Here’s the answer for those of you asking for a set AF/AE extension tubes for full frame Sony a7-series cameras.
Vello EXT-SFED Deluxe Auto Focus Extension Tube Set for Sony E-Mount ($82.50 at B&H Photo) offer Auto Focus and Auto Exposure without any vignetting or cropping on fullframe Sony a7 a7R a7S and a7II mirrorless cameras. The set includes two extension tubes, one 10mm and one 16mm, that can be used individually or together to create the desired magnification.
Vello EXT-SFED Deluxe Auto Focus Extension Tube Set
Vello EXT-SFED Deluxe Auto Focus 10mm and 16mm Extension Tube Set for Sony E-Mount (Order Here)
These are fully automatic extension tubes in that they are able to communicate all electronic functions from lens to camera including autofocus and auto exposure. Their metal E-mount lens mount is smooth and solid for a secure fit built for durability. They give your E-mount lens macro capability while maintaining the lens’ original optical quality.
Sony A7II + FE 55mm minimum focus distance without Extension Tubes
Sony A7II + FE 55mm minimum focus distance with 10mm Vello EXT-SFED AF Extension Tube
Sony A7II + FE 55mm minimum focus distance with 16mm Vello EXT-SFED AF Extension Tube
For closer focusing use the larger extension tube or stack the tubes together. Extension tubes have no optical elements so they do not degrade the quality of your lenses.
Sony A7II + FE 55mm minimum focus distance with 10mm + 16mm Vello EXT-SFED AF Extension Tubes
Vello EXT-SFED Deluxe Auto Focus Extension Tube Set for Sony E-Mount (Order Here)
19 thoughts on “Vello EXT-SFED AF Extension Tubes for Sony E-Mount”
I want to try extension tubes for a Canon lens on an A7s. What do you recommend? Put an E Mount extension tube between Metabones and the camera or put a Canon EF extension tube between lens and Metabones? Thank you!
Sorry for the slow reply Enrique but I wanted to test it out before replying. I was able to maintain AF with a Canon EF 50mm F1.2 lens on a7S (and on a7RII too) using both one Vello EXT-SFED AF Sony E-Mount Extension Tubes and with both tubes stacked.
I can’t comment on whether the EF extension tubes would work because I only have the E-mount version, but the E-mount extension tubes have a huge advantage because one set of E-mount extension tubes between camera and lens adapter (or between camera and E-mount lens) is all you really need.
Thank you very much for your answer!
Very helpful. Does the extension tube change the minimum focusing distance allowing you to get closer to the subject or does it just change lenses focal length?
Allows closer focusing distance – the focal length remain the same.
I have these Velo deluxe extension tubes and have verified the connection, tried my a6300 and my a6500, tried 3 different lenses, tried them individually and stacked, tried manual focus and auto focus, and the camera will not focus and some camera functions even become locked. Any idea why?
I tested them both individually and stacked on most of the a7 series cameras and they worked great. I can’t think of any reason they’d work differently on a6300/a6500.
Hi I have a Sony 6000 I was thinking to try tha vello EXT-SFED af extention tubes instead of a macro lense vello extention on Amazon are 162.00 I am trying on a Sony 85 1.8 lense how good are the extention tubes
There’s no loss of image quality using extension tubes, however bear in mind that Macro lenses are optimized for 1:1. Non-macro lenses for optimized for infinity. So if you are asking if the image quality is as good as the FE 85mm F1.8 at it’s minimum focus distance, the answer is yes. But if you’re asking if that combination is as sharp as the FE 90 F2.8 Macro G OSS, the answer is no.
Thank you not sure what I will do now as the Sony new macro lense price is high is there any other way to get macro on my 85 1.8 lense
As I mentioned in my previous reply, this combination will allow close-focus. It’s just not as sharp as a dedicated macro lens – particularly the FE 90 F2.8 Macro G OSS which happens to be the sharpest Macro DxO ever tested.
This is exactly what I was looking for Brian.
I have the 50 1.8 and I find the focus distance is too far. Was thinking about close up filters, but these extension tubes might be way better, in that I could use with any other lenses.
I wouldn’t use for macro, but just for getting a little bit closer some times.
Great post as always.
Cheers,
Jan
Brian, I have Sony a6300 + Sony 90 macro. I’m very happy with the results, but this combination gives me only up to 1:1 macro. I want to extend the range to 3:1. To increase the range I obtained Raynox 150. So, with it my macro range is now up to 1.5:1 and the quality is almost as good.
What do I do next to achieve 3:1? Would a good set of extension tubes solve my problem? Please help me with this.
Yes and unlike Raynox 150 glass filters – there is no loss of image quality using extension tubes. This set is a good choice.
Hi Brian, I have a Sony a7, with the 28mm f2, and 85mm f1.8 lenses. I wish to get extension tubes, primarily for copying/digitzing my film negatives. I have no idea where to start however. Any advice?
These extension tubes are compatible with both of those lenses, HOWEVER both of those lenses are optimized for infinity – NOT 1:1 macro photography.
The best lens for copying negatives is the FE 90 F2.8 Macro G OSS. It’s the sharpest Macro lens ever tested by DxO and the slight telephoto focal length is ideal for copying negatives. A cheaper alternative is the FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens it’s just a bit tougher to line up a perfectly flat 1:1 copy with 50mm than with 90mm.
I think we should be considering field curvature while considering macro extension tubes. Without floating elements in the lens, it is simply not possible to maintain the same field curvature for a lens below it’s closest minimum focusing distance. For example, take a photo at the minimum focusing distance of a lens and check for the sharpness at the edges. Again use the extension tube and check for the sharpness at the edges. There will be a noticeable drop. So the assumption that that image quality will be lossless at the minimum focusing distance after putting on the tubes is not 100% correct. At 1:1, no one cares for the drop in sharpness at edges, so it is OK. But if you are trying to add versatility to your telephoto just by reducing the focusing distance by a small tube like 7mm or 10mm, you will see a drop of optical quality in addition to drop in the exposure. After all, the physical construction, the curvature of the lens elements are made to provide corner to corner sharpness for a prime lens. Extension tubes and maintain sharpness properly at center. A cheap alternative never the less. I will be happy to know if I am wrong.
The BHPhoto link is broken
Thanks for the heads up, Dave. It’s fixed now.