Extension tube question?

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I was trying to get some wide angle macro type shots of some cactus buds with a 20-35mm but it wouldn't focus close enough to get the exagerated foreground I was looking for. Would extension tubes help or would I be better off with a wide angle prime? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

-- Marc (pookeybookey@aol.com), April 21, 2002

Answers

Extension tubes could get you the pictures just fine with your existing lens, I guess you just have to decide if you want the extra loss of light & sharpness. You wouldn't need very much extension with such a small lens either.

The Canon 20-35mm does 1:7.7 according to B&H? They also list the 20mm as 1:7.1, 24mm is 1:6.25, etc.

My old Sigma 24mm on the other hand does 1:4 for half the price of the 20-35, and uses more affordable 52mm filters. Sigma's current 24mm does 1:2.7 but is twice the price (still a little under Canon's zoom). It looks like Adorama carries both.

But being in the land of evergreen trees, I have no idea how big cactus buds are so if you need 1:1 you'll still have to buy a tube or closeup filter either way.

My scenario if macro is more important than zoom: sell the 20-35, buy the older 24mm, a couple filters & some film, have better (or at least sharper) pictures, and still have some cash left over.

-- Steven Fisher (steven_fisher@hotmail.com), April 22, 2002.


One problem with using extension tubed on zooms it that you have to refocus everytime you zoom. An other option is closeup filter. They lower picture quality a bit but you donīt loose any light. I use my 50 1.4 with tubes and closeup filters and get exellent results.

-- Magnus (magnus@hotmail.com), April 23, 2002.

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