Hello there my wonderful readers, how are you today? In the today’s article I will talk about which are the best extension tubes for Canon DSLR and mirror less cameras. To take extreme close up images of your subjects, you need a special macro lens which allows you to see all the details of a tiny insect, for instance.
But, since macro lenses are not quite cheap, there are some alternatives like extension tubes which gives you almost the same performance like a macro lens. These will allow you to get close enough to your subjects and take quality photos of them. Below I will explain what is an extension tube and how to use it, and also, I will review some of the best extension tubes for Canon.
Extension tubes definition
Extension tubes are a set of two or three rings with different sizes. I have extension tubes with sizes of 13mm on the smallest ring, 21mm on the middle ring and 31mm on the larger ring from Shoot manufacturer. So, in total of 65 extra millimeters, if I attach all the three rings to my camera. More extensions attached means, higher magnification. But these sizes can vary.
They are hollow inside and don’t have any optics, which means that will not alter the image quality.
There are two types of extension tubes, those with electric connection and those without electric connection.
Those with electric connection, maintain the connection between the camera body and lens. You can control aperture and exposure through manual settings.
Those without electric connection don’t maintain the connection between camera and lens. Which means that your camera will remain locked on the widest aperture.
To control aperture with these extensions, set the aperture to the desired F-stop number, hold down the depth of field button, whilst holding the button, remove the lens from the camera, attach the extensions to the lens, then reattach them both to the camera body. This way you will save the aperture settings.
How to use the extension tubes
– To take macro photos with extension tubes, you have to attach them between the camera body and lens.
– Set focus to manual and control it from the focus ring of the lens.
– Extension tubes, if you have the whole set attached to your camera, will disable the image stabilization and it will be difficult for you take photos hand held because, even with a slight shake, the image will come out distorted and unclear. To avoid this, use a tripod or lean on something, if possible, to be able to take shake free images.
– Try to position your subjects in the image in such way to catch as much as possible of them. The depth of field will become really shallow, and this will cause blurriness on your subjects.
When you attach the extensions to your camera, you will notice that everything is blurry when you look through the viewfinder. Don’t worry. It’s not broken, this blurriness is caused by the tubes because they don’t provide an infinite focusing distance. This means that only if you get close to your subject you’re able to get the image in focus.
Extension tubes work well with the standard lens, those lenses when you first unbox the camera. But, if you attach them to a wide-angle lens you will not get good results. As well with longer focal length lens like zoom lens, it is unnecessary to attach tubes to those lenses, will not affect it at all, it already have enough magnification.
Buying advice for extension tubes
– Reviews. Search for good and bad reviews, both will give an in depth opinion for the product.
– If customers complaint that the tubes don’t attach well, don’t buy from that manufacturer. Even a tiny light leak can ruin your images. Extension tubes should be shut sealed when you attach them to your camera and lens.
– Another complaint I saw in some of the reviews is that, or they get stuck to the lens or the attachment mechanism don’t work well and will cause the lens to fall from the camera body.
– If you encounter too many complaints on a specific manufacturer, don’t even think to buy it, you don’t want to spend money on nothing. Below I will show you some of the best extension tubes that’s worth investing in.
Best extension tubes for Canon
Both cheap and expensive ones are great and provide amazing magnification. And because they don’t have optics inside, the quality of the images wont be affected even with the cheapest extensions. The products shown below are from Amazon.
