Macro Reverse mounting prime lens onto extension tube

Not a Number · 02-10-2017, 09:18 PM - **1 Like**

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You can buy those super cheap extension tubes they sell on eBay. The ones with only one set of bayonet mounts. Put the female K-mount on one end and leave the male bayonet off to make a lens hood - exposed rear bits cover.

Göran · 02-10-2017, 09:56 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

You can buy those super cheap extension tubes they sell on eBay. The ones with only one set of bayonet mounts. Put the female K-mount on one end and leave the male bayonet off to make a lens hood - exposed rear bits cover.

Do you mean these? Which of these would act as a cover?

Not a Number · 02-10-2017, 10:15 PM

Take the female mount (on the right, call it A), mount it on the reversed lens. Take one or more of the inner rings (say #2) and screw it on to part A. Done. Leave off the male part (all the way on the left). Less chance of vignetting without it.

Racer X 69 · 02-10-2017, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by Göran

Do you mean these? Which of these would act as a cover?

Not a cover.

A hood.

Not a Number · 02-10-2017, 11:15 PM - **1 Like**

It would act as a hood with the benefit that the rear bits of the lens would then be recessed and thus have some protection.

If you want a cover just use a rear lens cap. If just want to protect the rear bits use part A or take a rear lens cap and out out the top (or bottom) whatever the case may be

Racer X 69 · 02-10-2017, 11:45 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

If you want a cover just use a rear lens cap.

My thoughts exactly.

Nass · 02-11-2017, 01:01 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Racer X 69

My thoughts exactly.

That's what I do

To go back to the original question, you need a reversing ring that has the same mm as the filter thread of the lens you intend to reverse (as that's what you'll use to mount it). Reversing the 50 onto the 18-135 won't work all that great I think. You really want the main one to be larger than the reversed one - so I think you won't get anything great for the 18-50 part of that zoom. Don't know about the 50-135 range, but small aperture zooms give unpredictable results when used as the main lens on a coupled reverse lens setup, I've had much more luck with primes. I have a site about this sort of thing you might find useful: see http://extreme-macro.co.uk/coupled-reverse-lens/

Good luck!

-Johan

Last edited by Nass; 02-11-2017 at 01:09 AM.

Not a Number · 02-12-2017, 10:35 AM

That adapter would probably work as a hood but because m4/3 has a much smaller diameter you may get vignetting. Or maybe not since macro can have a rather narrow field of view.

Here is a used set of the inexpensive screw together type that I mentioned earlier. Not much more than the above adapter.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Macro-Extension-Tube-Rings-For-Pentax-K-Mount-near-mi...oAAOSwo4pYl3uO

stevebrot · 02-12-2017, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Here is a used set of the inexpensive screw together type that I mentioned earlier. Not much more than the above adapter.

Macro Extension Tube Rings For Pentax K Mount near mi oAAOSwo4pYl3uO | eBay

I sort of like those, particularly if auto-aperture actuation is not required.

Steve

Not a Number · 02-12-2017, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I sort of like those, particularly if auto-aperture actuation is not required

Just search eBay for "extension tubes Pentax" and you'll find maybe a dozen vendor (mostly in China) selling them.

You can most likely mix and match different sets of camera mounts too.

Racer X 69 · 02-12-2017, 10:46 PM

The possibilities are endless, only limited by the imagination of the individual.

Göran · 02-13-2017, 06:28 AM

Just a quick follow-up: What would be my best way forward, after getting my reverse lens setup going, to get even higher magnification? My initial thought was 1x macro lenses, but I already got 1x magnification(and beyond) with this setup. Would any of you recommend a bellows? Should I open a new topic for this?

I'm asking because, at what point is buying all these accesories more expensive than "just" buying more expensive macro lenses?

Bellows sound promising because I am currently trying focus stacking.

Not a Number · 02-13-2017, 08:47 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Göran

Just a quick follow-up: What would be my best way forward, after getting my reverse lens setup going, to get even higher magnification? My initial thought was 1x macro lenses, but I already got 1x magnification(and beyond) with this setup. Would any of you recommend a bellows? Should I open a new topic for this?

I'm asking because, at what point is buying all these accesories more expensive than "just" buying more expensive macro lenses?

Bellows sound promising because I am currently trying focus stacking.

Extreme Macro Photography

Göran · 02-13-2017, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Extreme Macro Photography

I've been visiting that site very frequently, but would like additional input. Also, I asked about forum specific stuff, and this doesn't answer my question.

Racer X 69 · 02-13-2017, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by Göran

I'm asking because, at what point is buying all these accesories more expensive than "just" buying more expensive macro lenses?

The accessories make the process more doable. To be successful you need good equipment. For instance, a focusing rail for focus stacking. Get a cheap $20 rail setup off of eBay and you will not have good, repeatable results. Spend the cash on a decent rail setup and your success rate will increase dramatically.

And when things work well you will be happier with the results and more likely to try more.

As for 'expensive' macro lenses, well, some of my best lenses for close up photography are older manual lenses, M, A, an Industar 61 50mm f2.8 ($50 from the Ukraine, brand new). I've spent more on the accessories than lenses.

And those lenses get used for other photography work too.

Win win.

