SRB Griturn T-mount extension tubes

  • Approx price: £49.95
  • Available from: SRB Griturn
  • Minimum extension: 5mm
  • Maximum extension: 75mm

When used with the supplied insert and the appropriate T2 mount (optional extra), these tubes enable M39 lenses to be used as macro optics. The tubes are available in four sizes – 5mm (£14.95), 10mm (£14.95), 20mm (£16.95) and 40mm (£18.95) – and have internal and external M42x0.7mm 
T threads

SRB Griturn Manual extension tubes

  • Approx price: £16.45
  • Available from: SRB Griturn
  • Minimum extension: 16mm (approx)
  • Maximum extension: 65mm

These three tubes fit together via a screw thread to give a maximum extension of around 65mm. Front and rear bayonet components are also supplied and may join together for a short extension of around 16mm or to one or more of the tubes for greater extension. Available in Canon EF or Nikon F mounts. Note: Canon EF lenses have to be used at full aperture and Nikon F lenses without aperture rings will operate at the minimum aperture.

Canon EF25 II extension tube

  • Approx price: £112.99
  • Extension: 25mm

Canon recommends this extension tube for lenses of 50mm or longer. When used with the EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro, which isn’t listed in this guide as it normally only produces 0.5x magnification, subjects may be captured at up to life-size (1.04x). With the EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, magnification is increased to 1.39x.

Canon EF12II Extension Tube

  • Approx price: £71.99
  • Extension: 12mm

Gives 12mm extension, especially suited for use with wideangle focal lengths, but will not work with the EF 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, EF 14mm f/2.8L and MP-E 65mm f/2.8 lenses.

SRB Griturn Auto extension tubes

  • Approx price: £79.99
  • Available from: SRB Griturn
  • Minimum extension: 13mm
  • Maximum extension: 65mm

A set of three tubes of different lengths (13mm, 21mm and 31mm), giving seven different extensions to a maximum of 65mm. Available with Canon EF, Nikon F and Pentax K mounts.

David Leung Canon EF auto extension tube set

  • Approx price: £150
  • Available from: David Leung – 0208 590 3268
  • Extension: up to 68mm in 12mm, 20mm and 36mm sections

These comprise three tubes of 12mm, 20mm and 36mm that are compatible with Canon EF and EF-S lenses.

Kenko DG Teleplus auto extension tube set

  • Approx price: £129.99
  • Available from: Kenko – 01628 674 411
  • Minimum extension: 12mm
  • Maximum extension: 68mm

Three 12mm, 20mm and 36mm tubes combine to give a maximum extension of 68mm. Available in Canon EF, Nikon F and Sony Alpha mounts.

Nikon Auto Extension Ring PK-11A

  • Approx price: (8mm) £80.99, PK-12 (14mm) £97.99, PK-13 (27.5mm) £97.99 and PN-11 (52.5mm) £162.99
  • Minimum extension: 8mm
  • Maximum extension: 52.5mm

A collection of four extension tubes that maintain full electrical contact with modern Nikon SLR cameras.

Premier Ink & Photographic Manual extension tubes

  • Approx price: £17.99
  • Available from: Premier Ink & Photographic – 01926 339 977 or 0800 1075 270, www.premier-ink.co.uk
  • Minimum extension: 9mm
  • Maximum extension: 55mm

Like the SRB Griturn manual tubes, this set includes three tubes (9mm, 16mm and 30mm) plus adaptors for the camera body and lens mount. They make an inexpensive introduction to macro photography, but all electrical control over the lens is lost. Available with Canon EF, Nikon F, Four Thirds, Pentax K or Sony Alpha mounts.

Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL Extension Tube EX-25

  • Approx price: £140
  • Minimum extension: 25mm
  • Maximum extension: 25mm

Four Thirds users can use this 25mm auto extension tube from Olympus. When used with the Zuiko Digital ED 50mm f/2 Macro, it boosts the magnification to 1:1, producing true macro images. Greater magnification is possible with the Zuiko Digital 35mm f/3.5 macro lens, which can acheive up to 1.68x life-size.

Nikon Bellows focusing attachment PB-6

  • Approx price: £356
  • Minimum extension: 48mm
  • Maximum extension: 208mm

Available in the Nikon F mount only, the impressive 208mm maximum extension can be extended further using the Extension Bellow PB-6E.

Novoflex Auto bellows

  • Approx price: £449
  • Available from: Novoflex: 08453 305 530, www.speedgraphic.co.uk
  • Minimum extension: 50mm
  • Maximum extension: 130mm

These are unique in maintaining the electrical contacts between camera and lens. Available in Canon EF, Nikon F or Sony Alpha fit.

Novoflex Balpro 1 Universal bellows

  • Approx price: £295
  • Available from: Novoflex: 08453 305 530, www.speedgraphic.co.uk
  • Minimum extension: 40mm
  • Maximum extension: 192mm

These manual bellows can be used with medium-format, 35mm or digital cameras and lenses in a huge range of different combinations thanks to the range of optional extra adaptors.

Novoflex Balpro tilt & shift bellows

  • Approx price: £655
  • Available from: Novoflex: 08453 305 530, www.speedgraphic.co.uk
  • Minimum extension: 40mm
  • Maximum extension: 192mm

Like the Universal bellows, these bellows can be used for macro photography when mounted between a huge range of cameras and lenses using the optional adaptors. However, they can also be used to tilt and/or shift the lens to control depth of field according to Scheimpflug principles. The front and rear standards have 26mm of horizontal movement and 15° of left and right swivel. A Schneider Apo-Digitar lens, which attaches via a special sunken lens mount, is required to achieve infinity focusing.

Premier Ink & Photographic Macro Extension Bellows

  • Approx price: £49.99
  • Available from: Premier Ink & Photographic – 01926 339 977 or 0800 1075 270, www.premier-ink.co.uk
  • Minimum extension: 40mm
  • Maximum extension: 192mm

Available with the Canon EF, Nikon F or Pentax K mount these manual bellows lack the finesse of the Novoflex options, but are a fraction of the cost.