Which manual/auto macro lens?

sharepointalex · 03-13-2012, 06:42 PM

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I'm afraid I went for the Sigma 28-80 in the end as I was on a budget and also figured it would be a good walkabout lens. We went to Hamilton island over the weekend and used it quite a lot, I'm very pleased with the contrast it produces my macro shots seem pretty sharp. I would like to get in closer though so thinking about getting some extension tubes, can anyone recommend a set - maybe a cheap Chinese one like above as I'm on a budget? cheers

ripit · 03-13-2012, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by sharepointalex

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I'm afraid I went for the Sigma 28-80 in the end as I was on a budget and also figured it would be a good walkabout lens. We went to Hamilton island over the weekend and used it quite a lot, I'm very pleased with the contrast it produces my macro shots seem pretty sharp. I would like to get in closer though so thinking about getting some extension tubes, can anyone recommend a set - maybe a cheap Chinese one like above as I'm on a budget? cheers

If that lens is the same one I think it is, its not a bad lens at all for a general purpose cheap budget zoom. Mine is the 28--90mm quantaray version but its very similar. I usually just look for a seller with a bit higher feedback on the cheap Chinese stuff. I figure if they are selling junk, its going to hurt their feedback some. You can typically find ones with 99.6-99.7 feedback easy enough (nearly all have some bad feedback due to long shipping times and lost mail form china). If anyone does have any recommendations about a Chinese set that are above average, I would like to know about it too as I lost one of the ends to my set and will be buying another soon. Otherwise I'll probably pick a random seller with good feedback. I might try these
Macro Extension Tube Ring for Pentax K Mount Series | eBay
as I have bought several m42-pk adapters (non infinity type) from them and they have been fine

Be aware that you will get full manual only with these. If you want A function, I have heard of several people removing the glass from cheap off brand used A teleconverters off ebay. I don't think there are any cheap auto focus options (that I am aware of). I might also look for a used set on ebay too.

**baro-nite** · 03-14-2012, 04:11 AM

Originally posted by ripit

Be aware that you will get full manual only with these. If you want A function, I have heard of several people removing the glass from cheap off brand used A teleconverters off ebay. I don't think there are any cheap auto focus options (that I am aware of).

I've removed the glass from a couple of A-type TCs, and found they work fine with A-series lenses (no surprise), DA* lenses, and of course plain K or M lenses. But with DA lenses (other than DA* lenses), including my Sigma lens, the aperture data is not transmitted correctly. Note that this is from a small sampling of lenses and tubes -- just the ones I own.

Siskan · 07-23-2014, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by bluestringer

Yes, the Sigma will do 1:2, but I find it's not sharp enough for good closeups. I have the Pentax M 100mm f4 Macro prime, which also only does 1:2, but it is very sharp and I can crop the image to what I want and not lose the sharpness. I can also get 1:1 by adding tubes. But I've found 1:2 really gives me all I need for flowers, butterflys, etc.

I am looking into getting m100 f4. Does fit with out any adptors to pentax k-30? K mount, right?

photolady95 · 07-23-2014, 08:10 AM - **1 Like**

No adapters needed to fit a K-30. It is K-mount. Having told you that, I should also tell you that lenses in the m version need to allow aperture use inside the camera, under C menu, 4th page, number 23, second option, enabled.

Siskan · 07-23-2014, 08:31 AM

Originally posted by photolady95

No adapters needed to fit a K-30. It is K-mount. Having told you that, I should also tell you that lenses in the m version need to allow aperture use inside the camera, under C menu, 4th page, number 23, second option, enabled.

Thank you very much for the reply. Is it easy to manual focus on k30? i found this lens fot 189 euro. Do you think it's a good price?

photolady95 · 07-23-2014, 08:39 AM

It's actually pretty easy to manual focus, as the camera itself will beep when the focus is attained. Or you can use Catch in Focus where when the subject is in focus the camera will take the shot. This only works for manual lenses though. For metering manual lenses, you need to use the Green Button. For instructions on the metering M lenses, and the green button, have a read here:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-pentax-beginners-corner-q/110658-using...x-dslrs-f.html

Forgot to answer you question on the price of the one you found. It sounds good for what you're paying. Pentax Forums lenses data base, gives you an idea of what lenses should cost:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-M-100mm-F4-Macro-Lens.html

Read the reviews and they should give you an idea whether it's worth buying or not.