02-13-2017, 06:28 AM	#27
Göran Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 26 Original Poster	Just a quick follow-up: What would be my best way forward, after getting my reverse lens setup going, to get even higher magnification? My initial thought was 1x macro lenses, but I already got 1x magnification(and beyond) with this setup. Would any of you recommend a bellows? Should I open a new topic for this? I'm asking because, at what point is buying all these accesories more expensive than "just" buying more expensive macro lenses? Bellows sound promising because I am currently trying focus stacking. Last edited by Göran; 02-13-2017 at 06:38 AM. Reason: added 2nd question

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02-10-2017, 09:18 PM - 1 Like	#16
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. You can buy those super cheap extension tubes they sell on eBay. The ones with only one set of bayonet mounts. Put the female K-mount on one end and leave the male bayonet off to make a lens hood - exposed rear bits cover.

02-10-2017, 09:56 PM	#17
Göran Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 26 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number You can buy those super cheap extension tubes they sell on eBay. The ones with only one set of bayonet mounts. Put the female K-mount on one end and leave the male bayonet off to make a lens hood - exposed rear bits cover. Do you mean these? Which of these would act as a cover?

02-10-2017, 10:15 PM	#18
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Take the female mount (on the right, call it A), mount it on the reversed lens. Take one or more of the inner rings (say #2) and screw it on to part A. Done. Leave off the male part (all the way on the left). Less chance of vignetting without it.

02-10-2017, 10:56 PM	#19
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,068	Originally posted by Göran Do you mean these? Which of these would act as a cover? Not a cover. A hood.

02-10-2017, 11:15 PM - 1 Like	#20
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	It would act as a hood with the benefit that the rear bits of the lens would then be recessed and thus have some protection. If you want a cover just use a rear lens cap. If just want to protect the rear bits use part A or take a rear lens cap and out out the top (or bottom) whatever the case may be

02-10-2017, 11:45 PM	#21
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,068	Originally posted by Not a Number If you want a cover just use a rear lens cap. My thoughts exactly.

02-11-2017, 01:01 AM - 1 Like	#22
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	Originally posted by Racer X 69 My thoughts exactly. That's what I do To go back to the original question, you need a reversing ring that has the same mm as the filter thread of the lens you intend to reverse (as that's what you'll use to mount it). Reversing the 50 onto the 18-135 won't work all that great I think. You really want the main one to be larger than the reversed one - so I think you won't get anything great for the 18-50 part of that zoom. Don't know about the 50-135 range, but small aperture zooms give unpredictable results when used as the main lens on a coupled reverse lens setup, I've had much more luck with primes. I have a site about this sort of thing you might find useful: see http://extreme-macro.co.uk/coupled-reverse-lens/ Good luck! -Johan Last edited by Nass; 02-11-2017 at 01:09 AM.

02-12-2017, 10:35 AM	#23
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	That adapter would probably work as a hood but because m4/3 has a much smaller diameter you may get vignetting. Or maybe not since macro can have a rather narrow field of view. Here is a used set of the inexpensive screw together type that I mentioned earlier. Not much more than the above adapter. http://www.ebay.de/itm/Macro-Extension-Tube-Rings-For-Pentax-K-Mount-near-mi...oAAOSwo4pYl3uO

02-12-2017, 01:02 PM	#24
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Not a Number Here is a used set of the inexpensive screw together type that I mentioned earlier. Not much more than the above adapter. Macro Extension Tube Rings For Pentax K Mount near mi oAAOSwo4pYl3uO \| eBay I sort of like those, particularly if auto-aperture actuation is not required. Steve

02-12-2017, 08:52 PM	#25
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by stevebrot I sort of like those, particularly if auto-aperture actuation is not required Just search eBay for "extension tubes Pentax" and you'll find maybe a dozen vendor (mostly in China) selling them. You can most likely mix and match different sets of camera mounts too.

02-12-2017, 10:46 PM	#26
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,068	The possibilities are endless, only limited by the imagination of the individual.

02-13-2017, 08:47 AM - 1 Like	#28
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by Göran Just a quick follow-up: What would be my best way forward, after getting my reverse lens setup going, to get even higher magnification? My initial thought was 1x macro lenses, but I already got 1x magnification(and beyond) with this setup. Would any of you recommend a bellows? Should I open a new topic for this? I'm asking because, at what point is buying all these accesories more expensive than "just" buying more expensive macro lenses? Bellows sound promising because I am currently trying focus stacking. Extreme Macro Photography

02-13-2017, 10:25 AM	#29
Göran Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 26 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number Extreme Macro Photography I've been visiting that site very frequently, but would like additional input. Also, I asked about forum specific stuff, and this doesn't answer my question.

02-13-2017, 10:50 AM	#30
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,068	Originally posted by Göran I'm asking because, at what point is buying all these accesories more expensive than "just" buying more expensive macro lenses? The accessories make the process more doable. To be successful you need good equipment. For instance, a focusing rail for focus stacking. Get a cheap $20 rail setup off of eBay and you will not have good, repeatable results. Spend the cash on a decent rail setup and your success rate will increase dramatically. And when things work well you will be happier with the results and more likely to try more. As for 'expensive' macro lenses, well, some of my best lenses for close up photography are older manual lenses, M, A, an Industar 61 50mm f2.8 ($50 from the Ukraine, brand new). I've spent more on the accessories than lenses. And those lenses get used for other photography work too. Win win.