[pnoob101]

Hi

I bought the k3 as a kit with the DA 50mm lens, and i saw a guy doing awesome macro shots with the FA lens

My question is can I do macro shots with this lens? How

Im going to butterfly world in fl soon and so i want to be prepared, maybe i should buy a tripod too?

Hope u can help

Thanks 🎶✌️😄

[UncleVanya]

Lots of options. How much magnification are you liking for? Extreme Macro Photography

[boriscleto]

The FA has an aperture ring so it can be used reversed. The DA, lacking an aperture ring, is not as easy to use reversed. The same goes for extension tubes, unless those tubes have the 'A' contacts. You can get some extension by removing the glass elements from tele converters with the 'A' contacts. If you can find 2 of these around 25mm thick you will put the DA at about 1:1. This is also about the only way to get AF extension tubes as they are as rare as hens teeth in KAF.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/152336-cheap-macr...lose-work.html

[ramseybuckeye]

I've not seen many butterflies that let you get close enough for macros, some but not many. I would take a telephoto.

[BrianR]

What other lenses do you have?

A full-sized tripod may not be feasible or even permitted. I've been to a couple of butterfly places and neither allowed them so check the rules before you go.

Distance to the butterflies also likely won't be an issue if you're even moderately patient and not picky about which types you photograph. They'll probably have feeding stations you can sit right next to and some of the butterflies will land on slow moving people. Or people with bright coloured clothes. I wore orange crocs to one and had a couple keep landing on my feet.

I'll also recommend going on a sunny day if possible. These places are usually big glass greenhouses filled with plants. On heavily overcast days it can get dark enough inside to make handheld closeup shots very challenging.

[MadMathMind]

They'll probably have feeding stations you can sit right next to and some of the butterflies will land on slow moving people. Or people with bright coloured clothes. I wore orange crocs to one and had a couple keep landing on my feet.

So basically, try to look like a flower.

[mtux]

I've not seen many butterflies that let you get close enough for macros, some but not many. I would take a telephoto.

Butterflies inside a butterfly park are quite easy with you getting close, they got used to it!
But the ones you find in the wild!? no way! you better take a 300mm lens and stay around 1.5m or 2m away.

I bought the k3 as a kit with the DA 50mm lens, and i saw a guy doing awesome macro shots with the FA lens

Macro with DA50/1.8, in addition to things people mentioned above, I think there's one more way to get closer with that lens, and it's using a Raynox! it won't take you to a life size magnification, but to get shot of flowers and butterflies you won't need so much magnification!
BTW, I've used mine with a Raynox DCR-150 in the past. here you can find some of the results.

[BrianR]

But the ones you find in the wild!? no way! you better take a 300mm lens and stay around 1.5m or 2m away.

Depends very heavily on the type of butterfly, time of day, and your patience, but I've found 100mm is great for many of my local species. Longer gives more opportunities of course.

So basically, try to look like a flower.

It was actually a little annoying, I was worried about stepping on them. It's not just the colour, my feet also have a sweet odour

[max_pyne]

have look here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/288412-look...estions-4.html

[Drake Avenue]

Are you sure he wasn't actually using the DFA 50mm macro lens?