Last edited by photolady95; 07-23-2014 at 08:49 AM.

Siskan · 07-24-2014, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by photolady95

It's actually pretty easy to manual focus, as the camera itself will beep when the focus is attained. Or you can use Catch in Focus where when the subject is in focus the camera will take the shot. This only works for manual lenses though. For metering manual lenses, you need to use the Green Button. For instructions on the metering M lenses, and the green button, have a read here:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-pentax-beginners-corner-q/110658-using...x-dslrs-f.html

Forgot to answer you question on the price of the one you found. It sounds good for what you're paying. Pentax Forums lenses data base, gives you an idea of what lenses should cost:

SMC Pentax-M 100mm F4 Macro Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Read the reviews and they should give you an idea whether it's worth buying or not.

Thank you very much. Very useful. I'll try today to use the green button with an old vivitar I've got. Can't wait!

photolady95 · 07-24-2014, 08:47 AM

You're welcome! And have fun!

Siskan · 08-04-2014, 03:27 AM

Originally posted by photolady95

You're welcome! And have fun!

I am waiting to find the right bargin to buy Macro M 100 f4 and we are nearly there! Now I am reading a lot about macro, can you explain what 1:1 stands for? I've been reading it's the scale but... if I take a picture of a fly for example... what does a 1:1 make me expect? The dimention of the Fly on the sensor at some resolution and distance? I know i sound ignorant... must be because I am a bit!

!!! Always learning!

BrianR · 08-04-2014, 05:02 AM

1:1 would mean the fly is reproduced life size on the sensor. The aps-c sensors are round about 24mm by 16mm, so a big 20mm horsefly would just about fill the frame up at 1:1.
1:2 would mean the fly is reproduced at half size on the sensor, so our big 20mm horse fly ends up 10mm on the sensor and fills a little under half the frame (lengthwise).

To visualize these, cut out a little 24mm x 16mm rectangle out of a piece of paper, write 1:1 above it. Cut out another 48mm x 32mm rectangle, write 1:2 above it. Hold these pieces of paper up to stuff and you can get an idea of what fits into the frame at these magnifications.

For a given macro lens, magnification is tied to the distance from the subject. For example, the DFA 100mm macro will show 1:3 magnification at about 0.5m, 1:2 magnification at about 0.37m and 1:1 magnification at 0.3m. Dedicated macros have both a distance scale and a magnification scale on the barrel. This lets you set the desired magnification you want by turning the focusing ring and then you can focus by moving the camera forward or backwards until the subject is sharp.

The distances required to get a given magnification depend on the focal length of the lens and a little bit on it's specific design. A 50mm macro will need to be closer than a 100mm macro at a given desired magnification. This is especially important for living stuff that may flee, and a longer focal length can help here.

Many of the older dedicated macros are 'only' 1:2, and many of the modern zoom lenses that are given the 'macro' designation by their manufacturers are 1:4 or 1:3 max. Most modern dedicated macros can hit 1:1.

Siskan · 08-04-2014, 05:11 AM

Originally posted by BrianR

1:1 would mean the fly is reproduced life size on the sensor. The aps-c sensors are round about 24mm by 16mm, so a big 20mm horsefly would just about fill the frame up at 1:1. 1:2 would mean the fly is reproduced at half size on the sensor, so our big 20mm horse fly ends up 10mm on the sensor and fills a little under half the frame (lengthwise).

OWWWW!!! Mistery solved!!! 1:2 sounds good enough for me! I'll go for the m 100 f4 lens and be done! I'll post some pics when I get it!

Siskan · 08-26-2014, 08:11 AM

I got it yesterday!!! SOOO excited! My lovely Pentax m 100 f4. Now... as There is no A setting in the ring, how can I use the exposimetre?

Thank you!!!!

**boriscleto** · 08-26-2014, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by Siskan

Now... as There is no A setting in the ring, how can I use the exposimetre?

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-pentax-beginners-corner-q/110658-using...x-dslrs-f.html

**Lowell Goudge** · 08-26-2014, 12:11 PM

Originally posted by Siskan

I got it yesterday!!! SOOO excited! My lovely Pentax m 100 f4. Now... as There is no A setting in the ring, how can I use the exposimetre?

Thank you!!!!

