Reddit mentions of Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm Tubes for Canon EOS AF Mount

I personally use the Kenko equivalent of these. They're a little more expensive on Amazon but I couldn't be more pleased with them. I don't know if they are actually $100 worth of extra quality, but they came highly recommended from another photography forum.

Specifically, you need to look for lenses that say "macro".

The actual focal length really depends on exactly what you hope to shoot.

The reality is that you're stepping into "specialty" accessories for photography which means "more expensive".

Most likely you're looking at the 60mm f/2.8 Macro, or the 100mm f/2.8 Macro.

These are the Kenko Extension Tubes, which you mount between the body and the lens.

They move the focal plane further from the rear element in the lens which means you can focus more closely. They're very handy, but if you're at a point where you need to spend money anyway, I'd advise that you just go for a proper macro lens because the 55-250 lens you already own isn't exactly the most amazing image quality. (it's very much a starter / kit lens).

Good luck!

Macro is one of the most technical sides of photography, a good starter lens is the 100mm macro from canon http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00004XOM3?pc_redir=1410422622&robot_redir=1

If you want more magnification after that you can add extension tubes to the lens, but then is getting hard to manage the focus of the lens and the working distance can be awkward http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000U8Y88M?pc_redir=1410295973&robot_redir=1

Finally if what you are really after is a microscope like magnification the 65mm macro from canon will do the trick, This is a highly specialised lens and I will not recommend it to a beginner. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00009XVD5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1410489652&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40

http://www.amazon.com/Kenko-Auto-Extension-Canon-Mount/dp/B000U8Y88M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1301327465&sr=8-2

I have heard good things about these Kenko's, though no first hand experience. The description says you maintain AF, but you'll need a fast prime to maintain enough light for it to work.

I'm surprised I haven't seen more recommendations for macro extension tubes.

https://www.amazon.com/Kenko-Auto-Extension-Canon-Mount/dp/B000U8Y88M

I eventually purchased the Canon 100mm macro and the Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x, but before that, the extension tubes let me really play with Macro photography and get some good shots. There are a lot of limitations (aka, shallow depth of field) to Macro photography that it will behoove you to get some practice with. Especially once you go with higher magnification.

I bought a set of Kenko Macro Tubes the other day and they are fun to play with. They aren't the cheapest tubes but they have electrical contact pass thru so you can have auto focus and aperture control. Here's the first test shot I did with it.

Ah, okay... so it seems like cheap tubes like this one don't have wiring built in, while pricier ones like this one do.

It seems like it would be so simple to just have the electrical connections, the cheaper ones could do it...

Oh wait, here's a cheap one with the stuff built in.

right here. They are really great for the price usually I use the 12mm or 20mm one on my 55-250mm lens.

Thanks guys. Ya, I don't need manual focus, but I do need to control my aperture.

The Kenko set seems like the best one, but it's kind of expensive at $250 and is more than I was hoping to spend.

https://www.amazon.ca/Kenko-Auto-Extension-Canon-Mount/dp/B000U8Y88M/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1501421408&sr=8-14&keywords=extension+tube

My alternatives are:

Fotodiox for $70

https://www.amazon.ca/Fotodiox-Extension-Lenses-Extreme-Close-Up/dp/B00CYLLF16/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501421641&sr=8-2&keywords=extension+tube+canon

Neewer for $36

https://www.amazon.ca/Neewer-3-piece-12-20-36mm-Automatic-Extension/dp/B00GJJBO4C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1501421661&sr=8-3&keywords=extension+tube+canon

No-Name Brand - $58

https://www.amazon.ca/Focus-Extension-Camera-Complete-Starter/dp/B00HJX1LYK/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1501422011&sr=1-6&keywords=extension+tube+canon

Yeah, macro is one of the areas where a crop body might be argued to be an advantage.

Since you already have the fine 100 macro, I would suggest you look into extension tubes. It's not clear to me that the 65 macro would let you do anything you cannot already do.

The first link (extension tubes) seems to be non-coupled (no contact between lens and body) meaning you can't properly control the aperture setting and your metering will be out of whack. Electronically coupled extension tubes will cost a lot more.

The second link (diopter filters) will degrade image quality, especially near the edges. However, you will retain autofocus, autoexposure and aperture control.

Disregard the third link.