Can extension tubes work with lenses that don't have a manual aperture ring?
Asked 3/27/2013
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I'm new to macro extension tubes and I'm trying to understand whether they'll work with lenses that don't have a manual aperture ring. Can I still use extension tubes with these lenses, and what should I know about controlling aperture? Also, why do some extension tubes cost much more than others?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
8
Yes you can.
The more expensive extension tubes has camera-lens connections that let you control aperture.
With the cheaper tubes you still have options:
Obviously, you can use whatever aperture the lens uses when not connected (for Canon it's wide open, for Nikon it's fully stopped down).
For Canon, connect the lens to the camera (without the tube), set your aperture, press the DOF preview button, with that button pressed detach the lens - the lens will now stay in that aperture until you reconnect it to the camera.
For Nikon, the aperture is operated by a small mechanical lever, you can set an aperture by using something sticky to fix the lever position - make sure you use something that peels off completely and does not leave residue behind.
Originally by user2481. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2481
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. Extension tubes can work with lenses that don’t have a manual aperture ring.
The main difference between cheap and expensive tubes is usually whether they include electrical contacts between the camera and lens. Tubes with contacts let the camera control the lens aperture and pass other lens communication through normally. Since extension tubes contain no glass, they do not improve or reduce image quality by themselves.
Cheaper tubes often have no electronic contacts, so aperture control becomes awkward or limited. Depending on the system, the lens may default to wide open or fully stopped down unless you use a workaround. Build quality also varies: more expensive tubes may have better construction and metal mounts instead of plastic.
Autofocus may become unreliable or stop working with extension tubes, especially with longer extension, but that is a normal limitation of extension tubes rather than a sign of poor image quality.
So: yes, they will work, but for easier use with modern lenses, extension tubes with electronic contacts are usually the better choice.
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