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Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II

  • Price: $84.00
  • GBP 53.63
  • B&H # CAETEF12Q
  • Mfr# 9198A001

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The result of using extension tubes is that the distance from the back of the lens to the film surface is longer, which means you can take photographs at shorter distances to the subject. Extension tubes are thus commonly used for macro photography and sometimes for closeup portraits.

When using the camera's TTL metering system, no exposure compensation will be required (exposure compensation is required for handheld meters).

This updated version II is now also fully compatible with Canon Digital EF-S lenses, as well as standard photo EF and TS-E lenses.

Extension Tube EF 12 II is especially suited for close-focusing with wide-angle lenses. Compatible with all lenses, except 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, 14mm f/2.8L and MP-E 65mm f/2.8.

Shortens focusing distance of lens
Compatible with digital EF-S lenses, as well as EF and TS-E lenses
White-index mark provided for digital SLR EF-S lenses
Red mark provided for photo lenses

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II
 
4.8

(based on 79 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (64)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (12)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

99%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy to use (68)
  • Lightweight (62)
  • Durable (60)
  • Reliable (49)
  • Improves product function (7)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Macro photography (74)
    • Studio (10)
    • Everyday (9)
    • Portraits (9)
    • Travel (9)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Enthusiast (41), Semi-professional (23), Professional (9)
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (28)

    Most Liked Positive Review

     

    Excellent product for close-ups

    Close-ups with my canon Xti and a canon 17-85 lens worked well with the EF 12 II. Don't expect anything in focus over about 12 inches out. That's what I got it for ...Read complete review

    Close-ups with my canon Xti and a canon 17-85 lens worked well with the EF 12 II. Don't expect anything in focus over about 12 inches out. That's what I got it for and it worked. You will need a little more light when shooting than without the extender.

    VS

    Most Liked Negative Review

     

    Tight fit on 24-105L Canon

    I have difficulty mounting the lens on the tube. The last 2/3 of the twist is very tight and not especially smooth. The lens mounts smoothly directly to the camera. I works well...Read complete review

    I have difficulty mounting the lens on the tube. The last 2/3 of the twist is very tight and not especially smooth. The lens mounts smoothly directly to the camera. I works well with the 180 Canon macro. Perhaps the problem is the lens mount.

    REVIEWS

    Reviewed by 79 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-20

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    4.0

    going closer

    By Rad51082

    from Montreal, Quebec

    About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Durable
    • Easy To Use
    • Lightweight
    • Reliable

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Macro Photography

      Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

      Very easy to use, not expensive, does the job great.
      This product is great when you want to get closer that permitted with a DSLR lens, but don't want to pay the Macro lens price.
      Quality of image is great.

      I would recommend to use with a wide apperture lens.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Comment on this review

       
      5.0

      A very useful addition

      By SM PhotoGraphix

      from Bridgewater, Iowa

      About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Easy To Use
      • Lightweight

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Landscape Photography
        • Macro Photography
        • Traveling

        Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

        Bought to use with my 70-200, but am also using with my 35-100, finding it very useful

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

        Comment on this review

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        Great on the Canon 100-400 lens

        By Bruce

        from Shrewsbury, MA

        About Me Semi-Professional

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Durable
        • Easy To Use
        • Lightweight
        • Reliable

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Landscape Photography
          • Macro Photography

          Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

          I bought this and the EF 12 II for use in photographing butterflies and am extremely happy with the results. I have used the EF 25 II & the EF12 II either alone or combined on my Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS lens on my Canon 7D to allow me to get closer to the bugs thereby increasing the magnification with excellent results. Light loss is minimal/not noticeable with excellent detail; I have not found any significant impact to focusing speed. I have also used these with the 24-105 f/4L IS lens, although you have to get much closer to the bugs for good results while increasing the chances they'll fly away. [@]

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Comment on this review

           
          5.0

          Extension Tube EF 12 II by canon

          By Shutterbug

          from Madison, WI

          About Me Casual user

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Durable
          • Easy To Use
          • Lightweight
          • Reliable

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Macro Photography

            Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

            Easy to use and worked with all of my lenses

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Comment on this review

             
            5.0

            the perfect solution to my problem

            By weez

            from cleveland ohio

            About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Durable
            • Easy To Use
            • Lightweight
            • Reliable

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Macro Photography

              Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

              last year i purchased the canon 100mm macro lens. I already owned the 1.4 teleconverter and wanted to use it with the 100mm lens, but couldn't without the extension tube. now i can and i am getting really great results!

