Macro help needed

[ryanjoseph]

Hi guys,

 

I am wondering something about extension tubes. If I do get the

Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens, how well does it work with extension

tubes? If so, how can I calculate magnification as I add more and

more tubes to the lens? Sorry, I am a little hazy on this topic, and

the reading I have done has been of little help for me on this

topic. If extension tubes do prove to be degrading would reverse

mounting a fast prime lens such as my 50mm F1.2 Nikkor be a viable

altenrnative as well? I am looking to sometime go from lifesize, to

as much as 3x (Which I think is possible with a reversed 50mm prime

on a macro lens). My camera is a obsolete silver 300D ;-) Thanks

lots for any help

 

 

(Yes I know I could try these different combos myself, but I

honestly do not feel like buying extra extension tubes and other

equipment such as reversing adapters if they prove unnecessary.)

[richard_oleson]

You're in luck, extension vs magnification is pretty easy.

 

With a 100mm lens, 100mm extension will give you 1:1 (this much should be built into the lens).

 

50mm is 1:2, 200mm is 2:1, 400mm is 4:1. This is TOTAL extension (beyond the infinity position), including a tube plus whatever you're getting out of the focus ring.

 

:)=

[scott_eaton]

I'd actually look at a high quality diopter vs an extension tube. Less lens changes to deal with on a dSLR.

[frank_dzambic]

I'd stick with the extension tubes. With a high quality diopter, if your macro lens has a different diameter than your other lenses, the diopter will only be usable with that one macro lens. Extension tubes can be used on all of your lenses, and are extremely versatile.