Extension Tubes Question ...

martinturner

martinturner

martinturner

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I have a Nikon D40 and a Sigma 105mm macro lens.

I have always loved taking macros but actually want to get that little bit closer. So, with that in mind I want a set of extension tubes. I was initially looking at a set of Kenko tubes, although given both my camera and lens are manual focus anyway, would a normal set of metal tubes do the job just as well? What would the benefits 'for me' be of using the Kenko ones. The price is quite significant compared to a standard set of metal ones.

Secondly, does a flash 'have' to be used in the instance of using extension tubes? I currently have done quite a bit of macro work already, which has not required the use of one. I am just wondering whether at this stage to use them I would have to factor in the cost of one.

Thoughts, very much appreciated :)
 
In my experience of getting very close you definitely need a flash. The advantage of having proper kenko extension tubes is that you'll be able to change the aperture (I shoot around F10, 1/200th and with a flash at iso 100)
With cheap macro tubes you'll be at the fastest aperture your lens can do (f/2.8 iirc) - I know you can get around this with Setting the aperture with the extension tubes off and then taking the lens of whilst holding the dof preview button on canon cameras, you may be able to do the same on Nikon. I'd imagine this would mean you would then get less light through the viewfinder.

Personally I got the tubes with contacts and don't regret it at all :)
 
The Kenko tubes also allow the camera to set the aperture, the tubes without contacts do not, so if you use the DOF button method to set the aperture you will get a much darker viewfinder. While the Kenko tubes are a lot more expensive, I believe it is worth it to get the brighter viewfinder.

The set of Kenko tubes is 68mm of extension, which would give you 2:1 macro. This will reduce the effective aperture by about one stop. It depends on what the subject is, if you are taking photos of a static subject then you could get away with natural light using a tripod, but for a moving subject it will be easier to use flash.
 
Thanks for your replies chaps.

RE: Onboard flash. I fully appreciate its a lot harsher than say a SB600/SB800 but I do not really have monies for a flash just yet. Will the onboard flash suffice for these purposes. Any tips?

Thanks :)
 
martinturner said:
Thanks for your replies chaps.

RE: Onboard flash. I fully appreciate its a lot harsher than say a SB600/SB800 but I do not really have monies for a flash just yet. Will the onboard flash suffice for these purposes. Any tips?

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

Unfortunately not considering how close the subject is to the front of the lens it will only cast a shadow across it when firing. An off camera strobe tends to be the best way around it.
 
I imagine the main issue the built in flash will have is that if you are getting very close with taking photos is that the lens might obscure the light.



edit- beaten to it.
Imagine you might be able to improvise some sort of diffuser but I'd look at an external flash with a wireless trigger if you can :)
 
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