Kenko Extension Tubes Test (35mm Full Frame Sensor)

Not sure if you guys remember it or not but last year I showed you guys a few test shots of my set of Kenko Extension Tubes on a Canon EOS 7D which uses an APS-C 1.6x crop sensor (blog post here). I happened to have gotten a new Canon EOS 5D Mark III which has a 35mm full frame sensor, so I decided to redo this test to see how much of a difference there was. Sure enough, there was a huge difference! Last year I got myself a set of Kenko Extension Tubes so I can turn my regular lenses into macro lenses. For those of you who don't know what extension tubes are, they are hollow tubes that goes behind a lens to add space between the lens and the camera sensor. This in turn makes the lens focus closer, in other words, give a bigger magnification. I got the Kenko Extension Tubes because it was recommended to me by many photographers. I know this brand is more expensive than other brands, but it is still cheaper than the Canon branded ones. Also this brand also has the electrical contacts on it so all lens controls is maintained, plus the contacts are all covered so the silver wires don't start distorting the light by reflection. It has been great so far (even 1 year later!).

FULL RESOLUTION TEST IMAGES HERE

I tested this on 2 of my lenses, the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens (you normally can't mount an EF-S lens to a full frame camera, but with this you can, and it worked with no issues) and the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens. You should note in the photos you will see the edge is blurrier than the center. This is because there are barrel distortions on both of the lens (usually not noticeable) but the distortions get really blown up when used as a macro lens. You should also take note the photos were taken on a Canon EOS 5D Mark III which uses a 35mm full frame sensor. In most of the photos, it shows almost the closes focusing distance. Since I don't have a macro rail, I can't get it to the closest possible focus that accurately, but they are still pretty accurate. I have used all 3 extension tubes in all of these photos.

Let's first start off with the test done by the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens.

Test shot of a ruler at 55 mm. Each space is in millimeters. Compared to my camera sensor, the magnification was about 2:1. Field of view is about 18.5 mm. 

Photo Info: f/18, 102 seconds, ISO 50, No Flash (Ambient light from a window) 

Almost closet magnification of a US Quarter (25¢). This was done at the 55 mm end for maximum magnification. The lens was about 1-2 inches away from the subject which really cuts out light. At 55 mm, it is not very practical for in field use, but better off for a non-moving subject in a studio.

Photo Info: f/22, 61 seconds, ISO 50, No Flash (Ambient light from a window)

Now for the test shots with the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens. This lens gives you lesser magnification, but cuts out less light so it is better off for field work. Please look at the "Photo Info" under each photo as they all look similar, but the exposure time greatly differs! Also remember I only used ambient light for these photos, generally you will need a flash for these kind of photos especially in the field!

Test shot of a ruler at 70 mm. Each space is in millimeters. Compared to my camera sensor, the magnification was about 1:1. Field of view is about 39.25 mm. 

Photo Info: f/22, 82 seconds, ISO 50, No Flash (Ambient light from a window) 

Almost closet magnification of a US Quarter (25¢). This was done at the 70 mm end for maximum magnification. The lens was about 5-6 inches away from the subject which cuts out light somewhat. At 70 mm, it is kind of practical for in field use, but better off using a longer focal length and loosing some magnification as 5-6 inches might scare off life subjects (like bugs). With extension tubes, the more you zoom the lens, the farther you can focus, but the less magnification you get (kind of the reverse without using extension tubes).

Photo Info: f/22, 30 seconds, ISO 50, No Flash (Ambient light from a window)

As you can see the Kenko Extension Tubes is a great piece of equipment as you can start off macro photography for cheap! If you are interested in macro photography and are on a tight budget, this is definitely the way to go. I will start sharing with you guys photos of in the field work and studio work using this piece of equipment soon, so please check back! Please don't forget to share my blog posts with your friends! If you would like to get notifications next time I post, you can "Like" me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Google+. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

US Quarter (25¢)

Happy New Year guys! It is almost 2013! Can you believe a year has passed already? Sure went fast! :) Hope you all have a wonderful time. Let's introduce you to my photos for today. Today I have some photos I took of a US Quarter (25¢) under macro photography conditions. Macro photography like this is great for when the weather is not so nice outside and you are stuck at home bored. :) I took these on a day like that. All of these shots were done with the help of my handy Kenko Extension Tubes. They are great for cheap macro photography, plus you can add these to macro lenses to get greater magnification. If you are interested, get yourself a set today! These extension tubes have electrical contacts which are also covered, so it won't cause any distortions, and you can still control your aperture! They are also very high quality and rugged, plus you are saving a lot compared to Canon by buying 3rd party.

