macro question - extension tubes vs a macro lens
Posted 27/03/2006 - 22:06
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David,
The best thing is to try it!
You can use extensions on anything. The wider the lens, the closer you need to get. It can be useful to use a small tube on a telephoto as this allows you to focus closer than a telephoto without tubes.
However, a 50mm is often cited since they are the most readily available and often the sharpest lenses.
By using the tubes you are making the lens short sighted, and effectively only using the centre of the glass. The sharper the original lens, the better they will be with tubes.
The magnifying filters are often more handy - very quick to fit etc. However, I find they produce all kinds of chromatic aberrations, especially at the edges.
Just give it the combinations a try, and don't be afraid to try "odd" combinations out!
Matt
The best thing is to try it!
You can use extensions on anything. The wider the lens, the closer you need to get. It can be useful to use a small tube on a telephoto as this allows you to focus closer than a telephoto without tubes.
However, a 50mm is often cited since they are the most readily available and often the sharpest lenses.
By using the tubes you are making the lens short sighted, and effectively only using the centre of the glass. The sharper the original lens, the better they will be with tubes.
The magnifying filters are often more handy - very quick to fit etc. However, I find they produce all kinds of chromatic aberrations, especially at the edges.
Just give it the combinations a try, and don't be afraid to try "odd" combinations out!
Matt
Posted 28/03/2006 - 19:16
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It also depends on what you want to get close to. I tend to use my Sigma 70-300 APO (with macro) for outdoor flower & bug shots; extension tubes on a 50mm lens indoors on a tripod; a reversing ring attached to a 28mm lens on a tripod on a microfocusing plate as that gives most control over focus on really small objects. Try getting a reversing ring for your sicor 28mm lens and you'll give it a new lease of life. But as Matt says - go for it!
Posted 28/03/2006 - 19:28
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I got a reversing ring for my Pentax-A 50mm lens and then I was cleaning out some boxes and I found a 28mm lens which I used on my old Minolta SLR camera. The 28 has the same 49mm filter size as the 50 and both give excellent results on the reversing ring.
Together with my Sigma 50mm 2.8 macro lens I allready had some nice results.
Together with my Sigma 50mm 2.8 macro lens I allready had some nice results.
Camera:K20D|Ist*DS|Spotmatic II|MZ-10
Pentax Lenses: DA16-45|DA50-200|50A 1.7
Tamron Lenses: 28-200
Takumar Lenses: SMC 55 1.8
Sigma Lenses: EX DG 50-500 'Bigma'|EX 50mm Macro
Flashes: Metz 58 AF-1|Samsung SEF-36PZF|Pentax AF-220T
Pentax Lenses: DA16-45|DA50-200|50A 1.7
Tamron Lenses: 28-200
Takumar Lenses: SMC 55 1.8
Sigma Lenses: EX DG 50-500 'Bigma'|EX 50mm Macro
Flashes: Metz 58 AF-1|Samsung SEF-36PZF|Pentax AF-220T
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655 posts
20 years
Should I sell my sicor 28mm 2.8 that shoots very close up and has a macro 1:5
Can I expect better macro shots from the Tamron 35-210 or the sicor or using the tubes.
What do I use the tubes on - just any old decent 50mm lens?
Thanks a lot for all the free advice this forum is always good for!!!