Extension Tubes for Canon 60mm?

Hi,

Got my Canon 60mm for my EOS 40D and have been practicing topside with great results. Now, I wanted to know if adding an extension tube will yield better/closer results without having to be too close to my subject? I do not plan to go to a 100mm for a few months, and extension tubes are relatively inexpensive.

Did a search on extension tubes here but am still somewhat confused. I am looking to shoot small to tiny objects underwater, i.e. Mantis shrimp (very difficult to approach).

Any ideas?

Blueline

Hi Blueline,

Check out this thread http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8924

Cheers,

Steve

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the info. I'm still reading through the thread. Btw, if you remember from a few days back, I ended up returning the NX Standard Flat Port and went with the NX Compact Macro Base and Macro Port S35 (bought from Reef Photo - ""excellent service."" Received everything in 1 day).

Since there's a bit of a dead space in the port, I was thinking of adding an extension tube for better close ups. I think the Extension Tube EF 25 II might be something to consider. Planning to take setup underwater next month.

Blueline.

The 60mm will focus down to right on top of the port, so an extension tube won't really help you - really what they do is decrease working distance (provide closer focus). I also don't think that the Canon extension tubes will mount onto the EF-s lenses - they have a different mount than regular EF lenses. I'll try mine later today when I get back to the house.

The 60mm is a great lens for mantis shrimp - I don't know about the ones you have down there, but up here in Palm Beach and over in the Bahamas, our mantis shrimp are huge (12")!! So a 60 is a great lens for them. You have to remember that you gain magnification with your flat port as well.

If you want to shoot at greater than 1:1, you'll need a longer lens - like a 100mm with a teleconvertor and diopter, or the Sigma 150mm. The 60mm is an awesome starter lens for underwater and is very versatile, but it's not going to get you shooting bumblebee shrimp. I'm also not aware of any teleconvertors for the Canon EF-s lenses, so you'll have to get a longer lens.

Brian,

I believe a few online stores advertize that the EF 25 II is good for EF-S lenses, i.e. Canon 60mm. From B&H ""This updated version II is now also fully compatible with Canon Digital EF-S lenses, as well as standard photo EF and TS-E lenses.

Extension Tube EF 25 II is recommended for lenses with a focal length of 50mm and up (EF-S 18-55mm can be used at middle and tele zoom settings). ""

I saw this guy and took a picture with my Oly 5050 some time ago in the Keys, but spent 20 mins waiting for him to come out of his hole and was extremely shy, so I swore I'd return some day with a better setup (just kidding, but you know what I mean).

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/cr...havanensis3.jpg

Unfortunately, 100mm will have to wait a while...

We usually dive with Abernathy in PB (I'm in Largo/Clearwater area). What reefs do you see Mantis at?

Blueline

Nice shot! I actually work for Abernethy's, but primarily in the Bahamas. You are pretty much guaranteed to see one if you arrange your trip so that you can go diving under the Blue Heron Bridge (the "poor man's Lembah") among many other fantastic macro opportunities. Just make sure that you have a chance to get into the water around high tide (there's some info on the website, and there are a lot of photos at Laz Ruda's website www.thelivingsea.com) I've seen them at some of the more southern reefs we dive at (Paul's, the Horseshoe, Janine's Ravine) but they're harder to come by on the reef.

You are correct on the extension tube - I just tried mine and it mounts to the 60 just fine. But it doesn't offer more magnification - just reduces the working distance, which isn't a problem on the 60 underwater.

Send me an e-mail if you're going to be coming to town - myself or one of our other guides are always happy to show someone around under the bridge. Good luck and good shooting!

Brian

Since there's a bit of a dead space in the port, I was thinking of adding an extension tube for better close ups. I think the Extension Tube EF 25 II might be something to consider. Planning to take setup underwater next month.

You might also have some luck with the Canon 500D or 250D close-up lens (they're really nice double-element diopters).

IIRC, the 250D is the equivalent of a +4 diopter and the 500D is the equivalent of a +2 diopter. (someone pipe up if that's incorrect)

I use the 500D on my 100mm macro all the time and it's spectacular. I haven't used it underwater, but it's a very nice piece of glass if you have room for it in your port. Just keep in mind that it's on the thicker side, so you'll want to double-check clearance. If you're looking into tubes, I'm guessing that you might have enough room though.

If you want to shoot at greater than 1:1, you'll need a longer lens - like a 100mm with a teleconvertor and diopter, or the Sigma 150mm. The 60mm is an awesome starter lens for underwater and is very versatile, but it's not going to get you shooting bumblebee shrimp. I'm also not aware of any teleconvertors for the Canon EF-s lenses, so you'll have to get a longer lens.

The shot below was taken with the 60mm and a woody diopter ( wet lens ), no cropping.

Nice shot! I actually work for Abernethy's, but primarily in the Bahamas. You are pretty much guaranteed to see one if you arrange your trip so that you can go diving under the Blue Heron Bridge (the "poor man's Lembah") among many other fantastic macro opportunities. Just make sure that you have a chance to get into the water around high tide (there's some info on the website, and there are a lot of photos at Laz Ruda's website www.thelivingsea.com) I've seen them at some of the more southern reefs we dive at (Paul's, the Horseshoe, Janine's Ravine) but they're harder to come by on the reef.

 

You are correct on the extension tube - I just tried mine and it mounts to the 60 just fine. But it doesn't offer more magnification - just reduces the working distance, which isn't a problem on the 60 underwater.

 

Send me an e-mail if you're going to be coming to town - myself or one of our other guides are always happy to show someone around under the bridge. Good luck and good shooting!

 

Brian

Brian,

I know Laz, we dove with him a few times. Nice guy.

I had no idea about Blue Heron Bridge. We've been diving with Abernathy for many years but never heard about BHB being a hotspot. Thanks. I'll try to PM you when we're about to come down again.

Blueline

The shot below was taken with the 60mm and a woody diopter ( wet lens ), no cropping.

Stew,

Wow.... nice shot! Decorator crab..where was the pic taken?

I guess Woody's diopter would be another option.

Hi Blueline,

You can read an article about the Blue Heron Bridge in the current issue of Dive Chronicles at divechroincles.com download the current issue.

Phil Rudin

Stew,

 

Wow.... nice shot! Decorator crab..where was the pic taken?

I guess Woody's diopter would be another option.

T

The shot was taken at Lembeh. I would say get a wet lens anyway.

Hi Blueline,

 

You can read an article about the Blue Heron Bridge in the current issue of Dive Chronicles at divechroincles.com download the current issue.

 

Phil Rudin

Phil,

I'll check it out. We'll probably be down there next month.

Blueline

FYI the 60EFS works well with the 12mm extension tube (the MkII version) but I wasn't impressed hen I tried it with the 25mm tube as the images seemed to soften a bit at the closest focus - probably due to the lens having an 'internal focus' optical design.

FYI the 60EFS works well with the 12mm extension tube (the MkII version) but I wasn't impressed hen I tried it with the 25mm tube as the images seemed to soften a bit at the closest focus - probably due to the lens having an 'internal focus' optical design.

Thanks for the info. Good to hear from someone who has used both. I like the idea of an ext tube because there's a bit of a dead space in the port (2 inches or so). Also, I really like the 60mm so far (shooting topside).

Blueline