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02-15-2019, 04:24 PM   #1
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Any K mount lens that's more macro than macro (ie, micro)

Hi. Can anyone recommend a lense solution for those interested in photographs that have something greater than the 1x maginification of the macro lenses? I'm thinkiing about something 2x to 4x.

I'd lie to photograph small insects (eg .25") but use as much as the sensor as possible for the image.

Thanks!!!

02-15-2019, 04:28 PM - 1 Like   #2
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The best solution IMO is to use close-up accessories, such as bellows, tubes, or reversal. There's only one 2:1 dedicated lens (from Venus I believe) and it's so-so.

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02-15-2019, 04:35 PM   #3
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get a 50 to 100mm macro lens and add an extension tube to it...

but I'd try a Tamron 90mm macro first to see if you like it...
02-15-2019, 04:41 PM   #4
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As Adam said, higher magnifications aren't typically built into lenses.

Getting 2X from a macro lens that does 1:1 natively will require adding extension tubes or bellows equal to the focal length of the lens.

Getting 4X from a macro lens that does 1:1 nnatively will require adding extension tubes or bellows is equal to 3X the focal length of the lens.

02-15-2019, 04:51 PM   #5
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Thanks for these comments. I actually have a Pentax 50mm macro lens for my K5. Photoptimist, would I therefor look for k mount tubes/bellows that are 100mm and 150mm long for the 2x and 3x?

Also what should one expect for depth of field. I imagine its rather small.

Thank!

---------- Post added 02-15-19 at 03:52 PM ----------

Thanks for these comments. I actually have a Pentax 50mm macro lens for my K5. Photoptimist, would I therefor look for k mount tubes/bellows that are 100mm and 150mm long for the 2x and 3x?

Also what should one expect for depth of field. I imagine its rather small.

Thank!

Read more at: Any K mount lens that's more macro than macro (ie, micro) - PentaxForums.com
02-15-2019, 05:01 PM   #6
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I myself are looking at, and possibly going to buy, the Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro

Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro – LAOWA Camera Lenses
02-15-2019, 05:02 PM   #7
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here is an article you may want to look at:


The Pentax Bellows eBook
Comprehensive guide by Murray O'neill
By PF Staff in Articles and Tips on Oct 3, 2016

Since the dawn of the SLR, Pentax has been one of the biggest producers of bellows units— extendable tubes that enable close focusing distances for extreme macro photography. Pentax even went as far as offering a fixed focus 100mm lens specifically designed for bellows use.

Today, we are happy to share forum member Murray O'Neill's comprehensive guide to the Pentax bellows system. This free 125-page PDF eBook covers everything you need to know about bellows!


Read more at: The Pentax Bellows eBook - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

02-15-2019, 05:04 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Adam Quote
There's only one 2:1 dedicated lens (from Venus I believe) and it's so-so.
They actually have three 'ultra macro' lenses, including the macro-probe:

Laowa 24mm f/14 2X Macro Probe
Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro
Laowa 60mm f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro

All in Pentax mount. Some unique capabilities, and easier to use than lens + extension tubes.
02-15-2019, 06:06 PM - 2 Likes   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by Kurt Euler Quote
Hi. Can anyone recommend a lense solution for those interested in photographs that have something greater than the 1x maginification of the macro lenses? I'm thinkiing about something 2x to 4x.

I'd lie to photograph small insects (eg .25") but use as much as the sensor as possible for the image.
Check out the photomacrography.net forum, fantastic resource for extreme macro.

In a nutshell, the problems posed by going past 1:1 are ever-shallower depth of field, smaller working distance (front of lens to subject), and greater loss of sharpness to diffraction. 4:1 is, IMO, at the limit of what is possible with ordinary camera lenses. Yes, you can get higher reproduction ratios than that, but it becomes "empty magnification", no extra detail recorded because of diffraction.

There's a lot to be said for starting with an ordinary telephoto zoom lens and adding a Raynox diopter to the front of it.

Focus stacking is pretty much essential for 2x and beyond, because of the depth-of-field problem.
02-15-2019, 06:08 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by Kurt Euler Quote
Thanks for these comments. I actually have a Pentax 50mm macro lens for my K5. Photoptimist, would I therefor look for k mount tubes/bellows that are 100mm and 150mm long for the 2x and 3x?

Also what should one expect for depth of field. I imagine its rather small.

Thank!

---------- Post added 02-15-19 at 03:52 PM ----------

Thanks for these comments. I actually have a Pentax 50mm macro lens for my K5. Photoptimist, would I therefor look for k mount tubes/bellows that are 100mm and 150mm long for the 2x and 3x?

Also what should one expect for depth of field. I imagine its rather small.

Thank!

Read more at: Any K mount lens that's more macro than macro (ie, micro) - PentaxForums.com
Assuming that your current 50 goes to 1:1, you'll need another 50mm of extension to get the 2:1 and a total of 150mm of extension to get to 4:1.

If you have a lens that only goes to 1:2 (such as the SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/4 Macro), then you'll need 75mm and 175 mm of extension respectively.
02-15-2019, 06:12 PM - 8 Likes   #11
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This is somewhere around 4:1. It's a stack of 68 exposures. You need a patient subject for that; this one was drying its wings.

02-15-2019, 06:33 PM - 1 Like   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by baro-nite Quote
This is somewhere around 4:1. It's a stack of 68 exposures. You need a patient subject for that; this one was drying its wings.
Inspiring super-macro work once again. I love your work Jeff.
02-15-2019, 06:34 PM - 2 Likes   #13
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Have an old Tamron 2x for use with my Tamron 90 and DFA 100 macros. I haven't tried it yet but I've frequently used the F 1.7x AF adapter with good results.

A few Tamron 90 with F 1.7x results...






Tammy-90-macro_plus-Pentax-1-7_TC Slideshow by Norm_Head | Photobucket

I have successfully in the past stacked the 1.7 and 1.4 to give me 2.4x, so I'm thinking that one of those will give me 2.8 or 3.4x.

Last edited by normhead; 02-15-2019 at 06:43 PM.
02-15-2019, 06:40 PM - 1 Like   #14
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Try the Extreme Macro website for ideas.

A 25mm prime with 100mm of extension will give you 4Χ magnification. You would probably have to reverse the lens so you'd need a k-mount reverse adapter or the Pentax Auto Bellows that can reverse the front (lens) standard. Typically once you go past 1Χ magnification you should reverse the lens for best results.
02-15-2019, 07:41 PM - 1 Like   #15
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There is the Mitakon Zhongyi 20mm 4-4.5X macro. I picked one up a few months before that Laowa 2.5-5x was announced or I probably would have bought the Laowa, it looks good and would be more versatile. The Mitakon is less than half the price though. Here's the Mitakon (stack of 8 images, caterpillar was found frozen on snow, this species is built to handle freezing):

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