Dual purpose, Portrait/Macro Lens?

RioRico · 08-17-2011, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by Yukoner777

I just checked a couple of old listings in the Marketplace for bellows. Looks like a lot of machinery for a very small price. How is the IQ affected using a bellows setup?

Assuming the bellows has no light leaks, IQ isn't affected at all. If go into this a bit here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-lens-articles/152336-cheap-macro-b...lose-work.html

**Ash** · 08-17-2011, 02:07 PM

50mm macros are quite decent compromises between portrait focal lengths and useful macro focal lengths. So the DFA 50 macro isn't a bad choice in this regard. It is not weather-sealed, though. So if that matters, your only choice is the DFA 100 macro WR. Other non-WR choices include the DA 35 macro (good for more 3/4 or whole body portraiture) or the Sigma 70/Tamron 90 as previously mentioned (both very good value for money).

All the best in that.

DanielT74 · 08-17-2011, 08:21 PM

Any of the choices offered above will be generally fine. Macro lenses are pretty good!

For something left of centre, I could suggest the Leica Macro-Elmarit 60/2.8. It needs to be adapted (a 3 minute job), it'll be stop-down metering and manual focus, but it'll be fun!

Could probably pick one up for $450, it goes to 1:2 macro but it is a hell of a lens. Great microcontrast (and the resulting 3-d feel) as well as lovely colour rendition work beautifulyl especially for portraits:

elho_cid · 08-18-2011, 12:57 AM

Originally posted by DanielT74

For something left of centre, I could suggest the Leica Macro-Elmarit 60/2.8. It needs to be adapted (a 3 minute job), it'll be stop-down metering and manual focus, but it'll be fun!

I had a chance to try this on out (my friend converted one of these Elmarits) and you are right, it is a great lens. Seems better than Micro Nikkor 60/2,8 and I'd very much like to borrow it for a few days to see how it compared with the DFA50.
But it is manual focus and exposure only. Quite difficult to handle for most of us.

DanielT74 · 08-18-2011, 02:02 AM

I think it's just a bit of practice. I took about 6 months to get used to MF. I am still fairly slow though but I get more shots in focus with MF than with AF.

Frogfish · 08-18-2011, 03:01 AM

Originally posted by elho_cid

I had a chance to try this on out (my friend converted one of these Elmarits) and you are right, it is a great lens. Seems better than Micro Nikkor 60/2,8 and I'd very much like to borrow it for a few days to see how it compared with the DFA50.
But it is manual focus and exposure only. Quite difficult to handle for most of us.

You've got a Pentax. CIF all the way !

elho_cid · 08-18-2011, 05:09 AM

Originally posted by DanielT74

I think it's just a bit of practice. I took about 6 months to get used to MF. I am still fairly slow though but I get more shots in focus with MF than with AF.

Originally posted by Frogfish

You've got a Pentax. CIF all the way !

MF is fine for macro, actually the only way, but not for portraits (for me) - and CIF is limited to central point, I like to focus off the center. I had a Pancolar 80/1.8 for portraiture for quite a long time and never got used to it. I had to replace it with AF lens.

Yukoner777 · 08-18-2011, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

Assuming the bellows has no light leaks, IQ isn't affected at all. If go into this a bit here: CHEAP MACRO -- Buying or exploiting a lens for ultraclose work

Great article, RioRico

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08-17-2011, 01:11 PM	#31
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Yukoner777 I just checked a couple of old listings in the Marketplace for bellows. Looks like a lot of machinery for a very small price. How is the IQ affected using a bellows setup? Assuming the bellows has no light leaks, IQ isn't affected at all. If go into this a bit here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-lens-articles/152336-cheap-macro-b...lose-work.html

08-17-2011, 02:07 PM	#32
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	50mm macros are quite decent compromises between portrait focal lengths and useful macro focal lengths. So the DFA 50 macro isn't a bad choice in this regard. It is not weather-sealed, though. So if that matters, your only choice is the DFA 100 macro WR. Other non-WR choices include the DA 35 macro (good for more 3/4 or whole body portraiture) or the Sigma 70/Tamron 90 as previously mentioned (both very good value for money). All the best in that.

08-17-2011, 08:21 PM	#33
DanielT74 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,377	Any of the choices offered above will be generally fine. Macro lenses are pretty good! For something left of centre, I could suggest the Leica Macro-Elmarit 60/2.8. It needs to be adapted (a 3 minute job), it'll be stop-down metering and manual focus, but it'll be fun! Could probably pick one up for $450, it goes to 1:2 macro but it is a hell of a lens. Great microcontrast (and the resulting 3-d feel) as well as lovely colour rendition work beautifulyl especially for portraits:

08-18-2011, 12:57 AM	#34
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	Originally posted by DanielT74 For something left of centre, I could suggest the Leica Macro-Elmarit 60/2.8. It needs to be adapted (a 3 minute job), it'll be stop-down metering and manual focus, but it'll be fun! I had a chance to try this on out (my friend converted one of these Elmarits) and you are right, it is a great lens. Seems better than Micro Nikkor 60/2,8 and I'd very much like to borrow it for a few days to see how it compared with the DFA50. But it is manual focus and exposure only. Quite difficult to handle for most of us.

08-18-2011, 02:02 AM	#35
DanielT74 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,377	I think it's just a bit of practice. I took about 6 months to get used to MF. I am still fairly slow though but I get more shots in focus with MF than with AF.

08-18-2011, 03:01 AM	#36
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by elho_cid I had a chance to try this on out (my friend converted one of these Elmarits) and you are right, it is a great lens. Seems better than Micro Nikkor 60/2,8 and I'd very much like to borrow it for a few days to see how it compared with the DFA50. But it is manual focus and exposure only. Quite difficult to handle for most of us. You've got a Pentax. CIF all the way !

08-18-2011, 05:09 AM	#37
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	Originally posted by DanielT74 I think it's just a bit of practice. I took about 6 months to get used to MF. I am still fairly slow though but I get more shots in focus with MF than with AF. Originally posted by Frogfish You've got a Pentax. CIF all the way ! MF is fine for macro, actually the only way, but not for portraits (for me) - and CIF is limited to central point, I like to focus off the center. I had a Pancolar 80/1.8 for portraiture for quite a long time and never got used to it. I had to replace it with AF lens.

08-18-2011, 08:10 AM	#38
Yukoner777 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Whitehorse, Yukon Posts: 77 Original Poster	Originally posted by RioRico Assuming the bellows has no light leaks, IQ isn't affected at all. If go into this a bit here: CHEAP MACRO -- Buying or exploiting a lens for ultraclose work Great article, RioRico