Macro - Tubes or Close Up Filters

[Sally]

I cannot afford a Macro lens and want to find a cheap way to take Macro images, without degrading image quality. I was going to get some close up filters, but as I am going to be using the Canon 50mm 1.8 lens for my Macro, which is such a sharp lens, I don't want to compromise that by adding some not so good quality glass on top.

I'm currently watching some unbranded extension tubes on ebay, which are manual focus only. Would anyone recommend my trying these? I would prefer to buy some Canon/Kenko or some other good name tubes, but funds don't allow at the minute.

Thanks.

[walwyn]

Take a look at my macro images, or this flickr group pool:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/raynoxdcr250/pool/

The raynox clipon lens cost £30-40.

[yelvertoft]

Sally, it depends how much work you are prepared to put into your photography. Using a close up lens is quick and easy, using tubes will require more effort, and a bit of a learning curve if you're not familiar with using fully manual mode on your camera, but will probably give better quality images in the end.

You could use a reversing ring with your fast fifty to mount the lens onto the body backwards - this will have a similar effect. That would be a cheap option, but would require a learning curve again.

[Alex1994]

I'd go with tubes. No damage to the image quality at all and not THAT difficult to use on an SLR.

[Sally]

Thanks for all your replies. I can get the tubes for under £10 and have heard good and bad things about them. I think for ease though, I'd prefer to use the filters, but as I said, I don't want to compromise image quality with my super 'nifty fifty'!

I think I will look into the reversing ring too.

Thanks again everyone!

[jack880]

Hi. The cheap tubes dont have the electrical contacts and therefore you can't change the aperture of the lens, so it will most likely be restricted to its default wide open setting, so you'll have hardly any depth of field. I normally take macro pics at around f/11-13.


Someone correct me if that's wrong?

[robski]

Yes the cheap tubes (no-electrical contacts) are really intended for use with the old manual aperture lens. As you say electrical controlled aperture lens will remain in the wide open state and give next to no DOF.

[walwyn]

I've never used these new fangled electricity lens (what the hell is wrong with town gas anyway) but do they not have a button to close down the aperture?

[robski]

On the Canon EOS SLR body there is a preview button to stop the lens down and check the DOF.

[Nick_A]

I picked up a set of extension tubes on ebay (new from a company in Poland) that allow for auto focus etc for £46 delivered. starting to get some good results with them.