Setting Aperture with Macro Extension Tubes

I picked up this handy hack from a review of these macro extension tubes. (For some reason, these particular tubes are not available from Amazon.com, only Amazon.co.uk. That’s a pity, because they only cost £6, far less than Kenko and much less than a macro lens.)

1. Set your aperture.
2. Press the lens release button to remove your lens.
3. Hold the button down while you put the extension tube on the camera body. When it clicks into place, you can release the button.
4. Click the lens into place on the tube.

Very easy. Not rocket science. You get deeper depth of field, which is a good thing because focusing with macro tubes is not a lot of fun if your hands aren’t perfectly steady. These tubes have no electronic connections, so there is no autofocus.

This trick works with my Canon Rebel XSi (450D). I haven’t tried it with other camera brands.

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