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How to Use Extension Tubes & Magnification Lenses

A macro lens is a dedicated camera lens used by photographers to capture macro images. Macro images are defined as those that have a 1:1 ratio with the camera sensor---that is, the image projected onto the camera's film or digital sensor is as large as the object itself. Extension tubes and magnification lenses are less expensive tools used to achieve effects similar to macro lenses. They can be used separately or in concert, or can even be stacked with macro lenses to reach even greater magnification levels.

Things You'll Need

SLR camera (using 35mm film or digital imaging)
Magnification lenses
Macro lens
Extension tubes

Instructions

- 1
  Use any standard non-macro or macro lens with your camera's body. Choose a focal length appropriate for the subject you intend to shoot. Typically, the wider the lens, the lesser the magnification, but the smaller your working distance (i.e. you must get closer to your subject).
- 2
  Attach one or more magnification lenses to the front of your camera lens. They can be stacked in front of one another, and their magnification power is additive. That is, if you attach a 2 diopter magnification lens in front of a 1 diopter magnification lens, you achieve results very similar to attaching only a 3 diopter magnification lens.
- 3
  Fit an extension tube between your camera's body and the back of your main lens. Most modern extension tubes are automatic, meaning it can transmit aperture information between the camera and the lens. Older non-automatic extension tubes required you to manually set the lens's aperture. Like magnification lenses, extension tubes can also be stacked.

Photography