Extension Tubes vs. Macro Lenses

Should you buy a set of extension tubes and use them with a kit lens or invest in a dedicated macro lens from the beginning? Both have pros and cons you need to know before making the purchase, to save you time and money.

Macro photography is one of my favorite genres. I spend a lot of time looking for the right gear and experimenting with different ways to reach the 1:1 magnification ratio.

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Extension Tubes with a Kit Lens: Pros & Cons

The main advantage of extension tubes is providing a higher magnification ratio at a low cost. They usually come in sets of three with different lengths and cost much less than a new lens. In principle, they are hollow plastic tubes, so there is no reason for them to be expensive. But how much extra magnification can they provide?

To increase the magnification of the lens, extension tubes increase the distance of the rear element of your lens from the camera’s sensor. The formula for the new magnification factor is:

New Magnification Factor = Old Magnification Factor + (Extension Tube Length / Focal Lenght)

Let’s say you use the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD lens, which has a maximum magnification of 0.2x at 70mm. Then, you buy an extension tube set with three tubes of 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm. If you use the 36mm extension tube, you increase the magnification with 36 / 70 = 0.51x, reaching a much more convenient 0.71x magnification.

However, you can use the extension tubes in combination. So instead of using just the 36mm one, you can mount the 20mm one as well, reaching a total length of 56mm. In this setup, the new magnification ratio will be 1x (1:!). Now you can take macro photos. However, with my Tamron 24-70 lens, the lens is only able to focus half a centimeter away from the front of the lens. So forget about capturing skittish bugs with this setup.

The drawbacks of using extension tubes relate to image quality and camera functionality. 

In principle, extension tubes don’t affect image quality because they don’t include optical elements. But they tend to accentuate the flaws of the lens. And because they increase the distance of the rear element of the lens from the camera’s sensor, they also increase the effective aperture. As a result, less light will reach the sensor, and your photographs will be darker. The longer the extension tubes are, the more you’ll have to compensate for light loss.

An increased effective aperture also means a shallower depth of field, which sometimes can be too narrow for your macro photos. And when you decrease the aperture, you lose even more light and need to slow down the shutter speed or increase ISO. At least, in the beginning, use extension tubes when the camera stands on a tripod to avoid camera shake.

If you stack too many extension tubes, you can get vignettes. And if they don’t stack perfectly, you can get artifacts and distortions. 

Pay attention that some cheaper extension tubes don’t maintain the electrical connection between the lens and camera, meaning you can’t use autofocus or control the aperture without an aperture ring on the lens. As you probably use manual focus for macro photos, losing the autofocus functionality isn’t a big drawback. But finding a workaround to set the aperture without an aperture ring or camera control may be a headache. I use a set of Kenko Extension tubes from time to time, and they work with autofocus. It is definitely something to be aware of.

To summarize:

• Pros: A cheap way to reach a high magnification ratio and do macro photography without buying a new lens

• Cons: Light loss, increased effective aperture, enhanced lens flaws, possible loss of automatic camera features

Macro Lenses: Pros & Cons

Macro lenses look like regular lenses and may have the same focal lengths. However, on the inside, they have different optics.

First of all, they have a very short minimum focus distance that allows you to get close to a subject and reach the 1:1 magnification ratio. Then, they have a wide maximum aperture (f/2.4 or f/2.8) that allows a good amount of light to enter the camera. Use it when you shoot in low-lighting conditions and don’t have other options. But don’t use it all the time.

Remember that a wide aperture means a shallow depth of field. In my video, 5 mistakes to avoid in macro photography, I speak about how using the widest aperture all the time may be a mistake that holds you back from creating amazing photos.

Many macro lenses have optical image stabilization that reduces vibrations and allows you to handhold the camera even in low lighting conditions. They also provide better image quality than regular kit lenses. Compared with extension tubes, macro lenses are fully compatible with the camera and have a faster setup.

Macro lenses have major drawbacks: they are expensive. But if you can afford it, it is the way to go.

If you commit to macro photography and want to own a macro lens, I advise you not to disregard getting a used macro lens. It’s less expensive than a new one and may be just as good. Check for signs of mold and scratches on the inner glass and evaluate the overall state of the lens. If you can, take a few shots. In most cases, secondhand macro lenses produce the same image quality as new ones.

Should I Use Extension Tubes or a Macro Lens?

In my opinion, you don’t have to choose one setup or another exclusively. You can mix them up. 

If you own a kit lens and want to try macro photography, get an extension tube set and start taking macro photos. It will give you an idea of whether this genre is for you or not without overwhelming your budget.

Then, if you decide to invest in a dedicated macro lens, you don’t have to through away the extension tube set. You can use them with the macro lens and reach even higher magnification factors.

Conclusion

I hope this video helps you choose what’s best for your workflow and start taking macro photos. Drop me a comment below if you have any questions or want to share your choice with me.

 If you found the video useful, please don’t forget to like it and subscribe to this channel. Also, if you haven’t done it yet, watch my video on “5 mistakes you should avoid in macro photography”.