I was wondering people's thoughts about extension tubes. Ebay offers knockoff tubes for about $15 each and Canon offers a couple types ranging from $85-$140. I shoot all L-series glass and wonder how much I would be downgrading my quality if I bought a knockoff. Any thoughts?

Mateo

Make sure that the ebay tubed don't require you use a lens with an apeture ring. Most cheap extension tubes are shady like that. So if you can't set the aperture of hte lens on the lens make sure you get tubes that can!

Kenko tubes from B&H is what I got and they work just fine. Set of 3 was $100 or less..

I also have Kenko tubes which I bought years ago. The DOF is nearly non-existant, but I can get ring shots that are actually too close (meaning I can comment precisely on cut, clarity, and color of the diamond.) I have several shots I couldn't bring myself to show a bride because they showed so many occulsions in the diamond.

You can use a cardboard toilet paper tube, if you want. Just cut it to the length you want and there you go. If you have a lens that has the aperture ring on the lens (brand doesn't matter), you can use that with your cardboard tube.

If you don't want a do-it-yourself kit, and you shoot Canon AF (no aperture ring), you'll need tubes with the appropriate electronic connections so your camera can "talk" to the lens through the tube.

But I have to ask, what will the tubes get you that a high-quality diopter won't? Besides loss of light? The diopters are so much easier to use and carry. Your DOF will be the same with the same magnification and aperture no matter what lens (or tube or diopter or reversed lens) you use.

You can also, depending on how much extension you need, just hold the lens off the camera... which works.

This is a shot I did with the Kenko on my 5D.. I'm guessing I had the middle length kenko on my 85/1.8...

I know what diopter is as a concept but I have never heard t used as a noun. Got a link?

Not the greatest shot, but just to give you an idea of how ridiculous you can get with the kenkos.

Click to view attachment

First time uploading a pic, lets see if this works!


Didn't do any PP so please forgive the threads snagged on the setting.

so close you can see the hairs on a diamond.

great info! thanks folks!

I won't use the tube for much more than ring shots so it looks like the cheaper tubes seems to suffice pretty darn well!

Right! See it wasn't laziness on my behalf, I wanted to show the sharpness.

Here you go.

Oh wow, that's what those are called? That's awesome. Thanks so much Adam i really appreciate it!

Just got the Kenko tubes from B&H- worth EVERY PENNY! I got the set of 3 ~$160, and I don't know how I lived without them before- I went a little crazy today