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05-01-2012, 03:38 AM   #16
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Any weblink/s you can suggest Photolady that I can purchase from an online shop that would fit my Takumar lenses? Thanks

05-01-2012, 04:23 AM   #17
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Hi, I need to know if you're located in the USA or outside the USA.
05-01-2012, 04:34 AM   #18
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My location is Sweden. Attaching a photo of the windmill where I live in beautiful town of Strangnas. Pentax K-x 105mm Takumar
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05-01-2012, 04:59 AM   #19
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That looks like a real nice place to live.

As for places to buy equipment, the place I've bought mine from is in the USA and I don't believe they ship to Sweden.

I don't like ebay, but it is a good place to buy photography equipment, if you're careful and only accept from certain sellers. The market place is also a good source for what you want. Place an ad here:
Wanted Items - PentaxForums.com

For wanted items there should be someone who has what you want.

05-01-2012, 05:24 AM   #20
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That's an idea I missed. Sure I will explore that possibility of putting out a wanted ad here in this lovely forum. Thanks (I am also very cautious on ebay now that we have a wholesale of sellers from China and I have had my share of faulty products from them. On the other side, there is B&H who quoted $52 in postage to send a $24 Pentax Mount K adapter to Sweden! And Sweden itself is one expensive country to buy anything)
05-01-2012, 06:44 AM   #21
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https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-lens-articles/152336-cheap-macro-b...lose-work.html
05-01-2012, 08:38 AM   #22
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Thanks RioRico. I have read that very interesting article earlier and yet have to reach the stage of carving out a Pringle can for extension work

05-01-2012, 10:39 AM   #23
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I used a soda can for my first attempt at a extension tube.
05-01-2012, 11:00 AM   #24
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Now than since you mention using a soda can, I am wondering how were you able to stick the can between the camera and the lens? You must have held the can against the camera with your hand I suppose. Do you have any photo in which the can was used? Just curious to know if it would work fine even when you don't have proper extension tubes connected. In other words, does that setup work to get excellent close-up photos?
05-01-2012, 11:53 AM   #25
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concrete suggestions...

QuoteOriginally posted by voyager13 Quote
Hi guys

My camera - Pentax K-x
Lenses so far - Takumar 105mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 55mm 1.8
Hence I use a Pentax adapter to mount those lenses...

. Can someone please point me to what is the best(and cheap) equipment to use to bolster those lenses I have so that I may be able to carry out macro photography instead of deciding to buy a dedicated macro lens.
Here are 3 inexpensive suggestions that will work for you and give excellent results;

1) buy a 49mm - 49mm "reversing ring" which will enable you reverse mount one of your lenses on another. You'll have essentially three magnifications as a result, 1/2x (105 on 50), 1x (50 on 55), 2x (50 on 105). The working distance will be about 45mm. The ring will be inexpensive and available on ebay ~ $5US

2) buy an inexpensive set of m42 extension tubes, ~ $9US ebay, you'll have magnifications over a range a bit beyond 1:1. The image will be dimmer than that obtained with reversed lenses, but potentially of higher quality. If you add a 49-49mm reversing ring plus a $6 ebay 42-49mm step up ring you'll be able to reverse mount your lens on the tubes which will probably result in a better image because the focus field will be flatter. Working distance will be at least twice that using scheme 1.

3) Instead of, or in addition to, tubes buy an inexpensive m42 bellows - likely about $50US used or new on ebay. This will give you almost triple the magnification range of one set of tubes and be continuously variable as well as easier to use.

I recommend that you do all three of the suggestions. These items are all available from the same source in China for less than $60USD!

49-49mm reversing ring shipped to sweden - $5.90USD - Male 49mm-49mm 49-49 mm Macro Reverse Adapter Ring | eBay

Step-up ring shipped to sweden -$5.90 - 42-49mm 42MM to 49MM Step Up Ring Filter Adapter Ring Aluminum | eBay

m42 tubes shipped to sweden - $7.20USD - eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Pentax PK bellows shipped to sweden $39.90 - Macro Bellow For Pentax PK K-M K-7 K20D K10D K200D K-X | eBay

Dave
05-01-2012, 12:17 PM   #26
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Thanks for doing all this research and getting the links Dave.
I am on my way to get those, though just an hour ago I had gone ahead and ordered similar extension tubes at this link eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
Though it doesn't say it is for the 42mm screw mounts, it should be for 42mm screw mounts I guess? Please let me know what you think otherwise I wouldn't mind buying them again them being so cheap.
Once again, thanks heaps.
05-01-2012, 12:41 PM   #27
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Hi voyager,

There are basically 2 types of "close-up" filters, single lens diopters and achromatic (multi lens designed) diopters. The mentioned Raynox DCR150 and 250 are both achromats. The achromats tend to be considerably sharper over the entire frame, and correct for Chromatic Aberrations (color shifts at contrast edges), and are considerably more expensive, but worth the price IMO.

