Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG 12mm 20mm and 36mm Tubes for Canon EOS AF Digital and Film Cameras - AEXRUBEDGC by Kenko
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Digital camera reviews of Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG 12mm 20mm and 36mm Tubes for Canon EOS AF Digital and Film Cameras - AEXRUBEDGC
Digital camera Review: Great Tubes - But Know What You're Getting!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had these for a few years now. They're built really well, and in all this time they have developed absolutely no signs of wear.
Tubes are really pretty basic in construction. There are no glass elements, just mounts on each end and a pass-through for the lens data terminals. These are well-built, and as such they fulfill their intended purpose - that being that you now have an easy, less messy alternative to taping a cardboard toilet paper tube between your lens and camera body (and yes, you can do that if you want to go the low-tech route. Just make sure you seal the light leaks!) Any other issues are likely to be caused by a misunderstanding of the tube's purpose, not by the tube itself.
There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding extension tubes, based on some of the reviews I've read. While it would be difficult, without diagrams, to explain exactly how an extension tube works and the effect it has on focus distance and magnification, I can at least try to help with some of the problems people seem to be experiencing in these reviews.
1) There are two distinct versions of these tubes. On the 36mm tube, you will see either "for C/AF" or "for C/AFs". The ones that say "for C/AF" do not support the Canon EF-S mount. They support only the EF mount. If any of your lenses are EF-S, then you will need the ones that say "for C/AFs". Functionally, they are equivalent, but the "C/AFs" models can mount both types of lenses. As of now, it is impossible for me to tell which version is being sold here. I have to assume that they are selling the "C/AFs" model.
2) Extension tubes do not "magnify", technically. They increase the distance between the lens and the sensor. Imagine a projector sitting a foot from the wall, projecting an image on that wall. Using a pen, you outline the outer edge of that projected image on the wall. That's the outline of your "sensor". The image fills the "sensor". Now add more distance between the projector and the wall (that's what an extension tube does). It's the same image, but now it's projected onto a larger surface, flowing over the boundaries of the "sensor". So now the "sensor" only records the part of the image in the very center, just enlarged due to the added distance from the projector.
3) Moving the lens farther away from the sensor alters the usable focus distance for that lens. Don't take these numbers as truth (it's just an example), but a lens that normally focuses from 3ft to infinity might focus from 6 inches to 2 feet, once the extension tube is put on. How drastic the change is depends on the length of the tube and the focal length of the lens (See the next point).
4) The lens focal length has a huge impact on the focus range, but not necessarily in the direction you'd think. Longer lenses (like 200mm or 300mm) won't see as much difference in focal range with the smaller tubes. While there is a difference, you still won't be able to get close enough to really improve the magnification significantly. Wider lenses show a more drastic change. I have used my shortest tube (least "magnification") on my 17-40mm f/4L. Even though it's the shortest tube, when zoomed out to 17mm, the camera will actually only focus INSIDE THE LENS. Meaning even if I lay a dime on the glass of my lens, it's still not close enough to be in focus. That's why so many people like to use their tubes with a 50mm f/1.8. It's a nice medium-length lens that can allow really close focus while still being usable.
5) There's no such thing as a free lunch! Remember the projector reference in #2? Well, just like the tubes, the farther that projector gets from the wall, the darker the projection will be due to light falloff. Meaning you will lose light when you use tubes. The amount you lose increases exponentially with the added distance from the sensor. So in many cases you will need to mount on a tripod or use external lighting. Also, any imperfections in the lens (aberrations, fringing, etc) will be effectively "magnified" just as much as the image itself. And the lens resolution limits will also be made much more obvious since the sensor will be recording a smaller section of the overall image circle provided by the lens. However, it's important to note that the benefits usually will outweigh the drawbacks, especially when the tubes are used within reason (i.e. I wouldn't do resolution-critical photos with all three tubes stacked together).
Hopefully this information is useful to someone. If I said anything confusing or if you see any mistakes, please let me know and I'll be happy to make adjustments/corrections/clarifications as necessary. But as far as the product itself goes, these are excellent, solid extension tubes with a great fit, no light leaks, and a nice light weight.
Digital camera Review: Great alternative to buying a high priced Macro lens...
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had these tubes for a few weeks now and am very happy with it...I really wanted to get the Canon 100 2.8 Macro but since I was new to Macro, I thought this might be the less expensive way to get me started into Macro..
What I really don't like about these tubes is the focusing....I've been having a focusing problem, but perhaps thats my lack of expertise. Another thing I don't like is the complete frame is never sharp. Just the center is sharp. Yes, I do love the "bokeh" but, I'd really love to get more of the shot into focus. Again, perhaps thats my inexperience, but I really don't think so. But, yes, I'd emphatically recommend these Kenko extension tubes...
Digital camera Review: Great for Macro!
Summary: 5 Stars
These tubes are a nice accessory if you want to take macro pictures. The three sizes lend much versatility for anyone who is interested in taking macro shots. Paired with a 70-200mm Canon lens, these tubes are great!Digital camera Review: Great for Macro, making a little cheap...
Summary: 3 Stars
This set is great to work Macro with many lens if not all. Depending on the lens that are used on, one can use only one 12mm tube (wide angle) or the three stacked togheter with a 200mm lens. In any case they work perfect for achieveng really close focusing distances and very close to 1:1 magnification. A quite important problem is, however, the very narrow depth of field. This is something that some people may want to have a look at before buying this set since macro lens achieve a little longer depth of field I beleive. About the making of the set I feel they are somewhat cheap, yet it doesnt feel like they are going to break. Apart form the 12mm tube, the tubes feel solid, work well electronically, very light and assemble on and off easily (yet when they are assembled a little play from the tube to the lens can be noticed). The 12mm tube is difficul to put and remove from lens or the other tubes, it requires to put some force to assembly it on the lens (or to assemble the lens on it). This one I dont think I'll be using much couse im kinda nervous that it may damage the mounting of the lens. Still if I have to I will put it on since is not catastrophic...
This made me think about the canon tubes and that I wouldnt be having this kind of trouble with'em. Maybe the lower cost did mean lower construction quality...
Digital camera Review: Honestly, disapointed
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this after reading that it would take my Canon 100 mm macro lens from a 1-1 to a 2.2-1 magnification. It does not. It barely gets the image any closer at all. What it does do is force the suject closer to the camera for any lens. So if you want to use a 300 mm telephoto zoom lens in your livingroom, it's great. Personally for indoor shots I have shorter lenses.