What do I do with this macro converter?

Ira · 03-31-2010, 08:33 AM

Don't blame me (blame the Budweiser), but last year, I won a Panagor Auto Macro Converter on eBay, which is like a tele-converter, except it ain't.

I have the Tamron 90 macro, and although I'm still not ready to get into serious macro stuff anyway, what's the best application for the Panagor, based on my lens list below?

Does adding it to the Tamron do anything...would it best match up with one of my other focal lengths for best use...or is it redundant?

The thing got pretty good write-ups, but I'm gullible and believe everything I read.

I also have a set of bellows.

**Just1MoreDave** · 03-31-2010, 09:21 AM

I had the Vivitar Macro Focusing Teleconverter for a few years and recently sold mine. Those were made by Kiron, which made your Panagor, but I don't know how similar they are in function. The Vivitar MFTC was intended to be used with a typical 50mm lens. It would turn it into a 100mm macro lens with 1:1 magnification. Using it was a little different than a "real" macro lens but the results were excellent. I think the best 50mm for the Vivitar was the f1.7, with a flatter field and better sharpness wide open. It also worked as a 2X TC and with other focal lengths. I sold mine because I had four other ways to get a similar magnification and working distance.

Does your Tamron already do 1:1 magnification? The Panagor can probably increase its magnification but maybe not in a useful way. I had a hard time with higher magnification ratios.

I found that collecting the many various types of macro accessories was much easier than using them. I have tubes, bellows, lenses, diopters, flash brackets, and other stuff collecting dust. I know you don't believe in selling but the Panagor sounds like a good candidate.

Ira · 03-31-2010, 11:54 AM

Yeah, the Tamron already does 1:1.

Mike.P® · 03-31-2010, 12:00 PM

This was taken with the Vivitar macro converter and a Tamron 1:1 macro lens.
Makes things very interesting.

Ira · 04-01-2010, 04:45 AM

That's amazing, Mike--but what was the F length of your Tamron? I got the 90.

Mike.P® · 04-01-2010, 05:51 AM

Originally posted by Ira

That's amazing, Mike--but what was the F length of your Tamron? I got the 90.

Mine is the older manual focus Adaptall 2 90mm 72B f2.8 macro lens.
I have other AF macro lenses but this is my favourite by far.

Ira · 04-01-2010, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by Mike.P®

Mine is the older manual focus Adaptall 2 90mm 72B f2.8 macro lens.
I have other AF macro lenses but this is my favourite by far.

So there IS a use for this in conjunction with my Tamron?

03-31-2010, 08:33 AM	#1
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	What do I do with this macro converter? Don't blame me (blame the Budweiser), but last year, I won a Panagor Auto Macro Converter on eBay, which is like a tele-converter, except it ain't. I have the Tamron 90 macro, and although I'm still not ready to get into serious macro stuff anyway, what's the best application for the Panagor, based on my lens list below? Does adding it to the Tamron do anything...would it best match up with one of my other focal lengths for best use...or is it redundant? The thing got pretty good write-ups, but I'm gullible and believe everything I read. I also have a set of bellows.

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03-31-2010, 09:21 AM	#2
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I had the Vivitar Macro Focusing Teleconverter for a few years and recently sold mine. Those were made by Kiron, which made your Panagor, but I don't know how similar they are in function. The Vivitar MFTC was intended to be used with a typical 50mm lens. It would turn it into a 100mm macro lens with 1:1 magnification. Using it was a little different than a "real" macro lens but the results were excellent. I think the best 50mm for the Vivitar was the f1.7, with a flatter field and better sharpness wide open. It also worked as a 2X TC and with other focal lengths. I sold mine because I had four other ways to get a similar magnification and working distance. Does your Tamron already do 1:1 magnification? The Panagor can probably increase its magnification but maybe not in a useful way. I had a hard time with higher magnification ratios. I found that collecting the many various types of macro accessories was much easier than using them. I have tubes, bellows, lenses, diopters, flash brackets, and other stuff collecting dust. I know you don't believe in selling but the Panagor sounds like a good candidate.

03-31-2010, 11:54 AM	#3
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216 Original Poster	Yeah, the Tamron already does 1:1.

03-31-2010, 12:00 PM	#4
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	This was taken with the Vivitar macro converter and a Tamron 1:1 macro lens. Makes things very interesting.

04-01-2010, 04:45 AM	#5
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216 Original Poster	That's amazing, Mike--but what was the F length of your Tamron? I got the 90.

04-01-2010, 05:51 AM	#6
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Originally posted by Ira That's amazing, Mike--but what was the F length of your Tamron? I got the 90. Mine is the older manual focus Adaptall 2 90mm 72B f2.8 macro lens. I have other AF macro lenses but this is my favourite by far.

04-01-2010, 10:33 AM	#7
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mike.P® Mine is the older manual focus Adaptall 2 90mm 72B f2.8 macro lens. I have other AF macro lenses but this is my favourite by far. So there IS a use for this in conjunction with my Tamron?

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