[Gary G]

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I want to get more involved in macro photography. Not close-up work, but true macro. I am in the market for a dedicated macro lens, but without prior macro shooting experience I am not sure what I should be looking for. I realize that macro lenses can be very expensive, and you certainly get what you pay for, but is there a middle ground somewhere for a macro beginner like me that will not cost a small fortune?

I want the ability to shoot 1:1 or reasonably close. Is there a bargain range of macro lenses to choose from that will allow me to take a few steps into this field to get a feel for it and to see if it is something I want to continue to pursue? The used market is fine, but as I said I am not sure what I should be looking for. I can always do a lens upgrade later once I become comfortable with shooting in macro.

Any advice is appreciated. I currently own a Pentax K-x, which is a great camera for what I am currently using it for, but I want to expand my photography interests into the macro realms.

[yeatzee]

define "bargain"

[desertscape]

I have used macro lenses and regular lenses for macro work and must say that if you want to save money for what you intend to do, I suggest using a lens in the 40 to 80mm range with extension tubes. Try to use one of your existing lenses with tubes. The better quality zooms will work as well. It is not essential to use a macro lens for macro work.

[Lowell Goudge]

I want to get more involved in macro photography. Not close-up work, but true macro. I am in the market for a dedicated macro lens, but without prior macro shooting experience I am not sure what I should be looking for. I realize that macro lenses can be very expensive, and you certainly get what you pay for, but is there a middle ground somewhere for a macro beginner like me that will not cost a small fortune?

I want the ability to shoot 1:1 or reasonably close. Is there a bargain range of macro lenses to choose from that will allow me to take a few steps into this field to get a feel for it and to see if it is something I want to continue to pursue? The used market is fine, but as I said I am not sure what I should be looking for. I can always do a lens upgrade later once I become comfortable with shooting in macro.

Any advice is appreciated. I currently own a Pentax K-x, which is a great camera for what I am currently using it for, but I want to expand my photography interests into the macro realms.

from my experience there are a couple of things to look for, and this can be relitively cheap to get started.

- My preference is normally for longer focal lengths, because this allows greater working distance, which also facilitates easy lighting.

- Go for manual focus, because AF will never focus on what you want.

- get extension tubes, for your lens,

- look at getting a macro bellows and an enlarger lens as an alternate to a macro lens.

you should be able to get a reasonable setup for about $100-$150

If you go the macro lens route, get a macro focusing rail as well, and if you go the bellows route make sure the bellows has a slide on the tripod mount (this does the same function as a focusing rail) because it is important to be able to move the complete camera and lens back and fourth to get approximate focus at the desired magnification.

I have 3 macro setups, a takumar 50mmF4 with extension tubes, an SMC-M 100F4 with extension tubes, and a bellows with a 135mm enlarging lens. The bellows has a T-mount front, so I can using an M42-tmount adaptor mount any takumar lens to the front.

with the bellows I can get very high magnifications using my 50mm lens. but you begin to lose working distancve rapidly below 1:1. 1:1 happens at 100mm working distance for a 50mm lens, infinite magnification at 50mm working distance.

[Gary G]

To yeatzee - My "bargain" definition: Very good quality yet priced cheap, dirt cheap, or ridiculously low-priced. Seriously, though, I have seen them priced new from $500.00+++ (NOT in my range), to $200.00+ range on the used market (WITHIN my range). Even on the used market I am not sure what specs I should be looking for re: macro lenses.

I have thought about going the extension tube route as suggested by desertscape, but it just sounds too easy and simplistic. However, under the laws of physics I guess it would serve the same purpose without spending gobs of money. Guess it doesn't matter how one gets to from point A to point B as long as the trip is successful.

I'll do some research into how to properly utilize extension tubes and see what kind of results I get. I know there are additional considerations that need to be factored in. Any helpful tips, desertscape? Or good links re: using extension tubes?

And thanks for the helpful replies.

[Deimos]

Theres that one macro lens made by half a dozen diff brands, cosina/vivitar for example 100mm macro. Its supposed to be great and only like $100-150.

I just picked up a Tamron 90 2.8 Di 1:1 Macro. It was ~$420 all in. It is a super nice lens...maybe too pricey for you tho.

Check this thread:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/119457-good-pr...glass-new.html

[yeatzee]

If you are buying a macro lens and anticipate shooting insects, buy the longest focal length you can afford than

The extension tubes suggestion is an ok one, but you will have very little light to work with unless you have a flash even in broad daylight. Also, DOF no matter the setup will be miniscule at best. Keep that in mind.

Personally, I own a macro lens but do not use it. When shooting macro's I shoot always above 1:1 using either a 28mm or 50mm reversed on extension tubes. Check my flickr link below for examples

[desertscape]

Gary; extension tubes are easy to use and don't add any optics like a close up achromat will. I don't like close up lens attachments because they have aberrations when your lenses are used at wider apertures. When your lens is stopped down, the aberrations from the lens attachment are reduced to where it is not a problem. Extension tubes ususally come in sets of 2 or 3. They fit together/stack so that you can add or subtract them as needed for the shot, depending on how much magnification you need. In the past, Pentax has made fixed tubes and ones that focus (Helicoid Tubes). Nearly all Pentax tubes require the diaphragm to be stopped down to meter. Not sure if the Kx tubes are that way. The tubes I use are for the 6x7. If a helicoid tube is made for your camera, I suggest using that along with the fixed tubes.

