[Landaris]

I have decided that with my approaching k10d my first lens will be the 18-250 ( tamron or pentax, whichever will be cheaper ).

I was reading it has 1:3 ( more or less ) magnification at 250mm, so I'm thinking of adding a good close up lens ( like canon 500d or the nikon equivalent ).

Anyone knows which kind of magnification I can achieve with such a combination? Macro for me is a very rare thing, but I would not mind to be prepared for that flower or insect met on a trip.

Thanks,

Giovanni

[Snowcat]

You cannot achive real high quality 1:1 macro with 18-250. For this you have to get a macro lens... That's not cheap, but the results are stunning, comparing to any non-macro lens.

[Confused]

Hi Giovanni

I have never used a dedicated close-up lens myself, but here is an example of a 'macro' photograph I took using the extreme 250mm end of my Tamron 18-250mm Di II superzoom, so hope this helps:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/136007-post15.html

You might also like to investigate the reasonably inexpensive Raynox DCR-250 clip-on close-up adapter via the link below:

Raynox | DCR-250, 2.5x Super Macro Lens | DCR250 | B&H Photo

Finally, here's a photo taken by a forum member with the Raynox close-up adapter:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/76235-post10.html

Best regards
Richard

[Landaris]

that shot with the raynox shows that a similar combination is more than enough for me.

I just wonder, since the raynox is 49mm, with the adapter probably i would have vignetting, sinche the 18-250 is 62mm.

So probably is better to take the correspondant nikon or canon close up, of the right diameter.

[matix]

I have decided that with my approaching k10d my first lens will be the 18-250 ( tamron or pentax, whichever will be cheaper ).

I was reading it has 1:3 ( more or less ) magnification at 250mm, so I'm thinking of adding a good close up lens ( like canon 500d or the nikon equivilent ).

Anyone knows which kind of magnification I can achieve with such a combination? Macro for me is a very rare thing, but I would not mind to be prepared for that flower or insect met on a trip.

Thanks,

Giovanni

Hi Giovanni, I have shot many 'Macros' or Cropped images with the Tamron 18-250, this one was shot two days ago. While this is not a perfect pixel peeping macro, I find the Tamron aquits itself well when needed, as long as you have a flash or good lighting. 1/180s, F11 and 100 ISO



To give a comparison, this next shot was also at 250mm and cropped, shot is shadow at ISO 800, 1/125sec and f9.5. This speaks well for the Tamron as well, it was a tough shot as the birds refused to land on the bush which was in sunlight .

I think the SR would have helped on this one too.



Phil

[Mechan1k]

Nice shot of the Galahs ... I found the same .. the buggers don't stay still ... neither do cockatoos.

I had all sort of issues with my Pentax FAJ75-300 handheld at a decent distance ... you have done well with that cropped shot there Phil.

[jgredline]

Hi Giovanni, I have shot many 'Macros' or Cropped images with the Tamron 18-250, this one was shot two days ago. While this is not a perfect pixel peeping macro, I find the Tamron aquits itself well when needed, as long as you have a flash or good lighting. 1/180s, F11 and 100 ISO



To give a comparison, this next shot was also at 250mm and cropped, shot is shadow at ISO 800, 1/125sec and f9.5. This speaks well for the Tamron as well, it was a tough shot as the birds refused to land on the bush which was in sunlight .

I think the SR would have helped on this one too.



Phil

Very nice indeed!
I have this lens, but have not considered doing close up macro with it. I will have to reconsider.