Macro Extension Tube For Micro 4/3
Macro lenses can get really expensive, especially if you’re just using them for hobby shooting. A rather inexpensive alternative to purchasing more glass are Macro extension tubes. These tubes move the lens farther from camera sensor. The farther away the lens is, the closer the minimum focal distance and the greater the magnification. This metal extension tube kit does not affect image quality as there are no optics inside. You can see how it changed the basic stock Panasonic 14-42mm
Panasonic Lumix 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS Lens
There are no electrical contacts in the extension tubes so exposure has to be adjusted manually. Aperture control is not available if you use an electronic lens. The lens will default to it’s widest aperture. This works well with the Panasonic 14-42mm
Macro Focusing Camera Rail System
This extension tube consists of 5 parts: Camera Body Mount Adapter, Lens Mount Adapter, 9mm tube (Tube 1), 16mm tube (Tube 2), 30mm tube (Tube 3). You can use the camera mount coupling adapter and lens mount coupling adapter alone or combine of any or use all three extension tubes for extreme Macro photography. Since no other optical components have been added, the image preserves the original optical property of the lens. These tubes can be fitted to any lens and any camera so long as you purchase the correct extension tubes or optional adapters for your gear. You can find a variety of kits available following the link (click here).
Macro Tube Adapter Rings for Interchangeable Lens Cameras
Just an FYI, I bought one of these to use with my Olympus EPL-2 and it doesn’t work with the M.Zuiko lens. Manual focus is controlled electronically on the lens so all you will see is a blurry image on the viewfinder. Just a heads up!
Great tip, Dan! Thank you for sharing the info.
Just got mines in the mail and was able to take shots right away with a T2i and a stock lens. At first the shots came out blurry until I realized you really need to get the lens close to your subject. Next time, I’ll use a remote trigger along with a macro focus rail.
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I understand that there are no electrical connections, but why can’t you use the focus ring to focus instead of the macro rail? Am I misunderstanding something about how manual focus works?
Because the aperture is locked, you basically lose your focus to infinity. Therefore, your plain of focus is so shallow that the only way to focus is by moving the camera in or out so your subject falls into the focus plain. This is a hard concept to describe, and I do think that different lenses will have a different effect on this, as not all lenses will function exactly the same. Basically, macro focusing rails exist because this is how you focus when shooting macro. Playing with the extension tubes is the best way to understand this. I learned that by taking pictures with the tubes. =)
This is not entirely true… When I use a zoom lens in combination with extension tubes, I can focus with my zoom ring and fine-tune with my focus ring. I don’t own a focusing rail, but I guess it might be easier to get your focus right with such a rail.
Gert, thanks for the input. Different lenses will have different results and an extension tube is not technically the same as a Macro tube. Extension tubes usually have glass to compensate for the distance and extend the focal length of the lens. A Macro Tube usually does not have glass and just moves the lens further from the sensor. Again, different lenses will have different results and if you can manage to focus with the zoom and focus ring, then there is no need for the macro rail.
I ordered these tubes and I’m trying to use with my GH2 and Voigtlander 25mm .95 but can’t get ANYTHING to focus. I’m only using the 1 and even putting something right up to the lens, it’s still blurry. Can it be that my lens just won’t work with these tubes? It’s a manual focus lens and going from closest to furthest doesn’t seem to help.
Are you attempting to achieve focus by pushing your lens up to the subject then pulling back the camera body? You may need macro focusing rails. The focus is captured mm by mm. It’s a very fine tuned focus.
I’ve been looking for a set of Macro Extension Tubes for Canon EF/EF-S lenses. On eBay, there are extension tubes, by Link and HKDCPlus which appear to be compatible with Canon EF lenses. The mount is metal which is good, the tube is metal or plastic depending on the brand, and there appears to be pin contacts that will align with the lens contacts. Do you, or your readers, have any feedback on these tubes?
Hi Bill, I have not used either of those extension tubes however, I do think they will perform the same as the tubes in this video. One thing to note is that with macro shooting, having micro adjustment rails (like the ones I show in the video) really assist well in achieving focus.
Do you know about the focal length of each of the tubes using the 14-42mm lens on the GH2?