Vello EXT-SFED2 Auto Focus Extension Tubes for Sony E-Mount Lenses
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Provides Macro Capability
- Maintains Autofocus & Auto Exposure
- Durable Metal Mounts
Vello Auto Extension Tubes for Canon RF-Mount Lenses
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Provides Macro Capability
- Maintains Autofocus & Auto-Exposure
- Durable Metal Mounts
Vello Auto Extension Tubes for Nikon Z-Mount Lenses
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Provides Macro Capability
- Maintains Autofocus & Auto-Exposure
- Durable Metal Mounts
Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG for Nikon Lens
- Enables Closer Focusing/Macro Capability
- 12mm, 20mm, 36mm Tubes
- Works Individually or Combined
- Retains Auto Focus Capability
FUJIFILM MCEX-16 16mm Extension Tube for Fujifilm X-Mount
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Autofocus & Auto Exposure Functionality
- Sturdy Metal Mount
- For Fujifilm X-Mount Lenses and Cameras
Vello Auto Extension Tube Set for Canon EF/EF-S Mounts and Lenses
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Provides Macro Capability
- Full Autofocus Compatibility
- 13, 21, and 31mm Tubes
Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG for Canon EOS Lenses
- Enables Closer Focusing
- 12mm, 20mm, 36mm Tubes
- Works Individually or Combined
- Provides Macro Capability
Other Buying Options
FotodioX Macro Extension Tube Set for Nikon F-Mount Cameras: for Extreme Close-Up Photography
- Combine Tubes for Reproduction Ratios
- No Optical Insert for Better Quality
- Focus Closer
- Includes Camera and Lens Mounts
FotodioX Macro Extension Tube Set for Sony Alpha E-Mount Cameras: for Extreme Close-Up Photography
- Combine Tubes for Reproduction Ratios
- No Optical Insert for Better Quality
- Focus Closer
- Includes Camera and Lens Mounts
Vello Auto Extension Tube Set for Nikon F
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Provides Macro Capability
- Full Autofocus Compatibility
- 12, 20, and 36mm Tubes
Kenko DG Extension Tube Set for Full-Frame Sony E-Mount
- For Sony E-Mount Cameras & Lenses
- Compatible with Full-Frame & APS-C
- Reduces Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Provides Macro Capability
Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set for Micro Four Thirds Lenses
- Two Extension Tubes
- Compatible with Micro Four Thirds Lenses
- Use Individually or Combined
- Macro Conversion
FotodioX Macro Extension Tube Set for Canon EOS (EF, EF-S) Cameras: for Extreme Close-Up Photography
- Combine Tubes for Reproduction Ratios
- No Optical Insert for Better Quality
- Focus Closer
- Includes Camera and Lens Mounts
Meike MK-RF-AF1 13mm and 18mm Extension Tubes for Canon RF
- For Canon RF-Mount Cameras and Lenses
- 13mm and 18mm Tubes
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Copper Contacts Maintain AF and AE
Viltrox Automatic Extension Tube Set for FUJIFILM X
- For FUJIFILM X Lenses and Cameras
- 10mm & 16mm Extension Tubes
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Autofocus & Autoexposure Functionality
Viltrox Automatic Extension Tube Set for Canon EF
- For Canon EF Lenses and Cameras
- 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm Extension Tubes
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Autofocus & Auto-Exposure Functionality
FUJIFILM MCEX-18G WR Macro Extension Tube
- For FUJIFILM G-Mount Lenses/GFX Cameras
- 18mm-Long Tube
- Increases Maximum Magnification
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
FotodioX Pro Automatic Macro Extension Tube Kit for Sony E
- Includes 10mm and 16mm Tube Sections
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Autofocus & Auto Exposure Functionality
- For Sony E-Mount Cameras and Lenses
FUJIFILM MCEX-11 11mm Extension Tube for Fujifilm X-Mount
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Autofocus & Auto Exposure Functionality
- Sturdy Metal Mount
- For Fujifilm X-Mount Lenses and Cameras
Viltrox Extension Tube for for FUJIFILM G-Mount (45mm)
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Autofocus & Auto Exposure Functionality
- For FUJIFILM G-Mount Lenses/GFX Cameras
- Stackable for Increased Magnification
FotodioX 48mm Pro Automatic Macro Extension Tube for Hasselblad X-Mount
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance
- Supports Electronic Communication
- Enables Autofocus and Auto Exposure
- Enables Lens Stabilization Features
FotodioX 20mm Pro Automatic Macro Extension Tube for Hasselblad X-Mount
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance
- Supports Electronic Communication
- Enables Autofocus and Auto Exposure
