Fotodiox 10-MCR-NK-Kit Nikon Macro Extension Tube Set Kit for Nikon Cameras Extreme Close-Up

by Fotodiox

• Kit includes: Camera Mount Coupling Adapter, Lens Mount Coupling Adapter, Extension Tube 1, Tube 2, Tube 3
• Featured with "Aperture Open Lever" to allow newer lens operate at Max Aperture.
• All Metal Construction
• 24 Month Manufacture Warranty

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 6 inches ; 11.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003Y5T464
• Item model number: 10-MCR-NK-Kit
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (196 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #2 in Camera & Photo > Accessories > Lens Accessories > Extension Tubes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 3, 2010

Product Description

The new released version features a "Aperture Opening Lever" to allow newer lens operate at Max aperture. You can use the camera mount coupling adapter and lens mount coupling adapter alone or with combination of any or all three extension tubes for extreme Macro photography. Since there is no other optical components been added, the image preserve the original optical property of the lens. This is a much desired way to turn your existing lens into a MACRO LENS.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

169 of 170 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent Quality September 21, 2010

By Toriphilewill

Amazon Verified Purchase

I was a bit skeptical when similar extension tubes sell anywhere from $80-170. For only $10 I figured it was worth a chance and would not hold my expectations too high. I am an amateur photographer and wanted to experiment in some super macro setups. When I tested these tubes I used a Nikon D90 and an old rikoh 55mm f1.4. This lens is from my older 35mm collection and has manual aperture ring (reasons whey below).

I find extension tubes to be in a very specific niche in the world of photography. If you want to give macro photography a try, extension tubes, or bellows would be good start. From there a decent 1:1 dedicated macro lens would be the next step. It should be mentioned that the farther away the lens is mounted from the camera's sensor, the minimal focusing distance is also changed. This is a factor that sets an extension tube apart from a dedicated macro lens. Using my 55mm lens, and all three extension tubes, I guess the minimum focusing distance was around 1" with a 1:1.32 ratio. You can use a 100mm dedicated macro lens and have a working distance around 11" from your subject, get 1:1 ratios with AF and metering. If you want to try a bellows, you will needed to use an extension tube because the bellows rail will hit the grip on a D90. The smallest rings were enough to clear the grip.

If you are still considering these, then you know what they are used for and the price is probably the most attractive attribute. If you don't want to read the rest, they do what they are advertised to do.

Pros:
All metal construction.
Three interchangeable sections can be mixed and matched to you preferences.
Solid. The all metal construction felt strong and no flexing between the joints or the bayonet mounts. Tested with my Nikon 18-200mm. Felt solid, but I would still support the lens.
Flexible. You can mix and match the three sections to get the focal range you are looking for. With all three sections, and the mounts attached you can get 1:1.32 ratio (larger than life size with super sharp results since there is only air in between).
Price. This is the items selling factor in my opinion. There are others and the closest alternative model is $80.

Cons:
I have a few gripes, but should be expected from a set at this price.
The sections connect with very fine threads and are very easy to cross-thread if you are not careful. I have used similar products before, and over time I suspect they threads will wear down if they are repeatedly used.

When sections are mixed and matched the lens mounts do not stay in the same position. The higher-end tubes keep the lens mount in the same place so that the aperture ring will stay on the top of the lens (They separate the sections with individual bayonet mounts with lens contacts. Much nicer in my opinion compared to threads.). With these tubes it will depend on the tubes used. Forget about using bellows with these tubes. My D90 ended upside down, crooked and it was just not worth the operation.

Manual operation. This is not a real gripe, but a con for any extension tube. If you have one of the newer Nikon lenses then you will have trouble with these tubes. Focusing is not an issue since you can move either your subject closer, or the setup closer. Setting the aperture is another problem. I have a newer 35mm f1.8 and the aperture is controlled internally by the camera. It is set by default for f22. This is not an issue for most people since f22 will give you the greatest depth of field, especially when dealing with macro this is important. It will make focusing much more difficult it poor light situations. On the older lenses, I just set the aperture to 1.4, get the focus point exactly where I want it, then stop down to the desired aperture. You will also need to use "Manual" mode because the camera cannot detect the lens's aperture and adjust exposure accordingly.

Overall worth a try for $10, but be aware of the lack of automatic features and cross threading the sections.

109 of 113 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this before sending your product back September 29, 2011

By Scott Ulrich

Amazon Verified Purchase

Ok, there are two things you need to know in order to have this work:
1. You MUST have a lens that has adjustable aperture. Newer Nikon lenses that a gelded "G" lenses, will be stuck on F22 aperture making it difficult to see anything through the lens. If you don't have a lens that has an adjustable aperture, do not buy this product.
2. You MUST set your camera to manual "M" mode. Otherwise you will get an error message because without electrical contacts, your camera doesn't realize that there is a lens on it. If you don't know how to use manual mode and don't want to learn, do not buy this product.

It is also good to note, there is a silver button on the side and to remove the extension tube from your camera, you must pull it back towards the camera, then rotate and remove. Much easier than breaking it off.

The negative reviews are laughable since most are user error/misunderstanding. For under 10 bucks, this is metal construction (not plastic) and is a nice way to get into playing around with macro photography.

Just a side note, I use this with a D90 and my 50mm AF-D (can not use with the AF-S since it doesn't have an aperture ring) and my 80-200mm AF-D. The 80-200 is a huge lens an a little difficult since the lens is very front weighted, but gives a little more distance from the subject. The 50mm focus point is about 8" from the lens, the 80-200mm is about 24" from the lens at 200mm.

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cheap, Does the job December 21, 2010

By Ethan Anderson

This macro extension kit is not the nicest, but it does exactly what it's supposed to do for far less cost than other brands. As previous reviewers recommend, I removed the tiny screw that protrudes in the base piece. The threads are fine but aren't that difficult to use if you're reasonably careful. Because the tubes screw onto each other, the depth-of-field markings on the lens will likely end up pointing in the wrong direction. This really isn't an issue since they're useless at this magnification anyway. The same goes for the loss of autofocus. The aperture must be set manually as well, which again is not really a problem for most macro shooting. I don't believe these rings will work with G lenses (lenses that do not have a manual aperture ring), so you will be forced to use a different product for those lenses.

Otherwise the tubes are well-made and work perfectly. My Nikon 105mm Macro almost becomes a microscope with all of the tubes installed. Depth of field is very thin but usable, and the image quality is unchanged as expected since the tubes only add air between the camera and lens. This is great way to extend your ability to shoot macro for very little expense.