I am in the process of purchasing a 70-200f4L and was wondering how much closer you can focus that lens when using an extention tube (IE 12mm or 25mm)?
Would it be better to shoot for one of these for close up photos, or better to just buy closeup filters for the lens?
The advantage of the extension tube is that it does not introduce any new optics. Also it can be used on most EF lenses. The downside is that the lens has to be removed from the camera to fit the tube, thus allowing the possibility of dust getting on your sensor.
A close-up filter is a lens and it has a single diameter, making it unsuitable for use on many of the EF lenses that have a different filter thread diameter. On the plus side it does not require the lens to be removed from the camera body, so there's less chance of introducing dust to your sensor.
Both are a compromise compared with a genuine macro lens but that's to be expected.
I was happy with the extension tube(s) on my 100-400L.
