Originally posted by Na Horuk Yes, macro filters go on the front end of the lens, so they don't affect its communication with the camera. Tubes and bellows go between the lens and camera, and they can prevent AF, aperture coupling, and transmission of any other data. That is why for extension tubes and bellows it makes sense to get an old lens for a lower price, so you aren't "paying" for AF, WR, auto aperture because you won't be getting those things once you put the lens on "dumb" bellows.
Most macro filters are relatively bad, they negatively affect the image quality. Actually, technically, they all do. But the Raynox ones are really good, they cause next to no loss of IQ.
Btw, 1:1 macro means the image projected onto the sensor is the same size as the actual object. So you can imagine 1:1 is already fairly big. Something like a coin might be too big to get fully into frame at 1:1.
Btw btw, check out the DFA WR club thread. Most of the photos are the DFA 100mm macro:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/87882-d-fa-wr-club-30.html Hi,
I appreciate all of your excellent advice.
I did check out the macro thread after you suggested such.
Now I know what 1:1 means - thanks!
Have a great day,
Brian
---------- Post added 03-26-16 at 12:30 AM ----------
Originally posted by sinjin None of my photos have been taken with the use of a focus limiter, aperture ring, bellows, extension tubes or macro adapters (e.g. Raynox), although when I started out I assumed I'd need all that. But once I got started with dedicated 1:1 macro lenses* I realized that macro is brutally hard to get good at and the difficulty increases [exponentially?!] with magnification. I've got a long way to go learning about lighting (and perhaps focus stacking) before I begin on the path beyond 1:1, if ever.
I wouldn't factor future adapter needs too heavily in your decision at this time if you are beginning with a dedicated macro lens. In a nut: adapters are primarily used to allow close-focussing on non-macro lenses OR going beyond 1:1 magnification. When you experience how hard it is to get a good shot at 1:1, you may be happy to stop there! You can always swap out your macro lens in the Marketplace later if you feel the need for a feature yours lacks.
If you do want to go beyond 1:1, I recommend you read this excellent resource by one of our fellow forum members:
Extreme Macro Photography
Finally, thanks for the compliments on my photos. I really appreciate it!
*Pentax FA 100, D FA WR 100, 35mm Limited and Tamron 90mm. These are all tagged in Flickr, click on the tag to subset the photos taken with that particular lens.
Hi sinjin,
Your excellent information is very helpful.
I appreciate your time and expertise.
I have found that 1:1 is very tricky and a lot of fun too!
It has opened up a whole realm of different opportunities for shooting.
Thanks for the link to the UK website - those "super" macro photos are insane!
Best,
radman
---------- Post added 03-26-16 at 12:33 AM ----------
Originally posted by TER-OR Yeah, there's nothing wrong with the Bokeh of the FA version.
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Thanks for sharing the photos.
Very nicely done.
Regards,
radman