The best extension tube lets you shoot macro photography without a dedicated macro lens. By increasing the magnification and reducing the minimum focus distance, you can take extreme close-ups with any lens. But you need one that fits your camera and lens setup, and it has to give the extra magnification you need.
The Canon EF 25 II is the best extension tube there is. Of course, it’s only compatible with Canon cameras. But it’s an in-brand option that gives you better results. And it’s an affordable, reliable gadget that gives you better macro shots… If you’re not a Canon user, we have the best picks for all the top brands.
What Is the Best Extension Tube?
The best extension tube increases your lens’s magnification, letting you shoot close-up macro shots with standard lenses. They decrease the minimum focus distance of a lens. This helps you shoot detailed close-ups of small subjects, like insects, flowers, or jewelry.
Extension tubes are also a great way of saving money. Of course, you have the expense of buying the tube. But that cost is significantly cheaper than buying a dedicated macro lens for your camera.
The results aren’t always as good, which is always the way with budget options. But they can still give you stunning close-up macro images.
Pro macro photographers should check out our list of the best lenses for macro photography. But casual macro shooters can find a more affordable solution right here.
You can see a rundown of all the best extension tubes in the table below. We then look at each tube in more detail in the section after. If you want more information about them, check out the FAQ section at the end.
- Compatible with Canon EF lenses
- Adds affordable close-up capabilities
- Retains metering and autofocus functions
- High resistance to water and dust
- Compatible with Canon R-mount cameras and lenses
- Two-tube set with 13mm and 18mm tubes
- No loss of AF or auto-exposure features
- Metal bayonet for secure mounting
- Compatible with Nikon Z-mount cameras and lenses
- 11mm and 18mm extension tubes included in set
- No loss of camera performance when tubes attached
- Secure mounting with metal bayonet
- Compatible with Nikon F-mount cameras
- Set includes 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm tubes
- Electronic contacts enable AF and other controls
- Tubes can be mounted individually or stacked together
- Compatible with Sony mirrorless cameras
- 10mm and 16mm extension tubes included in set
- Tubes can be used together or separately
- Metal bayonet for secure mounting
- Fujifilm-branded extension tube for X Series cameras
- Electronic contacts maintain auto-exposure features
- You can stack more than one extension tube
- Simple design and affordable
- For Olympus and Panasonic Micro 4/3 cameras
- Two-piece set with 10mm and 16mm tubes
- Full autofocus and auto-exposure features are retained
- Tubes can be used separately or stacked together
- Compatible with Fujifilm medium-format cameras
- Large 45mm magnification extension
- No loss of autofocus or auto shooting features
- Metal bayonet gives secure camera and lens connection
8 Best Extension Tubes
Now, we look at all the best extension tubes for macro photography in more detail. There’s a tube for all the top camera brands, including Canon, Nikon, and Sony. We also have options for Fujifilm and Micro Four Thirds cameras.
1. Canon EF 25 II
| Brand |
Brand
Canon
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Canon EF
|
| Tube Length |
Tube Length
25mm
|
| Has Electrical Contacts |
Has Electrical Contacts
Yes
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Retains metering and AF with most EF lenses
|
| Best For |
Best For
Canon DSLR cameras
|
The Canon EF 25 II Extension Tube is the best for Canon cameras. It’s far cheaper than buying a Canon macro lens. And as a Canon-brand product, you get better reliability and performance.
A tube length of 25mm gives you a considerable increase in magnification, letting you capture your subjects at close range.
It has the Canon EF mount, making it compatible with Canon EOS DSLR cameras and EF lenses. And you can stack these tubes. You can add another 25mm or a 12mm tube to extend the focal length even further.
Thanks to the electronic contacts, the extension tube retains all metering and autofocus (AF) functions. That means you don’t lose any camera performance when the tube is attached.
The EF 25 II is durable equipment with O-seals that protect the mount from moisture and dust. You can use it outside in wet conditions without issue. That’s great for shooting flowers and insects in the wild.
2. Meike MK-RF-AF1 Adapter Kit
| Brand |
Brand
Meike
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Canon R
|
| Tube Length |
Tube Length
13mm and 18mm
|
| Has Electrical Contacts |
Has Electrical Contacts
Yes
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Two-tube set, metal bayonet
|
| Best For |
Best For
Canon mirrorless cameras
|
The Meike MK-RF-AF1 Extension Tube Adapter Kit is a fantastic two-piece set. You get 13mm and 18mm extension tubes, which can be used individually or together. When used together, you get a 31mm extension tube for up-close macro photography.
With the Canon R lens mount, the tubes are compatible with Canon mirrorless cameras and R-mount lenses.
Both extension tubes have a metal bayonet, giving you a secure connection to the camera and lens. And you lose very little functionality with the electronic contacts. You can still use the camera’s AF system when shooting with one or two tubes.
Thanks to the dustproof and waterproof construction, you can use the MK-RF-AF1 tube outdoors without issue. A few drops of rain won’t hurt, so you can shoot close-ups of water droplets on plants. That’s a classic macro subject matter.
