Nikon D40x with extention tubes, getting better
- Thread starter luisgo
- Start date
StrategicReef
New member
I have the same lens 55-200mm lens, what is the trick to use this lens for macro? Do you put a tripod few feet away
luisgo
Member
The problem with the 55-200mm lens is that it doesn’t have macro capabilities. That means that you will not be able to focus on macros.
What I did was purchase a set of macro extension ring set. These are three tubes that are placed between the camera and the lens. You use them as a single tube or in combination depending on how close you want to get. The distance of the lens from the glass of the aquarium is more or less from 6inches to 1 foot. That way you are able to macro focus. They cost me $16.00 with shipping on ebay.
You will need a good tripod because the speed in some photos is of various seconds. The aperture with the extension tubes is fixed at f22, which is good for depth of field.
The problem with the tubes is that the image in the viewfinder is dark making it more difficult to focus manually and there is no metering. You will have to take various shots until you find the correct exposure.
I think is a good alternative to the expensive macro lenses.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320188332876&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=011
What I did was purchase a set of macro extension ring set. These are three tubes that are placed between the camera and the lens. You use them as a single tube or in combination depending on how close you want to get. The distance of the lens from the glass of the aquarium is more or less from 6inches to 1 foot. That way you are able to macro focus. They cost me $16.00 with shipping on ebay.
You will need a good tripod because the speed in some photos is of various seconds. The aperture with the extension tubes is fixed at f22, which is good for depth of field.
The problem with the tubes is that the image in the viewfinder is dark making it more difficult to focus manually and there is no metering. You will have to take various shots until you find the correct exposure.
I think is a good alternative to the expensive macro lenses.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320188332876&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=011
Lpabsolute
New member
Beautiful Tank/Pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
StrategicReef
New member
luisgo thanks for the tip is that the same seller you bought the tube from ebay (from china?)
how is the fit since it's 3rd party ..
how is the fit since it's 3rd party ..
luisgo
Member
For these photos I used tube #3 and the shooter speed was around 1 second. Speed will depend on the amount of light of the subject. I used a tripod on all photos.
Recently I purchased a set of close up filters from Tiffen but I don't like the quality when compared to the extention tubes.
Recently I purchased a set of close up filters from Tiffen but I don't like the quality when compared to the extention tubes.
..
StrategicReef
New member
May I ask you what kind of spiky algae is that in the second last picture. I have a couple strain of that but not sure what that is.
Is that the green algae shown in your FTS?
Is that the green algae shown in your FTS?
maxalmon
New member
Nice shots, I wouldn't worry about getting the 105mm AFS Macro lens, no need to buy the autofucus as you shoot in manual. I made the mistake of buying this lens, granted it's an incredible lens but a waste of money as the AF is not needed. If you don't have the remote, try using the timer button, it actually helps to reduce visual noise
luisgo
Member
Helimeda is the main algae in my tank. It is a great filter helping maintain nitrates in zero.
Algae in the second last picture is Caulerpa serrulata. The common name is Razor/Saw-tooth Caulerpa. The good thing with this algae is that grows slow and its easy to control. Here is a photo of the algae in my tank.
By luisgon
Algae in the second last picture is Caulerpa serrulata. The common name is Razor/Saw-tooth Caulerpa. The good thing with this algae is that grows slow and its easy to control. Here is a photo of the algae in my tank.
By luisgon
Last edited:
StrategicReef
New member
hello Luisgo, I ordered from the ebay link you gave me.. I am using the same camera D40X and zoom lens as you are..
How do you use the tube body? 1,2,3 what does it mean? Do you use max zoom and how to focus? I cannot get it to focus correctly. Again I have no idea what to do, thanks in advance.
This is a picture I manage to take about 1 second shutter on a tripod.. I am doing something wrong..
How do you use the tube body? 1,2,3 what does it mean? Do you use max zoom and how to focus? I cannot get it to focus correctly. Again I have no idea what to do, thanks in advance.
This is a picture I manage to take about 1 second shutter on a tripod.. I am doing something wrong..
luisgo
Member
I think that the problem with your picture is that it is out of focus.
It is very difficult to focus with the extension tubes because it is very dark in the viewfinder. For that reason you have to take several photos and look if they are in focus in the LCD display.
Tube #1 is the less magnification and it increase with higher numbers. You can also combine several tubes. The problem is that with more tubes it gets darker and more difficult to focus. Try to use low tube numbers until you start getting good photos.
In my photos I never used more than one tube.
With the tubes the lens will use the highest f stop. This is good because you will have more depth of field (more of the photo will be in focus) but exposure will be longer. That is why you will need a tripod.
You will need to practice a lot before you start getting good photos.
I hope this helps.
It is very difficult to focus with the extension tubes because it is very dark in the viewfinder. For that reason you have to take several photos and look if they are in focus in the LCD display.
Tube #1 is the less magnification and it increase with higher numbers. You can also combine several tubes. The problem is that with more tubes it gets darker and more difficult to focus. Try to use low tube numbers until you start getting good photos.
In my photos I never used more than one tube.
With the tubes the lens will use the highest f stop. This is good because you will have more depth of field (more of the photo will be in focus) but exposure will be longer. That is why you will need a tripod.
You will need to practice a lot before you start getting good photos.
I hope this helps.
StrategicReef
New member
I see, Thanks I was using the whole unit 1 2 3 together! No wonder I cannot see anything 
If it is out of range of focus, do you extend the lens to max or do you move the camera? And then use manual focus right.
If it is out of range of focus, do you extend the lens to max or do you move the camera? And then use manual focus right.
StrategicReef
New member
I hope you don't mind me posting here, I am using extension #1 only now and this is the picture I am able to take, the focus of the zoom lens is near 55-60mm.. I am not able to get closer.. ISO100 shutter 1.6
Here is a picture taken with the 18-55 lens by hand just point and snap.. (it's not the same coral)
I am not sure I am doing something wrong because I am not able to get more magnification.. I can go higher with the zoom lens but then I would have to move the camera back and the object fills the frame just the same amount. Maybe #1 is not much and I should move up to the higher number tubes. Also my tripod is really crappy I think.. even with the self timer there is some shake
I feel my regular 18-55 lens is taking better pictures and alot less setup?? although the extension nice depth of field gives you more in focus.
Thanks!!
Here is a picture taken with the 18-55 lens by hand just point and snap.. (it's not the same coral)
I am not sure I am doing something wrong because I am not able to get more magnification.. I can go higher with the zoom lens but then I would have to move the camera back and the object fills the frame just the same amount. Maybe #1 is not much and I should move up to the higher number tubes. Also my tripod is really crappy I think.. even with the self timer there is some shake
I feel my regular 18-55 lens is taking better pictures and alot less setup?? although the extension nice depth of field gives you more in focus.
Thanks!!
luisgo
Member
When it is out of range of focus I move the camera and fine tune the focus manually. As you can see with tube #1 you can focus just a little closer than without the tube. With tube # 2 you will get more magnification and the same will happen with higher number tubes.
You need a good tripod for this. Remember that the weight of the tube plus the lens, will affect the stability of the camera in the tripod.
Depending on how close you want to get you will need the tubes. With the 18-55 and some croping you will get some nice closeups.
You need a good tripod for this. Remember that the weight of the tube plus the lens, will affect the stability of the camera in the tripod.
Depending on how close you want to get you will need the tubes. With the 18-55 and some croping you will get some nice closeups.
