Current highest quality AF extension tube for L-mount?

[Jeeter001]

I received the Viltrox L-mount extension tube set and have to say I am quite disappointed without even having tried them yet, they are so light and cheap plasticky feeling. I don't know if I trust them with a larger lens like my Sigma 105mm macro. With my M4/3 gear, I had one of the cheap Voking "all metal" tubes break. The flange snapped off and luckily did not result in a dropped lens. I learned my lesson there about trusting the cheap brands with anything other than little lenses. I bought a set of Kenkos and they are a world of difference from other tubes with rock solid construction. The only downside is the set of them together weigh almost as much as my lightest macro lens. But that is a happy price to pay for confidence and lens safety.

Kenkos does not appear to manufacture an L-mount extension tube. There are the cheap brands like Meke etc... Online I'm looking at the Fotodiox "Auto" ($80 for the 35mm and $80 for the 15mm, ala carte). The pictures make it look beefy but those have deceived before and there is a dearth of reviews for that product.

Has anyone tried the Fotodiox Auto or the Commlite? The Commlite is $70 for the pair ($10 more than Viltrox). Fotodiox is $160 for the pair. Perhaps that implies better quality? Are there any out there for L-mount that are built anything like Kenkos?

 

[Jeeter001]

No answers so I took a leap of faith that you get what you pay for and bought the significantly more expensive Fotodiox Pro extension tubes. It paid off as they have a much higher build quality than the Viltrox. I would trust them with my larger lenses. The quality is at least as good as the Kenkos set I got for my M43 gear. Versus the Viltrox, everything is beefier and the lockup is on the tighter side without being over tight. The buttons are solid metal vs the Viltrox plastic ones.

Compare data:

• Viltrox, sold as pair 24mm + 12mm, 70g, $52
• Fotodiox Pro, sold individually 35mm + 15mm, 244g @$79ea = $158 pair
• Fotodiox Pro, just 35mm, 150g, $79

Considering just the 35mm Fotodiox tube, which is comparable to the 36mm Viltrox combined pair, the Fotodiox is only $27 more than the Viltrox pair, albeit with the caveat it's less flexible with a single vs. two tubes. Strangely Fotodiox has the same price for both the 35mm and 15mm tubes.

For a lightweight kit, small lenses, and "macro in a pinch" the Viltrox probably has more appeal. You won't notice it in your bag. The Fotodiox pair is as heavy as my M43 macro lenses, so it's almost like carrying a lens.


Mostly metal Fotodiox (left) vs mostly plastic Viltrox (right). The Viltrox shell looks metal in pictures, but it's light plastic.


Metal buttons vs plastic buttons. Those plastic buttons are very cheap feeling plastic buttons too.


The Fotodiox (left) flanges are thicker in both dimensions.

 

[reinhard becker]

No answers so I took a leap of faith that you get what you pay for and bought the significantly more expensive Fotodiox Pro extension tubes. It paid off as they have a much higher build quality than the Viltrox. I would trust them with my larger lenses. The quality is at least as good as the Kenkos set I got for my M43 gear. Versus the Viltrox, everything is beefier and the lockup is on the tighter side without being over tight. The buttons are solid metal vs the Viltrox plastic ones.

Compare data:

• Viltrox, sold as pair 24mm + 12mm, 70g, $52
• Fotodiox Pro, sold individually 35mm + 15mm, 244g @$79ea = $158 pair
• Fotodiox Pro, just 35mm, 150g, $79

Considering just the 35mm Fotodiox tube, which is comparable to the 36mm Viltrox combined pair, the Fotodiox is only $27 more than the Viltrox pair, albeit with the caveat it's less flexible with a single vs. two tubes. Strangely Fotodiox has the same price for both the 35mm and 15mm tubes.

For a lightweight kit, small lenses, and "macro in a pinch" the Viltrox probably has more appeal. You won't notice it in your bag. The Fotodiox pair is as heavy as my M43 macro lenses, so it's almost like carrying a lens.

Thank you for the info and your comparison.

I bought the Viltrox set some time ago and was also very wondering about the lightweight design. I just wanted some tubes as I always had them with every camera system. Not yet used…

The identical price of the Fotodiox seems ok for me, because the biggest price tag comes from the to bajonett parts on both sides. The length of the tube between is a smaller cost factor and therefore the identical price is fine. Make it sense to sell the smaller tube 2$ cheaper?

When I bought the Viltrox set I was not aware about the availability of the Fotodiox, this brand is not very common in Germany. So thanks again for your comparison


——
Reinhard
Olympus E-M5II, E-M1II, OM-1, Olympus lenses from 7 to 300mm
Panasonic S1R, S5, Sigma L-mount lenses (14-24, 24-70, 50, 85, 135, 150-600)

 

[KenTel]

Must admit I'm in a similar situation, have ordered the Viltrox pair still waiting for delivery two weeks now. And was also unaware of any other makes available. As long as they work am not worried about weight factor of lens as that will have extra support. But good to know that there is now available an alternative if required thanks to OP and others.

I did have the Kenko mft ones, but they were a very tight fit, so tried the Meike ones which have been in use with no problems. Excuse my spelling if in error.

I am a relatively newcomer to L-Mount, but a long time (over 75 years) user of all other types, digital and 35mm, & 120.

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Cheers. Ken.