Extension Tube Questions

[Jeremy Ordan]

So this weekend I went to DC to see the Yankees play the Nationals (I was at the Friday game we won, we being the Yankees, and yes, I do consider myself the 26th man on the roster) and sitting in the lower part of the upper deck of RFK my 70-210mm lens was just not long enough. I've looked at 300mm lenses and the difference between 210mm and 300mm is just not that significant. I know that 400 or 500 becomes a really intense zoom, but those lenses are just not cost effective for an amatuer who uses this as a hobby and self entertainment. That being said, it was suggested to me that I look into the extension tube option.

So I went looking at different extension tubes, with my only requirement being that it will support the AF function of my Nikon D50. I found three units...

Tamron 2.0x Extension Tube $159 (http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/265110114.htm)

Quantaray 2.0x Extension Tube $79.00 (http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/261660245.htm)

Sigma 2.0x Extension Tube $189 (http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/253092225.htm)

So my question is thus... Having never used an Extension tube and buying this primarily for my baseball trip in a couple of weeks (6 games at 3 balls parks over 7 days, plus a trip to the BBHOF) which tube would you recommend? I don't do a lot of distance photography and my primary concern is clarity and sharpness of images coupled with the additional reach.

My current lens collection includes:
Nikkor 50mm 1.8
Nikkor 18mm-55mm 4.0-5.6
Nikkor 70mm-210mm 5.0-5.6
Vivitar 70mm-210mm 2.8

Also, from owners of exntesion tubes, are there any pros or cons that you can offer to a complete neophyte?

I appreciate the assistance and thank you very much for the time.

-Jeremy

[Asa]

Yankee,

The main thing you want to look for in an aftermarket doubler is the number of elements...some are single elements (that Quantaray probably is although it doesn't say in the link). You want a seven element doubler for the best quality. That said, you're going to notice a drop in sharpness with most doublers. The exception would be if you're using one of the high end Nikon lenses that have doublers especially made for them. However, the Nikon doublers won't work with any of the lenses that you listed.

I'd reccomend the Kenko doubler as being decent for the price. It's a seven element and will fit any Nikon lens. Don't really have experience with any others, though.

Oh yeah, also remember that you'll lose some lens speed with a doubler. Most lenses won't function on AF past f6.5, so you would have to switch to MF with your Nikon 70-210 for example. The Vivitar would be fine, of course.

[scharky]

Pretty much what Asa said, but I just wanted to make a point that you want a tele-converter, not an extension tube. Extension tubes are for macro photography, they have no lenses and allow the lens to focus much closer than without it, however you lose infinity focus. Teleconverters can double the length of any given lens, but because you are using more glass, like Asa said, there are some sharpness side effects, however, you will get a better image than if you were to zoom in on your image.
If image quality is of upmost importance, the other option would be to rent a nice 400/500mm lens. usually lenses will rent as a weekly package, and you will get much better image quality from a high end fast lens than using a teleconverter. Also be aware that most teleconverters will lose you up to 2 stops over your standard lens, so put into accont for that.