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**sergysergy** · 03-08-2011, 06:07 PM

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Thanks once again guys,
as soon as I have some free time I will try your suggestions

HEEGZ · 03-09-2011, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by sergysergy

Hi all,

Now that I have had my Kx (and 1st DSLR) for a while I feel like trying new things.

I have seen people talking about reversed lenses to get macro shots. I have a 18-55mm and a 55-300mm (kit lenses) plus a M 50mm f1.7 . Is there any cheap combination of lenses + adapters / extension tubes that may serve for this purpose at all?
I am not looking for anything fancy, just an alternative to expensive macro lenses to experiment with...

Thanks beforehand,
S

I have the same M 50mm f1.7 and bought a cheap (under $5 shipped) reversing ring on ebay. Here's three pics of it on my K-7.

And here's a sample macro image taken with this setup:

As you can see, you can make do with what you have by just grabbing a cheap reversing ring. After that you could spend more money on other options, but I'd recommend starting with a cheap ring for starters.

**sergysergy** · 03-09-2011, 07:11 PM

cool pic!, thanks HEEGZ

yeatzee · 03-09-2011, 08:56 PM

Originally posted by HEEGZ

As you can see, you can make do with what you have by just grabbing a cheap reversing ring. After that you could spend more money on other options, but I'd recommend starting with a cheap ring for starters.

Just make due? Id rather shoot with a reversed m 50mm f/1.7 on tubes than my $380 sigma 105mm macro any day of the week

. Check my flickr and just about every macro on there is with that setup. Im on my droid x so I can't post any samples.

Originally posted by sergysergy

cool pic!, thanks HEEGZ

HEEGZ · 03-09-2011, 10:17 PM

Originally posted by yeatzee

Just make due? Id rather shoot with a reversed m 50mm f/1.7 on tubes than my $380 sigma 105mm macro any day of the week

. Check my flickr and just about every macro on there is with that setup. Im on my droid x so I can't post any samples.

Yeah I guess it was a bit tongue in cheek.

**sergysergy** · 03-26-2011, 12:37 AM

should these two do the job to reverse the 50mm 1.7?

tubes:
Macro Extension Tube For Pentax PK K20D K10D KM K200D - eBay (item 220636262909 end time Apr-08-11 01:45:09 PDT)
ring:
49mm Macro Reverse Adapter Ring for Pentax K PK Mount | eBay

just making sure I got the idea right....
thanks!

HEEGZ · 03-26-2011, 01:01 AM

the reverse ring looks right, and i have never used extension tubes so i cant say for sure on those.

RioRico · 03-26-2011, 01:22 AM

Originally posted by sergysergy

should these two do the job to reverse the 50mm 1.7?
...
just making sure I got the idea right....

Yes, those are exactly the right tools.
Yes, you got the idea exactly right.

Just be aware that you'll be working REAL close.
Will your subjects run off if a lens comes within 50mm / 2in?

Here is a trick: When you get the tubes, set aside the lens-base section, the piece that clicks into your camera mount. Sand- or file-off the black paint on that section, in the area that covers the camera-mount electrical contacts. Now, when you use your macro setup with the tubes, you'll safely short-out those contacts and thus enable Catch-In-Focus (CIF). Do the same with the mount-reversal ring, for when you use it alone and not the tubes. CIF is very useful when shooting handheld macros.

There is a common trick for enabling CIF on K- or M-type lenses, which is to put a bit of metal foil or tape on the lens base, to also safely short-out those contacts. DO NOT DO THIS WITH TUBES NOR REVERSAL RINGS!!! Tape and foil are thick enough that tubes or rings will jam on the mount! Remove paint; don't add foil!

**sergysergy** · 03-26-2011, 02:23 AM

thanks again guys!!!

**sergysergy** · 04-23-2011, 01:31 PM

ok, I have all the materials and I made it work (even the focus trap by removing the paint ). When it asks for the input focal length...is it still 50mm if I am using the 50mm 1.7?

yeatzee · 04-23-2011, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by sergysergy

ok, I have all the materials and I made it work (even the focus trap by removing the paint ). When it asks for the input focal length...is it still 50mm if I am using the 50mm 1.7?

I just put 50mm, but I shoot with a flash so thats largely irrelevant as is the shutter speed

**sergysergy** · 04-23-2011, 02:20 PM

thanks yeatzee,

also, is there any way for catch in focus to work with a big f number? for me it only works from 1.7 to 4 and it gives me a very small DOF...

yeatzee · 04-23-2011, 02:26 PM

Originally posted by sergysergy

thanks yeatzee,

also, is there any way for catch in focus to work with a big f number? for me it only works from 1.7 to 4 and it gives me a very small DOF...

I've never used CIF before

HEEGZ · 04-23-2011, 06:07 PM

I always put in 50mm when reversing my 50mm f1.7 lens. I have never attempted to use CIF either.

RioRico · 04-24-2011, 03:18 AM

Originally posted by sergysergy

also, is there any way for catch in focus to work with a big f number? for me it only works from 1.7 to 4 and it gives me a very small DOF...

In a word: NO. I find that on my K20D, there is a CIF limit between f/8-11. Up to f/8, CIF almost always works. Beyond f/11, CIF almost never works, especially if the subject isn't BRIGHTLY lit. Also, CIF doesn't always work between f/4-8 unless you have a zone of strong contrast. Trying to trap-focus on a low-contrast, featureless surface, fails.

