Canon Vs. kenko Extension tubes

Should you buy the more expensive Canon extension tubes, or will the cheaper Kenko ones do the job? Find out...
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[@f3f022]

This video is about something other than what the topic says. Your message is like, "I don't know Kenko, so I rather buy Canon because of some scare", considering that "original" stuff will save your life. The most important things for viewers are how well Kenko rings' bayonets are made, whether they move or not when attached, how well the electric connectors are made and whether it provides guaranteed connection, etc. The 10.000 lens price does not relate to the topic. You may ruin your expensive lens in 10.000 other ways, but I don't think, for this reason, you have to buy only the "original" camera shoulder strap, camera case, bag for the lens, "canon-made" CPL filters or tripods, or even lens caps.

[@dps6198]

I was hoping to see image comparison and auto focus test.

[@davidpowell5437]

I'm not a Canon user, but if the Kenko tubes are as good as that, then I'm sure they'll be good enough for my modest needs. Thanks!

[@PeteSztencel]

A very helpful video, with good clear info. Thanks for posting! It's always a bit odd to hear a fellow Brit say 'levver' instead of 'leeever', though ;-) One major difference I noticed between the tubes was the internal finish. The Canon tubes were absolutely flat matt black inside; the Kenko tubes had inner surfaces that looked to be pale grey with reflected light. I do a bit of amateur macro photography (Nikon with extension tubes, lens reversal, etc) and I'm always alert for unwanted flare and internal reflections when arranging lights. The cheap XIT tubes I use (£25) are perfectly dull, flat matt black inside, just like your Canon set. Maybe I'm being too fussy - stray light may not be a problem with the Kenko tubes - but I did think the difference between them and your pukka set was striking. I'd be interested to see some tests to highlight (sic!) any differences.

[@skakdosmer]

I own all of these, and they all have dense grooves on the inside. On the Canon tubes the grooves are a little smaller and closer together than on the Kenko tubes. And if you look through the Kenkos against the light, there will be a little reflection which doesn’t occur on the Canons. Not sure if it'll make a difference in the image, though. But I guess if you’re very fussy and plan to shoot macro against the light, maybe you should prefer the Canons. But I have a feeling that in that case reflections in the lens might be more of a concern.

[@efreutel]

Thank you for this outstanding review! 🙏

[@PeterMarcaurelle]

Great review, exactly what I was looking for.

[@sidneystanley2465]

Surely by the title of this video, most people expected to see a comparison of the photographic quality using the 2 makes of extension tubes, after all thats what really matters.

[@emmanuelcl6605]

Do the Kenko tubes ensure correctly the autofocus and lens stabilization connections? Some reviews say that only canon ef12ii and ef25ii versions do it (indeed previous ef12 and ef25 did not ensure compatibility with efs objectives)

[@jon05syd]

OH..............a great review by the way. very well explained.

[@markferrell2470]

I could give a care less if the plastic caps “ seem” cheap they protect what they need to, I bought 3 tube set for $30.00 and they work just fine.

[@Brakeforsnakes911]

Where did you buy these tubes from?

[@chadj.w.anderson5473]

Thank you so much for this review of the two brands. Very helpful. Subscribed. God bless.

[@SchellMusic]

Thank you for this video, it helped me a lot.

[@ramenmasri6277]

What is that tripod you had under your camera? Can you please leave a link if you can find one?

[@_corby_703_7]

Thank you so much

[@ahmadfaris8044]

hello sir great review, are both of the brands weatherproof?

[@ajfotofilmagem]

Neither of them

[@ericfreutel8240]

Great review. Many thanks!

[@owen9997]

Nice

[@togbuikwame9032]

My extension tube gives me blur figures. Very hard to focus

[@irajnaghash]

The purpose of using an extension tube is picture not strong quality. Just Take a picture and show autofocusing? depth of field? Does the electric connection and locking Damage the main Camera?

[@elumalai8729]

Explained well!!!!

[@bonenfant96]

It's normal for a plastic cap to feel plasticki.

[@triciahall1]

Hello 🇧🇸 I have a Canon T7i which will size fits my camera? Will it be 1:1 ratio?

[@MrMackanno]

Mounting both Canon tubes (12 and 25mm) will give you more tan 1:1 on a nifty-fifty, BUT don't bother spending your money on these guys, get the Kenko kit, it's excellent quality, more versatility and price far outpaces the Canon, I bought the Kenko kit several years ago and use them a lot and they are amazing. If you want to explore Macro photography I strongly suggest you get the kit and play with the lenses you have already before investing on a true macro like the EF-100 f/2.8L IS that is gorgeous!

