Macro DA 35mm ltd + 2X TC = 70mm 2:1 macro

mtux · 04-20-2015, 09:17 AM - **9 Likes**

For some time I had the idea of adding a 2X TC to my DFA100WR lens to have a 2:1 macro!
but then that Chinese company announced its 60mm 2:1 macro lens, some time ago!
Then I pulled the trigger and bought a 2X TC with KA mount! a Kiron 2X TC.
I chose this as I was tight in budget and thought that since I'm going to use it with flash, it will have quite satisfactory quality, despite it being poooor in long distances on long lenses. (Bought it for $21 + $16 for shipment as a new TC with box and other stuff)
And it turned out as I expected! I've shot quite a lot photos with DA35ltd on top of it, and am very happy about the results so far. I've been using it with DA35ltd as it is my single lens for April, and it's very good with it, so didn't bother trying the DFA100 yet.

So now I have a DA35 f/2.8 1:1 macro lens which on demand could turn into a 70mm f/5.6 2:1 macro with infinity focus.

Enough talking, let's see some photos.

PS: Just wanted to share the method and experience, with anyone having a DA35ltd and wanting more.

Last edited by mtux; 04-20-2015 at 09:15 PM.

Stavri · 04-20-2015, 09:27 AM

Very nice done, who needs a 200mm f4 macro am i right?!

biz-engineer · 04-20-2015, 09:38 AM

Does it work with x1.4 TC ?

audiobomber · 04-20-2015, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

Does it work with x1.4 TC ?

Sure. I normally use a 1.4X TC with my 100mm macro for 1.4:1 macro. With a TC on a macro lens, you can get proportionately higher magnification at the normal minimum focus distance (MFD), or stay at 1:1 with proportionately longer subject distance.

A TC would be interesting on the DA 35 macro, but I would think it would be more useful for doubling the subject distance at 1:1 rather than doubling magnification. I only tried the DA 35 in a shop. I was trying to shoot a coin at 1:1. Subject distance was so close that the end of the lens was resting on the edge of the coin. Really tough getting light on the subject and an insect would need to be immobilized for shooting at MFD.

biz-engineer · 04-20-2015, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

1.4X TC with my 100mm macro for 1.4:1 macro

yeah , just tried it out, it works great. Although I don't have the nice shots like from mtux above.

audiobomber · 04-20-2015, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

I don't have the nice shots like from mtux above.

They are nice.

Caver · 04-20-2015, 12:32 PM

Originally posted by mtux

For some time I had the idea of adding a 2X TC to my DFA100WR lens to have a 2:1 macro!
but then that Chinese company announced its 60mm 2:1 macro lens, some time ago!
Then I pulled the trigger and bought a 2X TC with KA mount! a Kiron 2X TC.
I chose this as I was tight in budget and thought that since I'm going to use it with flash, it will have quite satisfactory quality, despite it being poooor in long distances on long lenses. (Bought it for $21 + $16 for shipment as a new TC with box and other stuff)
And it turned out as I expected! I've shot quite a lot photos with DA35ltd on top of it, and am very happy about the results so far. I've been using it with DA35ltd as it is my single lens for April, and it's very good with it, so didn't bother trying the DFA100 yet.

So now I have a DA35 f/2.8 1:1 macro lens which on demand could turn into a 70mm f/5.6 2:1 macro with infinity focus.

Enough talking, let's see some photos.

PS: Just wanted to share the method and news, with anyone having a DA35ltd and wanting more.

Very nice results from the 35mm Ltd Macro + TC - but I think Is more "the user"

I have both a teleconverter (Kenko Pz-AF 1.5x Teleplus SHQ) and the 35mm Macro Ltd, so I will try to see how it performs, thanks for the tip!

zzeitg · 04-20-2015, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by mtux

For some time I had the idea of adding a 2X TC to my DFA100WR lens to have a 2:1 macro!
but then that Chinese company announced its 60mm 2:1 macro lens, some time ago!
Then I pulled the trigger and bought a 2X TC with KA mount! a Kiron 2X TC.
.

I've just ordered via ebay this old TC: http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMDY0/z/xioAAOSwrklVJaUq/$_57.JPG
No idea what to expect from it, but yeah... it was not expensive.

Once it will arrive, I'll try the same with my DA35.

**sergysergy** · 04-20-2015, 01:07 PM

Great shots!
I normally do the same with the 1.4x.

mtux · 04-20-2015, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

A TC would be interesting on the DA 35 macro, but I would think it would be more useful for doubling the subject distance at 1:1 rather than doubling magnification. I only tried the DA 35 in a shop. I was trying to shoot a coin at 1:1. Subject distance was so close that the end of the lens was resting on the edge of the coin. Really tough getting light on the subject and an insect would need to be immobilized for shooting at MFD.

