50mm with Macro TC

NecroticSoldier · 03-30-2010, 06:53 PM

I'm going to be using a 50mm lens with a macro TC (auto version)

I plan to also use this lens with my K-X and my K1000 with or without the TC

I don't plan on spending more than $200 though.

I would like some pretty good/decent looking bokeh ;D.

I need something that can be sharp too.

Anything under 2 so... 1.7/1.4.

Some lenses that I have in mind are... FA 50mm f1.4 (not sure if the AF would work in the TC) and some M and A lenses.

I would prefer to stick to Pentax.

JeffJS · 03-30-2010, 09:09 PM

Originally posted by NecroticSoldier

I'm going to be using a 50mm lens with a macro TC (auto version)

I plan to also use this lens with my K-X and my K1000 with or without the TC

I don't plan on spending more than $200 though.

I would like some pretty good/decent looking bokeh ;D.

I need something that can be sharp too.

Anything under 2 so... 1.7/1.4.

Some lenses that I have in mind are... FA 50mm f1.4 (not sure if the AF would work in the TC) and some M and A lenses.

I would prefer to stick to Pentax.

You should probably note which TC it is. There are many available for the K mount (used of course). The TC is the Vivitar 2x Macro focusing, PK/A. No, this TC will not autofocus so if your desire in buying an FA lens to use with it, it will be like spinning tires on a grease slick. The TC will allow you to do auto everything else though so you can use Aperture priority (with an A or later lens). That isn't to say that an FA50 wouldn't be a good lens to have but for a TC, the autofocus is a waste of money. It was my experience that the best performers on this particular type of TC was the A50 f1.4 though the 1.7 is no slouch.

RioRico · 03-31-2010, 01:46 AM

You may find that AF is wasted in macro work. Since you say you want a 50mm prime, I assume you'll be shooting in a studio, where hopefully your eensy weensy subjects won't run off. (50mm is a bit short for most field work.) Macro shots have razor-thin DOF anyway, and you'll want to focus carefully, manually. Using a non-AF TC will disable matrix focusing and focal point selection, so focus confirmation only works at the center point. Bother. I think you'll find that many folks doing 50mm macro work use the cheap, brilliant Industar-50 f/3.5 on M42 tubes, and spend a lot less than your budget. Like, the high end on lens plus tubes is maybe US$50. Have fun.

NecroticSoldier · 03-31-2010, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by JeffJS

You should probably note which TC it is. There are many available for the K mount (used of course). The TC is the Vivitar 2x Macro focusing, PK/A. No, this TC will not autofocus so if your desire in buying an FA lens to use with it, it will be like spinning tires on a grease slick. The TC will allow you to do auto everything else though so you can use Aperture priority (with an A or later lens). That isn't to say that an FA50 wouldn't be a good lens to have but for a TC, the autofocus is a waste of money. It was my experience that the best performers on this particular type of TC was the A50 f1.4 though the 1.7 is no slouch.

Yeah I was thinking of an A50 F1.4 or 1.7. FA 50 would still work though right? (dumb question... but can you manual focus a FA 50? I was considering the M line as well. Yeah I'm just basically looking for some okay fast 50mm okay bokeh lens. Where the doubled function would be being able to be used as a macro on the Vivitar 2x Macro TC PK/A. Everyone needs a good 50mm ;D!

Originally posted by RioRico

You may find that AF is wasted in macro work. Since you say you want a 50mm prime, I assume you'll be shooting in a studio, where hopefully your eensy weensy subjects won't run off. (50mm is a bit short for most field work.) Macro shots have razor-thin DOF anyway, and you'll want to focus carefully, manually. Using a non-AF TC will disable matrix focusing and focal point selection, so focus confirmation only works at the center point. Bother. I think you'll find that many folks doing 50mm macro work use the cheap, brilliant Industar-50 f/3.5 on M42 tubes, and spend a lot less than your budget. Like, the high end on lens plus tubes is maybe US$50. Have fun.

Hmm... with the Vivitar 2x Macro TC PK/A wouldn't it turn a 50mm lens into a 100mm macro? (sorry I didn't specify). I wouldn't use AF much in macro anyways, I don't need it, but it would be fun to have. As a normal 50mm lens though, it wouldn't help to have one. Eh, ;( I already bought the TC... so I don't think I will be switching to tubes anytime soon. Yeah I would save my money. I am looking for a fast 50mm lens while I'm at it though so I'm going to spend a bit.

