Cheap Macro Extension Tubes

By
Lynda Giddens
– Mon April 18, 2011Posted in: Photography

Photography is an expensive hobby. I firmly believe art can be achieved with any camera, however the more I learn about photography, the more I feel compelled to try new things. It’s hard to do that without an SLR, a couple of lenses and some accessories.

The first powerful digital camera I had was a Sony Mavica MVC-CD1000. It isn’t an SLR, but it is semi-manual and the lens is terrific. With it, I was able to experiment with the wonderful world of macros. And I fell in love!

When I got my SLR with its kit 18-55mm lens, I learned that not all glass can get within centimeters of its subject and still be able to focus. Macro lenses cost hundreds, if not a couple of thousand dollars. As much as I love macros, I don’t think it’d be my next glass purchase and my budget is really limited. So for the first several years I had my SLR I put the idea of macros out of my head.

Then last year I found these super cheap close-up filters (52mm thread) (for about $12 at the time) I was really excited to be able to get close in. Since it screws onto my lens, it only works with my 50mm as my 18-105mm has a different threading.

Macro Extension Tubes

The close-up filters are cool and all, but it’s really just a magnifying glass on the end of my lens. Not too long I read about macro extension tubes so I started researching more about them.

An extension tube is placed between the camera and the lens, to move the lens further away from the image sensors. The more distance, the closer you’re able to focus and getting close-up is kind of a requirement for macro photography. There are no optics involved, it’s just a hollow tube with electronics in it so your camera can still read light and control aperture and focus properly. Best of all, since it’s designed to fit your camera mount it can be used with just about any lens.

Amazon.com has two popular brands: the Kenko line for Nikon and Canon which is $179 new, or the Zeikos line for Nikon and Canon which is about $85 new. I’m thrifty, so I read all the reviews for both and checked out some video reviews on YouTube. Both sets of extension tubes come with a 12mm, 20mm and 36mm extender ring which can be combined any way. The only difference is that some people say the Zeikos brand is hard to attach and detach from lenses and each other.

Under $100 for higher quality macros sounded like a deal to me, so I went ahead and ordered the Zeikos and after a mail mishap I received it over the weekend! I did have a difficult time attaching it to my lens the first time, but I think that’s because I’m a moron when it comes to putting things together. Once I had it attached properly, it worked perfectly!

Taken with a Zeikos 36mm Macro Extension Tube by Lynda Giddens

Weeds - Taken with a Zeikos 20mm Extension Tube by Lynda GiddensHibiscus- Taken with a Zeikos 20mm Extension Tube by Lynda Giddens

Lilly Stamen Taken with a Zeikos 20mm Extension Tube by Lynda Giddens

These photos were all taken without a tripod because my kids were running around and I’m always wary of using it around them. I’m pretty confident the first time I try one of them will come running by at just the wrong moment and my camera will go tumbling down toward the hard, cruel cement.

I can’t wait to break out the tripod and see what it can really do!

I’m extremely happy with my purchase and think these macro extension tubes will satisfy my macro needs for a long time to come!

Please note: This article contains several affiliate links and a small amount of money goes to me if you purchase something from Amazon after clicking on these links. This article is 100% my own opinion. I heartily endorse both Amazon.com and the Zeikos extension tubes!


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