One of the most underexposed (forgive the joke) techniques of digital SLR shooting is macro shots. Frequently the reason is the inaccessibility of pricey, limited functionality macro accessories for getting ultra close ups of possible shots. However, with the purchase of a Canon extension tube to your bag of equipment, many of your already purchased lenses could be transformed to enjoy macro capabilities at a price of less than 100 dollars.

For those unfamiliar with extension tubes, they are merely pieces of plastic and/or metal that connect between the camera lens and body. They are found generally in 10, 20 and 30 lengths and work to increase the focal distance of the already used lens. This serves dual purposes. Number one is enlargement. If you own a lens with a focal distance of 50 and connect a 25mm macro extension tube, it will now work as a 75 lens, therefore a 1.5 times larger magnification than the initial 50. The number two result from attaching a Canon extension tube is lessened minimum focusing distance. While the science behind this is much more complex, I've found that for a 50mm lens with a minimum focus length of 300mm, this can easily be lowered to 100 or shorter with a macro extension tube, enabling one get exceptionally close with your subjects for pictures never otherwise imagined feasible.

an indispensable bit of info on the topic of extension tube technology is if there are electrical contacts in the extension tubes to keep connectivity linking the camera lens and SLR body. If you have them, you will have the option to maintain autofocus and aperture control as though the extension tubes weren't even there. Lacking this electrical contact, you will only manage to focus without the aid of the camera and will have no choice but to set f-stop before connecting the extension tubes, which can be a large nuisance and pretty frustrating.

Another useful tidbit of knowledge is the manufacturer of extension tube selected in reality doesn't matter, and that can come as a surprise to many. A namebrand Canon extension tube at 12mm or 25 mm might run upwards of 120 dollars for just one. On the other hand, so called generic brands like Opteka or Zeikos will net you a set of three tubes that function equally capably for maybe 70 dollars, a much better use of money. And if the dearth of electrical connectivity does not worry you, straight up plastic extension tubes can be obtained for just over 10 bucks. I highly suggest saving your money and buying the Opteka extension tubes, I have been using them for quite awhile with impressive outcomes.

There can be a couple downsides you ought to be aware of in lieu of obtaining an actual macro lens (that will come at a price of in and around 500 bucks). The first is the macro extension tubes have a very narrow depth of field because of the increased magnification. As a result the aperture as a rule must be put much larger, which lets in less light and could create difficulties without the correct lighting environment and slightly lessen sharpness and contrast. Number two, not only do macro extension tubes decrease the minimum focusing distance, they get rid of the ability to focus past that to infinity. It's not out of the question that you'll be able to barely focus in a span of 100 mm to 200 mm, so you'll need to get awfully close to the potential photo, eliminating the shooting of mobile things (or ones that sting) including bugs or pets.

In conclusion, for folks aiming to develop in the realm of digital SLR shooting, I favorably suggest purchasing a set of extension tubes to significantly expand the range of shots you can catch.