Thanks for the info though, maybe I'll consider this in the future

Yeah, I never knew that a 50mm macro would most likely be used in a studio. Bugs are afraid of me ;(.

JeffJS · 03-31-2010, 01:38 PM

Yes, you can manual focus the FA lenses. I Personally do not care for them however (except for the LTD lenses) because the throw of the focus ring is so short. The focus ring/mechanism doesn't feel very nice to me either. That's a pretty nit-picky thing to say about them but it's why I've sold every one I've ever owned. Many here will likely disagree with me on that.

NecroticSoldier · 03-31-2010, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by JeffJS

Yes, you can manual focus the FA lenses. I Personally do not care for them however (except for the LTD lenses) because the throw of the focus ring is so short. The focus ring/mechanism doesn't feel very nice to me either. That's a pretty nit-picky thing to say about them but it's why I've sold every one I've ever owned. Many here will likely disagree with me on that.

Yeah... I do prefer the A and M styled Focus... even though I've never tried a FA focus. I guess if I were to get a FA might as well get a DA (though it has no backwards compatibility).

Hmm... A 1.4 or 1.7.... that is the question. (maybe Ms?)

angelo9978 · 03-31-2010, 04:42 PM

I love my 50 and 100mm M series f4 macro. Here's a couple examples of what it could do.

1:1, i think with 50mm of extension tubes

1:2 with no extension tubes, bird was less than arms length

I got lucky by getting the 100mm lens for $100, 50mm for $63. Extension tubes for $30.

also here's my M series 50mm f4 macro, handheld

hope this helps

Last edited by angelo9978; 03-31-2010 at 04:48 PM.

03-30-2010, 06:53 PM	#1
NecroticSoldier Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Scarborough, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 488	50mm with Macro TC I'm going to be using a 50mm lens with a macro TC (auto version) I plan to also use this lens with my K-X and my K1000 with or without the TC I don't plan on spending more than $200 though. I would like some pretty good/decent looking bokeh ;D. I need something that can be sharp too. Anything under 2 so... 1.7/1.4. Some lenses that I have in mind are... FA 50mm f1.4 (not sure if the AF would work in the TC) and some M and A lenses. I would prefer to stick to Pentax.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: K10D + grip + 18-55mm, DA 12-24mm, FA 50mm/1.7, D FA 50mm/2.8 macro (Worldwide	dgaies	Sold Items	6	07-17-2010 03:46 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax *ist DL, FA 50mm f/1.4, DFA 100mm f/2.8 macro, DA 18-55mm, A 50mm f/2.0	chemxaj	Sold Items	14	05-31-2010 09:34 AM
Is the Pentax-F 50mm 2.8 macro basically the same as the FA 50mm 2.8 macro?	m42geo	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	11-23-2009 04:28 PM
For Sale - Sold: DFA 50mm f/2.8 macro, FA 50mm f/1.4, M 28mm f/3.5, Vivitar 2X teleconverter	iskyfishing	Sold Items	18	08-20-2009 10:39 PM
Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 EX Macro vs Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 - Brick Wall test	eva2000	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	12-13-2008 11:47 PM

03-30-2010, 09:09 PM	#2
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by NecroticSoldier I'm going to be using a 50mm lens with a macro TC (auto version) I plan to also use this lens with my K-X and my K1000 with or without the TC I don't plan on spending more than $200 though. I would like some pretty good/decent looking bokeh ;D. I need something that can be sharp too. Anything under 2 so... 1.7/1.4. Some lenses that I have in mind are... FA 50mm f1.4 (not sure if the AF would work in the TC) and some M and A lenses. I would prefer to stick to Pentax. You should probably note which TC it is. There are many available for the K mount (used of course). The TC is the Vivitar 2x Macro focusing, PK/A. No, this TC will not autofocus so if your desire in buying an FA lens to use with it, it will be like spinning tires on a grease slick. The TC will allow you to do auto everything else though so you can use Aperture priority (with an A or later lens). That isn't to say that an FA50 wouldn't be a good lens to have but for a TC, the autofocus is a waste of money. It was my experience that the best performers on this particular type of TC was the A50 f1.4 though the 1.7 is no slouch.

