Thanks for sharing your fabulous macro shots once again. Extension rings are a great way to get into macro for cheap.

It is true that the extension tubes used in macro photography do not contain lenses that reduce the light. By increasing the distance between the lens and the image sensor, only a small, central part of the light remains image-effective, the rest is lost. This is why a powerful, diffuse flash is indispensable. This also allows to stop down to increase the depth of field. The wonderful example photos of spiders, insects and ants would not have been possible without a flash. Thank you for the beautiful video and greetings to Kuala Lumpur.

I think performance can be boosted by putting some velvet on the inside of those macro rings - internal reflection glare will flatten image

Part two: The image quality is considerably improved if the lens is turned around - brought into retro position. For this you need a reversing ring, which is connected to the filter thread on the lens side and to the extension tube on the camera side. Advantage: The camera connection of the lens does not matter. The only requirement: the lens must allow manual aperture adjustment. Disadvantage: AF and other automatics cannot be used. In this case, even inexpensive extension tubes that do not support automatic settings are sufficient.

Wow that's class, definitely getting these! Amazing photos too

Great video and information Robin. Excellent Photography. Thank you.

Very cool, always opening up the possibilities. Thanks Robin, great video and amazing photos.

Always love your macro photos! Those tubes are a lot of fun to play around with!

This macro extension tube looks amazing. Thanks for sharing the information and the photos looks sharp too. Big LIKE for you, Robin.

Thanks for another great video Robin.

I've always bought a set of extension tubes for the different camera systems I've used. Hardly ever used them, though. Nice to have the option even if macro photography isn't one of my main interests. You make a great point about the quality difference between extension tubes and a proper macro lens.

Thanks for the post Robin. I've been using them for awhile on my EM10ii paired with a vintage SMC PENTAX-M 50mm 2.0 and I love the results I get.

Looks like a total no brainer! Wonderful photos Robin.

Thank you. Great photos & i'm blessed to have the 2.8 Macro

You are a micro 4/3 Olympus expert. Congratulations. Thanks for sharing your knowledge

Most helpful Robin.

Thanks Robin! I was looking to get some of these abs just didn’t know which manufacturer had the best quality. Now thanks at this review I know which one you get.

Thanks for the video and your ideas and tips! I am not a macro photographer but sometimes I want to take a picture very close to a subject.

I like your macro shots Robin.

Great, since I wonder for a long time to buy the 60mm zuiko

great video - many thanks!!!!

Beautiful images, Robin. I've had some pretty good results with extension tubes with various lenses on my EM-1 (MK 1), EM-5 MKII, EM-1 MK III. One day I'll possibly purchase a dedicated macro lens, but for now the tubes are certainly adequate.

Thank you Robin!

Cool video, Robin!

Thanks for another great video Robin! Watching your work in the last 6 months swayed me to buy a second hand EM1 yesterday! Like you, I'm very budget conscious and managed to find a perfect EM1 for just AUD280 with just 11k SC! I'm considering ditching my 7d2 (approaching 140k SC) for it if I'm happy with testing. I was just looking for some lenses on eBay and stumbled upon these very tubes. I'm clicking "buy now" now, as I want to give it a try with 14-42mm kit lens. I'm actually buying an EP2 tomorrow to get that lens (that comes almost unused with full retail kit for a price lower than just this lens!)... so getting 2 Olympus cameras in 3 days and the macro tubes, just thanks to you!

Got them a long time ago, best use on product photography for me selling items in Shopee. Using with 45mm and 40-150mm lens..

This is really good timing because I was thinking only this morning about buying a macro, and was wondering whether to get the 30mm or 60mm. There is a macro zoom in the roadmap but I haven't heard when it's due to be released. I've got a set of close up filters but the quality really isn't good at all.

I am using one on my 40-150 pro, works great 👍

Great video, Robin! I have a set of (even cheaper!) non-electronic connection m4/3 extension tubes that I love to use with my small collection of Vintage lenses! I love shooting macros with my old OM Zuikos, and especially the Helios 44-2.

Its always nice watching your videos, btw, what do you suggest between this method or using raynox ?

