Another inexpensive way to do macro photography without blowing the cash for a macro lens is with extension tubes. These devices fit between your camera and lens. They come in different lengths and can be used on virtually any lens.

By extending the lens away from the body, the lens’s optical properties change. With an extension tube you can’t focus to infinity, but you can now focus closer than normal. Your minimum focus distance will be dependent on the length of the extension.

In order to achieve 1:1 magnification you need to extend the lens the same amount (in mm) as the focal length. A 50mm lens would require 50mm of extension tube. Although it’s hard to find a 50mm extension tube, shorter tubes can be stacked together to get you a total of 50mm.

Perhaps the best deal on extension tubes can be had with the Kenko Auto Extension tube set. The 3 pieces are 12mm, 24mm and 36mm (give or take a mm or two). Each of these also has the appropriate contacts so that the lens and camera still communicate. You can still use the auto exposure functions and TTL flash.

Another great use for extension tubes is on a telephoto lens to reduce the minimum close focus distance. If your 70-300 zoom only can focus down to 6 feet you could add a 12mm extension and get as close as 3 feet. Professional nature photographers routinely use extension tubes with their long (400mm – 600mm) lenses to get close shots of birds. Check out Arthur Morris’s work at www.BirdsAsArt.com as he usually gives details on what equipment is used for each shot. Go to the Bulletin Archives section.