Build A Very Cheap Macro Extension Tube
Have you ever wondered what's the magical substance inside macro extension tubes? Very often they seem like they are just a piece of thick tube.
Well, that's because they are. Or, at least the cheaper ones are. Usually the more expensive one have the ability to have the electrical contacts maintain between the lens and the body, all the rest is just a fancy, hollow, empty, light-tight tunnel of air.
Being so simple it is really tempting to make a macro tube out of a, say a hollow light-tight-regular-tube.
Which is exactly what Instructables user snelpiller did.
Snelpiller used a lens cup and a body cup to place a light tight tube between camera and lens. The results are surprisingly good.
That is no surprise to, since the air in the tube has very little effect on the optical qualities of the lens. (Click the image below to see big size)
For the full tutorial, visit the instructable page here.
Have you played around with creating a macro extension? Share your contraption in the comments.
Get the DIYP greatness via RSS, newsletter and Twitter
Connect with the community: Facebook Page, Discussions
Share Ideas, Setups, Images and Projects on DIYP's Flickr, visit Readers Photos
Comments
Great post!
Thanks for the tips, this is awesome!
Cheap Macro Extension Tube
It's almost as cheap to buy cheap tubes on ebay from china for $10.00 including shipping! then you get three different sizes. I'm very happy with mine
Cheap extension tube
True, and you don't have to wait for the 2-3 weeks of shipping to get it!
good!
Yep,saw this one or some other alike tut,
the only thing is that you'll need a sensor cleaning kit nearby... (-``;
Thanks
Good to know! Thanks. I still
Good to know! Thanks. I still want to try it!
I bought one on e-bay from
I bought one on e-bay from China for $5.00 with free shipping. Takes a little getting used to but it does make for some great shots and for the cost you can't beat it.
ebay macro tube
could you post a link?
Just do a search on EBay for
Just do a search on EBay for "macro tube"
IE: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250749751264
Nice thing about Hong Kong/China products is the price...downfall is quality and shipment time. Mind you with a macro tube there isn't an issue with quality as it is made of metal....did take 4-5 weeks to get to Canada though.
Some sample shots:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/caltek/4934021824/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/caltek/4934021742
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/30253_10150193033935117_7...
link
Just goto ebay and search for "extension tupe" and your camera make, there's a lot! Here's one example: http://cgi.ebay.com/Macro-Extension-Tube-Ring-CANON-REBEL-XS-XSi-XT-XTi-/170577287766?pt=Lens_Accessories&hash=item27b732da56#ht_2578wt_1202
Just make sure you get one for your camera so you know it'll fit your lens mount. Don't pay any more then $10 including shipping. You should find lots of options for about that prise.
Great, but how to handle settings
This is a great tutorial and I will be trying it very soon.
As there is no electronic contact between the body and the lens, how do you handle settings, and especially aperture (as the body doesn't know what the focal length is, how can it know what is the diameter corresponding to f/11 for example)?
Thanks.
Othmane Bekkari from OBK Photo
http://obkphoto.weebly.com
Re: Great, but how to handle settings
For the DIY tube or the ebay tubes from China it's the same. You'll be restricted to manual focus. Setting the aperture is a little tricky if you don't have a lens with a manual aperture ring.
Without you tube attached, just the lens:
- Set you aperture. It's more difficult to calculate the actual f stop that you'll end up with, but you don't really need to know, trial and error works here.
- Then press and hold your DOF preview button. This will set and hold the iris in the lens. Not all cameras have this button, I know all canon SLRs do, but not all Nikons. If you don't have an aperture ring or a DOF preview button then I think you're stuck at wide open.
- With the DOF preview button still pressed, remove the lens. When you press the DOF preview while looking in the front of the lens you should see the iris closing. Once the lens is removed you can release the button and see that the iris is still closed down some.
- Now attach the tube
- Attach the lens
Nothing to it! ;)
More about my experience with tubes can be found here: http://thephotositake.blogspot.com/2009/01/macro-photography-with-extens...
how to attach a 1939 medium format lens to a DSLR
I just finished a PVC extension tube and attached a 1939 medium format rangefinder lens, the Tessar 8cm f/2.8 to my Nikon D3. Infinity reached correctly, close focus about 1.5m. Plenty of project photos and samples you can find from this photoset
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mureena/sets/72157625968801153/with/5469001...
Massive Macro Tube
I tried my own home made macro tube and here's how it looks on my Sony Alpha A350:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbopool2003/5086634781/in/set-72157623747...
Its made of light weight plastic tube, a three inch flower pot and some foam draft excluder, all sprayed black inside and out. I have my 50mm F1.8 lens reverse mounted and here are some of the photos I can get
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbopool2003/5086585299/in/set-72157623747...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbopool2003/5086584677/in/set-72157623747...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbopool2003/5084575530/in/set-72157623747...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbopool2003/5086584995/in/set-72157623747...
Post new comment