0:23 I knew it would be the 45mm f/1.8! 🤣😊

I have the same rings and they work well, though I find focusing is a bit tricky. I use them with the 14-42 mm kit lens, but I imagine they would be better with a faster prime lens. I have been wondering about buying the Fujian 35 mm f1.7 as a cheap alternative to spending 200-300 dollars on Olympus or Panasonic. Do you think this would work, or would I have a problem with vignetting? Your video has reminded me that I need to get out there and use the macro rings more. Thank you!

Robin! You should do a review vid on the Olympus MCON-P02 macro adapter. I use it both on my Oly 45 f1.8 and the 14-42mm kit lens. It is an amazing tool for macro. Especially on the Oly 45.

I recently bought the same brand as I do product photography it should be very useful as it should save me switching lenses all the time.

I have that set, just one point. Always use a lens with a focal length longer than the length of the extension tube or it will not focus at all.

Thanks for the Macro video Robin, i enjoyed this. What sort of budget flash do you suggest to use with these extension tubes. I have the EM10 II. Camera flash or a seperate flash?

Hiya Robin. I already have a 60mm macro lens, a macro slider and a decent tripod. What would you recommend to shoot micro fungi of 1mm in size, a Raynox DCR 250 or a set of extension tubes. Thanks for all your great tutorials.

I use a set of JJC extension tubes ( with full contacts ) with my Zuiko 45mm F1.8 to get close to the subjects. The extension tubes do not have an optical element so the image quality of the lens is preseved , although this is quite usable for everyday objects, I am not quite sure how field curvature and peripheral illumination is affected. I guess for demanding copy or close up work one must still purchase a dedicated macro lens, preferably the expensive 60mm one from Olympus or the 30mm Panasonic. An alternative is the use of an old 50mm enlarging lens with a reversing ring. The good ones from Rodenstock, Schneider or even Nikon were designed to project ( copy in effect ) the 35mm negative with a flat field and near enough zero distortion, however the price of these lenses have gone through the roof recently with the popularity of analogue photograhy on the rise, so your milage will vary.

I have paired canon mp-e 65 macro lens to my em1.2 body! Upto 10x mag is possible!!

can you manually focus stack with extension tubes?

Hi Robin, I am so keen of getting one since I don't own a macro lens. I have 75 1.8 and 12-40 2.8 pro, will this work fine too? any cons compared to 45 1.8?

I have the 30mm m.zuiko macro and a set of extension rings. I do prefer the images made with the dedicated macro plus you can focus normally and use the lens as a walk around lens without having to fiddle with the rings. That being said it is also nice to have the increased magnification and ability to use other lenses such as the 40-150mm kit lens when I need more distance from the subject. Thanks for the great video Robin.

Great heads up video Robin! I also have and use the Meike extension tubes but mine are plastic as opposed to metal mounts. They are a great budget alternative and I usually use mine with my 7Artisans 35mm f1.2, an adapted Fujian 35mm f1.7 CCTV lens, or for extra swirl, an adapted vintage Helios 44-2 58mm f2. I've just tried them with my Olympus 14-150mm and am getting stunning magnification at 60mm! Thanks for still supporting and making videos of the Olympus/OMDS brand. Cheers!

Hi , is it suitable for Olympus 14-42 mm ?

I'm afraid whether extention tube affects IBIS or not. Tube makes small amount of lights. Darker macro photo require good stabilization.

First, you have to live in a country with lots of cool insects ;)

is it possible to screw 4 meike extension tube or only 2 extension tube can be screwed together?

Hi, can share the Shopee link?

Thank much Robin Wong for this video. I learn something every time. I do have a question. I bought this after watching your video. No matter what lens I use, 45mm, 60mm dedicated macro, kit lens etc, I have to go really close to the subject to get any focus, even with autofocus or manual. I cannot get any kind of focus if I away from the subject using these rings. Is this how it is supposed to work or I have a bad piece?

