Quick advice! Ext tubes or teleconvertor?

thedellis · 5th October 2006

Hey all!

Looking at adding some toys to my camera for macro, and I have a question for you:

I have a 300D and a Tamron 180mm lens, and I get frustrated at the moment regarding mag rates and closeness -- sometime I want those critters to fill the lens!

So, seeing as I'm budgetary challenged what will give me the most and immediate joy? A set of extension tubes or a 1.4x or 2x teleconvertor?

Any help appreciated!

tankm · 5th October 2006

Both will be able to produce slightly bigger magnification, but get it done in a different way.

Extension tube, allows you to focus closer hence the larger magnification. Less image quality loss as an extension tube has no glass. However, the amount of magnification increase depend on the current focal length and the extension tube you adding in. For the same extension tube you get higher magnification increase with shorter focal length. Extension tube comes in different length.

Teleconverter, magnify the image, hence quality lost. It basically change the focal length of your main lens. Closest focus distance remains more or less the same. 1.4x has less image quality degradation compare to 2.0x.

Both options have light loss.

For long focal length to get higher magnifcation IMHO a teleconverter is much better.
Depend on how small the subject, even using 2.0x + 180mm macro may not get what you are looking for. Some even used 1.4x TC + Extension tube.

Best is try it at the shop and see if it works out.

Scaglietti · 5th October 2006

Extension tubes will let you focus closer and therefore get larger magnification. Extension tubes are less effective on longer telephoto lenses.

Teleconverters will give you larger magnification with the same minimum focus distance.

Some photographers use both at the same time.

You can try the 1.4x TC. 2x TC is possible, but you will then be handling a 360mm lens and it may be a little more challenging.

The last option is of couse cropping the photo... no extra cost...

ST1100 · 5th October 2006

If you're 'budgetary challenged' then i think the tubes are a better choice. They cost ard $80 for one and $200+ for a set. Since they are lense-less they do not degrade your image quality.

By comparision, a good 1.4x teleconvertor is $500-$600, and IMHO there's no such thing as a good 2x convertor - they all show significant image degradation.

On a side note, is your Tamron 180 a macro lens? If so, you are going beyond 1:1 magnification; maybe you can consider selling it off to fund a MPE65 instead, which gives 1-5x magnification. That lens would definitely give "most and immediate joy".

Scaglietti · 5th October 2006

Originally Posted by ST1100

...On a side note, is your Tamron 180 a macro lens? If so, you are going beyond 1:1 magnification; maybe you can consider selling it off to fund a MPE65 instead, which gives 1-5x magnification. That lens would definitely give "most and immediate joy".

That's very evil of you to suggest this lens...

One of the best lens for EXTREME macro.

thedellis · 5th October 2006

Originally Posted by Scaglietti

That's very evil of you to suggest this lens...

One of the best lens for EXTREME macro.

Thanks everyone. A set of extensions tubes is in my sweaty hands right now!

Oh yes, trust me, the MPE-65 is definitely on my list of things to buy.

5th October 2006	#1
thedellis Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 188	Quick advice! Ext tubes or teleconvertor? Hey all! Looking at adding some toys to my camera for macro, and I have a question for you: I have a 300D and a Tamron 180mm lens, and I get frustrated at the moment regarding mag rates and closeness -- sometime I want those critters to fill the lens! So, seeing as I'm budgetary challenged what will give me the most and immediate joy? A set of extension tubes or a 1.4x or 2x teleconvertor? Any help appreciated!

5th October 2006	#2
tankm Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,619	Re: Quick advice! Ext tubes or teleconvertor? Both will be able to produce slightly bigger magnification, but get it done in a different way. Extension tube, allows you to focus closer hence the larger magnification. Less image quality loss as an extension tube has no glass. However, the amount of magnification increase depend on the current focal length and the extension tube you adding in. For the same extension tube you get higher magnification increase with shorter focal length. Extension tube comes in different length. Teleconverter, magnify the image, hence quality lost. It basically change the focal length of your main lens. Closest focus distance remains more or less the same. 1.4x has less image quality degradation compare to 2.0x. Both options have light loss. For long focal length to get higher magnifcation IMHO a teleconverter is much better. Depend on how small the subject, even using 2.0x + 180mm macro may not get what you are looking for. Some even used 1.4x TC + Extension tube. Best is try it at the shop and see if it works out. __________________ More photos @ myPhotos Album

5th October 2006	#3
Scaglietti Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,543	Re: Quick advice! Ext tubes or teleconvertor? Extension tubes will let you focus closer and therefore get larger magnification. Extension tubes are less effective on longer telephoto lenses. Teleconverters will give you larger magnification with the same minimum focus distance. Some photographers use both at the same time. You can try the 1.4x TC. 2x TC is possible, but you will then be handling a 360mm lens and it may be a little more challenging. The last option is of couse cropping the photo... no extra cost...

5th October 2006	#4
ST1100 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Singapore, Bedok Posts: 1,801	Re: Quick advice! Ext tubes or teleconvertor? If you're 'budgetary challenged' then i think the tubes are a better choice. They cost ard $80 for one and $200+ for a set. Since they are lense-less they do not degrade your image quality. By comparision, a good 1.4x teleconvertor is $500-$600, and IMHO there's no such thing as a good 2x convertor - they all show significant image degradation. On a side note, is your Tamron 180 a macro lens? If so, you are going beyond 1:1 magnification; maybe you can consider selling it off to fund a MPE65 instead, which gives 1-5x magnification. That lens would definitely give "most and immediate joy".