3. Meike MK-Z-AF1 Adapter Kit
| Brand |
Brand
Meike
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Nikon Z
|
| Tube Length |
Tube Length
11mm and 18mm
|
| Has Electrical Contacts |
Has Electrical Contacts
Yes
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Metal bayonet
|
| Best For |
Best For
Nikon mirrorless cameras
|
The Meike MK-Z-AF1 Extension Tube Adapter Kit is the best option for Nikon mirrorless users. It’s compatible with all Nikon Z-mount cameras. And it’s a two-tube set, giving you excellent versatility.
The set contains an 11mm and 18mm extension tube. You can mount them between the camera and lens individually. Or you can stack them, mounting them together to give you a 29mm extension tube.
You get a solid connection thanks to the all-metal mount bayonet. There’s no shaking or rattling when the MK-Z-AF1 tubes are mounted. And as the tubes have electronic contacts, you still get full AF and exposure assistance from the camera. No performance is lost when using them.
4. JJC F-Mount
| Brand |
Brand
JJC
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Nikon F
|
| Tube Length |
Tube Length
12mm, 20mm, and 36mm
|
| Has Electrical Contacts |
Has Electrical Contacts
Yes
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Three-piece set can be mounted together
|
| Best For |
Best For
Nikon DSLR cameras
|
If you’re still using a Nikon DSLR, the JJC F-mount Extension Tubes are the best for you. Nikon doesn’t make it’s own extension tubes. But this option from JJC still delivers excellent macro results without a dedicated Nikon macro lens.
It’s a three-tube set. You get a 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm extension tube. These can be mounted separately, in pairs, or as a trio for maximum focal length increase. When used together, you get a 68mm increase for staggering magnification levels.
The outer tubes are made of strong ABS plastic with a metal mount. They are strong and durable, with some weather protection. But they are not fully weather-sealed, so don’t use them in the rain.
You can still use autofocus or auto-exposure features to get the most out of your Nikon DSLR. It might not be as rapid as without these JJC extension tubes. But you can still use auto features with great success. That’s thanks to the brass electronic contracts in the mount.
5. MEIKE MK-S-AF3A
| Brand |
Brand
MEIKE
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Sony FE
|
| Tube Length |
Tube Length
10mm and 16mm
|
| Has Electrical Contacts |
Has Electrical Contacts
Yes
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Two-tube set, metal bayonet
|
| Best For |
Best For
Sony cameras
|
If you’re a Sony user, you need the MEIKE MK-S-AF3A Extension Tube. It’s a well-constructed, reliable, and affordable piece of kit for macro photography for Sony cameras and Sony lenses.
You get two extension tubes in this set. There’s a 10mm and 16mm. You can use them individually or stacked to create a 26mm extension tube.
The MK-S-AF3A‘s outer tube is made of strong, durable plastic, while the bayonet mount has a metal construction. It also has built-in electronic contacts, so you still get full autofocus functionality.
They do recommend switching to manual shutter speed. But you get some auto functionality with the other exposure settings.
6. Fujifilm MCEX-11
| Brand |
Brand
Fujifilm
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Fujifilm XF
|
| Tube Length |
Tube Length
11mm
|
| Has Electrical Contacts |
Has Electrical Contacts
Yes
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
None
|
| Best For |
Best For
Fujifilm X Series cameras
|
Macro enthusiasts with a Fujifilm camera need the Fujifilm MCEX-11 Macro Extension Tube. It’s compatible with all the best Fujifilm X Series cameras and Fujifilm lenses. And it’s a Fujifilm-branded device, so you get optimal performance.
You only get one tube that gives you an 11mm extension. But you can stack more than one together for even more magnification.
Thanks to the built-in electronic contacts, you still get all the auto exposure features of your Fujifilm X camera. You lose some AF performance, so you have to readjust to manual focusing with the MCEX-11.
7. JJC Micro 4/3
| Brand |
Brand
JJC
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Micro Four Thirds
|
| Tube Length |
Tube Length
10mm and 16mm
|
| Has Electrical Contacts |
Has Electrical Contacts
Yes
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Two-tube set, tubes can be stacked
|
| Best For |
Best For
Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras
|
Whether you have an Olympus or Panasonic Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera, the JJC Micro 4/3 Extension Tube is what you need for better macro shots.
One of the great things about Micro Four Thirds cameras is their universal lens mount. That means you can use Panasonic lenses with Olympus cameras and Olympus lenses with Panasonic cameras. It also means this tube is compatible with cameras from both brands.
The set contains one 10mm and one 16mm tube. You can use them individually for a bit more magnification. Or you can use them together as one 26mm extension tube. That’s excellent versatility.
With the electronic contact, you still get full autofocus and auto exposure features from your camera. There’s very little drop in performance, allowing you to use the full range of your camera’s features. There’s also no dip in image quality, so your macro shots will always look stunning with the JJC Micro 4/3.
