Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG (Nikon F)
SKU
Price range: $15 through $160
Kenko macro extension tubes for Nikon — three-ring Nikon F set — 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm — for macro photography with any Nikon F lens. Maintains AF, TTL metering, and aperture control. No optics — zero image quality loss. Stack all three for 68mm total extension and 7 magnification combinations.
Description
The Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG lets you turn any Nikon F lens into a close-focusing macro lens — no extra glass, no loss of image quality. These macro extension tubes for Nikon mount between your camera body and lens to reduce the minimum focusing distance, allowing you to fill the frame with small subjects like insects, flowers, jewellery, and product details.
The DG set includes three rings — 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm — which can be used individually or stacked in any combination for a total of 68mm of extension and seven magnification options. Unlike cheaper alternatives, the Kenko DG tubes maintain full electronic communication with your Nikon body: autofocus, TTL metering, and aperture control all remain active.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Mount Nikon F (AF compatible) |
Tubes Included 12mm, 20mm, 36mm (3 rings) |
| Max Combined Extension 68mm (all three stacked) |
Combinations 7 magnification options |
| Autofocus Maintained (requires f/5.6 or brighter) |
Metering TTL auto exposure maintained |
| Aperture Control Full electronic coupling |
Optics None — no image quality loss |
| Circuitry Gate-Array IC (DG series) |
Infinity Focus Not possible while tubes are attached |
BEST FOR
Extension Tube Rental Tips
Begin with just the 12mm tube to understand how extension affects focus distance and magnification. Add the 20mm and 36mm progressively as you need higher magnification. More extension = closer focus distance but also a shallower depth of field and less light reaching the sensor.
At macro distances, even a tiny camera movement causes blurred images. A tripod is essential for serious macro work — move your camera toward and away from the subject to focus rather than relying on the lens focus ring, which becomes very sensitive at these magnifications.
Depth of field in macro photography is extremely thin — often just a few millimetres. Stop down to f/8–f/16 to get more of your subject in focus. You’ll lose light but this is easily compensated with flash or continuous lighting, or by increasing ISO in good ambient light.
These macro extension tubes for Nikon work with almost any Nikon F lens. A 50mm prime gives high magnification at a very close working distance. A 100mm or longer lens provides more working distance from the subject — useful when photographing live insects that would be disturbed by the camera.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a special lens, or does this work with any Nikon F lens?
These tubes work with virtually any Nikon F mount lens. The most useful focal lengths for macro work are 50mm, 85mm, and 100mm+ primes, but wide-angle and zoom lenses work too. Note that with wide-angle lenses the working distance becomes very short, which can make lighting difficult.
Can I still focus to infinity with the tubes on?
No — when extension tubes are attached, your lens cannot focus to infinity. The focus range shifts entirely to close distances. Remove the tubes and your lens returns to normal. This is a fundamental characteristic of extension tubes rather than a limitation specific to this set.
Does autofocus still work?
Yes — the Kenko DG tubes maintain full electronic coupling so autofocus continues to work, provided your lens aperture is f/5.6 or brighter and there is adequate light for the camera’s AF system to operate. At very high magnifications (all three tubes stacked) autofocus can be slow — many macro photographers prefer to use manual focus at that range.
How is this different from a macro lens?
These macro extension tubes for Nikon are an affordable alternative to a dedicated macro lens. A dedicated macro lens focuses close and to infinity and is optimized for flat-field sharpness at close distances. Extension tubes work with any lens you already own, cost far less, and add no glass — so they introduce no optical degradation. The trade-off is losing infinity focus while attached. For occasional macro work, extension tubes are an excellent and affordable solution.
Rent the Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG (Nikon F) in Williams Lake, BC — available by appointment from Gear Locker, serving photographers, filmmakers, videographers, wedding professionals, event planners, corporate event coordinators, and production crews across the Cariboo-Chilcotin region.
| Rental Duration | 1 Day, 2 Days, 3 Days, 4 Days, 1 Week, 2 Weeks, 3 Weeks, 1 Month |
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