@Robin Wong - Hi Robin, thank you very much for your great OM channel, I have found it exceptionally helpful! I have been wanting to re-watch your earlier "How to shoot the moon" episode but on looking through your videos a couple of times recently and now too it seems that you may have removed it, is it still available somewhere and if not would you mind explaining why? Thanks again from AU

I’ve bought them, but they don’t work with the E 1 MKIII

Another fun video thanks Robin!! Got $800 saved for a new lens for my e-m5 MII. Was thinking about the 60mm macro (getting old though-to replace extension tubes/manual primes), Oly 40-150 pro, or the Oly 100-400 but cannot decide at all. I already have several nice primes (17, 25, 35, 50) and the lumix 14-42 and Olympus 40-150 R auto focus zooms but I want more reach!! Macro or tele?? The age old question of the photographer!! Keep up the great work!!!

I have Nikon and M42 extension tubes that I use to shoot macro on my Olympus camera. I sometimes manage to get a decent shot, but a dedicated macro lens is way out of budget for this hobby :(

Technically these rings work (I tried them with my lenses too), but for most lenses I tried, the usable range (distance of the subject from the lens) gets limited to a few cm only, usually very close to the lens. Means you have to accept the resulting aspect ratio. The lens that works best with these rings is ... my macro lens (the Lumix 45mm).The 75/1.8 has an acceptable range, but the pictures are not that sharp. The mentioned 45/1.8 has the mentioned "fixed aspect ratio". For casual macro work I switched to close-up lenses, around 3 diopters. The 75/1.8 and the 25/1.4 give very pleasing results with that.

Hey Robin, after a long time seeing this video and other macro tips on your channel I decided to purchase this exact pair of extension tubes. Mounting on the lens but all I see is a big blur and no chance to focus (I'm on AF). Am I doing something wrong? Do I need to change something on settings or something? (e-m10 iii, 45mm, Meike tubes)

For me, good close-up lenses work better. I use achromatic lenses from Maruma, which are more expensive than distance rings, but way cheaper than a real macro lens. I did comparisons with different lenses-zoom, portrait primes and macro-and found that not all lenses work well with distance rings. The results with the close-up lenses on a prime-45mm/1.2 or Sigma 56mm/1.4-come close to those from the dedicated macro lenses (60 and adapted 50mm). So now, when I want to go light but still want to have a fast prime, I leave the 60mm macro and pack a close-up lens for the Sigma.

0:37 does that price include both rings or do you have to choose one or the other?

This will make your IBIS stop working, as the effective FL change is not communicated to the camera. Some lenses also do not work well optically with such extensions. Other than these, it's brilliant.

_@Robin Wong_ -- Thanks for the video. I've been planning to purchase some macro tubes for odd-ball situations when a dedicated macro lens won't serve. However, I believe you made one mistake: Macro tubes actually can degrade the image (the image quality is decreased). But, depending on the optical resolution of the lens versus the digital resolution of your image sensor, you may not be able to observe the degradation. _Here's what happens:_ The macro tube moves the lens farther away from the image sensor causing the image circle cast by the lens to be larger at the image sensor. In effect, you are using a smaller portion of the glass of your lens. For example, let's suppose that your lens has a native optical resolution of about 40 Mp and your image sensor has a resolution of 20 Mp. When you add one macro tube, your effective optical resolution of the lens may decrease to 20 Mp because you are using only half of the lens' image circle. But, the lens optical resolution is still adequate for your image sensor so you observe no difference. However, when you add a second (or longer) macro tube, the effective optical resolution of the lens may drop to 10 Mp and you will observe a decrease in image sharpness because the effective lens resolution is now less than your image sensor. Naturally, this is only a concern if you need to resolve super tiny details _and_ you need to use the full 20 Mp resolution of your camera. _Note: The above resolution numbers are fictional and are only intended to illustrate the principle. The optical resolution of lenses can vary a lot and you'll have to check the technical data for a lens to see if you'll have a problem. Generally speaking, it's my understanding that a twofold increase in magnification via a macro tube would result in a twofold reduction in optical resolution. This may contribute to the apparent reduction in contrast that you observed._

👌👍👍🙏 👋🙋

Scam messages - someone is posting comments on Robin's channel with his avatar, asking people to text on Telegram. Obviously a scam.

I am considering using an extension tube (or 2 to ensure enough gap to prevent element rub) between the 60mm macro and the 2x Teleconverter on my EM-1 mark 3.