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05-11-2010, 10:25 AM   #1
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DA* 50-135mm for macro??

Is the DA* 50-135mm lens good for macro shots?

05-11-2010, 10:58 AM   #2
Ari
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No. I don't think it's minimum focus is close enough.
05-11-2010, 12:20 PM   #3
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However with Kenko PZ-AF extension tube(s) it can go pretty close to subject, maintaining the ability to autofocus.
05-11-2010, 12:23 PM   #4
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NO

QuoteOriginally posted by Ubuntu_user Quote
Is the DA* 50-135mm lens good for macro shots?
I used to own that lens and it's MFD of 1m is bit too far... at 135mm it's OK but still, there are better options for close up/macro photography than this DA*.

my2p

05-11-2010, 12:32 PM   #5
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Bummer. I was hoping that it would be decent for macro.

Well, what is a good macro lens that would be decent priced yet wouldn't compromise quality?
05-11-2010, 12:38 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ubuntu_user Quote
Bummer. I was hoping that it would be decent for macro.

Well, what is a good macro lens that would be decent priced yet wouldn't compromise quality?
what do you consider by decent price?
The third party options in macro segment (Sigma 105/2.8 and Tamron 90/2.8) are actually brilliant IMO. If you are after good zoom then Tamron 70-200/2.8 is a great choice, still cheaper than DA*50-135, fixed f2.8 and 1:3 magnification. But bigger and heavier than the DA*.

my 2p
05-11-2010, 12:47 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ubuntu_user Quote
Bummer. I was hoping that it would be decent for macro.

Well, what is a good macro lens that would be decent priced yet wouldn't compromise quality?
If you're just looking for a good macro lens, there a lot of good choices for less than the price of a 50-135. Granted you lose the versatility of the zoom, but in return you get a super sharp macro lens that is lighter and more compact than the 50-135. The Tamron 90, Sigma 70/105 and Pentax 100 (any of them; F, FA, DFA) are all good choices for an AF macro lens that can also do well to double as a short telephoto/portrait lenses.

If you're looking to miminize the cost, the Tamron 90 would be a pretty good choice. If you don't mind spending a little more money, the Pentax DFA100 (the older one or the newer WR one) is a really great lens. I borrowed one this weekend (DFA100, non WR) and found the quick-shift to be really useful when shooting a mix of macros and non-macros (w/ AF). In addition, I was quite happy with the IQ from the DFA100.

05-11-2010, 02:18 PM   #8
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Hmm... I'm so wondering what to do now! :S

Is the Sigma 70-200 HSM II better than Tamron 70-200, and do these really do macro well?

And, do either of these stand up to the DA* performance/quality?

I hate giving up the WR in the DA* for the 70-200...

That Tamron 90 looks kind of inviting.
05-11-2010, 02:58 PM   #9
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I'd check DPreview, the lens reviews also have close-up shots, which give an indication of sharpness in 'macro' shots.
(The Tamron should go closer than the Sigma, especially as the trend has been that OS/VR/VC means longer min. focus.)
05-11-2010, 04:00 PM   #10
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Why do you want a zoom lens to do macro work with? No zoom is going to do true macro (1:1) but rather close focus (1: >2)
05-11-2010, 09:22 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ubuntu_user Quote
Is the DA* 50-135mm lens good for macro shots?
It is under the following two and a half cases:
  1. You put a 135mm extension tube between the lens and the camera
  2. You use a good quality close focus lens/"filter" such as the Raynox on the lens
  3. You use a good quality F 1.7X AF converter between the lens and the camera, but it will not be 1:1 by any means. It might however be large enough for your needs, and combined with the Raynox, might even be acceptable image quality for 3-d subjects.
05-11-2010, 10:23 PM   #12
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DA * 50-135mm has a magnification ratio of 1:5.8. Prodigital has the DFA 100mm f2.8 WR 1:1 macro for $679.95. If you are eligable for Bing's Cashback; it would be around $625.55. Most the other AF 1:1 prime macro lenses will be $400 and above with the exception of the Sigma 50mm f2.8 1:1 macro at $300.

I personally would be very interested in the Lester Dine 105mm f2-8 1:1 macro in the marketplace. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-equipment-sale/100980-sale-l...1-1-conus.html

The least expensive zoom to do 1:2 macro would be the Tamron AF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro. This is usually around $160-170. The Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro also will do 1:2, but has a higher cost of around $210. Both lenses are easy to find used, but the used price is usually only discounted by $30 or so. It seems more worthwhile simply to buy new to get the multiple year warranties on the lenses.

Thank you
Russell
05-11-2010, 11:55 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by Canada_Rockies Quote
  1. You use a good quality close focus lens/"filter" such as the Raynox on the lens
Has anyone got any comments/feedback on the quality of a DA*50-135mm and Raynox DCR-150 or DCR-250 combination?
05-12-2010, 04:24 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by GingerBeer Quote
Has anyone got any comments/feedback on the quality of a DA*50-135mm and Raynox DCR-150 or DCR-250 combination?
The Raynox doesn't work (well) with the 50-135 as there is some pretty significant vignetting.
05-12-2010, 06:25 AM   #15
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Except the real macros, of which kinda everyone seem to perform really well there's the Sigma "macro" zooms which doesn't do 1:1 but something like 1:3 or something such.

So if you are ok with "almost macro" and want a zoom have a look at those.

Not really macro:
Sigma AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4 HSM DC OS macro
Sigma EX 70-200/2,8 II APO HSM DG Macro


Bright short macro which works good for portraits:
Tamron AF 60mm f/2 Di II LD [IF] SP Macro

Cheap macros just as good as the first-party brand names:
Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP macro
Sigma AF 105mm f/2.8 EX macro DG

If you need to get further away (from butterflies and such, flowers don't get scared =P):
Sigma AF 150mm f/2.8 APO EX HSM

This later one look really nice, however it cost more than everything above except the 70-200 macro =P

Even further away, somewhat cheaper than the sigma above:
Tamron AF 180mm f/3.5 SP Di LD [IF]


Btw, if you really want to I think photozone review mentioned how some aspect of the performance of the 150mm sigma actually got better with the tele-converters, I think it was one .. So you can probably get it to 225 or 300 mm to =P


1:3 from the zooms at the top should be something like 8x6 cm area take up the whole photo?

Don't know if that's close enough for you or not.
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