              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

              Comment on this review

               
              5.0

              shortens the minimum focus distance

              By Mary Ann

              from WV

              About Me Semi-Professional

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Durable
              • Easy To Use
              • Lightweight
              • Reliable

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Home
                • Macro Photography
                • Small birds-close range

                Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                I use this to shorten the minimum focus distance on my 400 mm lens, often combining it with Canon Extension Tube EF 25 II. Great for shooting small birds going to my feeder.

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                • No

                Comment on this review

                 
                5.0

                Excellent for macro photos

                By G

                from Wisconsin Rapids

                About Me Semi-Professional

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Easy To Use
                • Lightweight

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Macro Photography

                  Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                  When coupled with a normal or telephoto lens, the extension tube makes a perfect substitute for a macro lens. This extension tube has a greater depth of field and working distance than when coupling the lens with the 25mm extension tube. I generally pair this up with a 85mm or 135mm lens

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                  • No

                  Comment on this review

                   
                  5.0

                  Works great, Very happy.

                  By KWP

                  from Seattle, WA.

                  About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Durable
                  • Easy To Use
                  • Lightweight
                  • Reliable

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Macro Photography

                    Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                    Works great with my Sigma 50mm F1.4..

                    • Was this a gift?:
                    • No

                    Comment on this review

                     
                    5.0

                    Great value!

                    By Travis C

                    from Miami, FL

                    About Me Professional

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Durable
                    • Easy To Use
                    • Lightweight
                    • Reliable

                    Cons

                      Best Uses

                      • Macro Photography
                      • Macro Videography

                      Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                      Does exactly what it is supposed to.

                      • Was this a gift?:
                      • No

                      Comment on this review

                       
                      4.0

                      Good product - performs as advertised

                      By Steve B

                      from Boston, MA

                      About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                        Cons

                          Best Uses

                          • Macro Photography

                          Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                          Use for 'macro' type photos without a macro lens. Works well, but very narrow depth of field and narrow focus range. Easy to use, all through-lens functions are available, but manual focus is best.

                          • Was this a gift?:
                          • No

                          Comment on this review

                          (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                           
                          5.0

                          Workd like a charm

                          By Skinkfoot

                          from Canada

                          About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                          Verified Buyer

                          Pros

                          • Durable
                          • Easy To Use
                          • Lightweight
                          • Reliable

                          Cons

                            Best Uses

                            • Everyday use
                            • Macro Photography

                            Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                            I use this product to reduce my minimum focus distance on my 400mm f5.6 L. I also use it for attaching Canon 1.4X teleconvertor to 100mm macro.

                            • Was this a gift?:
                            • No

                            Comment on this review

                            (1 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

                             
                            3.0

                            Works, but...

                            By HVS

                            from Naples, FL

                            About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Durable
                            • Lightweight
                            • Reliable

                            Cons

                            • Difficult To Use

                            Best Uses

                            • Macro Photography

                            Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                            I used the EF 12 II with my EF 24-70 mm 2.8 lens on a Canon 30d to shoot really close shots of orchids. Since the extension tube only functioned in manual mode, there was quite a bit of trial and error to get the ideal shot. In some cases, the image was too close to get the perspective that I wanted. It may be good for close shots of insectes, but I have not tried that yet.

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                            • No

                            Comment on this review

                            (1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                             
                            5.0

                            Exactly what I was looking for

                            By Sam Adams

                            from Boston, MA

                            About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Durable
                            • Easy To Use
                            • Lightweight
                            • Reliable

                            Cons

                              Best Uses

                              • Macro Photography
                              • Traveling

                              Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                              I bought this to have a quick, dirty and cheap way to take macro photos on the go. I mostly combine it with my EF 50 1.4 and it does the job. The magnification is rather moderate but that's what I was going for. For more magnification Canon makes the EF 25 II. There are cheaper third party alternatives as well but the Canon macro extenders are very well made and easy to use.
                              For those who need it these extenders also work with EF-S lenses as well.

                              • Was this a gift?:
                              • No

                              Comment on this review

                              (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                               
                              5.0

                              Great Macro optin for Starters!