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03-08-2011, 06:07 PM	#16
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,176 Original Poster	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. Thanks once again guys, as soon as I have some free time I will try your suggestions

03-09-2011, 08:23 AM	#17
HEEGZ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Missouri Photos: Albums Posts: 258	Originally posted by sergysergy Hi all, Now that I have had my Kx (and 1st DSLR) for a while I feel like trying new things. I have seen people talking about reversed lenses to get macro shots. I have a 18-55mm and a 55-300mm (kit lenses) plus a M 50mm f1.7 . Is there any cheap combination of lenses + adapters / extension tubes that may serve for this purpose at all? I am not looking for anything fancy, just an alternative to expensive macro lenses to experiment with... Thanks beforehand, S I have the same M 50mm f1.7 and bought a cheap (under $5 shipped) reversing ring on ebay. Here's three pics of it on my K-7. And here's a sample macro image taken with this setup: As you can see, you can make do with what you have by just grabbing a cheap reversing ring. After that you could spend more money on other options, but I'd recommend starting with a cheap ring for starters.

03-09-2011, 07:11 PM	#18
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,176 Original Poster	cool pic!, thanks HEEGZ

03-09-2011, 08:56 PM	#19
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	Originally posted by HEEGZ As you can see, you can make do with what you have by just grabbing a cheap reversing ring. After that you could spend more money on other options, but I'd recommend starting with a cheap ring for starters. Just make due? Id rather shoot with a reversed m 50mm f/1.7 on tubes than my $380 sigma 105mm macro any day of the week . Check my flickr and just about every macro on there is with that setup. Im on my droid x so I can't post any samples. Originally posted by sergysergy cool pic!, thanks HEEGZ

03-09-2011, 10:17 PM	#20
HEEGZ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Missouri Photos: Albums Posts: 258	Originally posted by yeatzee Just make due? Id rather shoot with a reversed m 50mm f/1.7 on tubes than my $380 sigma 105mm macro any day of the week . Check my flickr and just about every macro on there is with that setup. Im on my droid x so I can't post any samples. Yeah I guess it was a bit tongue in cheek.

03-26-2011, 12:37 AM	#21
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,176 Original Poster	should these two do the job to reverse the 50mm 1.7? tubes: Macro Extension Tube For Pentax PK K20D K10D KM K200D - eBay (item 220636262909 end time Apr-08-11 01:45:09 PDT) ring: 49mm Macro Reverse Adapter Ring for Pentax K PK Mount \| eBay just making sure I got the idea right.... thanks!

03-26-2011, 01:01 AM	#22
HEEGZ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Missouri Photos: Albums Posts: 258	the reverse ring looks right, and i have never used extension tubes so i cant say for sure on those.

03-26-2011, 01:22 AM	#23
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by sergysergy should these two do the job to reverse the 50mm 1.7? ... just making sure I got the idea right.... Yes, those are exactly the right tools. Yes, you got the idea exactly right. Just be aware that you'll be working REAL close. Will your subjects run off if a lens comes within 50mm / 2in? Here is a trick: When you get the tubes, set aside the lens-base section, the piece that clicks into your camera mount. Sand- or file-off the black paint on that section, in the area that covers the camera-mount electrical contacts. Now, when you use your macro setup with the tubes, you'll safely short-out those contacts and thus enable Catch-In-Focus (CIF). Do the same with the mount-reversal ring, for when you use it alone and not the tubes. CIF is very useful when shooting handheld macros. There is a common trick for enabling CIF on K- or M-type lenses, which is to put a bit of metal foil or tape on the lens base, to also safely short-out those contacts. DO NOT DO THIS WITH TUBES NOR REVERSAL RINGS!!! Tape and foil are thick enough that tubes or rings will jam on the mount! Remove paint; don't add foil!

03-26-2011, 02:23 AM	#24
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,176 Original Poster	thanks again guys!!!

04-23-2011, 01:31 PM	#25
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,176 Original Poster	ok, I have all the materials and I made it work (even the focus trap by removing the paint ). When it asks for the input focal length...is it still 50mm if I am using the 50mm 1.7?

04-23-2011, 01:41 PM	#26
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	Originally posted by sergysergy ok, I have all the materials and I made it work (even the focus trap by removing the paint ). When it asks for the input focal length...is it still 50mm if I am using the 50mm 1.7? I just put 50mm, but I shoot with a flash so thats largely irrelevant as is the shutter speed

04-23-2011, 02:20 PM	#27
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,176 Original Poster	thanks yeatzee, also, is there any way for catch in focus to work with a big f number? for me it only works from 1.7 to 4 and it gives me a very small DOF...

04-23-2011, 02:26 PM	#28
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	Originally posted by sergysergy thanks yeatzee, also, is there any way for catch in focus to work with a big f number? for me it only works from 1.7 to 4 and it gives me a very small DOF... I've never used CIF before

04-23-2011, 06:07 PM	#29
HEEGZ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Missouri Photos: Albums Posts: 258	I always put in 50mm when reversing my 50mm f1.7 lens. I have never attempted to use CIF either.

04-24-2011, 03:18 AM	#30
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by sergysergy also, is there any way for catch in focus to work with a big f number? for me it only works from 1.7 to 4 and it gives me a very small DOF... In a word: NO. I find that on my K20D, there is a CIF limit between f/8-11. Up to f/8, CIF almost always works. Beyond f/11, CIF almost never works, especially if the subject isn't BRIGHTLY lit. Also, CIF doesn't always work between f/4-8 unless you have a zone of strong contrast. Trying to trap-focus on a low-contrast, featureless surface, fails.

reversed lens?

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