OpticalLimits

Replacing Kenko extension tubes

stoppingdown

My Kenko extension tubes (10mm + 16mm) for e-mount, bought eleven years ago, now have a mechanical problem: for the second time one of them failed and the lens detached while carrying it on. I want to replace them, since I fear to drop the lens or the camera.

At the time they costed 170€, while today I see many models and manufacturer at a much lower price. Even excluding unknown brands, I'm uncertain whether to pick Meike, Viltrox, Fotodiox, etc...

Do you have a model to recommend?

Thanks.

davethebirder

stoppingdown wrote
My Kenko extension tubes (10mm + 16mm) for e-mount, bought eleven years ago, now have a mechanical problem: for the second time one of them failed and the lens detached while carrying it on. I want to replace them, since I fear to drop the lens or the camera.

At the time they "cost" 170€, while today I see many models and manufacturer at a much lower price. Even excluding unknown brands, I'm uncertain whether to pick Meike, Viltrox, Fotodiox, etc...

Do you have a model to recommend?

Thanks.

First avoid Meike they're next to junk with intermittent connections and questionable planification and also it is not a real lens mount just the face screwed into shallow feeble plastic mounts.
I'm not up to date on Viltrox or Fotodiox but the latter make AF mount convertors so I would think their engineering is way above Meike.
I found the Kenko to be good in the Nikon mount maybe their E mount version is not so good?

Utube videos ??

VanHowell

If you want to save money but still be okay, Viltrox is the most reasonable choice in terms of ruggedness + AF support.

davethebirder

stoppingdown wrote
My Kenko extension tubes (10mm + 16mm) for e-mount, bought eleven years ago, now have a mechanical problem: for the second time one of them failed and the lens detached while carrying it on. I want to replace them, since I fear to drop the lens or the camera.

At the time they costed 170€, while today I see many models and manufacturer at a much lower price. Even excluding unknown brands, I'm uncertain whether to pick Meike, Viltrox, Fotodiox, etc...

Do you have a model to recommend?

Thanks.

Looking on line I went to the official Viltrox site:

https://viltrox.com/products/viltrox-dg-c-auto-focus-macro-extension-tube-set-for-canon-eos-ef-ef-s-mount

however, I know we all like a bargain but €30.99 for three tubes doesn't inspire me with confidence as to the quality ..... the only way to be sure is to maybe buy Canon.

davethebirder

Quick question to SD ....

was it the lens release button/spring on the extension tube that was a little weak that caused the lens to tumble?

stoppingdown

ddavethebirder wrote

Quick question to SD ....

was it the lens release button/spring on the extension tube that was a little weak that caused the lens to tumble?

I don't have a full explanation for what happened, just a suspect: the rear plastic cap of one of the tubes can't be simply removed by pressing the release button; I have to force it a bit. So, there's something wrong with the mount or the cap, or possibly my action of forcing damaged something.