Bellows or Extension tubes??

I am just getting into macro photography and wondering if I should

start out with a bellows or a set of extension tubes??

 

<p>

 

Thanks,

Peter Borden

pborden@pingry.k12.nj.us

First, are you going to get a dedicated macro lens? If not, why not? If cost is a big consideration look at the Vivitar 90 or 100 3.5 macro for about $140.00 as it gets generally good reviews.

Then, if you are not going to use a macro lens, extension tubes will take more of a beating in travel and will be more solid than most bellows units. Bellows are generally bigger & slower to use.

give more info in rephrasing your question & you will get better and more complete recommendations. BUT, first read the info pages & articles on this forum & you will be able to ask the question from a good start on knowledge.

Get the extension tubes first. If you decide that you like macro enough to buy the macro lens, you will always use the extension tubes anyhow. The tubes allow you to get into macro with minimal investment. The macro lens is much more convenient and flexible than extension tubes or bellows, but it's also much more expensive as well. I don't know what system you have, but I think you should be able to find if not a set, an individual extension tube for well under $100. I just bought a set of 12MM, 20MM, and 36MM, Vivitar extension tube set for my Canon FD for $40. I have a 100MM and a 200MM macro lenses, but could not pass up the offer and am pleased with the quality of the tubes. When the time comes and you decide to buy a real macro lens, buy the best you can afford. If possible buy into the same brand as your system. That way all your lenses will focus in the same direction as well as take the same filter size, filters are expensive.

Extension tubes are cheaper and easier to use then a bellows set, so

are probably the better way to go if you are just starting out.

Equally good (perhaps even better) is a high quality, two-element,

close up lens which scews into your existing lens like a filter.

Both Nikon and Canon make such lenses. They are even easier to use

than extension tubes.

 

<p>

 

Before you buy anything at all, read John Shaw's book "Closeups in

Nature". That's the best advice I (or anyone else) can give you!

I wouldn't suggest bellows unless you've been at it for awhile and discover a real need for them (like giving you tilt, which is unavailable from other methods).

 

<p>

 

I think Bob is right in recommending a close-up lens. They work very well with longer length zooms and telephotos. They also don't rob any light and the good ones(make sure it's a two-element design) hardly degrade image quality at all. They will also be useful with a real macro lens should you decide to purchase one. For Nikon anyway, the close-up lenses are actually cheaper than the tubes.

I resently bought the extension tube set by Kenko which couple with the meter and auto focus of my Nikon. I own a bellows but find it very difficult to use. For extreme close up photography ( 5-10X magnification) the bellows is very helpful, but for lesser magnifications the extension tubes are far better, easier to use, & lighter.

This is partially re-iterating what others have said, but for what it's worth:

 

<p>

 

There are generally four ways to do closeup photography:

 

<p>

 

Closeup lenses - These screw onto lenses you already own, and can get you pretty close (about half life-size if you push it.) Advantages: Low cost, no loss of light. Disadvantages: Some degradation in image quality. (As someone else pointed out, if you're going this route, buy high-quality two-element lenses.)

 

<p>

 

Extension tubes - These mount between your camera and lenses you already own, and can get to life-size (with enough extension.) Advantages: Low cost, no optical elements, so they don't degrade the image (unless the lens you use really performs badly when used that way.) Disadvantages: Loss of light, two full stops at 1:1.

 

<p>

 

Bellows - These mount between your camera and a lens. Typically bellows are used with short-mount lenses (lenses without a helical focusing mount on them.) Advantages: Flexibility (you can always rack out further), and flexibility (some allow for shifts and tilts). Disadvantages: Low-durability, light loss (same as an extension tube), and the minimum extension is usually 50mm or so. So if you're using this with a 50mm lens, you're starting at 1:1 and getting closer...

 

<p>

 

Dedicated macro lens - This is basically a highly corrected optic with an extra long focusing mechanism. The extension is essentially built-in. Advantages: This is the most convenient way to do closeup photography. Disadvantages: This is the most costly way to do closeup photography.

 

<p>

 

One side-note: Zoom lenses with a "macro-focus" feature are NOT macro lenses. These really don't let you get a high enough magnification to qualify.

 

<p>

 

By all means, pick up a copy of John Shaw's "Closeup on Nature". This is an excellent read, and covers a great deal more ground than I can.