Vello Auto Extension Tube Set for Nikon

Just want to share my experience on these Vello extensions. I currently using them on a Nikon D3100, and let me say that I'm very impressed with how well they work, individually and apart. I did a lot of research on other extensions out there, and let me say that the workmanship and quality are outstanding, especially if your on a budget or a beginner. I highly recommend these to all those folks who have their new D3100's. The autofocus communicates very well with the camera, no lag or problems.

This review is for the Vello Extension Tube set for Nikon Cameras. I ordered these Feb 2016 as I wanted to experiment with doing both macro photography as well as for using my Nikon D7100 as a Slide / Negative Scanner for old 126 and 127 slides. My disclaimer is that this is the first set of extension tubes that I have ordered, so I don't have anything else to compare them to so this is just my impression.Note- I only gave them Four Stars Not because they don't work or work well, but because I don't feel that they are as durable or precise as they could be which may not be entirely fair as I don't know what else is out there.. So please look at the attached Pics, and if you Decide to order the Kenko's instead I'd love to know how they compare!About the Attached Photo's- The images of the Extentions showing construction are cropped for illustration. The Example images were shot using a D7100 witha Tamron 28-75 f2.8 Macro lens @ 75mm with the Vello 20mm Extension tube hand held using only a relatively bright desk lamp for lighting. The RAW images were then lightly processed using Capture One v8 and exported as full size JPG's.Build Quality:> Strength - These tubes are relatively sturdy but light with the whole set including caps weighing only 7oz / 200g. So far I've used them with both 50mm prime and 28-75mm FX sized zoom lenses comfortably, but I would be hesitant of using them with large zooms etc. because they don't feel that robust.> Inner Barrel Black - One thing I noticed that I didn't really care for was that the inner barrel on these didn't use a more traditional lens black coating to eliminate unwanted reflections, instead there is a very fine Velvet that is glued (or more likely self adhesive) on the inside barrels. While this is effective I have to question it's durability, especially as it ages as the thought of little velvet hairs being dispersed inside my DSLR is a bit unnerving... But to be fair all of them may be constructed this way. I would love to hear from someone who has purchased the Kenko tubes ($120 vs. $80 for the Vello's) to see if they use the velvet as well. If they Don't I would recommend them instead if you plan on keeping / using them long term.> Fit - As many other reviews have stated these don't fit that tight on the camera body, but the set that I have do fit very tight on the lenses themselves, In use this isn't really an issue and the fit is not loose enough to make the lens feel wobbly. However because of the tight fit on the lens side you do have to be careful and deliberate when removing them or you could damage the Tube or if using an older Screw Drive lens the lens (see below).> In Use - In use the extension tubes work exactly as advertised and do the Job for a very reasonable price, and with the full set they should accommodate a wide variety of lenses. - What to expect - Here are some rough numbers that I experienced for focus distances using the three different extensions with a D7100 (APS-C / Dx) and a Tamron 28-75 f2.8 Macro lens (distances are approximate and will vary even between with different lenses / Mfgr's): 12mm Extension = 1/2"-2" @ 28mm, 1.75-7" @ 50mm, 2"-10.5" @ 60mm and 2.25"-15"+ @ 75mm 20mm Extension = 1/2"-3/4" @ 28mm, 1"-4" @ 50mm, 1"-5.5" @ 60mm and 1.5"-10" @ 75mm 36mm Extension = 0" @ 28mm, 1/4"-2" @ 50mm, 1/4"-3" @ 60mm and 1/4-5" @ 75mm No Extension* = 6.5" @ 28mm / 5" @ 75mm (the shorter distance @ 75mm is due to the barrel extension on the lens) * Keep in mind that in this case I was already using a "Macro" lens, but even so the extension tubes still significantly increase magnification at the expense of being able to focus at any kind of a distance.> A WORD OF CAUTION - When Installing & Removing these from the Lens, In particularly Older screw drive lenses you need to take care to keep the lens lock button pushed all the way down as you install and remove the adapter. This is because the fit on the lens lock and screw drive are not that good, and the materials on the screw drive are not the most robust so if you just push the button to unlock then let it go the screw drive might not stay fully disengaged as you rotate which could damage the drive in the extension tube or more importantly on your lens. This shouldn't be an issue if you are careful and deliberate when you install and remove the extensions, but if you get sloppy you might damage your gear. (see attached photos).

I am so pleased with these tubes and amazed at the quality of macro shots I am getting with them. They work perfectly with my Nikon D3100. Earlier reviews I had read commented about "flimsy" connections. But I have not found that to be the case at all. All the connections are nice and tight, and the auto focus compatibility is perfect. I am very, very pleased as the cost of a macro lens was prohibitive for me right now.

I did not want to spend more than one hundred dollars on a set of tubes. They needed to be autofocusing. And fit was important as I have heard horror stories about stuck tubes. Vello AF extension tube fit my requirements and more.The only downside is the body being plastic. Some quality lenses have plastic bodies.Where it matters, it is good. All mounts are metal. Fit is precise and firm, not too stiff, not loose. Inside is lined with black felt. Finish is nice and even.It fulfills all feature requirements. Autofocusing works, both electronic and screw-driven.This is a good extension tube for the price (79.95 USD in 2014). it fulfilled my budget and feature requirements. Fit and finish are on par with the price. No unexpected surprises with these tubes.

I purchased these extension tubes as an economical alternative to a macro lens. The product arrived promptly and was as described. However, I was only able to get the 20mm and 36mm extension tubes to auto focus and read lens aperture. Despite repeated attempts, the 12mm tube would not auto focus nor would it transmit aperture data from my 50mm Nikon lens to my Nikon D750. The image quality from a few test shots was fine, but this is really due to the prime lens I used rather than the tubes, which merely extend the focal length. I do think extension tubes are a reasonable choice for the occasional macro shooter and are far less costly than a macro lens. I suspect the contact pins on these extension tubes may not be optimal and in some cases fail to make good contact with the camera body, thus the body fails to talk to the lens. This was the rare time I actually returned something but in this case I just wasn't satisfied that only two of the three tubes functioned properly out of the box.

Goes on and off smooth, auto focus works well, no picture degradation, all around good product

This is not a good product. Each of the tubes would attach to the camera body, albeit roughly. Meaning that the sliding action as you turned the tube was not the smooth, catch-free feeling you have when attaching a lens to a camera body. But that is not the major problem- I tired to attach two different lenses to each of the tubes, and neither one of them would turn all the way. Once the lens was about halfway to the locked position, they would stop turning. Perhaps with more force they could be seated properly, but I was not about to risk damage to my lenses to find out. Both lenses were brand new, and attach to a camera just fine, so I know it isn't the lenses.