Kenko DG extention tubes.

[Ronny]

Will the Kenko DG extention tubes work with Canon EF/S lenses?
If it does not work, is it because of the lens connection?
Will a combination of Kenko tubes and a Canon II tubes solve the problem and make the auto connection?
Which extention tube and lens make the ideal macro combination?

[Geoff F]

There isn't any problem with extension tubes of any make, except the very cheap ones which don't have electrical contacts.

But to give full advice we really more details of lenses and intended use.

Tubes do take a little bit of extra light but this isn't normally a problem. You do lose the ability to focus at infinity and the maximum distance varies depending on the actual equipment in use. But this isn't a problem when used for macro shots.

They don't have any glass so there isn't a problem with quality loss. Although they will enable you to get closer to the subject (which gives larger subjects) they don't magnify the image themselves; well only very little.

Whether you need a full set depends on how you are shooting. I found a Canon 25 mm tube did everything that I needed and worked out slightly cheaper than a set of Kenko tubes which included sizes that I didn't need.

[Ronny]

There isn't any problem with extension tubes of any make, except the very cheap ones which don't have electrical contacts.

But to give full advice we really more details of lenses and intended use.

Tubes do take a little bit of extra light but this isn't normally a problem. You do lose the ability to focus at infinity and the maximum distance varies depending on the actual equipment in use. But this isn't a problem when used for macro shots.

They don't have any glass so there isn't a problem with quality loss. Although they will enable you to get closer to the subject (which gives larger subjects) they don't magnify the image themselves; well only very little.

Whether you need a full set depends on how you are shooting. I found a Canon 25 mm tube did everything that I needed and worked out slightly cheaper than a set of Kenko tubes which included sizes that I didn't need.

You are telling me things I already know.
I prefer to get an answer to my questions instead.

[rpcrowe]

You are telling me things I already know.
I prefer to get an answer to my questions instead.

Post deleted...

[Glenn NK]

The kenko tubes work with the following (my) Canon lenses:

1) EF 100 f/2.8 macro
2) EF 24-105 f/4 IS L
3) EFS 17-55 f/2.8

As someone pointed out in a review I read four years ago, "Canon air is the same as Kenko air" - there's no glass in tubes, just air. And the contacts seem to work for all functions.

Glenn

28 October 2011 CORRECTION: The tubes WILL NOT fit on the EFS 17-55

[William W]

Will the Kenko DG extention tubes work with Canon EF/S lenses?

Depends, I understand there are two versions.

If it does not work, is it because of the lens connection?

Yes.

Will a combination of Kenko tubes and a Canon II tubes solve the problem and make the auto connection?

Yes.

Which extention tube and lens make the ideal macro combination?

Subjective.
My opinion for what I do?
Given the choice of only one lens and one tube, and assuming by the limited content of your OP it is to be an EF-S lens which I have to choose – then I would opt for the EF-S 17 to 55F/2.8 IS and a 36mm tube – but I don’t think you can buy the 36mm tube as a single item, so you might as well buy all three.

You are telling me things I already know.
I prefer to get an answer to my questions instead.

Sorry in advance about firstly assuming information that I could only choose an EF-S lens and that should guide my subjective opinion and secondly I apologize for adding the last bit about not being able to buy the 36mm tube by itself – you probably knew that, already.

Honey and Lemons.

WW

[Colin Southern]

As someone pointed out in a review I read four years ago, "Canon air is the same as Kenko air" - there's no glass in tubes, just air. And the contacts seem to work for all functions.

I've never used Kenko tubes, but I did read a comment once that the mount wasn't as firm as the Canon one, and the user thus thought it was more likely that a lens could work itself loose. Not sure if this is (or ever was) an issue with them.

[William W]

I've never used Kenko tubes, but I did read a comment once that the mount wasn't as firm as the Canon one, and the user thus thought it was more likely that a lens could work itself loose. Not sure if this is (or ever was) an issue with them.

Good morning Colin and all,
Congratulations on the (very close) win – the difference of a penalty goal and very good defence – in fact excellent defence - got you guys home. . .


Re your response and for the interest of other readers of this thread:

The issue with some (earlier model) Kenko tubes was the spring and pin mechanism which locked the tube to the lens.

