PBase

I have a nikon 18-70 lens and a tamron 70-300 macro lens

the macro isnt great on the big lens so im wondering what would the best purchase be for my nikon lens, extension tubes or macro filters as per link below:

http://i9.ebayimg.com/01/i/05/1f/74/8e_1_b.JPG

i took this dead fly pic with a nikon 18-55 with a +10 macro filter on the front of the lens.


incedently, what does +2 +4 +6 +10 mean for macro filters?

i have tried these screw on filters before with my other lenses, the 18-55 worked fine, but the 70-300 went really hazy with one on.

so to summarise, wha does the +10 bit mean and whats better, tubes or filters?

I would say extension tubes are better because:

There are no extra glass elements to degrade the image quality.

Extension tubes have greatest effect on short focal length lenses, whereas dioptre lenses have greatest effect on long focal length lenses.

The Kenko extension tubes are I think the only make that will allow full metering and AF.

If you do decide to go for a dioptre lens, the Canon 500D and Nikon 6T are widely regarded as the only worthwhile options.

Hope that helps.

P.S. Extension tubes work by reducing your close focus distance, so allowing you to get much closer to your subject.

Considering the price of Kenko extension tubes and diopters, you might think about a Sigma EX 50mm macro lens instead. Or, there's other options such as using a Pentax manual macro lens via body adapters which cost even less if you're trying to find an inexpensive alternative to a dedicated macro lens. I've just purchased a bellows, macro lens & adapter for under $150.00 to use on my Canon which gives over 10X life size, and add variety to my kit.


The higher the number of a diopter, the stronger it is. Of course, the amount of magnification gained is dependent on the lens used. I have several galleries of information you can look through for some ideas which might be of interest: http://www.dangphoto.net/equipment.htm



Hope they help.

thanks for that guys, but my budget is way way way lower than $150, more like £20 for something from ebay- might try both...

I have both but I find the extension tubes better ever since I got one of my macro filter/lens scratched.

If you're budget is less than $40...you can buy just one extension tube. How about just buying a reversing ring and just reverse your lens...way cheaper.