[moovinfast]

I want to pick up a 1:1 macro lens but I can't seem to find one. I'm looking for used so I can save a little money. I've called every lens shop within a 2 hour drive of me and all they say is they don't ever get them in. Whats a good lens to look for? Don't need autofocus. Do I just need to surf ebay?

[matiki]

I want to pick up a 1:1 macro lens but I can't seem to find one. I'm looking for used so I can save a little money. I've called every lens shop within a 2 hour drive of me and all they say is they don't ever get them in. Whats a good lens to look for? Don't need autofocus. Do I just need to surf ebay?

How much dough have you got? KEH has a couple Tamron 90 f/2.8 1:1's available:

KEH Camera: Pentax Auto Focus - Non-Mfg Fixed Focal Lenses - 90 F2.8 TAMRON MACRO SP 1:1 (55) WITH HOOD, CAPS, 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS TELEPHOTO LENS

[moovinfast]

Hmm. Don't really want to spend $325 right now. The most I've spent so far is $170 for my 50mm 1.4 and before that the next expensive one was my zoom for $80. Did they make an older 1:1 like my SMC M 50mm 1:2 f2.0? Or am I just dreaming trying to get one for cheap?

[matiki]

Have you considered this: Raynox | CM-2000, 1.5x/2.5x Macro Lens Kit | CM2000K | B&H Photo ?

There's a thread running here and if you search you'll find more:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/34711-new-macr...x-but-one.html

[madmikess]

I picked up a Vivitar Series 1 90mm f2.8 macro off ebay a couple years ago for around $75. Was used for dental photography. If I had a decent tripod I think it would be a great lens for macro shots. Here's one I took with it:



I guess it all depends on what you want to use it for.

[hrishi]

Most of the less expensive old pentax lenses do a 1:2..why not buy one of them and use your 2x TC to obtain 1:1? (provided you don't imnd the slight IQ loss..)

[Ahab]

Found a SMC M-Zoom 40-80, 2.8, with 1:1 Macro on e-bay last year. Got it for $35.

[Emmanuel Diver]

I have a Sigma 105mm 2.8 EX DG Macro and I swear by it, it's also a great medium fast tele.


As a medium Tele.


Great depth of field with it.


As a macro.

Mine cost £218 from onestop digital in Hong Kong.

[Hannican]

I'm working with the Vivitar 105mm 2.5, but have only really had one morning of experience with it and the results are still coming out pretty good I think

Depending on how much macro you're going to do and what the pictures are going to be used for, you might want to splurge now so that you don't have to upgrade to a better lens later... that was my strategy at least...

[JJJPhoto]

Hmm. Don't really want to spend $325 right now. The most I've spent so far is $170 for my 50mm 1.4 and before that the next expensive one was my zoom for $80. Did they make an older 1:1 like my SMC M 50mm 1:2 f2.0? Or am I just dreaming trying to get one for cheap?

Well, if money is and issue then another option you should consider is a good achromatic (multiple glass elements) close up lens such as the Canon 500D series close up lens or the Nikon 3T.

I use the Nikon 3T with my DA 18-55 and a 72mm 500D with my Tokina 24-200mm when I want Macro.

The trick is using a good achromatic close up lens rather than a generic close-up filter with only a single element. Achromatic lenses are in fact "lenses" because of the multiple elements.

This image was taken with the 18-55mm "kit" lens (the soft "version I") and the Nikon 3T.