Kenko extension and Canon 18-55 lens
Kenko extension and Canon 18-55 lens
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Discussion

Jez O

Original Poster:

353 posts

255 months

Saturday 28th January 2012
quotequote all
Can anyone advise whether Kenko extension tubes will work with my Canon EF-S 18-55 IS kit lens please?
The jessops site on the above link states:

"Canon EF-S lenses will not mount on the KENKO DG Extension Tube Set. These lenses include but not limited to EF-S 10-22, EF-S 17-85, EF-S 18-55, and EF-S 60mm Macro."

This is the only place that mentions this for these tubes. If it's not possible, what would people suggest, short of a full blown macro lens? I also have the 55-250 IS lens but I guess that's no good?I really want to give macro a try and think this will be a good way to have a go, without destroying the wallet!


Edited by Jez O on Saturday 28th January 20:56


Edited by Jez O on Saturday 28th January 21:20

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

283 months

Saturday 28th January 2012
quotequote all
I tried a friends kenko tubes and they wouldnt mount my efs lenses.

Not sure if they have changed..

Dogsey

4,301 posts

259 months

Saturday 28th January 2012
quotequote all
Kenko tubes and a nifty fifty?

Jez O

Original Poster:

353 posts

255 months

Saturday 28th January 2012
quotequote all

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

283 months

Saturday 28th January 2012
quotequote all
Yes.

Full set of tubes and the 50/1.8 get about 1:2 magnification

May be cheaper in the end to buy a proper macro lens, the cosina 100f3.5 is pretty decent if you can find it used or a tamron 90 should be what £150-200 used? Note you will likely need lighting too unless it is static controlled shots.

Jez O

Original Poster:

353 posts

255 months

Saturday 28th January 2012
quotequote all
I guess considering it'll be £200 for lens and tubes, a dedicated lens is almost the same outlay (minus lighting as you say Rob). I saw a couple of Canon 100mm macros go for about £300 on ebay. I assume a dedicated lens will (should!) produce better results?

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

283 months

Saturday 28th January 2012
quotequote all
A dedicatged macro lens is easier to use.

The 50/1.8 has woefull manual focus, and you will be manually focusing.

The canon 100's are probably the best general lens thats also a great macro. (i.e. they work as realy nice 100/2.8 lenses too).

The tamron 90 is a good 2.8 lens but with slower focus (due to macro gearing + no USM).

Canons 60mm ef-s is a blisteringly sharp macro lens, one of canons sharpest ever, but has a shorter MFD so can cause issues (macro doesnt quite work with the 'crop factor', mfd and magnification are the key limits).

The 60ef-s also wont work with extension tubes, which are very handy to have even with a macro lens! (much more magnification)

Also look at the sigma 105 and the fantastic but often overlooked sigma 70mm (which is the one I was going to buy new until I found a good cheap tamron), the 70mm is amazing.

Sigmas 150mmf2.8 is also astounding but will be out of your price bracket I suspect.

Jez O

Original Poster:

353 posts

255 months

Saturday 28th January 2012
quotequote all
Real food for thought there!

Cheers for your input Rob, much appreciated.

Dogsey

4,301 posts

259 months

Saturday 28th January 2012
quotequote all
RobDickinson said:
... the fantastic but often overlooked sigma 70mm (which is the one I was going to buy new until I found a good cheap tamron), the 70mm is amazing.
Couldn't agree more on that Rob, used one regularly on a Nikon D50 and it really is beautifully sharp.

Jez O

Original Poster:

353 posts

255 months

Saturday 28th January 2012
quotequote all
RobDickinson said:
Sigmas 150mmf2.8 is also astounding but will be out of your price bracket I suspect.
Errr, just checked and yes, it is a bit!

Will hit ebay for some of the other suggestions though.

dibbly dobbler

11,490 posts

226 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
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I started with a 60, then bought tubes - found they didn't work - so upgraded to a 100!

100 is a great lens if you can stretch to it - I often use it without the tubes, unless the bug is tiny you can get plenty close enough smile

Dare I ask do you have a flash ?

Jez O

Original Poster:

353 posts

255 months

Sunday 29th January 2012
quotequote all
dibbly dobbler said:
Dare I ask do you have a flash ?
Only the in-built one. I was aware this may be a requirement too. I've seen this one on Amazon- and whilst I know it's a light rather than flash, gets decent reviews considering it's only £30: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Macro-Light-Olympus-Pentax-A380-A450/dp/B003LAGNSO

May have to reconsider the budget a little!