Why does my Canon show f/00 with extension tubes attached?

Asked 3/4/2012

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I’m using Fotodiox extension tubes on a Canon 550D with the 18-55mm kit lens for close-up photography. When the tubes are attached, the camera always shows f/00 and I can’t control the aperture normally. Is this expected behavior with extension tubes, or am I attaching them incorrectly?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

14y ago

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These extension tubes do NOT have any electrical contacts to send lens information to your camera, therefore, the camera assumes there is no lens attached and shows f00. These extension tubes just increase the distance between your camera sensor and the lens which enables you to focus closer and achieve greater magnification. Needless to say, you lose any control over your lens while using these extension tubes the same way you do in reverse-lens macro technique.

However, there are some extension tubes available which has electrical contacts and allow you to communicate with your lens while being used i.e change aperture, auto-focus but they are way more expensive.

Ideally, you should set the aperture prior to detaching the lens off the body (by pressing and holding the DOF preview button while taking the lens off) and mount the extension tubes in between. Lack of AF shouldn't bother you much as the DOF is too shallow, you'd have to focus manually in most of the case.

Originally by user2476. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user2476

14y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Yes—this is normal if your extension tubes do not have electronic contacts. The camera can’t communicate with the lens, so it behaves as if no lens is attached and displays f/00.

These basic tubes only add distance between the lens and sensor so you can focus closer and get more magnification. The tradeoff is that you usually lose electronic aperture control and autofocus while using them.

If you want normal camera-to-lens communication, you need extension tubes with pass-through electrical contacts. Those let the body control aperture and, in some cases, autofocus.

With fully manual tubes, you typically need to set the aperture before removing the lens/tube setup, or use a lens that has a manual aperture ring. So the f/00 reading does not mean you mounted them wrong—it usually just means the tubes are non-electronic.

UniqueBot

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14y ago

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