Specifically there were two parts to the issue: The spring seemed not to have enough tension or the tension would wain after time and the pin would often wear at its protruding end, by virtue of the lens rubbing against the end of the pin, as the lens was rotated whilst it being attached to the tube.

The later models seem to be OK in regard to the pin and wear itself: but there still is not as much tension in the spring, when tension is compared to the tension of the spring used in EOS Canon Camera bodies; Canon extension tubes original and MkII; and Canon tele-extenders MkII and MkIII

***

Expanding on “issues” generally and issues with off market brands, generally: there are more issues to consider than just the lack of electrical contacts.

Specifically one should consider the material, finish, quality and colour of the INTERIOR of the tube, especially considering any REFLECTIVE interior surfaces and/or NON-BLACK interior surfaces.

Internal reflections in a tube, multiply the chances of FLARE, especially VEILING FLARE.

WW

[Colin Southern]

Good morning Colin and all,
Congratulations on the (very close) win – the difference of a penalty goal and very good defence – in fact excellent defence - got you guys home. . .

Thanks Bill,

I never thought I'd catch myself saying this, but in all honesty, I think the French played better rugby and probably deserved to win (although not by much!).

Very close game - could easily have gone either way. Just thank goodness it's finally over so we can all get back to normal around here!

[The Blue Boy]

Will the Kenko DG extention tubes work with Canon EF/S lenses?

Yes. Probably.

If it does not work, is it because of the lens connection?

No. Blame aliens.

Will a combination of Kenko tubes and a Canon II tubes solve the problem and make the auto connection?

No.

Which extention tube and lens make the ideal macro combination?

Here you go mate, best tube you'll ever need,

Extension tube for people who are rude.

[inkista]

Older Kenko extension tube sets were incompatible with EF-S lenses, because the inner plastic baffle would collide with the rubber "safety bumper" that keeps you from mounting EF-S lenses onto full-frame digital cameras like the 5D. It's a simple enough affair to pull out a Dremel tool and grind down the plastic baffle if you have one of these sets.

The current sets that Kenko makes, however, should be EF-S compatible. They'll be marked "C/AFs", not "C/AF". You might need to ask a seller which version they've got, as few bothered to update their product photos when the newer version came out.

If you want cheaper than the Kenkos, you could go with the Pro Optic tubes that Adorama sells.

[chrisa62401]

I have these and they work on all my efs lenses


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kenko-Automa...item2a14756ca8

[Ronny]

I have these and they work on all my efs lenses


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kenko-Automa...item2a14756ca8

I love to believe you, but does your Kenko tubes shows the red connection point for the EF lens and the white dot for the EFs lens? That is the only prove was told me by a store.

[Glenn NK]

I have the following equipment (bodies, lenses and tube):

1) 30D
2) 5DII
3) EF 24-105 f/4 IS L
4) EF 100 f/2.8 macro (not IS or L)
4) EFS 17-55 f/2.8
5) TSE 24 f/3.5 Mark II
6) Kenko DG extension tubes (12 mm, 20mm, and 36 mm lengths). All are marked DG. And they are marked "FOR C/AF". These are five years old, so are not likely the latest model.

The following combinations will work:
30D + any combination of KG tubes + any EF lens listed above.
5DII + any combination of KG tubes + any EF lens listed above.

When I say "work", I mean that the red focus confirmation light comes on (the TSE is a manual focus lens, but will send a focus confirmation signal through the Kenko tubes to the camera/s).

The EFS 17-55 f/2.8 WILL NOT FIT onto the Kenko DG tubes, and I suspect that no EFS lens will fit on the Kenko DG extension tubes however I cannot verify this having only the one EFS lens. I have tried every possible angle of DG tube and EFS 17-55, and the two will simply NOT fit together.

Incidentally, it is not recommended to use Extension Tubes with the TSE because the image may not fall on the senors with extreme tilts or shifts (however the components will fit).

Glenn

[William W]

I love to believe you, but does your Kenko tubes shows the red connection point for the EF lens and the white dot for the EFs lens? That is the only prove was told me by a store.

The objective information which I originally supplied is 100% correct.
I had both series of sets.

The information which the store salesperson told you, is also correct.
The second series of DG tubes are EF-S compatible and have both the red dot and the white square, as you mentioned.

