Irix 150mm f2.8 Macro 'Dragonfly'

**pepperberry farm** · 05-17-2020, 05:28 AM

**pepperberry farm** · 05-17-2020, 05:29 AM

**pepperberry farm** · 05-17-2020, 05:30 AM - **1 Like**

**JensE** · 05-20-2020, 04:22 PM - **2 Likes**

Not least with the help of the answers from pepperberry farm, I rationally analyzed that this lens wouldn't provide much of an advantage to me and studying a lot of examples, concluded that the foreground rendering at 1:1 and the diffraction limit wasn't what I was looking for. Then came an offer for a new, sealed in box lens for a used price, so I couldn't resist and had to try it for myself ...

I must admit that this thread and the many pictures outside the 1:1 macro range contributed to that urge. I'll see how much use I have for a havy-ish 150mm prime. Let's say it will very likely not end up in my hiking kit, and may be challenged by the Laowa 100nm 2:1 macro if/when it becomes available in K mount. First 'real' photo, taken when the sun was out for a glimpse after two days of covered sky. It may have been the nice light, but I do like the detailed but very relaxed rendering.

(slight crop)

**pepperberry farm** · 05-26-2020, 05:11 AM

**JensE** · 05-28-2020, 05:12 PM - **3 Likes**

Still in blossom, same hawthorn as above, this time using flash. I found f/16 still workable at 1:1 magnification despite details getting a little less contrasty than f/11. Full picture and portrait as 100% crop - sharpened to taste using Rawtherapee's capture sharpening.

**pepperberry farm** · 06-05-2020, 04:01 AM - **1 Like**

**pepperberry farm** · 06-05-2020, 04:02 AM - **1 Like**

**pepperberry farm** · 06-05-2020, 04:03 AM - **4 Likes**

**pepperberry farm** · 06-05-2020, 04:03 AM - **3 Likes**

**pepperberry farm** · 06-06-2020, 10:14 AM - **3 Likes**

**JensE** · 06-06-2020, 06:07 PM - **3 Likes**

Tried to use Jessop extension tubes, magnification was roughly 1.7x, but aperture didn't close, so this is at f/2.8. Below is a 1800px high crop (K-1), scaled down to 50%. The ants were taking care of "their" aphids (in the background), milking them.

**JensE** · 06-06-2020, 06:50 PM - **3 Likes**

... someone, who the ants are supposed to defend their aphids against - a tiny ichneumon wasp, maybe 2mm long. You may spot her in the middle of the 24mm wide square picture taken at 1:1 or more easily in the crop, shown at 100%.

SharkyCA · 06-06-2020, 08:02 PM - **2 Likes**

Blooms on shrubs are extra late this year!

stevebrot · 06-08-2020, 10:16 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

one thing I have noticed with the Irix 150 that is odd - as a manual-focus lens, it is the only MF lens I own that I do not have to enter the lens' focal length.

Irix lenses are KA2 mount meaning that they have the digital info contact on the mount and communicate lens id, focal length, and current aperture the same as an AF lens.

Steve

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05-17-2020, 05:28 AM	#76
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679 Original Poster

05-17-2020, 05:29 AM	#77
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679 Original Poster

05-17-2020, 05:30 AM - 1 Like	#78
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679 Original Poster

05-20-2020, 04:22 PM - 2 Likes	#79
JensE Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Leipzig Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,969	Not least with the help of the answers from pepperberry farm, I rationally analyzed that this lens wouldn't provide much of an advantage to me and studying a lot of examples, concluded that the foreground rendering at 1:1 and the diffraction limit wasn't what I was looking for. Then came an offer for a new, sealed in box lens for a used price, so I couldn't resist and had to try it for myself ... I must admit that this thread and the many pictures outside the 1:1 macro range contributed to that urge. I'll see how much use I have for a havy-ish 150mm prime. Let's say it will very likely not end up in my hiking kit, and may be challenged by the Laowa 100nm 2:1 macro if/when it becomes available in K mount. First 'real' photo, taken when the sun was out for a glimpse after two days of covered sky. It may have been the nice light, but I do like the detailed but very relaxed rendering. (slight crop)

05-26-2020, 05:11 AM	#80
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679 Original Poster

06-05-2020, 04:01 AM - 1 Like	#82
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679 Original Poster

06-05-2020, 04:02 AM - 1 Like	#83
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679 Original Poster

06-05-2020, 04:03 AM - 4 Likes	#84
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679 Original Poster

06-05-2020, 04:03 AM - 3 Likes	#85
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679 Original Poster

06-06-2020, 10:14 AM - 3 Likes	#86
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679 Original Poster

06-08-2020, 10:16 PM - 2 Likes	#90
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pepperberry farm one thing I have noticed with the Irix 150 that is odd - as a manual-focus lens, it is the only MF lens I own that I do not have to enter the lens' focal length. Irix lenses are KA2 mount meaning that they have the digital info contact on the mount and communicate lens id, focal length, and current aperture the same as an AF lens. Steve