Extension Tubes

Extension tubes are merely strategically-inserted rings that a photographer places between his camera and lens, in the effort to amplify both “minimum focusing distance” (MFD) as well as “reproduction ratio” (RR). They are fairly inexpensive tools which greatly enhance the usefulness of lenses not specifically optimized for macro photography. For my usage, I have many premium portrait lenses, which actually outperform dedicated macro lenses, but because of their limitations of proximity, as well as RR, they cannot be used for macro by themselves. However, by inserting extension tubes between these lenses and my camera, I immediately afford myself an opportunity to “take macro shots” at a faster aperture than any macro lens can achieve.