Do you have LBA? You show the classic symptoms , Want a lens , ask opinions about options, buy the lens, ask how the lens can be used after receiving it. Just kidding. Enjoy the lens

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03-13-2012, 06:42 PM	#16
sharepointalex Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 134 Original Poster	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I'm afraid I went for the Sigma 28-80 in the end as I was on a budget and also figured it would be a good walkabout lens. We went to Hamilton island over the weekend and used it quite a lot, I'm very pleased with the contrast it produces my macro shots seem pretty sharp. I would like to get in closer though so thinking about getting some extension tubes, can anyone recommend a set - maybe a cheap Chinese one like above as I'm on a budget? cheers

03-13-2012, 08:34 PM	#17
ripit Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NewYork Posts: 899	Originally posted by sharepointalex Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I'm afraid I went for the Sigma 28-80 in the end as I was on a budget and also figured it would be a good walkabout lens. We went to Hamilton island over the weekend and used it quite a lot, I'm very pleased with the contrast it produces my macro shots seem pretty sharp. I would like to get in closer though so thinking about getting some extension tubes, can anyone recommend a set - maybe a cheap Chinese one like above as I'm on a budget? cheers If that lens is the same one I think it is, its not a bad lens at all for a general purpose cheap budget zoom. Mine is the 28--90mm quantaray version but its very similar. I usually just look for a seller with a bit higher feedback on the cheap Chinese stuff. I figure if they are selling junk, its going to hurt their feedback some. You can typically find ones with 99.6-99.7 feedback easy enough (nearly all have some bad feedback due to long shipping times and lost mail form china). If anyone does have any recommendations about a Chinese set that are above average, I would like to know about it too as I lost one of the ends to my set and will be buying another soon. Otherwise I'll probably pick a random seller with good feedback. I might try these Macro Extension Tube Ring for Pentax K Mount Series \| eBay as I have bought several m42-pk adapters (non infinity type) from them and they have been fine Be aware that you will get full manual only with these. If you want A function, I have heard of several people removing the glass from cheap off brand used A teleconverters off ebay. I don't think there are any cheap auto focus options (that I am aware of). I might also look for a used set on ebay too.

03-14-2012, 04:11 AM	#18
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	Originally posted by ripit Be aware that you will get full manual only with these. If you want A function, I have heard of several people removing the glass from cheap off brand used A teleconverters off ebay. I don't think there are any cheap auto focus options (that I am aware of). I've removed the glass from a couple of A-type TCs, and found they work fine with A-series lenses (no surprise), DA* lenses, and of course plain K or M lenses. But with DA lenses (other than DA* lenses), including my Sigma lens, the aperture data is not transmitted correctly. Note that this is from a small sampling of lenses and tubes -- just the ones I own.

07-23-2014, 07:50 AM	#19
Siskan Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 31	Originally posted by bluestringer Yes, the Sigma will do 1:2, but I find it's not sharp enough for good closeups. I have the Pentax M 100mm f4 Macro prime, which also only does 1:2, but it is very sharp and I can crop the image to what I want and not lose the sharpness. I can also get 1:1 by adding tubes. But I've found 1:2 really gives me all I need for flowers, butterflys, etc. I am looking into getting m100 f4. Does fit with out any adptors to pentax k-30? K mount, right?

07-23-2014, 08:10 AM - 1 Like	#20
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	No adapters needed to fit a K-30. It is K-mount. Having told you that, I should also tell you that lenses in the m version need to allow aperture use inside the camera, under C menu, 4th page, number 23, second option, enabled.

07-23-2014, 08:31 AM	#21
Siskan Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 31	Originally posted by photolady95 No adapters needed to fit a K-30. It is K-mount. Having told you that, I should also tell you that lenses in the m version need to allow aperture use inside the camera, under C menu, 4th page, number 23, second option, enabled. Thank you very much for the reply. Is it easy to manual focus on k30? i found this lens fot 189 euro. Do you think it's a good price?

07-23-2014, 08:39 AM	#22
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	It's actually pretty easy to manual focus, as the camera itself will beep when the focus is attained. Or you can use Catch in Focus where when the subject is in focus the camera will take the shot. This only works for manual lenses though. For metering manual lenses, you need to use the Green Button. For instructions on the metering M lenses, and the green button, have a read here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-pentax-beginners-corner-q/110658-using...x-dslrs-f.html Forgot to answer you question on the price of the one you found. It sounds good for what you're paying. Pentax Forums lenses data base, gives you an idea of what lenses should cost: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-M-100mm-F4-Macro-Lens.html Read the reviews and they should give you an idea whether it's worth buying or not. Last edited by photolady95; 07-23-2014 at 08:49 AM.