Of course it also makes more room to work with the subject, and I know what you say, with DA35ltd alone, I can reach to 1:2 macro with insects. but adding the TC, I can reach more than 1:1, and I can use my flash! without a TC, the only possible flash to use with DA35ltd is a ring flash!

Originally posted by Caver

Very nice results from the 35mm Ltd Macro + TC - but I think Is more "the user"

Thanks, I accept that the person behind camera counts. and I'm just showing that it is possible. and not really a hard thing to do.

Originally posted by zzeitg

I've just ordered via ebay this old TC: http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMDY0/z/xioAAOSwrklVJaUq/$_57.JPG No idea what to expect from it, but yeah... it was not expensive.

You better find one with KA mount, i.e. having the contacts to transfer aperture data from lens to Camera, otherwise you can't control aperture of DA35ltd.

---------- Post added 04-21-15 at 10:15 AM ----------

Originally posted by Stavri

Very nice done, who needs a 200mm f4 macro am i right?!

Well, exactly! even with that lens your working distance is 40cm, but with this method I guess it will be longer for 1:1.
And f/4 gives a brighter viewfinder, but f/5.6 is still pretty good.

ruggiex · 04-20-2015, 08:49 PM

awesome idea, thanks for sharing. I may have to give this a try.

marcusyoung · 04-21-2015, 12:17 AM

Beautiful images and nice DOF.

well done.

marcus

Sandy Hancock · 04-21-2015, 12:54 AM - **1 Like**

Bung it on the Q and it gets scary.

zzeitg · 04-22-2015, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by mtux

You better find one with KA mount, i.e. having the contacts to transfer aperture data from lens to Camera, otherwise you can't control aperture of DA35ltd.

Of course, I forgot that the DA35 has no aperture ring. But possibly I could try it with FA50 macro.

Anyway it seems that to get TC with KA mount cheap is... difficult if not impossible

mtux · 04-23-2015, 01:10 AM

Originally posted by zzeitg

Of course, I forgot that the DA35 has no aperture ring. But possibly I could try it with FA50 macro.
Anyway it seems that to get TC with KA mount cheap is... difficult if not impossible

Yeah, unfortunately it is a difficult task. But FA50 macro could also be another case. might be even more usable.

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

Bung it on the Q and it gets scary.

LOL! Cool idea.

04-20-2015, 09:17 AM - 9 Likes	#1
mtux Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: the Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,444	DA 35mm ltd + 2X TC = 70mm 2:1 macro For some time I had the idea of adding a 2X TC to my DFA100WR lens to have a 2:1 macro! but then that Chinese company announced its 60mm 2:1 macro lens, some time ago! Then I pulled the trigger and bought a 2X TC with KA mount! a Kiron 2X TC. I chose this as I was tight in budget and thought that since I'm going to use it with flash, it will have quite satisfactory quality, despite it being poooor in long distances on long lenses. (Bought it for $21 + $16 for shipment as a new TC with box and other stuff) And it turned out as I expected! I've shot quite a lot photos with DA35ltd on top of it, and am very happy about the results so far. I've been using it with DA35ltd as it is my single lens for April, and it's very good with it, so didn't bother trying the DFA100 yet. So now I have a DA35 f/2.8 1:1 macro lens which on demand could turn into a 70mm f/5.6 2:1 macro with infinity focus. Enough talking, let's see some photos. PS: Just wanted to share the method and experience, with anyone having a DA35ltd and wanting more. Last edited by mtux; 04-20-2015 at 09:15 PM.

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04-20-2015, 09:27 AM	#2
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Very nice done, who needs a 200mm f4 macro am i right?!

04-20-2015, 09:38 AM	#3
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,248	Does it work with x1.4 TC ?

04-20-2015, 09:55 AM	#4
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by biz-engineer Does it work with x1.4 TC ? Sure. I normally use a 1.4X TC with my 100mm macro for 1.4:1 macro. With a TC on a macro lens, you can get proportionately higher magnification at the normal minimum focus distance (MFD), or stay at 1:1 with proportionately longer subject distance. A TC would be interesting on the DA 35 macro, but I would think it would be more useful for doubling the subject distance at 1:1 rather than doubling magnification. I only tried the DA 35 in a shop. I was trying to shoot a coin at 1:1. Subject distance was so close that the end of the lens was resting on the edge of the coin. Really tough getting light on the subject and an insect would need to be immobilized for shooting at MFD.

04-20-2015, 09:59 AM	#5
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,248	Originally posted by audiobomber 1.4X TC with my 100mm macro for 1.4:1 macro yeah , just tried it out, it works great. Although I don't have the nice shots like from mtux above.

04-20-2015, 11:18 AM	#6
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by biz-engineer I don't have the nice shots like from mtux above. They are nice.

