[bertwert]

What are some cheap options for Macro photography, can anyone recommend different ways?

A used manual lens?
Extension tubes?
Reversing ring?

I have a K-50.
Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[Venom3300]

Pentax-M 100 F4

[photodesignch]

Depends on what kind of macro work you do.

If you are taking photos of close range, you just need extension tubes.

If you want extremely close, you can reverse your standard lens mount back to the camera or on top of another lens.

If you want to do macro work such as products or camera scanning for slides or films, you better have a proper macro lens.

[Not a Number]

There are also close-up lenses (non-Raynox). These will be like regular lens fitlers with one filter size, usually in sets of three. You can find decent ones from the film era.

As previously noted much depends on how much magnification you want/need. If you have several lenses to begin with a reverse coupling ring is the absolute cheapest, followed by a single reverse mount adapter. Tubes can be cheap to but you get what you pay for.

[boriscleto]

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/152336-cheap-macr...lose-work.html

[rcc2]

I'll second the M 100 F4 macro, I got one on ebay a couple of weeks ago for less than $70, with shipping, and I've been pretty happy with it. Works really well on my K-50.

[MJSfoto1956]

I'm a big fan of good (i.e. achromat) closeup lenses to get started. Note: I also own several macro lenses and several bellows as well and use them as appropriate. Here's a shot done with a Pentax K-3 + DA* 60-250mm + Marumi 67mm 67 DHG Macro +3 closeup lens. Is that good enough?

Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mjsfoto1956/18256240043/



Michael

[Snappertim]

The best option on the right road is to use a cheap macro lens, or I should say find a good macro lens cheap, the old 100mm f4 is dynamite, and if you hunt you will find one, remember in macro A/F counts for nothing, so do not be put off, and the dental lens is identical (sorry about the pun) and be found cheap as well, the extra marking are for magnification so can be ignored, also a good option is the Cosina 100mm f3.5 make sure you get the 1:1 adaptor lens for the front, this lens is described by many as a "plastic fantastic" the build quality is very plastic but the optics a first rate, Pentax also marketed this lens under their own name but watch out the adaptor was a optional extra with Pentax, its called Pentax SMC FA 100MM F3.5, its autofocus but has no limiter switch so if it hunts it goes all the way

[Outis]

Another vote for the Pentax-M 100 F4. I bought one from KEH for just over $100, and it's fantastic. The manual controls aren't a big deal for me, since I'm taking pictures of static subjects.

[CreationBear]

I'm a big fan of good (i.e. achromat) closeup lenses to get started

That's very impressive--I think you're the one who inspired me to get a Canon 500D that I've enjoyed playing around with on "legacy" glass like the K55/1.8 and K135/2.5. Any thoughts on how the Canon compares in terms of IQ with the Marumi?


At any rate, to the OP: PF member "hoopsontoast" has put up some great photos using both the Raynox and Sigma AML-2 (which has 49mm threads, which Is convenient here in Pentax land.
)

[ChristianRock]

How do you guys rate the Hoya +1,+2 adn +4 lenses? Would that be a good cheap alternative? They seem to be pretty common and not expensive, and Hoya does have a good reputation.

I have a Sigma Achromatic lens (from the late 80s ore early 70s) but I find it takes away quite a bit of IQ from the lens and haven't been impressed by the results.

The one solution I have liked so far is inverting the lens. The only thing keeping me from getting sharper images from my inverted M 50 1.7 is me (taking handheld pictures at 1:1 magnification is tough). But I'm afraid I'll scratch that rear element at some point...

[bertwert]

Thanks for the help!
Manual is great!
I will look at the Pentax-M 100 F4.

[UncleVanya]

Raynox 250 works very well. Extension tubes work. Bellows work. Reversing rings work. Stacking (reversed lens on a lens) works.

[ChristianRock]

The only issue about having the M 100 f4 as your only Macro lens, is that it is a 1:2 macro, not 1:1.

Sometimes you can find the Sigma 50mm f2.8 Macro, the old manual focus model, for around 100 bucks or less. There always are a few on Ebay at any given time.

12 reviews, average rating is 9.0, 100% recommended by the reviewers: Sigma 50mm F2.8 Macro Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

[bertwert]

Sometimes you can find the Sigma 50mm f2.8 Macro, the old manual focus model, for around 100 bucks or less. There always are a few on Ebay at any given time.

Nice, but the only ones on EBAY (Canada) at the moment are $200-ish, I will look out though.

One Pentax 100mm one one ebay at the moment, reasonbly good condition...

Personally I prefer a longer focal length (100mm is about perfect).

I can also use M42 lenses, currently have an adapter (proper, infinity focus adapter (doesn't matter much for macro (really))).

---------- Post added 18-06-15 at 16:10 ----------

The only issue about having the M 100 f4 as your only Macro lens, is that it is a 1:2 macro, not 1:1.

Yes, that could be a problem...