[Porffor]

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You want to try macro with the DA 50 F1.8? Its magnification is not great though, only 0.15x. If you want to try macro, your current 18-55 has a magnification of 0.34x, which is much more suitable. What you -can- do with the DA 50 F1.8 is a dreamful bokeh though, and low-light photography!

Enjoy your new lens

Thank you.
A lot of people seem to flip it and hold it in place. I do want to try a fixed prime lens too, I love bokeh in pictures so it'll be a nice addition.

Ideally for macro I want a proper lens. Maybe a 100mm f2. 8 or Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra. But I need to save up for those. Definitely won't be this side of Xmas. It'll all come together in time.

[aslyfox]

. . . Maybe a 100mm f2. 8 or Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra. But I need to save up for those. Definitely won't be this side of Xmas. It'll all come together in time.

don't forget that if you are willing to use " experienced " lenses

the optics of the F, FA,,D FA ( not WR ) 100mm F2.8 macros share the same optics as the new D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR:

Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Review
Specifications
The lens covers the full 24x36mm format, not just APS-C. The aperture blades are rounded, delivering a smoother bokeh which is important for a macro lens. However, unlike its predecessor, it has no aperture ring.

The optical design is the tried-and-proven formula of the previous generation D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro lens, which in turn had inherited the optical design from the well-respected FA 100mm F2.8 and F 100mm F2.8 macro lenses introduced in 1991 and 1987, respectively. None of these earlier lenses had rounded aperture blades.

Read more at: Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Review - Specifications | PentaxForums.com Reviews

[aslyfox]

the OP might want to look at this:

What’s so nifty about a fifty millimeter lens? Recently digital camera makers have begun to release 50mm lenses, Canon, Nikon and now Pentax have all released a new prime 50mm lens. There are number of reason why this renewed interest in what was consider a “normal lens” for 35mm but for most digital cameras is a short telephoto. First, 50mm lenses are usually at least two stops faster than most reasonably priced zoom lenses on the market. Second, the 50mm focal length has long been used on 35mm cameras for decades and enjoys some of the best utilized and corrected optical designs. Generally 50mm lenses are often the sharpest optics in the manufacturer's line. Third, most 50mm are very reasonable priced and are a great entry point to obtain a prime lens. Because of the APS-C sensor size a 50mm lens has a field of view of a short tele - it corresponds to a 75mm lens on a 24 x 36 mm (aka full-frame) camera.

Currently Pentax makes three different 50mm lenses: the SMC Pentax FA 50mm F1.4, D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro, and DA 50mm F1.8. . . .

In this comparative review we will be taking a look at all lenses mentioned above. They are all fifty’s but which one is the nifty fifty? Read on to find out!

Conclusion
We started this review asking the question; which of the three fifty’s was the nifty fifty? Taking into consideration the factors that were reviewed, the Pentax DA 50mm F1.8 is the niftiest of the fifty’s. . . .

Read more at: Pentax 50mm Prime Lens Shootout Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

[Porffor]

the OP might want to look at this:




Read more at: Pentax 50mm Prime Lens Shootout Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Thanks I'll have a read. I have watched a lot of you tube reviews and managed to pay just £62 Inc postage so that was a good price I think.

---------- Post added 12-01-20 at 04:54 AM ----------

don't forget that if you are willing to use " experienced " lenses

the optics of the F, FA,,D FA ( not WR ) 100mm F2.8 macros share the same optics as the new D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR:



Read more at: Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Review - Specifications | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Thanks. It is the non wr model I was looking at as cheaper and also my camera isn't water proof so not going to hold me back.
I absolutely love plant / flower photography in the garden / out on my walks. So it'll be one to get before spring.

[Porffor]

[IMG][/IMG]
Standard auto focus with the DA 50 1.8

And reversed - hand held , no lighting set up.
[IMG][/IMG]

looking forward to getting nice results with the lens, looks almost new, came boxed with manual still in it's wrapper.

[Bertrand3000]

The first shot is stunning!

[Porffor]

The first shot is stunning!

Thanks. Considering I messed up and left it at 3200 iso. Oops.

This was today in the garden. Am enjoying the lens.

Attached Images

 

[Porffor]

Thanks. Considering I messed up and left it at 3200 iso. Oops.

This was today in the garden. Am enjoying the lens.

These were with the 50mm too. Manual focus

[UncleVanya]

Thank you.
A lot of people seem to flip it and hold it in place. I do want to try a fixed prime lens too, I love bokeh in pictures so it'll be a nice addition.

Ideally for macro I want a proper lens. Maybe a 100mm f2. 8 or Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra. But I need to save up for those. Definitely won't be this side of Xmas. It'll all come together in time.

52mm Macro Reverse Ring for Pentax K PK K-3 K-50 K-5 II K-30 K-01 K-5 K-r K-x K7 | eBay

These work a lot better than holding it.

[Porffor]

52mm Macro Reverse Ring for Pentax K PK K-3 K-50 K-5 II K-30 K-01 K-5 K-r K-x K7 | eBay

These work a lot better than holding it.

Thanks. I had one on order. Used the 50mm reversed. And got a few pics in the garden.
Pleased for a first outing.

[UncleVanya]

Thanks. I had one on order. Used the 50mm reversed. And got a few pics in the garden.
Pleased for a first outing.

These are nice. The purple really pops.

[Bertrand3000]

Interesting shots! Since both DA 50 and DA 18-55 shares the same filter threads (52mm), you could get better magnification with your DA 18-55 set to 18, if I am not mistaken (that said, the bigger the magnification is, the hardest the shot is to make, it's true even with a real macro lens).

[Porffor]

These are nice. The purple really pops.

Thanks, I was pleased with them. it's a begonia leaf that is dying off now, but the frost really set it off nicely.

---------- Post added 12-08-20 at 06:59 AM ----------

Interesting shots! Since both DA 50 and DA 18-55 shares the same filter threads (52mm), you could get better magnification with your DA 18-55 set to 18, if I am not mistaken (that said, the bigger the magnification is, the hardest the shot is to make, it's true even with a real macro lens).

Thanks, I'll have to give it a try with the kit lens reversed. I would still like a 'proper' macro lens, but really need to make sure it's the right one. there is a Pentax 100mm SMC D FA F2.8 or if money wasn't an issue then the Laowa 60mm or 100mm but to be honest they're not in my price range.

I did buy some correctly sized macro tubes, but sadly one locked in place and I had to dismantle the inner section to free it off my lens. Not happy, but relieved it came off.