                              By T47 Designs

                              from Okinawa

                              About Me Semi-Professional

                              Verified Buyer

                              Pros

                              • Durable
                              • Easy To Use
                              • Lightweight
                              • Reliable

                              Cons

                                Best Uses

                                • Macro Photography

                                Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                                Overall, I am very happy with this extension tube especially since I did not need to by a Macro lens to start shooting macro shots. If you are not sure macro is your thing but want to give it a try then this extension tube is the best and most cost effective way to do that. There is a slight learning curve to focusing because the DOF will shift somewhat unpredictably at first. Now these do not work ideally with every lens as some previous users might think. So far, they work really well with the 28-135mm (prime lens) and the 50mm (nifty fifty) lens. I have shot several shots already and I am having a blast using these tubes. Note you can try autofocus and the camera will try to find it but it is not very consistent so, just use manual focus and you will get more consistent focusing. I bought this and used it with the EF 25II to double the strength and the work well together. Lighting will be one of your biggest challenges when doing macro work however; I just used my 430 EXII bumped down two stops and it works just fine as a fill light. Again, if you are looking for a low cost alternative to trying out macro work without buying an expensive macro lens then buy this. You won't be disappointed and you will be glad you only spent a hundred dollars verses a thousand. Everything has a learning curve so be prepared to learn and get some surprising results.

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                                • No

                                Comment on this review

                                (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                                 
                                5.0

                                Excellent product

                                By Constantinoff Demetrius

                                from Romania, Campina

                                About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                                Pros

                                • Durable
                                • Easy To Use
                                • Lightweight
                                • Reliable

                                Cons

                                  Best Uses

                                  • Macro Photography
                                  • Traveling
                                  • Wildlife

                                  Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                                  I use this extension tube to join 2x EF Extender III with 1.4x EF Extender III. It works perfectly.

                                  • Was this a gift?:
                                  • Yes

                                  Comment on this review

                                   
                                  5.0

                                  great product!

                                  By neal

                                  from philadelphia, pa

                                  About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                                  Verified Buyer

                                  Pros

                                  • Durable
                                  • Easy To Use
                                  • Lightweight
                                  • Reliable

                                  Cons

                                    Best Uses

                                    • Macro Photography

                                    Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                                    does what it's supposed to. keeps auto focus quite well.

                                    • Was this a gift?:
                                    • No

                                    Comment on this review

                                     
                                    5.0

                                    Works as expected

                                    By Clay

                                    from Wisconsin Rapids, Wi

                                    About Me Semi-Professional

                                    Verified Buyer

                                    Pros

                                    • Durable
                                    • Easy To Use
                                    • Lightweight
                                    • Reliable

                                    Cons

                                      Best Uses

                                      • Everyday use
                                      • Macro Photography

                                      Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                                      Used for close ups without the loss of detail from adding extra glass

                                      • Was this a gift?:
                                      • No

                                      Comment on this review

                                       
                                      5.0

                                      great product,[...]

                                      By VPA

                                      from Miami Fl

                                      About Me Professional

                                      Verified Buyer

                                      Pros

                                      • Easy To Use
                                      • Lightweight
                                      • Reliable

                                      Cons

                                        Best Uses

                                        • Home
                                        • Macro Photography
                                        • Studio

                                        Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                                        It was a gift for a professional photographer [@] Its a great tool to take very original photos

                                        • Was this a gift?:
                                        • Yes

                                        Comment on this review

                                        (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                                         
                                        5.0

                                        AWESOME

                                        By Dade Williams

                                        from Winnipeg, Canada

                                        About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                                        Verified Buyer

                                        Pros

                                        • Durable
                                        • Easy To Use
                                        • Lightweight
                                        • Reliable

                                        Cons

                                          Best Uses

                                          • Macro Photography

                                          Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                                          well for no glass abit pricey you could find non canon products i suppose but why? this is quality

                                          you get a great closeup now ;)

                                          • Was this a gift?:
                                          • No

                                          Comment on this review

                                          (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                                           
                                          4.0

                                          Nice for the price.

                                          By sleepgd

                                          from central point,or

                                          About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                                          Verified Buyer

                                          Pros

                                          • Durable
                                          • Lightweight

                                          Cons

                                          • Difficult To Use

                                          Best Uses

                                          • Macro Photography

                                          Comments about Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II:

                                          I bought this product to give some of my lenses macro capabilities. Focusing takes some practice, but for the price I can't complain.

                                          • Was this a gift?:
                                          • No

                                          Comment on this review

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                                          What's in the Box

                                          Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II
                                          • Lens Caps
                                           
                                           
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