extender/tube - still a newbie

[gee6417jong]

Hi,
I hv just attended a talk on macro photography. I never expect the tiny creatures can look so beautiful in photos and am now keen to explore this area of photography. currently having a 50mm lens and a 17mm-55mm lens. Thinking of getting an extender or what they also called tube to take close up. Need opinion if this is a good idea or should I get a macro lens instead?

 

[maswu]

you can use a tube but it will be much better if you used a specialised macro lens...besides the macro lens can be use for many other purposes

 

[LifeInMacro]

I second maswu's comments.

Buy macro lens to shoot tiny stuff as they are really built for that. Works marvellously for portraitures too. If planning to shoot insects, then 100mm is somewhat minimum.

Enjoy!

 

[Leong23]

Hi,
I hv just attended a talk on macro photography. I never expect the tiny creatures can look so beautiful in photos and am now keen to explore this area of photography. currently having a 50mm lens and a 17mm-55mm lens. Thinking of getting an extender or what they also called tube to take close up. Need opinion if this is a good idea or should I get a macro lens instead?

You can try getting at 25mm Extension tube to fix on your 50mm to achieve 1:2 magnification size. The extension tube will still be very useful even you get a macro lens in the future.

But nothing beat a macro lens, but unless you are serious into it, you should reconsider the purchase. Photographing insect is more than buying of gears, a big factor of producing good images is the approach and technical skills.

 

[gee6417jong]

Thanks for all your suggestions. Will consider seriously before making final decision to purchase.