Extension tubes for Canon T2i

Any personal experience with Canon or third party for Canon extension tubes? Thank you for any information.

I've used third party extension tubes for 30 years on both Olympus and Canon systems with no complaints. I've never owned a brand name extension tube, largely due to the price difference. They're just empty tubes. As long as they have the connections for autofocus, etc. they will work just fine. Based on my current Kenko set, I'm going to guess that the Canon tubes may be heavier (more robust) and they may also allow the meta data to record how much extension you used for each shot. On very rare occasions, I would like to have that recorded, but most of the time I can remember what I was doing.

A basic question: what lens or lenses do you plan on using? How much magnification are you trying to get? What type of subjects are you going after?

If your 50-250 or so lens is going to be your optic you might want to try a good diopter close-up lens instead of tubes. I never liked using a zoom on tubes because every time the focal length is changed the entire rig has to be shifted forward or back to re-find the focus. With a diopter on the end of the zoom it determines the distance to the subject independent of the focal length and zooming changes the magnification. It makes a handy close-up kit in my experience.

If, however, you plan on using a fixed focal length lens (like a 50 or 105) then extension tubes work well. And when you do eventually get a 400 or 500 or 600 telephoto then a short to medium length extension tube can come in handy to reduce the close focus distance a little.

I like my Kenko set, which I've used to turn my 24-70 into a more effective macro lens. As Mark mentioned, they feel a bit light and "plasticky" (for lack of a better term) but they get the job done.

Max

Another vote for the kenko set Barbara, I agree on the feel, but the fact they are light really helps when you're adding yet another thing to your backpack for a photography hike.

I use Kenko tubes. I recently bought the "digital" version which works with both EF and EF-S lenses. They are well made and trouble free. I've never had a single problem with them. I recently used them to shoot wildflowers at The Paul Smith's VIC (Visitor's Interpretive Center). The photos are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbullard/. I thought they felt solidly built. They are light because they have no glass.

There is'nt a big choice when it comes to Extension Tubes - Kenkos are great for what they are. I use their set of 3 tubes and so far there has been no complaint. They are definitely not as well built as Nikon Tubes but I don't intend to dig a hole using them - so for the purpose they are pretty good.

Using them on Prime Lenses makes more sense than on Zooms though they can be used on zoom lenses anyways.

So, thank you, everyone, very much. I do have a zoom lens only right now -- and I ordered a Tamron macro lens tonight from Amazon. Between a good price and gift cards and a rebate and the fact that Mike Moats uses Tamron a lot , I feel pretty good about having ordered it. If it's a good one (and not a lemon or whatever they call the odd lens that's not right), I think it'll be great. Thank you again!

Barbara, Which one did you buy ? The 60mm F/2 Or the 90mm F/2.8 ?

Sounds like a good choice - there are a lot of excellent macro lenses available in this range and you will love the way a dedicated macro lens lets you work.

storm, cable out, on phone. thanks, richard. ram, 90, good or no?

Barbara, Very Good Lens - it will serve you well. Don't worry.

Another vote for the Kenko brand of extension tubes Barbara. We've sold plenty of them and they have been trouble-free and reliable. Customers have used them for macro and for shortening the focal distance of long telephoto lenses.

You can find more info on them at the NPN/OPG store here.

I just ordered a set of Kenko.