Fotodiox Extension Tubes - Macro Photography and Video for Cheap

One of the cheapest ways to get close up photographs and videos is by using a set of extension tubes. Though they may not be as easy to use as a dedicated macro lens, they are definitely a lot cheaper, at usually under $50 for a Canon EF set. Not all extension tubes are created equal, and some also have built in electronics to allow control of the lens’ electronic aperture. In this case, I chose to use the Fotodiox extension tubes without electronics for my fully manual Rokinon 35mm T1.5 cine lens. These are some of the cheapest extension tubes available, since they only act as a physical connection between the lens and camera.

With these extension tubes, there are a few different options. The set comes in 5 pieces. There is a piece to connect to the lens, one to the camera, and three extension tubes that can be placed in between. The extension tubes lengths are 7mm, 14mm, and 28mm. All of them are connected together by threads, and they can be connected in any order as long as the lens and camera connections are at either end.  I usually don’t use the extension tubes in between, since the decrease in focus distance by the adapters themselves leaves me with enough magnification.

The extension tubes themselves feel very secure and I don’t feel like I’m risking breaking the camera when using them. Since they’re threaded, there’s really no chance of the tubes coming apart in the middle. They also attach to the camera just as securely as any other lens. The attachment for the lens at the front also has a small pin that prevents the lens from coming loose.

My only concern when using these extension tubes is the weight of the lens. With the increased distance from the lens to the camera mount, there’s a lot more torque on the camera, and this can cause damage. This is especially an issue with the heavy Rokinon cine lenses, and it’s part of the reason I only use the extension tubes at their shortest length. With lightweight lenses, it’s not as much of an issue. One solution to this problem could be to use a rail system with a lens support and that may be something I do in the future.

When using extension tubes, I recommend keeping a UV filter on your lens. Since the extension tubes decrease the minimum focusing distance, the front lens element will be really close to the object you’re trying to take an image of. Accidents do happen, and a UV filter can prevent an unintentional bump from scratching the front of your lens.

It’s also helpful to have a proper lighting setup with these extension tubes. Since the front element is so close to the subject, it tends to block a lot of light. When taking stills, this can be accounted for by using a tripod and a longer exposure, but it’s quite a bit more of a challenge for any video work. This may not be an issue for every lens, but the front filter size on my Rokinon lens is 77mm, so it blocks a lot of light.

Since the Fotodiox extension tubes are such a cheap option, they don’t come with any electrical contacts. That means you won’t be able to adjust the aperture or using autofocus with the lens. In my case, I’m using a fully manual lens so this isn’t an issue. If you primarily use electronically controlled lenses, it might be worthwhile to get a proper set of extension tubes with electrical contacts.

One of the main concerns I have with this setup, is that the inside of the tubes is a glossy black paint. Some people may find they have issues with lens flares due to the lack of coating, but I typically use it for product shots indoors.

Here are some example photos using the Fotodiox extension tubes. These photos are taken on a Canon APS-C sensor with the Rokinon 35mm T1.5 cine lens. All images are taken at the minimum focusing distance, at about T18 since the depth of field is very shallow on these shots. None of the images were cropped, so you can see what the size of the full image is.

1. Rokinon 35mm Cine, No extension tubes.
   
2. Rokinon 35mm Cine + Extension tube adapters only
   
3. Rokinon 35mm Cine + 7mm Extension tubes
   
4. Rokinon 35mm Cine + 7 + 14mm Extension tubes
   
5. Rokinon 35mm Cine + 7 + 28mm Extension tubes
   

I stopped at this point. If using all three extension tubes together, there was no way to focus the lens since the focusing distance was too close. I was also getting a lot of issues with lens flares.

Keep in mind that it can be very difficult to take pictures at this kind of magnification. You will need to use a long exposure with a tripod, and any shake is very noticeable. Even on a tripod, I was forced to use a timer to prevent the camera from shaking.