Most of us use extension tubes and macro lenses separately for our close-up photography needs. As regular readers will know, I like to push my camera gear to see what will happen. This article features a selection of hand-held images captured by combining an M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro lens with extension tubes. All of the photographs in this article were created at the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory.
NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.
I began my morning by combining my M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro lens with a 16 mm Kenko extension tube. This increases the maximum magnification effect by 27% (16 mm / 60 mm).
The longer the length of the extension tubes used, the more light that a photographer will lose. I did my best to select photo subjects that were in decent light. Sometimes one simply captures photographs as opportunities present themselves as you can see by the EXIF data.
Later on I added the 10 mm Kenko extension tube to my camera assembly by stacking it on the 16 mm tube. This increased the maximum magnification effect to 44% (26 mm / 60 mm). Just for the fun of it, I tried a number of images using the OM-D E-M1X’s Hand-held Hi Res Mode. I was pleasantly surprised with how well it worked.
Using a macro lens with extension tubes is an interesting creative experiment. One does need to be very steady with hand-holding technique. The excellent IBIS system with the OM-D E-M1X certainly helped!
Here are a few more of the images I captured that morning. When photographing butterflies I find the most pleasing angles are typically from the side, or a front quarter view.
When selecting extension tubes, it is important to choose automatic tubes that work well with your camera and provide auto focusing and auto exposure. Also look for tubes with metal lens mounts as they are far more durable.
I recently purchased a set of Kenko DG Extension Tubes for Micro Four Thirds. There are two tubes (10 mm and 16 mm) in the set. They can be used separately or in combination.
The Kenko tubes were more expensive than other brands, but had the features and build I wanted. Using a macro lens with extension tubes can work very well for those times when you want more magnification effect.
If you have a macro lens as well as some extension tubes, but have never tried combining them… give it a go! Using a macro lens with extension tubes can be a lot of fun! I will be doing some experimentation using extension tubes with some of my other M.Zuiko lenses. Future articles will follow.
Technical Note:
All photographs in this article were captured hand-held using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. All images were produced from RAW files using my standard process. Image 2 was slightly cropped. All other photographs are displayed as 100% captures without any cropping.
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Hi Thomas,
This is a wonderful website! Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
I have a question with extension tube.
Recently I got my hands on a Olympus MC-20 teleconverter, I was hoping to use it (along with my Meike 16mm extension tube) on my macro shoot. However to my dismay, the teleconverter and extension tube don’t fit.
Is there any dimensional difference between different extension tube? Especially the inner diameter.
Hi Bodie,
I’m glad you are enjoying the website!
The MC-14 and MC-20 teleconverters are compatible with specific M.Zuiko lenses only. These include the following M.Zuiko lenses: 90 mm macro, PRO 150-400 mm TC1.25, 100-400 mm, PRO 40-150 mm and the new 150-600 mm. MC teleconverters have a bit of a protrusion that fits down the throat of the lens. You can combine the use of extension tubes with these specific M.Zuiko lenses by mounting the teleconverter to the lens first, then attaching an extension tube.
The interior dimension of extension tubes can vary and some Olympus/OM shooters have said they they’ve found specific brands of extension tubes that can work with an MC teleconverter. I don’t remember the specific brand(s) of extension tubes where this may be true. It is important not to force an MC teleconverter into an extension tube as damage may occur to the teleconverter. You can probably go to some Olympus/OM photography chat rooms to see what information you can find from those users.
Tom
Hi Bodie,
If you do a search on YouTube you will be able to find a video that shows someone basically forcing an 16 mm Kenko extension tube onto an M.Zuiko MC-20. With some wiggling and pulling the extension tube did come off the MC-20. The producer of the video claims that the MC-20 was not damaged.
You would need to decide whether you want to risk damaging your MC-20 by taking this action. The damage may not happen immediately as it could result from the cumulative effect of successive motions forcing the Kenko 16 mm tube onto it. The other potential issue that you may want to consider is whether the MC-20 will retain its IPX1 weather sealing rating after forcing the 16 mm extension tube onto it repeatedly.
A reader tried to post a comment on this article with a link to a YouTube video showing the forcing of a 16 mm Kenko extension tube onto an MC-20 teleconverter. I did not approve that comment as I would not want my website to appear to endorse this kind of action.
Tom
Hi Tom,
Do the Kenko tubes support focus stacking/bracketing?
Thanks,
Dean
Hi Dean,
Yes, you can use in-camera focus stacking with Kenko extension tubes. I typically only use one tube at a time, but here is an article showing 2 tubes stacked together: https://smallsensorphotography.com/frogs-with-2-tubes
Tom
Great!
I was afraid about using extension tube with a macro lens . But after going through your article I think I can try . Your captured images are so sharp and wonderful! Amazing! Thank you for providing me courage.
Hi Chinmoy,
I’m glad the article was helpful for you.
Tom
Wow, such a great article and a great website! I’ve only moved from Canon (7D mk II) to Olympus (EM1 mk I) to have lighter and cheaper gear and got my (Meike) macro tubes delivered yesterday… and already so much interesting and super relevant content in the few articles that I saw! Initial successes with the 75-300mm (II) lens yesterday make me wanting more, so I might start looking for this 60mm lens 😉
Hi Konrad,
I’m glad you’re enjoying the website and finding the content relevant. The M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 macro is a super lens. When combined with the IBIS performance in Olympus/OM System bodies, makes handheld macro photography a practical reality.
Tom
How are you getting on with the Meike macro tubes. I am considering ordering some as well.
Cheers
Dereck
Hi, I have an Olympus e-m1 micro four thirds with the 60 mm
macro lens, could you recommend extension tubes for me,
I also use a Canon 7D mark ii with Canon 180mm macro lens,
could you possibly recommend extension tubes for this set up.
Thank You very much Ernie.
Hi Ernest,
I’m not a professional reviewer of camera gear, so I’m not the best person to specifically recommend gear.
I would suggest that you only purchase extension tubes that have auto-focus capability. Also look for solid construction. One of the most important factors is a metal mount. If you go to a large camera retailers website they will often have a good amount of customer reviews. This can be a good source of information.
On a personal basis I’ve had good luck with MOVO and Vello Deluxe extension tubes for my Nikon 1 gear. I would not buy standard Vello extension tubes as they have plastic mounts and are not very durable. I use Kenko extension tubes for my Olympus gear.
Tom