Extension tubes - what's their IQ like?

can anyone explain about extension tubes as im torn between into buying a 50mm f1.4 prime lens and 60mm f2.8 marco want a fast portrait lens but also getting more and more interest in macro .so would the extension tubes be any good with the prime lens ? are they worth it? and how do they work?

Extension tubes are okay but ...they can give you a VERY narrow field of view ..very narrow indeed. Reversing a lens is often a better solution I have extnesion tubes but rarely use them, a reverse ring for your camera and a good lens is better (IMHO - other may disagree but I will let them cos I is nice like that LOL )

that how i like my pictures to be with more DOF but yet sharp if you know what i mean , i've notices you have 60mm f2.8 ,are the also any good with portrait ?

If you are thinking of buying the 50mm 1.4 and want to shoot wide open you may be disappointed. It is very 'soft' wide open and IMO isn't really useable until f2 or f2.8 (that is still fast though).

i say mostly the 50mm f1.4 is useful for lowlight then ? went to jessops yestaday to try out this lens and the f2.8 but they are out of stock everywhere ! been looking for two weeks now even on the internet i also tried out the sigma 105mm , loves it but bit too pricey for me at the mo
but.........i got my broken lens fixed whoohoo !!!so chuffed !!

Sorry, i'm not too sure what you mean The 50mm f1.4 is good for use in low light conditions due to the fact it has f1.4 as it's maximum aperture, however in my experience if you do shoot at f1.4, as well as having a very narrow DoF the image is 'soft'. You need to stop it down to f2.0 or f2.8 to get decent results. There is no 50mm 2.8?? Are you thinking of the 50mm 1.8? I guess it depends on what you deem as acceptable results - I do not deem an image acceptable if it isn't sharp enough without any PP.

However for portraiture, some people like the soft effect - it all depends on what you are after. Just don't buy the 50mm 1.4 and expect images taken at f1.4 to be sharp straight out of the camera without any PP else you may be disappointed.

Lol sorry GH ,yes I mean the F1.8. when you say wide open do you mean largest F numbers ?i would like a choice of sharp and blur.
God im so very very blonde !!I’ll show you the type of photography I love to try and perhaps you could tell me if the 50mm F1.4/F1.8 any good for them . I bet i even got it all wrong lol !
Looking to use
1..indoors
2..natural light
3..like to step away a little from the person so they don’t feel intimidate
http://www.flickr.com/photos/triboi8...ol-shadowfaces
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7371062@N04/2112857969/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kittynn/292685504/
had to show the cute baby as i have just became an auntie again for the 7th time last sunday and hopefully i could takes pics of them all lol
And also uses for macro if possible
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doodoox/2043625507/

too many questions ?

Oh so sorry - it's been manic at work and I totally forgot about this thread

When I am talking about shooting wide open - I am talking about shooting at the maximum aperture, so in the case of the f1.4 you are shooting at f1.4. It is a very good, low light portrait lens - however in my experience it has to be stopped down (so you need to shoot at f2 or f2.8) to get acceptable results. However this is still good in low light conditions. IMO the f1.4 is worth the money over the f1.8 for the AF and the build quality.

The one thing it isn't good at is Macro. Hopefully Mel will be on at some point to discuss the pro's/cons of the 60mm Macro I haven't go that lens so can't comment

Aww Thanks for taking your time with me I do understand you now and think i will be going for the F1.8 instead as it cheaper so i put the rest of the money toward a macro maybe a 105mm Thanks so much GH! You're an angel !