[Lowell Goudge]

Gary; extension tubes are easy to use and don't add any optics like a close up achromat will. I don't like close up lens attachments because they have aberrations when your lenses are used at wider apertures. When your lens is stopped down, the aberrations from the lens attachment are reduced to where it is not a problem. Extension tubes ususally come in sets of 2 or 3. They fit together/stack so that you can add or subtract them as needed for the shot, depending on how much magnification you need. In the past, Pentax has made fixed tubes and ones that focus (Helicoid Tubes). Nearly all Pentax tubes require the diaphragm to be stopped down to meter. Not sure if the Kx tubes are that way. The tubes I use are for the 6x7. If a helicoid tube is made for your camera, I suggest using that along with the fixed tubes.

Re Helicoid tubes

I have one for my M42 system, it is variable from 15-30mm and works well with my 50mm Macro. I also have about 60mm of M42 fixed extension tubes.

For my M100F4 I have a set of tubes with aperture couplings which allow for open aperture focusing. I don't have one, but there is a publication on K mount lenses from 1975/6 which shows a helicoid tube also in K mount. No idea if it has aperture couplings or not.

[jolepp]

I presume the cheap macro lens referred to above would be the Cosina 100mm 1:3.5:

Cosina 100mm F1:3,5 MC Makro Lens Reviews - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database
Cosina AF 100mm f/3.5 macro (Pentax) - Review / Lab Test Report

This has been sold as Phoenix, Promaster and Vivitar (at least). I got the Promaster MF version NIB from Ebay for $82, and for the price it is very good :-) Goes to 1:2 only by itself, but comes with an achromat for 1:1 (it is worth checking whether this is included when buying second hand).

Another 1:2 option would be the Pentax-M 100mm 1:4 (I've seen these to go for < $150 on Ebay):

SMC Pentax-M 100mm F4 Macro Lens Reviews - Pentax Lens Review Database

There are some older MF 1:1 macros that can be had for < $200, but these are somewhat rare (look for 3rd party primes around 90-105mm in the lens database).

[newarts]

Among the highest quality optical systems you can have for macro work is also not very expensive; an 80-90mm enlarger lens on a bellows.

It'll give an excellent flat field image from infinity to as close as a little over 1:1.

Bellows:$50 - PZF MACRO BELLOWS M42 Pentax Zenit Yashika - eBay (item 170562355270 end time Nov-12-10 09:19:12 PST)
Lens:$46 Copal Enlarger Lenses E36C 86mm - eBay (item 370307838787 end time Nov-11-10 14:01:13 PST)
m42-K adapter $5 Pentax M42 Screw Lens to PK K Adapter Infinity Focus - eBay (item 270652398428 end time Nov-20-10 00:13:36 PST)
m39-m42 adapter: $3 42mm-39mm M42-M39 Lens mount Step Down Ring Adapter - eBay (item 230348828747 end time Dec-04-10 07:49:05 PST)

You can use a shorter enlarger lens for higher magnification but it won't focus to infinity.

You'll find bellows set-up easy & fun to use. Plus you'll really look and feel feel like a specialist!

Dave

PS or buy a used 90-105 macro lens; try to get 1:1, Pentax A type or later. Then you'll have an easy to use longish lens too!

PPS or if you don't care about flat field (and you won't care for bugs, flowers, etc) put a $50 Raynox 150 close-up lens on a long zoom; handy, great IQ, all lens functions maintained, 8" working distance - my usual choice.

[Ira]

Among the highest quality things you can do for macro work is also not very expensive; an 80-90mm enlarger lens on a bellows.
If you don't care about flat field (and you won't care for bugs, flowers, etc) put a $50 Raynox 150 close-up lens on a long zoom; handy, great IQ, all lens functions maintained, 8" working distance - my usual choice.

Can you explain flat field?

[newarts]

Can you explain flat field?

A flat subject like a postage stamp will be in non-distorted focus, edge to edge.

Dave

PS actually, the Raynox DCR 150 does not seem to add much distortion for a flat subject, but may yield poor image quality at the edges. In the following, the top image is the upper left hand portion of a photo of a laptop's screen (ie the arrow is near the center of the whole photo):



Don't let these images mislead you about the Raynox' capabilities; a large circular region in the center of the frame is in excellent focus; that is all you need for most natural subjects - most natural subjects aren't flat so depth of field limitations puts the frame edges out of focus regardless of lens details.

[Freak]

Can i also ask to those of who know, Am i right in thinking you cannot currently buy any Autotubes for Pentax. (I believe Kenko did used to make some)

This means i need an aperture ring, which none of the current Pentax macro lens offer or will again. Leaving Pentax's "Super" macro options extremely limited in comparison to those Canikon folk. Currently very disappointed there is no longer Kenko tubes made.

Any other suggestions for D-FA 100mm to get closer? (Besides Raynox DCR250)

[newarts]

Can i also ask to those of who know, Am i right in thinking you cannot currently buy any Autotubes for Pentax. (I believe Kenko did used to make some)

This means i need an aperture ring, which none of the current Pentax macro lens offer or will again. Leaving Pentax's "Super" macro options extremely limited in comparison to those Canikon folk. Currently very disappointed there is no longer Kenko tubes made.

Any other suggestions for D-FA 100mm to get closer? (Besides Raynox DCR250

I just spent a while searching for P/KA or AF tubes or bellows & found nothing for sale. Kenko, Pangor, Jessop, Rokunar (?) , Prinzflex,... brands were sold and may be found in the used market, but I couldn't locate any.

Oops, here's one listed at $180! I don't know if they actually have it in stock : http://www.tristatecamera.com/lookat.php?sku=KENAFETSDGP

You might consider removing the lenses from a 2X P/KA teleconverter - easy to do; this will give you some extension, but not much for a 100mm lens. You might also substitute an "A" type base on type K extension tubes (with an aperture lever) - but this might be tricky.

Other than the Raynox 250 or equivalent reversed ~ 100mm manual lens (maybe even an enlarger lens) you've little choice but to wait for something to appear on the used market as far as I know.

Dave