03-31-2010, 01:46 AM	#3
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	You may find that AF is wasted in macro work. Since you say you want a 50mm prime, I assume you'll be shooting in a studio, where hopefully your eensy weensy subjects won't run off. (50mm is a bit short for most field work.) Macro shots have razor-thin DOF anyway, and you'll want to focus carefully, manually. Using a non-AF TC will disable matrix focusing and focal point selection, so focus confirmation only works at the center point. Bother. I think you'll find that many folks doing 50mm macro work use the cheap, brilliant Industar-50 f/3.5 on M42 tubes, and spend a lot less than your budget. Like, the high end on lens plus tubes is maybe US$50. Have fun.

03-31-2010, 01:17 PM	#4
NecroticSoldier Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Scarborough, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 488 Original Poster	Originally posted by JeffJS You should probably note which TC it is. There are many available for the K mount (used of course). The TC is the Vivitar 2x Macro focusing, PK/A. No, this TC will not autofocus so if your desire in buying an FA lens to use with it, it will be like spinning tires on a grease slick. The TC will allow you to do auto everything else though so you can use Aperture priority (with an A or later lens). That isn't to say that an FA50 wouldn't be a good lens to have but for a TC, the autofocus is a waste of money. It was my experience that the best performers on this particular type of TC was the A50 f1.4 though the 1.7 is no slouch. Yeah I was thinking of an A50 F1.4 or 1.7. FA 50 would still work though right? (dumb question... but can you manual focus a FA 50? I was considering the M line as well. Yeah I'm just basically looking for some okay fast 50mm okay bokeh lens. Where the doubled function would be being able to be used as a macro on the Vivitar 2x Macro TC PK/A. Everyone needs a good 50mm ;D! Originally posted by RioRico You may find that AF is wasted in macro work. Since you say you want a 50mm prime, I assume you'll be shooting in a studio, where hopefully your eensy weensy subjects won't run off. (50mm is a bit short for most field work.) Macro shots have razor-thin DOF anyway, and you'll want to focus carefully, manually. Using a non-AF TC will disable matrix focusing and focal point selection, so focus confirmation only works at the center point. Bother. I think you'll find that many folks doing 50mm macro work use the cheap, brilliant Industar-50 f/3.5 on M42 tubes, and spend a lot less than your budget. Like, the high end on lens plus tubes is maybe US$50. Have fun. Hmm... with the Vivitar 2x Macro TC PK/A wouldn't it turn a 50mm lens into a 100mm macro? (sorry I didn't specify). I wouldn't use AF much in macro anyways, I don't need it, but it would be fun to have. As a normal 50mm lens though, it wouldn't help to have one. Eh, ;( I already bought the TC... so I don't think I will be switching to tubes anytime soon. Yeah I would save my money. I am looking for a fast 50mm lens while I'm at it though so I'm going to spend a bit. Thanks for the info though, maybe I'll consider this in the future Yeah, I never knew that a 50mm macro would most likely be used in a studio. Bugs are afraid of me ;(.

03-31-2010, 01:38 PM	#5
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Yes, you can manual focus the FA lenses. I Personally do not care for them however (except for the LTD lenses) because the throw of the focus ring is so short. The focus ring/mechanism doesn't feel very nice to me either. That's a pretty nit-picky thing to say about them but it's why I've sold every one I've ever owned. Many here will likely disagree with me on that.

03-31-2010, 01:45 PM	#6
NecroticSoldier Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Scarborough, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 488 Original Poster	Originally posted by JeffJS Yes, you can manual focus the FA lenses. I Personally do not care for them however (except for the LTD lenses) because the throw of the focus ring is so short. The focus ring/mechanism doesn't feel very nice to me either. That's a pretty nit-picky thing to say about them but it's why I've sold every one I've ever owned. Many here will likely disagree with me on that. Yeah... I do prefer the A and M styled Focus... even though I've never tried a FA focus. I guess if I were to get a FA might as well get a DA (though it has no backwards compatibility). Hmm... A 1.4 or 1.7.... that is the question. (maybe Ms?)

03-31-2010, 04:42 PM	#7
angelo9978 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 231	I love my 50 and 100mm M series f4 macro. Here's a couple examples of what it could do. 1:1, i think with 50mm of extension tubes 1:2 with no extension tubes, bird was less than arms length I got lucky by getting the 100mm lens for $100, 50mm for $63. Extension tubes for $30. also here's my M series 50mm f4 macro, handheld hope this helps Last edited by angelo9978; 03-31-2010 at 04:48 PM.