Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm Tubes for Nikon AF Digital and Film Cameras - AEXRUBEDGC

by Kenko

Product Details

• Item Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000JG88JU
• Item model number: KE EXTNDG
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 30, 2007

Product Description

Extension tubes are designed to enable a lens to focus closer than its normal set minimum focusing distance. Getting closer has the effect of magnifying your subject (making it appear larger in the viewfinder and in your pictures). They are exceptionally useful for macro photography, enabling you to convert almost any lens into a macro lens at a fraction of the cost while maintaining its original optical quality. The extension tubes have no optics. They are mounted in between the camera body and lens to create more distance between the lens and film plane. By moving the lens father away from the film or CCD sensor in the camera, the lens is forced to focus much closer than normal. The greater the length of the extension tube, the closer the lens can focus. The KENKO AUTO EXTENSION TUBE SET contains three tubes of different length, a 12 mm, 20 mm, and 36 mm, which can be used individually or in any combination to obtain the desired magnification. Kenko also makes a UNITUBE 12 mm or 25 mm which can be purchased individually. Kenko's Auto Focus extension tubes are designed with all the circuitry and mechanical coupling to maintain auto focus and TTL auto exposure with most Nikon lenses given there is enough light to activate the cameras AF system properly. Please Note; 1. When using extension tubes the lens will not focus to infinity. The focus range will be greatly limited to a very close focusing distance. 2. There is light fall of

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Product That Works, October 31, 2007

By 

. "just another customer" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

If you are looking for a functional macro, for example to take pictures of individual flowers, keep in mind that these extension tubes work better on telephoto lenses for this purpose.

Use of any of these tubes on a lens with a focal length of less than 55mm (on a digital camera with an APS-C sensor, 1.5x crop) will result in a focusing distance so close you would only be able to photograph the individual stamen. For example, with the 36mm tube on a 50mm lens, I could capture a human hair from a few inches away. Even the 12mm on a 50mm lens results in an exceptionally close focusing distance (eg, photographing a small nail). However, with the 12mm tube on an 85mm lens, I can capture a flower at about 18 inches away.

The tubes are decently made. I have the light-weight plastic Nikon lenses, so not a problem for these and no flexing.

71 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Huge disappointment!, April 18, 2007

By 

George A. Sopko (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

** I am editing my review and I would give this product two instead of three stars but I can not change the star count. **

I am aware that plastic is cheaper and easier for manufacturers these days and I have seen and own many quality products designed with plastic. This was not one of them. I bought these rings in high hopes of a quality product. Unfortunately, I was let down. The rings are made from a thin and flimsy plastic that visibly flexes under the weight of a heavy lens. With my Sigma 150/2.8 I can actually see the separation from the bayonet mounts from the plastic. I also used the tripod mount of the Sigma 150/2.8 but there was still visible flex with my D50. I can only imagine the situation with a D200/D2 and a Nikkor 200 macro!

The whole point of extension tubes is to use them with longer focal length lenses to achieve higher magnification. Sure, I could use the lighter Nikkor 60/2.8 Macro but that lens has less than three inches of working distance without extension. As I add more extension I will have even less working distance. Therefore, extension tubes should be adequately designed to support longer and heavier macro lenses. That's why people buy them! That's their purpose!

Also, the internal aperture of the tubes is APS sensor sized. This might be great for now. But, what if the Nikon D3x is full-frame or close to full-frame? Or, if I want to use the full-frame Nikkor 105 VR Macro on a F6? I'd be outta luck.

43 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As advertised., March 3, 2007

By 

Scott Hesh "Scoot" (Eastern Shore, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Another essential tool for the photographers bag. AF and metering worked well with Nikon D70. Takes a bit of practice, but it makes you a better photographer. Like having a prime 50mm. You'll find yourself (tripod) moving instead of zooming. Makes photgraphing macros challenging and very fun. Amazing shots. Tripod is almost manditory.
Wish the build quality was a little better. Extensions are plastic (& aluminum) and feel flimsy. Mounted a 70-300mm with all three extension, noticed bowing on the outside, but pictures were fine. Didn't trust it, had to have a hand on the lens. Feels fragile with with all three mounted. Still works perfect though.
Very fun to photograph macro shot with any lens. Opens a whole new world. Great kit, lots of options. Made in Japan. Probably more durable than it looks. Buy it.