07-24-2014, 06:28 AM	#23
Siskan Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 31	Originally posted by photolady95 It's actually pretty easy to manual focus, as the camera itself will beep when the focus is attained. Or you can use Catch in Focus where when the subject is in focus the camera will take the shot. This only works for manual lenses though. For metering manual lenses, you need to use the Green Button. For instructions on the metering M lenses, and the green button, have a read here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-pentax-beginners-corner-q/110658-using...x-dslrs-f.html Forgot to answer you question on the price of the one you found. It sounds good for what you're paying. Pentax Forums lenses data base, gives you an idea of what lenses should cost: SMC Pentax-M 100mm F4 Macro Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Read the reviews and they should give you an idea whether it's worth buying or not. Thank you very much. Very useful. I'll try today to use the green button with an old vivitar I've got. Can't wait!

07-24-2014, 08:47 AM	#24
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	You're welcome! And have fun!

08-04-2014, 03:27 AM	#25
Siskan Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 31	Originally posted by photolady95 You're welcome! And have fun! I am waiting to find the right bargin to buy Macro M 100 f4 and we are nearly there! Now I am reading a lot about macro, can you explain what 1:1 stands for? I've been reading it's the scale but... if I take a picture of a fly for example... what does a 1:1 make me expect? The dimention of the Fly on the sensor at some resolution and distance? I know i sound ignorant... must be because I am a bit! !!! Always learning!

08-04-2014, 05:02 AM	#26
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	1:1 would mean the fly is reproduced life size on the sensor. The aps-c sensors are round about 24mm by 16mm, so a big 20mm horsefly would just about fill the frame up at 1:1. 1:2 would mean the fly is reproduced at half size on the sensor, so our big 20mm horse fly ends up 10mm on the sensor and fills a little under half the frame (lengthwise). To visualize these, cut out a little 24mm x 16mm rectangle out of a piece of paper, write 1:1 above it. Cut out another 48mm x 32mm rectangle, write 1:2 above it. Hold these pieces of paper up to stuff and you can get an idea of what fits into the frame at these magnifications. For a given macro lens, magnification is tied to the distance from the subject. For example, the DFA 100mm macro will show 1:3 magnification at about 0.5m, 1:2 magnification at about 0.37m and 1:1 magnification at 0.3m. Dedicated macros have both a distance scale and a magnification scale on the barrel. This lets you set the desired magnification you want by turning the focusing ring and then you can focus by moving the camera forward or backwards until the subject is sharp. The distances required to get a given magnification depend on the focal length of the lens and a little bit on it's specific design. A 50mm macro will need to be closer than a 100mm macro at a given desired magnification. This is especially important for living stuff that may flee, and a longer focal length can help here. Many of the older dedicated macros are 'only' 1:2, and many of the modern zoom lenses that are given the 'macro' designation by their manufacturers are 1:4 or 1:3 max. Most modern dedicated macros can hit 1:1.

08-04-2014, 05:11 AM	#27
Siskan Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 31	Originally posted by BrianR 1:1 would mean the fly is reproduced life size on the sensor. The aps-c sensors are round about 24mm by 16mm, so a big 20mm horsefly would just about fill the frame up at 1:1. 1:2 would mean the fly is reproduced at half size on the sensor, so our big 20mm horse fly ends up 10mm on the sensor and fills a little under half the frame (lengthwise). OWWWW!!! Mistery solved!!! 1:2 sounds good enough for me! I'll go for the m 100 f4 lens and be done! I'll post some pics when I get it!

08-26-2014, 08:11 AM	#28
Siskan Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 31	I got it yesterday!!! SOOO excited! My lovely Pentax m 100 f4. Now... as There is no A setting in the ring, how can I use the exposimetre? Thank you!!!!

08-26-2014, 09:52 AM	#29
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by Siskan Now... as There is no A setting in the ring, how can I use the exposimetre? https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-pentax-beginners-corner-q/110658-using...x-dslrs-f.html

08-26-2014, 12:11 PM	#30
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	Originally posted by Siskan I got it yesterday!!! SOOO excited! My lovely Pentax m 100 f4. Now... as There is no A setting in the ring, how can I use the exposimetre? Thank you!!!! Do you have LBA? You show the classic symptoms , Want a lens , ask opinions about options, buy the lens, ask how the lens can be used after receiving it. Just kidding. Enjoy the lens