Posted by Nathan Buck on August 22, 2006 at 6:19 PM
Hi all.
Would it be worthwhile to use extension tubes with a 180 macro? What amount of extension would be necessary to do much good? I am interested in getting even more magnification out of my 180 macro, though I would not use the setup very often.
I do already have a Kenko pro 2X TC, would I be better off trying that for some more magnification?
An extension with a 180 macro will allow you to increase the size of the subject in the frame. It will shorten the working distance you have; you have to get closer to the subject. Also the depth of field will be shallower. Lots of interesting possibilities for images! You'll want to use the longer of your extenstion tubes.
Catherine Reilly
Seattle, WA
Posted by Alex Lofquist on August 23, 2006 at 1:57 AM
In general, extension is most effective with shorter focal length lenses. To get the same magnification increase on a 180 as on a 60, you would need three times the extension! You don't say what magnification you want so it is difficult to generalize, but I would think that you would wish to start with at least 60mm extension. As to using teleconverters, I have used my 1.4X to some advantage, along with extension. Things are going to get dim in your viewfinder, so you may wish to consider a special viewing screen.
Posted by Mike Maples on August 23, 2006 at 5:46 PM
I've used both methods with 150mm and 180mm macro lenses. You will lose light either way so that's a wash. IF (big if) your TC is a good one and matched well to your lens then you get a bigger image at the same working distance as usual but you've added glass and there will be some (hopefully not worth mentioning) loss of quality. Only testing will tell if it's too much for you. With the tube you will reduce your working distance as well as ability to focus at longer distances but there's no glass to cut quality. I prefer tubes if the subject will tolerate the closer approach. With small flighty bugs the TC might be the better choice.
Either way, I tested mine on a static test subject with both methods before going after something worthwhile just to satisfy myself about image quality.
Posted by Nathan Buck on August 24, 2006 at 11:03 AM
Discussion
4 repliesWould it be worthwhile to use extension tubes with a 180 macro? What amount of extension would be necessary to do much good? I am interested in getting even more magnification out of my 180 macro, though I would not use the setup very often.
I do already have a Kenko pro 2X TC, would I be better off trying that for some more magnification?
Any ideas and suggestions welcome!
Nathan
Catherine Reilly
Seattle, WA
Either way, I tested mine on a static test subject with both methods before going after something worthwhile just to satisfy myself about image quality.
Nathan