Also the information which Chris Andrews has linked to, in an attempt to assist you, by all means of the advertisement it is correct: BECAUSE the NEW series DG which HAVE the white dot, are certainly packaged (at least for distribution where I live) in the boxes labelled “for CANON EF / EFS” which is, as the image in the advertisement displays.

You might also "love to believe me too" - but frankly I don't care, whether you do, or not.

I have no doubt that the dermal info which Kathy Li supplied is correct also, as whilst I have a Dremel tool kit, and, being proficient with previous surgery on an EF-S 18 to 55F/3.5~5.6 to make it fit on my 5D, I did considered the surgery on the Kenkos, but I chose to get a new set and sell the old set to a Canon “film” guy.

WW

[William W]

I have the following equipment (bodies, lenses and tube):
1) 30D
2) 5DII
3) EF 24-105 f/4 IS L
4) EF 100 f/2.8 macro (not IS or L)
4) EFS 17-55 f/2.8
5) TSE 24 f/3.5 Mark II
6) Kenko DG extension tubes (12 mm, 20mm, and 36 mm lengths). All are marked DG. And they are marked "FOR C/AF". These are five years old, so are not likely the latest model.

The following combinations will work:
30D + any combination of KG tubes + any EF lens listed above.
5DII + any combination of KG tubes + any EF lens listed above.

When I say "work", I mean that the red focus confirmation light comes on (the TSE is a manual focus lens, but will send a focus confirmation signal through the Kenko tubes to the camera/s).

The EFS 17-55 f/2.8 WILL NOT FIT onto the Kenko DG tubes, and I suspect that no EFS lens will fit on the Kenko DG extension tubes however I cannot verify this having only the one EFS lens. I have tried every possible angle of DG tube and EFS 17-55, and the two will simply NOT fit together.

Incidentally, it is not recommended to use Extension Tubes with the TSE because the image may not fall on the senors with extreme tilts or shifts (however the components will fit).

Glenn

[Glenn, with respect this information contradicts your previous post.]
– This sentence is retracted on 29/11/2011, after noticing the correction contained at the bottom of Glenn’s first post.

The remainder of my post remains unedited, from the original version I posted.
I wrote it to firstly clarify the “whys” of Glenn’s situation, for him; and also better explain, in detail, these Kenko Tubes, for all:



***


I suspect the EF-S 17-55 will not fit on YOUR set of Kenko DG tube, because you have the EARLIER series DG tubes, and this is seemingly confirmed by your observation that your tubes are five years old and therefore YOUR set will not mount with any EF-S lens.

I reiterate: the DG model has TWO series of Tubes.

***

EF and EF-S are LENS MOUNTS

The first release set of the three Kenko Tubes AND the earlier release of the DG series had ONLY EF Mount capability on the FEMALE end of the Tube (the end of the TUBE to which the LENS attaches), therefore NO EF-S Lens, could be attached to those tubes.

However, whilst the current series of DG set of three maintains an EF MOUNT on the MALE side of the tube (same as the earlier models - where the tube attaches to the Camera): the FEMALE MOUNT of each tube of "THE SET OF THREE" in the SECOND SERIES of DG tubes accepts both EF and EF-S mount lenses.

The present (latest release) model DG Series Set of Three Tubes (which are EF-S mount capable), can be easily identified by the WHITE DOT EF-S Alignment Mark on the outer rim of the Lens or Female end of the Tube, as seen here, on the front of the 12mm tube where the 18 to 55mm lens is attached:





And here, on all three tubes, stacked together:




The REASON that the older series of DG Kenko tubes mount onto a 30D (or another APS-C camera) is because those cameras accept the EF MOUNT, which the Kenko tube is, on the MALE side of the tube as seen here with the 400D – it has both the EF-F mount alignment mark [White Square] AND the EF mount alignment mark [Red Dot] thus accepting ANY EF mount lens (or EF mount extension tube):




So be clear it is only the FEMALE side of the later series of DG tubes which accept both the EF and the EF-S mount and that is why this later series DG will allow the mounting of ANY EF-S lens.


Kenko also sells as separate items, a 25mm and a 12mm tube (i,e. not the set of three): as far as I am aware, the stand-alone 25mm and the stand alone 12mm tubes are only EF compatible – but here (AUS) the 25mm tube, has been difficult to source as a stand-alone item sale, for quite a while.


WW