- Enables Lens Stabilization Features
Viltrox Automatic Extension Tube Set for Micro Four Thirds
- For Micro Four Thirds Lenses and Cameras
- 10mm & 16mm Extension Tubes
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Autofocus & Autoexposure Functionality
FotodioX Pro Automatic Macro Extension Tube Kit for Micro Four Thirds
- Includes 10mm and 16mm Tube Sections
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Autofocus & Auto Exposure Functionality
- For Micro Four Thirds Cameras and Lenses
FotodioX 20mm Pro Automatic Macro Extension Tube for FUJIFILM G-Mount
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance
- Supports Electronic Communication
- Enables Autofocus and Auto Exposure
- Enables Lens Stabilization Features
Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set for Nikon Z Lenses
- Two Extension Tubes
- Compatible with Nikon Z Lenses
- Use Individually or Combined
- Macro Conversion
FotodioX Macro Extension Tube Set for Canon EOS M (EF-M) Cameras: for Extreme Close-Up Photography
- Combine Tubes for Reproduction Ratios
- No Optical Insert for Better Quality
- Focus Closer
- Includes Camera and Lens Mounts
Vello Manual Extension Tube Set for Nikon F-Mount
- Shortens Minimum Focus Distance of Lens
- Provides Macro Capability
- Includes 7mm, 14mm, and 28mm Tubes
- Can be Used Individually or Combined
YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS
Choosing Camera Extension Tubes for Macrophotography
Camera extension tubes allow you to take close-up photos of tiny objects by increasing the effective magnification of your lens. These tubes, sometimes called extension rings, are available in various thicknesses, and together with the lens focal length and its close focusing distance, determine the degree of enlargement. They're suitable for use with macro lenses, as well as with any lenses with moderate focal length.
How Camera Extension Tubes Work
When you focus, you move a lens group backward and forward until the rays of light are perfectly in focus on the camera sensor. As you move closer to your subject, the focusing lens moves farther away from the camera's sensor, which is why close focus lenses often extend from the camera as you focus. Based on lens design, there's a natural limit to how close you can focus. This is where an extension tube comes in, because it moves the lens farther from the camera. The longer the extension tube, the closer you can focus and the greater the magnification, limited only by how close you can get the lens to your subject.
Maintaining Camera Functions with Lens Extension Tubes
Digital cameras use electronic signals to control lens functions such as focus, aperture, and image stabilization. For this reason, most types of extension rings contain matching contacts that transfer signals from the lens to the camera. There's a wide choice ranging from OEM Canon extension tubes to numerous third-party tube suppliers. It's important to check that bayonet couplings are a good fit, as any looseness affects camera-to-lens communication. Sets are available for most camera mounts, including Sony, Pentax, and Nikon extension tubes.
Magnification with Macro Extension Tubes
The degree of magnification depends on lens focal length and the size of the extension tube. With macro lenses, it's often possible to achieve 2.5 times full life size, and 1.5 times magnification is practical with standard lenses. For various reasons, most photographers find lenses between 30mm and 100mm work best, but there are no hard-and-fast rules. In practice, the low magnification of ultra wide-angle lenses together with their physical size limits the amount of magnification possible, while the length and lack of rigidity of extension tubes limits the magnification possible with long lenses. A way to overcome the limitation with telephoto lenses is to consider using camera macro accessories like bellows mounted on slider rails.
Alternatives to Extension Tubes
Apart from extension rings, there are several other ways to do macrophotography without a dedicated macro lens. One idea is mounting close-up lens filters to your camera lens. These magnify the image and are particularly effective with long lenses. Another method is to use lens reversing rings to turn your lens around. This works well if you have an older lens with manual controls that allow you to adjust the aperture. A third solution is to use SLR camera macro couplers to join two lenses together. Similar in concept to using a reversing ring, this method allows you to determine the magnification, and to use the primary lens to adjust your focus and aperture.