Shooting Macro with extension tubes on 400D

Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 135

Hi all,

I just bought today a set of extension tubes. The Fotogen Macro Extension Tube Set is a series of 3 tubes – 9mm, 16mm and 30mm.

The lenses that I have are ---

I tried to photograph items like grains or soap bubbles with the extension tube between the camera sensor and the 18-55mm lens. To my suprise, in the manual mode, the camera did not let me change the aperture priority and it kept showing F00 on the LCD. I was able to change ISO and shutter speed. The other thing which I knew about but found very difficult was manual focussing because I was shooting these images in daylight and handheld camera. The photos came out blur.

I was able to capture some shots and here is an example of the soap bubble one, (I used all the extension tubes and only at full zoom was I able to focus and get this photo)

As you can see the lower part went out of focus although I did focus on it and there is absolutely no DOF.... is it normal for not being able to change the aperture priority with extension tubes attached. I have searched through google but I didn't find any answer.

Please do helpme as I'm very much interested in doing macro photography of insects, flowers, any miniature item.....

Thanks....

Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 350 Location: Ontario, Canada

The extension tube set you used is probably not compatible with EF-S lenses. Canon EF 12 MK II and EF 25 MK II are configured to allow uasge with EF-S lenses. Try your tubes on your EF 75-300 to see if that combo works correctly.

To really enjoy macro photography to its fullest, a true macro lens is needed. The Canon EF-S 60mm, EF 100mm and EF 180mm L are about as good as you can get for macro without getting into specialized lenses such as the EF 65mm 1x-5x macro lens.

Do not forget that there is a considerable loss of light when using extension tubes. Also, if your effective aperture becomes much smaller than f/11, defraction starts to affect image quality - you may get more DOF, but the image gets blurred by defraction.

Paul

Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 135

thanks for your comments paul.

I didn't wanna spend a lot of money in lenses and thats why bought these extension tubes and they are compatible with my set of lenses as per the manufacturer.

Sorry I'm not sure if you answered my question or not but is it normal to have F00 on the LCD after attaching the extension tubes and then not be able to change the aperture priority ???

may be later on after a year i might invest into macro lenses as of now, the investment into the 400D is quiet happily enough :)

let me know if there is anything I can do with the extension tubes to get a appropriate photo with those set of lenses that I mentioned in my previous post.

thanks

Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 135

thanks for your comments paul.

I didn't wanna spend a lot of money in lenses and thats why bought these extension tubes and they are compatible with my set of lenses as per the manufacturer.

Sorry I'm not sure if you answered my question or not but is it normal to have F00 on the LCD after attaching the extension tubes and then not be able to change the aperture priority ???

may be later on after a year i might invest into macro lenses as of now, the investment into the 400D is quiet happily enough :)

let me know if there is anything I can do with the extension tubes to get a appropriate photo with those set of lenses that I mentioned in my previous post.

thanks

Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 64 Location: Northeast, IA

Hi,
I was trying to recreate that F00/FDD code here at the store. I've seen it before with extension tubes and adapters that didn't have the electronic connections that the camera needs to set the aperture. Since it can't see it, the camera sets the aperture at a fixed point, which is whatever it was set to before you put the tube/adapter on. With the tubes we have here, they have the connections so I could change the aperture with no problem. I would check to see if yours has these, they look like a row of small pin heads. If it does, there must be some reason why they are not connecting properly to your camera.

Hope this helps,
Good Luck

Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 135

hi Tara,

Thanks for your comments.

I think I understand the logic and I think you are absolutely right about the reason why F00 is displayed on the LCD. I also did set the aperture to F11 before i attached the extension tubes and I think that worked bcoz i did get a better image focus. I don't think my extension tubes have the metal pinheads...i know what you are talking about because i have seen then on my lenses .... these extension tubes are cheap- AUD $ 35 for 3 rings - 9mm, 16mm and 30mm.

thank you so much ...now i know what to do...setup aperture and then attach the extension tubes...sometimes i miss the obvious...the metal pin heads....duh !!!!