Extension tubes for DSLR Canon cameras:
1. Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG for Canon EOS Lenses A-EXTUBEDG-C
– Three Extension Tubes in 12mm, 20mm and 36mm lengths
– Supports full frame camera sensors
– Electrical contacts for communication between camera and lens
– Maintains TTL metering and automatic aperture control
– AF operation is possible, but as depth of focus is very small, switching to manual focus is advised
– The length of extension tubes used should be less than the focal length of the lens
– Not designed to be used with mount adapters or tele-converters. Doing so could damage lens or camera
2. Movo AF Macro Extension Tubes for Canon EOS with 12mm, 20mm and 36mm Tubes
– TRANSFORM YOUR SHOTS: Convert your ordinary lens into professional-grade macro photography lenses. Capture nature at its most vivid with extreme closeup shots
– MACRO MAGNIFICATION: Create the exact magnification you need to capture the perfect macro shot by using the 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm individually or all together
– 1-YEAR WARRANTY: We’ve got your back! Our products are designed to ease your technical woes, not add to them. Our friendly US-Based support is here to help
– FOCUS: Its smart electrical and mechanical design allows you to maintain your camera’s autofocus at f/5.6 or brighter to ensure professional-quality shots
– IMAGE QUALITY: Its no-glass design minimizes potential image quality loss and provides consistent quality for your shoots
3. Viltrox Metal Mount Auto Focus AF Macro Extension Tube Ring Set 12mm,20mm,36mm for Canon
– Compatible with :Canon 1300D 1500D 760D 750D 800D 700D 650D 600D 80D 70D 5DII 5DIII 5DIV 6D 7D etc Camera and Canon EF EF-S series Lens
– The AF Extension Tube Set can transform your Lens into a Macro Lens. It moves the lens from the film or digital sensor. The closer the focus is, the greater the magnification
– Configuration: Engineering plastics material + metal bayonet, seven kinds of combinations, seven kinds of magnifications, perfect for macro shooting
– Tube Lengths: (1) 12mm. (2) 20mm. (3) 36mm. Macro extension tube can be used alone or in superimposed
– When using the extension tubes alone (10mm or 20mm or 36mm ) or combination (10mm+20+36mm=66mm),support AF(Auto-Focus), AF Motor Protection: while using 3 rings together, we suggest you to use manual focus or Increase the lens focal lengths for it’s a little bit difficult to auto-focus with 3 rings together, and also protecting your lens motor
4. SHOOT Aluminum AF Auto Focus Macro Extension Tube Set for Canon
– This Macro Extension Tube Set includes 3 extension tubes:13mm,21mm,31mm
– This macro extension tube set is suitable for all Canon EF EF-S and IS series lenses. Transform your Lens into a Macro Lens, such as Rebel X, Rebel XT, Rebel XTi, Rebel XSi, 1100D, 700D, 650D, 600D, 550D , 500D, 450D, 400D, 350D, 300D, 100D, 70D, 60D, 50D ,10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 5D ,1D-X, 1D, 1Ds, 1D mark II, 1Ds mark II, 1D mark III, 1Ds mark III , 5D mark III,30/33/30V,50/55, kiss III, kiss IIIL,100,10, 300V, 300X, 300VQD
– Moves the lens from the film or digital sensor. The closer the focus is, the greater the magnification
– This extension tube does not affect image quality as there is no optics inside
– In comparison, a close up filter is often blamed for degrading the quality of image.
5. Fotodiox Canon EOS Macro Extension Tube Set Kit for Extreme Close-up
– Kit includes: Camera Mount Coupling Adapter, Lens Mount Coupling Adapter, Extension Tube 1, Tube 2, Tube 3
– All Metal Construction
– Any combination for various Macro Effect.
– 24 Month Manufacture Warranty
Extension tubes for Mirror less Canon cameras:
1. Movo MT-CM47 3-Piece AF Chrome Macro Extension Tube Set for Canon EOS M, M2, M3, M5, M6, M10, M100 Mirrorless Cameras with 10mm, 16mm and 21mm Tubes
– Chrome AF Mounting System – Maintains full Auto-Focus and Metering with the Canon EOS M-Series Mirrorless Camera System
– Creates beautiful macro shots of insects, flowers, coins, jewelry and more
– Tubes can be used individually to shorten the minimum focus distance of your lens, or stacked for extreme close-up shots
– Compatible with Full-Frame & Cropped Sensors
– 1 Year Movo Warranty with Fast & Friendly Support
This extension tube set don’t have any reviews on Amazon, and I don’t find any on other websites. But, this doesn’t mean that it’s a bad product, maybe it’s recently added for sale or their customers didn’t buy it yet. It’s worth a try, Movo is a great company.