Full Resolution Photos and Prints: If you want to see full resolution photos or buy prints of any of the photos you see, they are up on my portfolio for viewing. To see my best macro photography shots of 2012, use this link. To see all of my at home and backyard photography shots of 2012, use this link.

I set the US Quarter (25¢) on a DVD that failed the burning process to add some colors. 

I thought the above setup made it look a bit flat, so I covered the top of the US Quarter (25¢) with some water. Then I circled a flashlight around during the exposure to try to add some color to the DVD. It didn't work, but it added a cool white circle on the US Quarter (25¢).  

Here is the back of the US Quarter (25¢). Turns out to be a Tennessee US Quarter (25¢). I also added water to this. 

This is all the macro shots I have for you today! Hope you have enjoyed all the colors and details of these shots! :) I also hope I have  provided you with some ideas about indoor photography on a bad weather day. If you are interested in cheap macro photography, please consider getting Kenko Extension Tubes. They are great and I have no regretted my purchase (except I wish they were a bit cheaper)! Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Google+. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Kenko Extension Tubes Test (APS-C 1.6x Crop Sensor)

Several month back I got myself a set of Kenko Extension Tubes so I can turn my regular lenses into macro lenses. For those of you who don't know what extension tubes are, they are hollow tubes that goes behind a lens to add space between the lens and the camera sensor. This in turn makes the lens focus closer, in other words, give a bigger magnification. I got the Kenko Extension Tubes because it was recommended to me by many photographers. I know this brand is more expensive than other brands, but it is still cheaper than the Canon branded ones. Also this brand also has the electrical contacts on it so all lens controls is maintained, plus the contacts are all covered so the silver wires don't start distorting the light by reflection. It has been great so far.

FULL RESOLUTION TEST IMAGES HERE

I tested this on 2 of my lenses, the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens and the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens. You should note in the photos you will see the edge is blurrier than the center. This is because there are barrel distortions on both of the lens (usually not noticeable) but the distortions get really blown up when used as a macro lens. You should also take note the photos were taken on a Canon EOS 7D which uses an APS-C 1.6x crop sensor. In most of the photos, it shows almost the closes focusing distance. Since I don't have a macro rail, I can't get it to the closest possible focus that accurately, but they are still pretty accurate. I have used all 3 extension tubes in all of these photos.

Let's first start off with the test done by the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens.

Almost closet magnification of a US Quarter (25¢). This was done at the 55 mm end for maximum magnification. The lens was about 1-2 inches away from the subject which really cuts out light. At 55 mm, it is not very practical for in field use, but better off for a non-moving subject in a studio.
Photo Info: f/13, 13 seconds, ISO 100, No Flash (Ambient light from a window)

Test shot of a ruler at 55 mm. Each space is in millimeters. Compared to my camera sensor, the magnification was about 2:1. Field of view is about 18 mm. 

Photo Info: f/13, 30 seconds, ISO 100, No Flash (Ambient light from a window)

Now for the test shots with the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens. This lens gives you lesser magnification, but cuts out less light so it is better off for field work. Please look at the "Photo Info" under each photo as they all look similar, but the exposure time greatly differs! Also remember I only used ambient light for these photos, generally you will need a flash for these kind of photos especially in the field!

Almost closet magnification of a US Quarter (25¢). This was done at the 70 mm end for maximum magnification. The lens was about 5-6 inches away from the subject which cuts out light somewhat. At 70 mm, it is kind of practical for in field use, but better off using a longer focal length and loosing some magnification as 5-6 inches might scare off life subjects (like bugs). With extension tubes, the more you zoom the lens, the farther you can focus, but the less magnification you get (kind of the reverse without using extension tubes).
Photo Info: f/13, 4 seconds, ISO 100, No Flash (Ambient light from a window)

Test shot of a ruler at 70 mm. Each space is in millimeters. Compared to my camera sensor, the magnification was about 1:1. Field of view is about 24.5 mm. 

Photo Info: f/13, 20 seconds, ISO 100, No Flash (Ambient light from a window)

Test shot of a ruler at 180 mm. Each space is in millimeters. Field of view is about 5.85 cm. 

Photo Info: f/13, 2.5 seconds, ISO 100, No Flash (Ambient light from a window)

Test shot of a ruler at 250 mm. The bad focusing was error on my end, not the camera. Each space is in millimeters. Field of view is about 6 cm. 

Photo Info: f/13, 2 seconds, ISO 100, No Flash (Ambient light from a window)

As you can see the Kenko Extension Tubes is a great piece of equipment as you can start off macro photography for cheap! If you are interested in macro photography and are on a tight budget, this is definitely the way to go. I will start sharing with you guys photos of in the field work and studio work using this piece of equipment soon, so please check back! Please don't forget to share my blog posts with your friends! If you would like to get notifications next time I post, you can "Like" me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Google+. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.