[Macro] Extension Tubes

Hi,

I'm thinking on getting a Kenko set of extension tubes,
I was just wondering if any of you have had any experience
with these extension tubes, for doing close-up, macro.

An interesting link related with this, might be Lens Calculator
to see the effect of using close-up lenses, extension tubes,
on min focal distance, depth of field.
http://eosdoc.com/jlcalc/

Hi,

at the end I couldn't get the kenko extension tubes for Nikon, it seems they have being discontinued by the company.
Instead I got a cheaper, fully manual version of them, you can get from ebay.
In the fotoroom at flickr I've posted a few examples of how close you can get,
at least it is a very cheap way to try out close-up and macro photography
without investing hard cash on a dedicated macro/micro lens.

The way how extension tubes works is:
It is a simple metal/plastic tube that is attached between the camera body and the lens.
You can get a set of 3 tubes of different sizes, mine are 9mm, 16mm, 30mm.
By increasing the distance between the lens and the body what we are really doing
is reducing the minimum distance at what an object is in focus. At the same time, because
we need to get closer to the object to get in focus we are increasing the magnification ratio,
thinks as if we are zooming in.

ex 1: The eyes of an snail
ex 2: colored drops frozen in a glass
ex 3: passion fruit skin

Definetily it is worth the inversion, it only cost me 10€, (shipping fees included) and the results are quite remarkable.

Caveats or things to worry about, (this is for those extension tubes that don't have support for automatic focus)
[nikon users] Like me, if you have the kit lens or any new AF-S lenses the functionality will be very limeted, because those
lenses don't allow to set the size of the aperture. I was lucky to get on loan an entry level money wise 50 mm 1.8 with manual aperture ring
[canon users] As far I know with a canon lens it is possible to set the aperture value by setting the value and afterwards swicthing off the camera,
then you put the extension tube and ei presto, start shooting.

cheers,
Epi

Hi Epi,
I had a look at the photos you posted on flickr.... it looks like you had great fun with your new gadget!! The results are very impressive. Really liked the skin and glass bubble ones. You might bring the extension tubes with you for the next meeting. I would be interested in having a look at them as I'm sure would others.

Caroline