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

by Kenko

• Designed to enable a lens to focus closer than its normal set
• Very Useful for Macro Photography
• The Extension Tubes have no optics
• Focus Closer to the objects you see and enjoy the feel of photography
• Auto Extension Tube Set for the Nikon AF Mount

Product Details

• Item Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000JG88JU
• Item model number: KE_EXTNDG
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #15 in Camera & Photo > Accessories > Lens Accessories > Extension Tubes
• 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

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 61 people found the following review helpful

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

By just another customer TOP 500 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.

53 of 58 people found the following review helpful

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

By Scott Hesh

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.

91 of 106 people found the following review helpful

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

By George A. Sopko

** 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.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun for Amateurs, Okay for Professionals April 3, 2011

By theChris

Amazon Verified Purchase

These Kenko extension tubes are fun for amateurs and great for specific professional uses.

Build Quality:
Feels like a quality product right out of the box. The mounts are metal which gives me confidence using all three tubes between my lenses and the camera. The tubes are plastic, but sufficient quality for average use and abuse. Connecting the tubes to a lens; however, is a little disconcerting because you can feel the bearings of the lens catch on the electronic contacts of the tube that pass the signal on to the camera. It's clear now that no damage is being done, but I still connect lenses slowly to avoid any problems. Lens weight becomes an issue when trying to attach a 70-300mm VR lens, especially when using all three extensions between the lens and camera body. Sagging of the lens and slight separation between the metal mounts of each tube is noticeable. I would feel safer if Kenko offered a 'lens collar' solution for such conditions to prevent the camera body taking all the weight. However, for my macro and small zoom lenses, I have no worries while I'm shooting.

Quirks:
Experimenting with extension tubes is a lot of fun, but you could experience instant buyer's remorse if you don't have the right lens. Extension tubes allow you to focus on objects that are otherwise too close for the lens to focus on. This is great when using a 70-300mm lens for macro photography, but zoomed in with my 18-70mm DX lens with all extensions attached I was able to focus on the dust resting on the front glass element of the lens itself! Amusing, but the working distance was too shallow to be useful. (My favorite combo is using my 60mm micro lens with all 3 tubes) Auto-focus comes and goes and depends on how many tubes you have stacked as well as available light.... I use auto-focus when it works, but more often than not I'm going manual. Tripods are a must for sharp photos and I recommend using a remote or at least a timed shutter release to reduce camera shake. Be aware that there is a learning curve for this product, but for me it was fun and exciting!

Image Quality:
Yes, image quality is affected. This has more to do with the quality of the lens you are using rather than the tubes themselves. Chromatic aberration present in your lens becomes magnified. Also edge sharpness may be reduced by sagging lenses. Amateurs will be less concerned with this, but it could be a deal breaker for professional photographers. As for myself, I shoot stock photos and chromatic aberration is unacceptable. However, I have had outstanding results using these tubes with a 60mm micro lens and off-camera flash.

Final Thoughts:
Again, the Kenko extension tubes are a good value for an amateur photographer looking to shoot macro photos on a budget. Professionals may also find this product to be useful, but for very specific shooting situations. (I urge you to carefully consider your decision to purchase these tubes if you intend to use them specifically with a telephoto lens. A bellows might be a better idea, especially if you need greater magnification than these tubes will offer.) All in all, I found these extension tubes to be a valuable addition to my camera bag and I would recommend them to amateurs and pros alike, so long as they understand the product's limitations. Read more ›

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ...As advertized!! June 3, 2009

By H. G. Barcomb

I bought these for the Nikon d60/d40, and use them with a stock 18-55mm kit lense, and a 50-200mm zoom lense. These tubes are a little snug going on and off the camera, however, that does not interfere with the working of the product. I have had these for about a month, and they do a nice job of doing what I bought them for. It should be noted that with a standard 18-55mm kit lense, and all 3 tubes, you will be right on top of the subject in order to get the focus. To get the best pictures out of extension tubes a tripod and wireless shutter remote are really a must because the slightest camera movement will completely ruin the picture. Also, Getting one pedal of a flower in focus close up just doesn't work...in order to get any depth of field, you'll have to close the apeture and cool down the shutter speed, which also makes the tripod/remote a must. Boosting the ISO can help, but if you go too far, you'll lose clarity, so you have to work the controls on the camera for best quality. Another thing to note...these are meant to work with the electronics of the Nikon, don't be fooled by the cheap price of overseas knockoffs, they have NO electronics (and usually will state such), and Nikon has no manual aperature controls, so you must have tubes made specifically to work with Nikon mount cameras to control your lense through the tubes and that means the bigger bucks...spring for it, or be severely disappointed.