[@brianthomas6500]

It all depends on what lens you use. A longer lens help with working distance, insects etc tend to fly if you get too close. Also if too close you can block light, something you loose when fitting tubes. At life size its 2 stops.

[@josejavierceperoriveron3192]

My grandfather used to say " I'm too poor to buy cheap!"

[@dateacha77]

Who gives a shit about the caps anyway...

[@PossMcLeod]

I was thinking the same thing! How about a bloody review of how they work in practice, not sitting on a table being fondled. How on earth is this a review??

[@jimkok1957]

What about auto focus?

[@Bricktop784]

Both of these sets pass through the electronic contacts, so AF, aperture control, lens metadata etc.. all works. Purely mechanical extension tubes (without AF support etc..) are in a much lower price range, something like 20$ for a set. (Edit: However, because of the reduced light transmission and the shallower depth of field, AF may become more difficult to use effectively. But that applies equally to Canon as well as 3rd party extension tubes).

[@PeacePham1991]

How about their auto focus speeds?

[@brianthomas6500]

When shooting macro its best to manual focus, use live view if you have it and magnify on screen.

[@PeacePham1991]

@@brianthomas6500 Thanks man. I usually do manual. Just wondering what else makes Canon's version so much more expensive beside the fact that it's genuine brand

[@brianthomas6500]

@@PeacePham1991 Its internal focus, ie is does not 'grow'.

[@jon05syd]

Just wondered if when testing the kenco tubes, there was any noticable difference in the images taken between them and the canon ones.

[@d1ehl.]

Me too!

[@brianthomas6500]

No glass in tubes. Its all down to what lens you use.

[@puddytat62]

Can I assume both canon and Kenko are made of plastic? I bought some super cheap ones for around 30 supposedly Vivitar and they do work fairly well even with the auto focus on identical camera to yours. But they do have a cheap plastic feel to them and are a bit sloppy when you connect to a lens. A slight jiggle at the connection point. Do both the Kenko and Canon have this kind of jiggle>??

[@tjtube263]

michael b Nah, they fit much tighter. A three piece stack feels like one, solid piece. There's no slack. That's why I traded up.

[@brianthomas6500]

@@tjtube263 The tubes are metal, it was the cheap plastic caps he talked about.

[@undercoverlegacy4724]

what about adding these to the 100mm Macro L series lens? will it get me more of a super macro?

[@robertedwards1145]

It will. At which point you realise you need a focus rail, super still subject and stacked images to deal with the tiny depths of field.

[@skakdosmer]

You can even use them with the Canon 65mm MP-E or (in my case) the Venus Laowa 25mm Ultra Macro. The entire Kenko set will increase the magnification from 5x to about 7x. According to the manual at f/2.8 the depth of field without the tubes is already down to 0.04mm = one twenty fifth of a millimeter. A normal sheet of printing paper is around a tenth of a millimeter, so to call the dof “paper thin” would really be an understatement. How much more shallow it is with the tubes, I have no idea - let’s just say “ridiculously shallow”.

[@undercoverlegacy4724]

Also I have found these sets new for 16$

[@tomj4731]

Plastic usually is plasticky.

[@powerpoind]

He put the lens with the optical element facing the table.... ... im dying....

[@skakdosmer]

Yes, he's not exactly a genius.

[@emmanuelcl6605]

There is no optical element in an extension tube.

[@skakdosmer]

Wow, repeatedly banging the contacts against the table! And even scraping them across the table! Only a professional would treat his equipment that poorly! The manufacturers would cringe if they saw it. Thumb down from me.

[@briant4078]

My way of thinking, bought Canon without even looking at cheaper other brands.

[@igozulavinas2522]

so long....

[@swoop7777777]

so an 8 minute video to compare and contrast the tubes, but no actual comparison other than the lens release? who gives a crap about the lens release, people want to know about the image quality, the finished product. Geesh.

[@Daniel-Condurachi]

it's a freaking whole full of air. What image quality do you expect from air? There will be no image degradation with any of them. It comes down to the hardware experience you get using those extension tubes.

[@RememberNineEleven]

@@Daniel-Condurachi ..... but it is Canon air! ;)

[@iretrofocus]

@@Daniel-Condurachi kenko tubes have much more internal reflections. Which may cause loss of contrast in some areas of image, if you use close apetrure.