Nikon D700, 50 mm 1.8, PK-13 extension tube (27.5mm)
In principle, extension tubes are one of the cheapest ways to play around with macro photography, using the high quality optics I already own. By stretching the distance between the optics and the capture plane (film or sensor), it works essentially like pulling an overhead projector away from the screen in a classroom, resulting in a larger, and less bright image, cast on the same size rectangle of the sensor. It also decreases the subject-to-lens working distance, for the 50mm from about 18″ to under 3″.
Every spring for at least the last five years, I said I would buy an extension tube, or even a set. Then I’d get stuck in circular optimization. The Nikon models aren’t cheap and yet don’t have the internal electronics to work with their newer lenses (the ones without aperture rings) and the third-party ones get poor reviews on robustness. This month I found a used Nikon PK-13 on sale and flashed the credit card. It’s light, easy to pack, and does the job. I have the 50mm and the 28-70mm has an aperture ring, so it will work with the extension tube as well.
Ready for spring, anyone?
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