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Extension Tubes – Everything You Need to Know!

Micael Widell

189,743 views

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20 Comments

@MicaelWidell Creator 3 years ago (edited) Pinned

Thanks for watching! After 8 years of teaching macro photography on Youtube through hundreds of videos, I have now summarized everything I think is worth knowing into a 113 page e-book. Filled with images, sample photos, step-by-step instructions: https://bit.ly/macro-handbook 📕

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@malmedia 3 years ago

One thing I experimented with before was putting two cheap 2X teleconverters in the mix. It was interesting because depending on which end of the extension tubes you put the teleconverters , you could either increase magnification or increase your working distance. Granted, there would be a noticeable loss in quality since you are putting relatively cheap glass in the mix, not to mention the loss in f/Stops, but it was a fun experiment.

@PurpleStormProductions 3 years ago

The most useful information I got in this video by far is to NOT use my 135mm f2 lens and instead use my 28mm with extension tubes for 1:1 magnification and beyond. Glad that it’s also still super sharp. I cannot wait to start shooting macro right away.

@miklospinter 3 years ago

You can use the DoF preview button to keep the aperture on the lens.
Most DSLRs have a button to preview the depth of field. Pushing that button will move the aperture blades to the value you have set. When you hold this button and remove the lens, the aperture blades will remain in position. I use this method when I want to reverse my lens.

@sundarAKintelart 3 years ago

Nice explanation.
The working distance and loss of light because of using these extensions tubes could have been talked about too. Thanks.

@dummatube 3 years ago

If the extension is huge and you are using a lens corrected for infinity you should use a reversing ring so that the distance of the rear element of the lens to the subject is similar to the original lens to sensor distance. You will get better optical performance!

@WildwatchNature 3 years ago

Interesting information thanks

@geraldh.7620 3 years ago

Thanks a lot for this video, particularly for your tip to use self adhesive velvet in order to eliminate reflexions inside extension tubes. I will try it, I expect it will improve image quality quite a lot.

@IonutAlexandruApolozan 3 years ago

Hi Micael. Awesome video and a lot of info presented. A few notes from my limited experience with macro tubes. I've used pancake-style 50mm lenses (OM/Nikon vintage) reversed to decrease the focal distance needed for the magnification. In addition, I've used bellows (vintage Nikon, cheap from the second-hand market) to get the distance and avoid the glare inside the tube. And last but not least, in the reversal ring for the 50mm lens, I've put a cardboard visor that only let about 30% of the light in the center of the lens through. This way I was able to reduce the flaring and diffraction significantly, as the bulk of the stray reflected light stayed on the outer rim of the front element. Great job and will continue to watch your content!

@TProfileG 2 years ago

When you add more than 2 or 3 it helps to know schiemflugs theory of light reciprocity. Its a equation that all photographers used to know when Large format was the norm.

@viestursriters2480 3 years ago

Micael speaks like Finnish, the video is good!

@Yazan25 1 year ago

Magnificient ! concise video that answers all you need to know about extension tubes. Thanks for sharing.

@marxiewasalittlegirl 3 years ago

Videos with longer lenses get more views, so here we go. Longest macro lens ever!! Informative though

@dylanrander3862 3 years ago

Nobody explained this as well as you did. Thanks!

@Na0uta 3 years ago

Pretty wild to look at those shots.

@DrChip47 3 years ago

As always Micael, excellent video, clearly explained, and easy to watch and learn. Thank you so much as I just bought my first extension tubes and had no idea how they really worked. And now I do!

@walkertongdee 1 year ago

Thanks just the info I was looking for

@floriandekret2088 3 years ago

Hultafors ruler? Epic!

@AntsCzech 2 years ago

Great video, thank you!

@helgeschneider4417 3 years ago

The way you described to possibly make electrical aperture lenses work on extension tubes without electrical contacts will not work with every brand. On Nikons G lenses the aperture is controlled through a springloaded lever which reverts into it's original position (=smallest aperture) as soon as you remove the lens from the camera.