Extension tubes for Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

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troytime

Golden Member
Jan 3, 2006
1,996
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
i can stop down my nikon lenses just by turning the aperture ring (they're stopped down by default). so you can do the same, even if your meter isn't operating.


dedicated macro lens will probably be better than a 50mm with extension tubes. extension tubes basically let you magnify the center image at the expense of losing longer focus. a dedicated macro lens will be optimized to give good resolution at short focal lengths, and so should be better than the jury-rigged method that extension tubes basically amount to. i got an old nikon 50 mm macro for under $50 on evilbay.

of course, my macro may be a pre-AI (i never could tell the difference), and so, even though it mounts fine on my canon, it may damage your D70. for some reason the D40/x/60 are able to mount pre-AI lenses without risk of damage, but the 70, 80, and maybe 90, can't.

the 50mm is a great lens to reverse, reverse stack, or extend

my 18-135 is NOT a good lens to extend...but i've had some interesting results from reverse stacking the 50mm on it
 

soydios

Platinum Member
Mar 12, 2006
2,708
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Let me rephrase what I said about the aperture lever:
If the extension tube has an aperture lever, the lens will be held wide-open for composition and focusing. Then when the actual shutter is triggered, the lens will stop down to whatever aperture you set. (applies to all Nikon lenses)
If the extension tube does not have an aperture lever or you are using a reversing ring, then you must manually use the aperture ring to open up the lens all the way for easiest focusing and composition, then move the aperture ring yourself before the exposure to stop down. (applies to Nikon D-type, AI, AI-s, pre-AI, and P-type).
 

soydios

Platinum Member
Mar 12, 2006
2,708
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Originally posted by: 996GT2
So can anyone tell me whether these tubes will work?

Do they have the aperture lever?

eBay link here

No, it does not look like it. But for the price, I'd be fine with doing everything manually.
 

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
5,212
0
76
Originally posted by: soydios
Originally posted by: 996GT2
So can anyone tell me whether these tubes will work?

Do they have the aperture lever?

eBay link here

No, it does not look like it. But for the price, I'd be fine with doing everything manually.

Ok, so let me summarize what I need to do just to make sure I understood everything correctly:

1) Mount lens and extension tubes
2) Switch camera to M mode
3) Rotate aperture ring to f/1.8, then compose and focus shot
4) Select an estimated shutter/aperture
5) Rotate aperture ring to selected aperture
6) Take shot
7) Review, adjust exposure as necessary

Is that right?

Seems kinda slow, but for $8 that's not a bad deal for macro. Plus I'll get experience with controlling the camera in a completely manual way.

Thanks for all the help so far btw
 

soydios

Platinum Member
Mar 12, 2006
2,708
0
0
Originally posted by: 996GT2
Originally posted by: soydios
Originally posted by: 996GT2
So can anyone tell me whether these tubes will work?

Do they have the aperture lever?

eBay link here

No, it does not look like it. But for the price, I'd be fine with doing everything manually.

Ok, so let me summarize what I need to do just to make sure I understood everything correctly:

1) Mount lens and extension tubes
2) Switch camera to M mode
3) Rotate aperture ring to f/1.8, then compose and focus shot
4) Select an estimated shutter/aperture
5) Rotate aperture ring to selected aperture
6) Take shot
7) Review, adjust exposure as necessary

Is that right?

Seems kinda slow, but for $8 that's not a bad deal for macro. Plus I'll get experience with controlling the camera in a completely manual way.

Thanks for all the help so far btw

100% correct
 

virtuamike

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2000
7,845
13
81
Originally posted by: 996GT2
Originally posted by: soydios
Originally posted by: 996GT2
So can anyone tell me whether these tubes will work?

Do they have the aperture lever?

eBay link here

No, it does not look like it. But for the price, I'd be fine with doing everything manually.

Ok, so let me summarize what I need to do just to make sure I understood everything correctly:

1) Mount lens and extension tubes
2) Switch camera to M mode
3) Rotate aperture ring to f/1.8, then compose and focus shot
4) Select an estimated shutter/aperture
5) Rotate aperture ring to selected aperture
6) Take shot
7) Review, adjust exposure as necessary

Is that right?

Seems kinda slow, but for $8 that's not a bad deal for macro. Plus I'll get experience with controlling the camera in a completely manual way.

Thanks for all the help so far btw

Yup, that's right. You might be better off with something like a PK-13 though (it has lever). Looking at that kit, you're not getting significant magnification with anything other than the 30mm unless you're stacking them.
 

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
5,212
0
76
I already got the $9 ext tube kit so I'm just going to see how it performs.

Prices on the pk11,12,13 kit seem to be near $100...at that price range, the Kenko tubes that maintain both AF and AE are a much better deal IMO.