04-20-2015, 12:32 PM	#7
Caver Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Hungary (ex-pat from Transylvania, Romania) Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	Originally posted by mtux For some time I had the idea of adding a 2X TC to my DFA100WR lens to have a 2:1 macro! but then that Chinese company announced its 60mm 2:1 macro lens, some time ago! Then I pulled the trigger and bought a 2X TC with KA mount! a Kiron 2X TC. I chose this as I was tight in budget and thought that since I'm going to use it with flash, it will have quite satisfactory quality, despite it being poooor in long distances on long lenses. (Bought it for $21 + $16 for shipment as a new TC with box and other stuff) And it turned out as I expected! I've shot quite a lot photos with DA35ltd on top of it, and am very happy about the results so far. I've been using it with DA35ltd as it is my single lens for April, and it's very good with it, so didn't bother trying the DFA100 yet. So now I have a DA35 f/2.8 1:1 macro lens which on demand could turn into a 70mm f/5.6 2:1 macro with infinity focus. Enough talking, let's see some photos. PS: Just wanted to share the method and news, with anyone having a DA35ltd and wanting more. Very nice results from the 35mm Ltd Macro + TC - but I think Is more "the user" I have both a teleconverter (Kenko Pz-AF 1.5x Teleplus SHQ) and the 35mm Macro Ltd, so I will try to see how it performs, thanks for the tip!

04-20-2015, 12:34 PM	#8
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Originally posted by mtux For some time I had the idea of adding a 2X TC to my DFA100WR lens to have a 2:1 macro! but then that Chinese company announced its 60mm 2:1 macro lens, some time ago! Then I pulled the trigger and bought a 2X TC with KA mount! a Kiron 2X TC. . I've just ordered via ebay this old TC: http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMDY0/z/xioAAOSwrklVJaUq/$_57.JPG No idea what to expect from it, but yeah... it was not expensive. Once it will arrive, I'll try the same with my DA35.

04-20-2015, 01:07 PM	#9
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,175	Great shots! I normally do the same with the 1.4x.

04-20-2015, 07:13 PM	#10
mtux Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: the Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,444 Original Poster	Originally posted by audiobomber A TC would be interesting on the DA 35 macro, but I would think it would be more useful for doubling the subject distance at 1:1 rather than doubling magnification. I only tried the DA 35 in a shop. I was trying to shoot a coin at 1:1. Subject distance was so close that the end of the lens was resting on the edge of the coin. Really tough getting light on the subject and an insect would need to be immobilized for shooting at MFD. Of course it also makes more room to work with the subject, and I know what you say, with DA35ltd alone, I can reach to 1:2 macro with insects. but adding the TC, I can reach more than 1:1, and I can use my flash! without a TC, the only possible flash to use with DA35ltd is a ring flash! Originally posted by Caver Very nice results from the 35mm Ltd Macro + TC - but I think Is more "the user" Thanks, I accept that the person behind camera counts. and I'm just showing that it is possible. and not really a hard thing to do. Originally posted by zzeitg I've just ordered via ebay this old TC: http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMDY0/z/xioAAOSwrklVJaUq/$_57.JPG No idea what to expect from it, but yeah... it was not expensive. You better find one with KA mount, i.e. having the contacts to transfer aperture data from lens to Camera, otherwise you can't control aperture of DA35ltd. ---------- Post added 04-21-15 at 10:15 AM ---------- Originally posted by Stavri Very nice done, who needs a 200mm f4 macro am i right?! Well, exactly! even with that lens your working distance is 40cm, but with this method I guess it will be longer for 1:1. And f/4 gives a brighter viewfinder, but f/5.6 is still pretty good.

04-20-2015, 08:49 PM	#11
ruggiex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: East Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 811	awesome idea, thanks for sharing. I may have to give this a try.

04-21-2015, 12:17 AM	#12
marcusyoung Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: singapore Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,123	Beautiful images and nice DOF. well done. marcus

04-21-2015, 12:54 AM - 1 Like	#13
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	Bung it on the Q and it gets scary.

04-22-2015, 01:52 PM	#14
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Originally posted by mtux You better find one with KA mount, i.e. having the contacts to transfer aperture data from lens to Camera, otherwise you can't control aperture of DA35ltd. Of course, I forgot that the DA35 has no aperture ring. But possibly I could try it with FA50 macro. Anyway it seems that to get TC with KA mount cheap is... difficult if not impossible

04-23-2015, 01:10 AM	#15
mtux Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: the Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,444 Original Poster	Originally posted by zzeitg Of course, I forgot that the DA35 has no aperture ring. But possibly I could try it with FA50 macro. Anyway it seems that to get TC with KA mount cheap is... difficult if not impossible Yeah, unfortunately it is a difficult task. But FA50 macro could also be another case. might be even more usable. Originally posted by Sandy Hancock Bung it on the Q and it gets scary. LOL! Cool idea.