These diopters work best on telephoto lenses that have some native magnification (usually over 80mm, and the longer the FL the more final magnification). They have the advantage of allowing full automation in the lens and they don't lose light like bellows and extension tubes. They can be stacked, and you would just add the individual diopter values to get the final diopter value. They are also considerably easier to carry.

The tradeoffs are expense and some optical degradation since your adding glass to the optical path. They both add magnification and allow a closer focusing distance for the lens. When you add one, you will no longer able to focus to infinity with it attached.

Most camera and lens makers have made either one or both types over the years, but many have been discontinued. Currently the only achromats that I've seen reasonably available new are Raynox, some Canons, and Marumis.

A good source of info on achromats can be found on this site:

Fuzzcraft.com | A list of achromatic close-up lenses | Photography, audio and light DIY projects

Marumi filters seem to be mostly for the Asian market, but a good US source is OEC Camera:

OEC Camera Accessories @ Amazon.com: marumi filter

If you want very high magnification (over 1:1), an alternative is to use a filter thread to filter thread adapter and mount one lens reversed on another. I've never done this personally, so I can't offer any more info here, but I've seen some spectacular results from this.

If you find that you like macro photography, the best choice is a dedicated macro lens, but these are almost always pretty pricey compared to the other alternatives that have been presented. TCs and achromats can be added to a dedicated macro to get more magnification, so even if you start with the lower cost alternatives, they don't have to go to waste if you later choose to get a dedicated macro lens.

I'm not a macro specialist, but do like to shoot this genre. I personally use dedicated macros, achromats, and TCs. It's fun, and can be frustrating, challenging, and very satisfying. . .

Scott
05-01-2012, 12:48 PM   #28
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Thanks Scott for taking the time to bring that very informative piece. Yes I have the Raynox in my sight, just that I wanna give the cheaper alternatives a try and see how they fare before going on to get the big guys. That way I will learn a lot about using camera accessories and their results, which is always a good thing for a starter like me
05-01-2012, 12:59 PM   #29
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QuoteOriginally posted by voyager13 Quote
Thanks for doing all this research and getting the links Dave.
I am on my way to get those, though just an hour ago I had gone ahead and ordered similar extension tubes at this link eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
Though it doesn't say it is for the 42mm screw mounts, it should be for 42mm screw mounts I guess? Please let me know what you think otherwise I wouldn't mind buying them again them being so cheap.
Once again, thanks heaps.
It doesn't matter if bellows or tubes are for 42mm screw mounts; if for PK then use the m42-PK adapter on the lens end and the camera end will mount as PK.

If bellows or tubes are for m42, the camera end will need the m42-PK adapter & the lens end will accept the m42 lens.

It works either way.

The tubes you ordered are for PK but will work just fine as I outlined above.

I have both PK and m42 tubes and bellows - many - and I prefer the m42s for esthetic reasons I think.

It is especially easy if each of your Takumars has a PK adapter left on it - that's what I've done with low cost m42-PK adapters (remove the spring clip & reuse the spring clip screw to lock the adapter to the lens.)

Do you have an adapter on each Takumar? If so, you'd be best off buying PK tubes, etc. One reason for an adapter for each lens and PK tubes etc is that it is very difficult (as in impossible) to find an adapter to go from PK lens to m42 camera, so for example, if you have m42 bellows it is easy to mount it to a PK camera with an adapter but then you can't mount a PK lens on the lens end of the bellows.

Dave

Last edited by newarts; 05-01-2012 at 03:37 PM.
05-01-2012, 03:07 PM   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by voyager13 Quote
ow than since you mention using a soda can, I am wondering how were you able to stick the can between the camera and the lens? You must have held the can against the camera with your hand I suppose. Do you have any photo in which the can was used? Just curious to know if it would work fine even when you don't have proper extension tubes connected. In other words, does that setup work to get excellent close-up photos?
That's why I said my first attempt. It fitted opposite of what you would use an extention tube. My homemade contraption fit in front of the lens, and behind the closeups. I did get some good macro shots but I had to watch vignetting. It was really bad.
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