Extension tubes on e-bay..............!!??

[Mr Noble]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=706&item=7533762231&rd=1

What do you chaps think. They are available for most makes. Seem to use adapter rings to fit.

What do the sigma set offer extra for another £90?

Thanks GN

[_dobbo_]

Mr Noble said:

What do the sigma set offer extra for another £90?

Total guess...

Something to do with metering and distance information, lost with these but retained with "proper" extension tubes?

[simpo two]

Small print says:

'Also included in the package are one male and one female adapter, which are not meter-coupled, therefore manual focusing will need to be used.

When using the extension ring with a Nikon body, the camera should be set in the ‘M’ mode.'

[te51cle]

Sounds like it kinda, sorta, might work OK but a bit chancy. Cheap but I think I'd go for a Kenko or other well-known manufacturer's set though.

[simpo two]

te51cle said:

Sounds like it kinda, sorta, might work OK but a bit chancy.

They'll work, physically, but you won't get any metering or AF. And deprived of all contacts (pun intended), the D70, assuming that's what they're going on, has a habit of not even letting you meter manually in the viewfinder. AF I could forget for the price, but not metering.

So - yes, you could use them in controlled conditions IF you enough time to focus manually, scrutinise histograms and re-shoot accordingly. But saying they are 'DSLR compatible' is a bit cheeky.

As my evil twin suggests, Kenko seem to be the brand of choice in this respect.

[Mr Noble]

Thanks.

Wondering if I really need to get the 105mm Macro lens at £260 or if I can achieve the same results with just a set of extension tubes on my 18-70 or 70-300 nikkor lenses?

Not going for amazinly good quality at the moment.

Will the Kenko tubes work well with my lenses and D70?

Greg

[te51cle]

Extension tubes will work with a zoom but they work better with prime lenses. I've found that as zooms are bigger and bulkier than a prime lens its hard to get in close to your subject without either hitting it or blocking the light. Extension tubes on a long lens/zoom are good if you can't get close to your subject though.

If you can borrow tubes or a macro lens from someone to try them out then that may help you decide.

[simpo two]

Mr Noble said:

Wondering if I really need to get the 105mm Macro lens at £260 or if I can achieve the same results with just a set of extension tubes on my 18-70 or 70-300 nikkor lenses?

There's also the 60mm Nikkor Micro (which I can show you at Lavenham if you like), and also Nikon close-up lenses which I gather from Nikonians work very well, especially on the 70-300.