extension tubes or 2 x extender?

[nwhc]

Hi all,

I recently got a 100mm macro lens but i want to get closer! I see a lot of people use the kenko tubes I'm just curious if the 2x extenders work the same way?

I'm very new to all this so any advice would be great.

thanks in advance.

[Lance B]

Basically they do, but you have extra glass in the light path which may degrade the image. The advantage of TC's is that they allow for infinity focus, whereas I think that the extenders do not, but than that is irrelevent if you are shooting macro. Some extenders allow for auto metering as they have the couplings for the aperture and electrical connections for same, some do not.

For shooting macro's, go the extenders.

For shooting distance, use TC's.

[old dog]

yep, Lance got it right. I have the Kenko AF tubes and they work just great.

[mowgli]

did you get the full set of tubes?

[Bennymiata]

The Kenkos come as set of 3.
You can use any of the three by itself, and the longer the tube the closer you can focus, or you can use them in any combination.

One thing though, the longer the tube(s), the less DOF (depth of field) you will have, so your focus will have to be very accurate to get good shots.

[nwhc]

Ok thanks for the replys I might see if I can find a set to play with before I purchase.

[Fedgrub]

You could use them together, which will give you the best of both words, but like Benny said, the DOF is almost paper thin sometimes. Not impossible, but if you are new, you might find it difficult to nail it. I bought the tubes first, worked them, then got a TC.