2. VILTROX DG-EOS M Auto Focus Macro Extension Tube Rig, Metal Mount for Canon EOS Mirrorless Camera (10mm 16mm only or combination)
– The extension tube is designed for Canon EF-M Mount Mirrorless Camera EOS-M M2 M3 M5 M6 M10 M50 M100
– The AF Extension Tube Set can transform your Lens into a Macro Lens. It moves the lens from the film or digital sensor. The closer the focus is, the greater the magnification
– The extension tube does not affect image quality as there is no optics inside. In comparison, a close up filter is often blamed for degrading the quality of image
– Tube Lengths: (1) 10mm.(2) 16mm. Macro extension tube can be used alone or in superimposed
– It is with electronic contacts, which make it support automatic focusing, automatic exposure, etc. It enables you to use all shooting modes of the camera, exposure compensation is required.
3. Andoer DG-EOS M Automatic Extension Tube 10mm and 16mm Auto Focus Compatible with Canon EF-M Mount Series Mirrorless Camera
– DG-EOS M extension tube for Canon EF-M mount is an accessory, specially designed for Canon EF-M mount lenses to shoot at closer distance with higher magnification.
– Support camera TTL features and AE mode. Since the magnification changes according to the focal length of the lens, you can easily make close-up shots of small subjects, insects or flower.
– Built-in gold-plated electronic contacts, adopt high strength aluminum alloy bayonet, durable and exquisite, perfect match and better transmission.
– In most of case, only one tube is enough to achieve macro effect with excellent photo quality. Can be used alone or combined, which can achieve 3 different kind of magnification and work perfectly with camera’s auto focus.
– Furthermore, electronics signals between the camera and lens are transferred through the electronic contacts of the DG-EOS M extension tube for Canon EF-M mount lenses, enabling you to use all of the camera’s shooting modes.
4. MEIKE MK-C-AF3C-Red Auto Focus Macro Metal Extension Tube Adapter for Canon EOS -M Bayonet Mirrorless Camera(10MM 16MM only use or Combination)
– This extension tube is designed to shoot at closer distance with higher magnification for Canon EOS-M EOS- M2 EOS-M3 system Camera
– It enables you to use all shooting modes of the camera, exposure compensation is required. Getting closer has the effect of magnifying your subject (making it appear larger in the viewfinder and in your pictures)
– The extension tube is designed for Fuji X-Mount lens mounting at a higher magnification at a closer distance
– When using a macro extension tube, it is recommended to use the manual mode to change the shutter speed directly to control the exposure level
– When using the extension tubes alone (10 mm or 16 mm) or combination (10mm+16mm=26mm), the focal length of lens should be greater than the length (10mm 16mm or 26mm ) of the tube
Same as Movo extension tubes, can’t seem to find reviews for Canon mirrorless cameras. But they are an awesome company too.
5. Voking VK-C-ET 10mm+16mm Metal AF Auto Focus Macro Extension Tube Adapter Ring Kit for Canon Mirrorless cameras
– AF: Support autofocus, recommended to use the manual mode to change the shutter speed directly to control the exposure level
– Compatibility: work with all Canon EOS-M mount cameras Canon M2 M3 M5 M6 M10 M50 M100
– 3 different combinations: Can be used alone or in superimposed(10mm,16mm,10+16mm)
– Size/Weight: Φ57 x 10mm / 30g (approx.),Φ57 x 16mm / 38g (approx.)
– Macro: Getting closer has the effect of magnifying your subject (making it appear larger in the viewfinder and in your pictures)
Conclusion
Extension tubes can turn any standard lens into a macro lens with less money spent.
If you are just starting in macro photography, these extensions can help you boost you macro photography skills before you can buy a dedicated macro lens.
Have any questions or opinions? Please let me know by commenting below and I will respond and help you as soon as possible. Be safe and take care.
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