected to the camera or the lens. after powering off the camera and changing to a lens with the tube attached it won't power on unless I pull out and put back in the battery. I've come to the conclusion that the use of $15 tubes is not worth it to possibly damage my $400 camera.

does anyone think I caused damage to the camera by trying this. It seems to function fine now.

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

ebiggs1 — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:47:54 GMT

"The camera should be turned off when you mount and dismount any lens,..."

You know I used to think this was true but I don't anymore. The last pin to make contact is the power pin. The first one to break contact is the power pin. Once the lens is turned a tiny amount, power to the lens has been removed. Now there may be some reason inside the camera that doesn't like being on when changing lenses but I can't imagine what or why?

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

John_ — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:48:52 GMT

I'd say from the odd symptoms you have described the potential to cause damage to your camera is real. You should quit while you're ahead and toss your tubes!

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

ebiggs1 — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:49:51 GMT

"does anyone think I caused damage to the camera by trying this...."

It can't be good because Canon tubes don't do that. It may not damage the camera but like you said $15 vs $400. Why risk it?

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

kvbarkley — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:07:26 GMT

It is still good practice. often when a pin connects like that there is "contact bounce" so that the lens would recieve and lose power several times in a short period of time. That can cause spikes or just confuse the computer in the lens.

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

Nsanti — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:09:13 GMT

Ok, thank you all for your help. I will try to get my money back / return them. I'm starting to wonder if extension tubes are right for me anyway since with the stock 18-55, focusing distance becomes right on the object at times.

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

kvbarkley — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:34:03 GMT

Look at the EF-S 60mm macro, I am exceedingly pleased with it:

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

Waddizzle — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 16:18:26 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"The camera should be turned off when you mount and dismount any lens,..."

You know I used to think this was true but I don't anymore. The last pin to make contact is the power pin. The first one to break contact is the power pin. Once the lens is turned a tiny amount, power to the lens has been removed. Now there may be some reason inside the camera that doesn't like being on when changing lenses but I can't imagine what or why?

Turning off the camera is what Canon recommends.

Note the bold text near the bottom of the page inside of the first blue box. Does it seem to work with the camera on? Sure, but that does not change the fact that the recommended procedure is to turn off the camera. Doing so helps to protect the inside of the camera from accidents.

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

John_ — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 16:55:46 GMT

There is a constant supply of power to the lens when the camera is on, It's the surge produced when that power is abruptly interrupted that could feedback into those tiny, sensitive electronic components within the camera to be concerned about. It's sort of like playing Russian roulette.

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

jrhoffman75 — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 18:31:53 GMT

@John_ wrote:
There is a constant supply of power to the lens when the camera is on, It's the surge produced when that power is abruptly interrupted that could feedback into those tiny, sensitive electronic components within the camera to be concerned about. It's sort of like playing Russian roulette.

Yes. It's just good practice to power down electronic equipment before connecting or disconnecting accessories.

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

MikeSowsun — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 19:02:44 GMT

If you use a voltmeter, you will find that even with the camera turned off, there is still power at the some of the camera lens contacts.

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

jrhoffman75 — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 18:46:28 GMT

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

MikeSowsun — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 19:18:21 GMT

"Note that power is only supplied to the lens when the camera needs it to do something"

This can't be true because voltage is present at some of the the camera body contacts, even with the main power switch turned off.

Additionally, The 80D, and most other newer cameras, have a custom function for retracting the lens barrel on a lens after the power is switched off.

Re: Camera problem with extension tubes

Nsanti — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 19:15:47 GMT

I just returned the tubes. It's not worth risking my camera, and I'm not even sure extension tubes were right for the type of lenses I own. I have always turned off the camera before changing lenses. These tubes acted funny even though the camera was off.