[hinman]

I think I am closer to 1:1 in putting the Cosina 1:1 Macro adapter onto my Pentax A 50mm f/2.8 1:2 Macro. Here are some test shots done this morning.

Somehow, it is my first time to do closer to 1:1 macro and I find it a bigger challenge to shoot macro without a tripod. A lot of not-so-sharp shots come from the minute movement of my body upon focusing. And once the adapter is mounted, the DOF becomes razor thin making it very difficult to hand hold the shot in 1:1 in minimum focal distance. Overall the adapter gets the job done for me without much loss in bokeh and lighting.

Cosina/Pentax/Phoenix/Promaster 1:1 Matched Macro adapter - Hin's Tech Corner

Pentax A 50mm f/2.8 Macro + Cosina 1:1 Macro adapter - Hin's Tech Corner

Pentax SMC A 50mm f/2.8 Macro 1:2 - Hin's Tech Corner

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Flickr SlideShow

Thanks,
Hin

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Last edited by hinman; 06-24-2008 at 05:18 PM.

[hinman]

Not a great photo, but here is the perspective shots with the adapter mounted

Without adapter


With adapter mounted

Thanks,
Hin

[hinman]

One shot in b&w conversion due to harsh and contrasty lighting with shadow

In the test shots, I get many narrow DOF shots that is very thin from off focus. I wonder if that is normal in using an adapter or if there are ways to address that with a smaller aperture. C&C welcome especially on the thin and narrow DOF when I use the adapter and shoot closer to minimum focus distance, e.g. a big portion of the flower following shot is out of focus

I shot it in f/5.6 and I wonder if upping the iso and a smaller aperture can minimize the effect.

Thanks,
Hin

[heatherslightbox]

Hin,
Those are gorgeous shots! They have a surreal quality about them, almost like paintings.

Heather

[hinman]

Hin,
Those are gorgeous shots! They have a surreal quality about them, almost like paintings.

Heather

Thank you! The adapter works well for me though the dof becomes very thin.

[Groundloop]

Nice shots Hin. I also have the 'A' 50mm Macro, and coincidentally I got out yesterday after a thunderstorm to do some flower shots, though I stayed in the 1:4 to 1:2 range. I could have put an extension tube on to get closer, but i was too lazy to drag out my tripod.

As to the razor thin DOF, that's just a function of close/macro focusing. Stopping down will increase DOF as usual, but it's unlikely you'll be able to get a full flower in focus. For example, I shot a strawberry at 1:2 and f/22, and the DOF started to trail off by the middle of the berry (maybe 3/4" - 19mm).

[Bernard Yeo]

Hi Hin, the water droplets on grass and flower (red ones) are really really beautiful! Razor sharp as well.. How did you managed to steady your hands to get such shots?!

I have this lens too and recently during a Singapore Pentax Meet, took these photos with it (Handheld, Lowlight, Drizzling)...











I would love to try the Cosina 1:1 Macro Adapter though, as these are at best 1:2. Where did you get it? Mind to share that info?

Anyways, Highly recommended!

[hinman]

Nice shots Hin. I also have the 'A' 50mm Macro, and coincidentally I got out yesterday after a thunderstorm to do some flower shots, though I stayed in the 1:4 to 1:2 range. I could have put an extension tube on to get closer, but i was too lazy to drag out my tripod.

As to the razor thin DOF, that's just a function of close/macro focusing. Stopping down will increase DOF as usual, but it's unlikely you'll be able to get a full flower in focus. For example, I shot a strawberry at 1:2 and f/22, and the DOF started to trail off by the middle of the berry (maybe 3/4" - 19mm).

Thanks for the comment. I will try smaller apertures with f/11 to f/22 as you suggested. The DOF is so narrow and a bit of movement will destroy the shot as off focus in a blur. The A 50mm f/2.8 is very sharp and I have used it for non-macro shot on portraits.

[hinman]

Hi Hin, the water droplets on grass and flower (red ones) are really really beautiful! Razor sharp as well.. How did you managed to steady your hands to get such shots?!

I have this lens too and recently during a Singapore Pentax Meet, took these photos with it (Handheld, Lowlight, Drizzling)...

I would love to try the Cosina 1:1 Macro Adapter though, as these are at best 1:2. Where did you get it? Mind to share that info?

Anyways, Highly recommended!

Very nice shots you have. I think a tripod, bellow and rail are needed for better and serious work with macro.

But for the novice in me, I tried hand-holding. I push myself into hand-holding every time I get an opportunity. With the adapter mounted on A 50mm f/2.8 1:2 Macro, I get out of focus shots more than usual. And in an attempt to try 1:1, I turn the focus ring all the way to minimum focusing distance, and I use trap focus and move my body in and out from the center focal point -- it is prone to errors due to body movements. I have better shot with turning the focus ring instead. So in short I used two techniques:

1. At MFD exactly at 1:2 marking, I move in and out with minute movement and use trap focus to hit the shot

2. At close to MFD, say 1:4 and 1:3 marking, I trap focus in turning the focusing ring while remaining still in arm and body.

And about the adapter, I don't think you can buy it as a separate item, I happen to luck out in getting it as a side-item in a totally unrelated lens purchase. Here are article blog post about the adapter with link to Cosina/Pentax/Promaster 100mm f/3.5 Macro in lab review of the original lens with matched adapter

• Cosina/Pentax/Phoenix/Promaster 1:1 Matched Macro adapter - Hin's Tech Corner
  
• Pentax A 50mm f/2.8 Macro + Cosina 1:1 Macro adapter - Hin's Tech Corner
  
• Pentax SMC A 50mm f/2.8 Macro 1:2 - Hin's Tech Corner

[Bernard Yeo]

Thank you for the info! I'll try that out on the field...

[hinman]

Thank you for the info! I'll try that out on the field...

Bernard, I love your photos with the DA 35 that you replied with Jay's thread on showing why DA 35 Macro 1:1 does not suck.

Yesterday, my Vivitar AT-22 auto extension tubes arrived. And I have the K 100mm f/4.0 1:2 Macro to try it out. I may not know what I am doing, but I use 36+12mm = 48mm extension to add to my 100mm. For the life of me, I can't make a reasonable shot with the extension tubes on 1st try. For one, I lost the trap focus capability and the focal panes is so thin that I can't hand hold a shot without the trap focus. My experience make me to appreciate greatly the photos that Jay, you and others have shown with the DA 35mm limited.