[Snapppy]

Hello all,

I am looking for a cheap macro lens to dedicate to film scanning on my K-1. My little bit of research has concluded the cheapest (and still good) options would be manual focus Takumar or M macro lenses, but I am open if you have another option that still fits my needs. I'm leaning towards 100mm, but 50mm would be okay as well.

Not concerned how it looks, just need working focus, aperture, and clean glass

Checking here first instead of KEH/roberts/ebay because I'd like to support anyone that needs to unload something.

Thanks for your time,
Snapppy

[17dew]

PM sent

[kypfer]

"Cheap" and "macro" don't usually go together ... have you tried extension tubes or bellows?

[BarneyL]

For scanning 35mm film, you'd need something with better than 1:2 max magnification. That rules out most of the cheap macros.

[Snapppy]

"Cheap" and "macro" don't usually go together ... have you tried extension tubes or bellows?

It's so true, why can't anything be cheap about this hobby I'm going to throw some on whatever I get more than likely to try and get closer. I 3D print tubes and adapters a lot and it's worked pretty well in the past. Nothing professional of course, but makes it more fun for me anyhow.

For scanning 35mm film, you'd need something with better than 1:2 max magnification. That rules out most of the cheap macros.

Yeah, I have some reservations about that, and maybe in the end I just spend more into the $150 range and get something 1:1, but I have seen some good work done with scanning film with these 1:2 Pentax M lenses, so I'm giving it a go anyway. Maybe not ideal, but a good deal better than the other stuff I have on hand at the moment.

And with that said, I do have some great offers right now, just working through them. I'll close this once a deal goes through Thanks everyone.

[pres589]

There's online auctions at that one site for the Cosina-made 100mm f3.5 Macro which I believe goes to 1:1 and fits your price. Optically I believe they're quite good, build is cheap, I've never had one.

[pepperberry farm]

There's online auctions at that one site for the Cosina-made 100mm f3.5 Macro which I believe goes to 1:1 and fits your price. Optically I believe they're quite good, build is cheap, I've never had one.

I have one - they are one of the best 'plastic-fantastic' lens I've ever owned.... but it's only a 1:2 lens without the close-focusing diopter that was sold with it....

[pepperberry farm]

pm sent....

[pres589]

I copied 35mm film using my K-5 II and my Tamron 90mm f2.5 once. That lens goes to 1:2. It worked out okay. My Kino Precision 105mm 1:1 macro is better for the job. Focuses closer, allowing for the negative to more than fill the frame on the crop body K-5. I would definately find the money for a 1:1 macro. The Kino 105mm seems like a very good lens and worth the money; I know there are alternatives around that focal length.