8. Fujifilm MCEX-45G
| Brand |
Brand
Fujifilm
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Fujifilm GF
|
| Tube Length |
Tube Length
45mm
|
| Has Electrical Contacts |
Has Electrical Contacts
Yes
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
None
|
| Best For |
Best For
Fujifilm medium-format cameras
|
A Fujifilm medium-format camera gives you outstanding image quality. And with the Fujifilm MCEX-45G Macro Extension Tube, you can use that power for sensational macro photography.
The Fujifilm MCEX-45G has the Fujifilm GF mount, meaning it’s compatible with all the best Fujifilm GF lenses.
It’s a large extension tube, giving you a 45mm extension between the sensor and the lens. That helps you get incredible close-ups with your medium-format camera.
Medium-format cameras aren’t known for their autofocus features. But you still get all AF and exposure features from your Fujifilm G camera, helping you take stunning macro photos with the MCEX-45G.
Extension Tubes FAQs
Extension tubes and macro photography are tricky subjects, especially for beginners. That’s why we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about them.
What Is an Extension Tube? How Does It Work?
An extension tube is a camera accessory that sits between your camera and your lens. It’s essentially a hollow tube that increases the distance between the lens and the camera sensor.
By increasing this distance, the tube lets the lens focus at a closer distance. It decreases the minimum focus distance and increases magnification, which lets you get closer to your subject. In doing this, it turns a standard lens into a macro lens.
You attach the extension tube to your camera as you would a lens, using the lens mount. And then, you mount the lens onto the tube. You can also stack tubes, which increases magnification even more.
As you use the camera’s lens mount to attach it, the tube has to have a compatible mount. If you’re using a Canon DSLR, for example, you need an EF-mount extension tube. The same goes for all the major camera brands.
Only Canon and Fujifilm make their own extension tubes. For the other big brands, like Nikon and Sony, only third-party options are available.
How Do you Calculate the Magnification of an Extension Tube?
When we talk about magnification in photography, we refer to the size of an object compared to its size cast on the camera sensor. A lens’s maximum magnification is reached at the closest focus distance.
A proper macro lens has a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1 (1.00x). That means the subject’s actual size and projected sensor shape are equal. But standard lenses don’t have that level of magnification.
The majority of non-macro lenses have a max magnification ratio somewhere between 1:8 (0.12x) and 1:3 (0.33x). This level of magnification is fine for portraits and even close-ups in food or product photography. But it doesn’t give you full macro magnification.
If you add an extension tube to your setup, you increase the magnification of the lens you’re using. Calculating how much the tube increases the magnification isn’t easy for those without a math degree. But here’s an example to help you understand.
We’re using the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM lens as an example to make the calculations easy to follow. It’s a true macro lens with a standard magnification of 1:1 (1.00x) and a 100mm focal length.
We’re adding two extension tubes (12mm and 25mm) to the setup. It has a total extension length of 37mm.
Here’s the formula we use to calculate the new magnification level. New Magnification (M) = original magnification + (extension tube length / focal length of lens)
So, in our example, the calculation is as follows: M = 1.00 + (37mm / 100mm) = 1.37x (or 1.37:1). The magnification of the lens has increased from 1.00x (1:1) to 1.37x (1.37:1) thanks to the 37mm extension tube.
You can use the same calculation for any lens and extension tube. You can also read our article on how to use extension tubes.
Are Extension Tubes Better Than Macro Lenses?
Generally, extension tubes don’t meet the standard of top-level specialist macro lenses. But they can still give you excellent macro results.
Canon makes incredible macro lenses. And Nikon also has a good selection of macro lenses. And when it comes to shooting pro-level macro photography, there is no substitute for a dedicated macro lens. For companies like Fujifilm that don’t have a wide range of macro lenses, extension tubes are a handy alternative.
A tight budget might be another reason to choose a tube over a dedicated lens. True macro lenses don’t come cheap. But good tubes can be bought for a fraction of the price.
Of course, pros need to invest more in their equipment. But extension tubes are a solid option for amateurs dipping their toes in the waters of macro photography.
Do Extension Tubes Affect Image Quality?
Using an extension tube should not affect your image quality. Unlike other lens accessories, like teleconverters, extension tubes don’t have any glass elements. These hollow tubes expand the space between the lens and the sensor. There’s no extra glass to add distortion or aberrations.
They can negatively affect autofocus and auto-exposure features. Tubes with built-in electronic contacts perform better than those that don’t. But you still might experience slower focusing times and less accurate auto exposures.
While that is an inconvenience, it isn’t detrimental to image quality. You can use manual exposure settings to compensate for the failings in other ways, like using a ringflash for better macro lighting.
Conclusion: The Best Extension Tubes
The best extension tube helps you get stunning macro close-ups without having to fork out money for a new macro lens. They are simple, compact, and affordable devices any photographer can use to try their hand at macro photography. And as we’ve shown, there’s an option for all the top camera brands.
The Canon EF 25 II is our favorite. It’s a Canon-brand accessory, so you know it’s reliable. It’s compatible with Canon DSLR cameras. You don’t lose any autofocus or auto-exposure controls. And it’s affordable. It’s easy to see why it’s our top pick.
