[BigMackCam]

1. I have the 100MM Macro but was considering one of the new macro lens that are recent to the market.

I'd say you're well set with the 100mm... though a shorter focal length might be a nice addition - perhaps the D FA50/2.8 Macro? I suspect it would be a more versatile walk-around focal length on full frame, and would provide a different look than your 100mm, given the shorter minimum working distance. Alternatively, you might consider a clip-on Raynox macro adapter to use with your non-macro glass? They seem to be very well-regarded, even by dedicated macro photographers.

2. My K1Mkii took a fall this past year and it hasn't been the same. It may be time to find a replacement.

Definitely!

3. I signed up for a photo tour for Spring of 2021 and I'll keep my fingers crossed that it will NOT get cancelled.

Arguably better than any gear purchase, at least if you already have a reasonable kit.

So there you have it, I have major GAS and I'm trying be adult like and get rid of it, so do I...

- I've considered getting a Medium Format camera with a Macro lens, but I'm not finding a great number of people saying that their macro photography benefited from going to MF.

- Should I hold off until 2022 for a new K1MKIII? There's no indication that's even going to happen. There's no doubt that I'd be picking up the K1MKIII when it comes out. Having been shotting full frame for years, I'm not sure I'd be inclined to pick up the K3III

I can't comment on medium format, but even with the more compact Fujifilm or Hasselblad options, once you add lenses it's a chunk of kit to carry around

As for holding off for the K-1II replacement, personally I wouldn't. If you're going to replace your camera, I'd say do it soon and enjoy your shooting. If and when the K-1II replacement arrives, you can decide then what to do... sell you existing body to fund the purchase, or stick with the camera you have.

- I do not have the 150-450 but to be honest, I don't think it'll get much use so I'm not sure its worth the expense. I'm doubtful that it would get rid of my GAS.

Then don't buy it. My personal experience is that if I buy something I really need or want and have clear plans for its use, I'm generally satisfied with the purchase and feel like it's been money well spent. I'm guilty of buying on a whim from time-to-time, without a clear plan of what I intend to do with the item, and it's a lottery as to how it turns out. In some cases, it has expanded my activities - but other items have ended up as expensive paperweights

Are there any types of photography you'd really like to get into, but aren't yet comfortable with? If so, a really good book on that specialist topic, along with any necessary lens(es), lighting & accessories to suit, might be a good way to ease your GAS... for now

---

Last edited by BigMackCam; 12-04-2020 at 09:48 AM.

[pentaxus]

Resistance is futile.

[BROO]

Buy some Raynox filters and explore extreme macro photography and get your K-1 fixed.

[vector]

It looks like you have an incredible kit already, at least if your profile is accurate, and it says you already own a K1 along side your damaged K1mII so I don't know that a camera purchase is really going to satisfy your GAS, and you aren't lacking for a working FF body. You are missing a few great pieces like the 150-450mm or the new 85mm if you want something that will impress. Based on my own experience lighting (monolights, speedlights, triggers, stands, softboxes, umbrellas, etc) has made a big difference and has given me lots of good challenges to master - and I still have long ways to go there. My wife told me to order my own Christmas presents this year as she gives up trying to guess, so that's what I ordered for myself, more lighting accessories to fill out my setup.

[officiousbystander]

I've never seen any reason to resist GAS.

Funds. Spouse. And that debilitating companion to GAS: buyer's remorse.

[robiles]

+1 for the Lume Cubes, amazingly powerful light in a small package. There is a full range of lighting mods available. Platypod also makes a really nice small but stable platform especially for Macro with posable lighting mounts for small lights.

Otherwise, repair or replace the K-1ii.

Get the Pentax 100mm WR Macro, that way you can do your planned photo walk even if the weather is wet.

I also have a couple of rollei lumen rgb lights, and they are really usefull for studio work. Have yet to take them outside.

Currently have a godox v1 on order. Hoping to get it by christmas.

[Wheatfield]

Funds. Spouse. And that debilitating companion to GAS: buyer's remorse.

Those are impediments for sure, but can be overcome. I've had buyers remorse more than once, but I never let it bother me. I sell the gear for what I can get for it and move on.

[gatorguy]

I use a K1 and K1-II.

5) The DA 55-300 PLM works good on the K1 too. Fast focusing and some reach if you need it. A great walk around lens for your now repaired backup K1-II while on the photo safari.

I had no idea, and I have that lens. I always assumed it couldn't be used with the K1. Thanks!!

[aslyfox]

I use a K1 and K1-II. . . .

5) The DA 55-300 PLM works good on the K1 too. Fast focusing and some reach if you need it. A great walk around lens for your now repaired backup K1-II while on the photo safari. . . .

I had no idea, and I have that lens. I always assumed it couldn't be used with the K1. Thanks!!

I won't dispute any one with real world experience but I have the PLM as well and never tried it with my K 1 II

this is why:

Evaluation Criteria
We have evaluated the performance at select F-stop/focal length combinations per the following scale:

A: Full coverage
B: Full coverage, but with slightly soft corners
C: With reservations. Heavy vignetting and/or soft corners
D: With reservations. Very soft corners and vignetting
F: Fail, no coverage (black corners)
We used these F-stops: WO (wide open), F5.6, and F11. We also used three focus setting at each focal length and aperture: near, moderate, and far. The evaluation is thus condensed into a single rating that accounts for all focus settings. . . .

DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 PLM
55 70 100 200 300
WO D F F C C
F5.6 D F F C
F11 C F F B C

Read more at: Full Frame Coverage of DA Lenses: Comprehensive Test - Gear Guides | PentaxForums.com

[david94903]

+1 for the Lume Cubes, amazingly powerful light in a small package. There is a full range of lighting mods available. Platypod also makes a really nice small but stable platform especially for Macro with posable lighting mounts for small lights.

Otherwise, repair or replace the K-1ii.

Get the Pentax 100mm WR Macro, that way you can do your planned photo walk even if the weather is wet.

Yes! All of this.

[lazarustx]

With macro as your focus is an APSC camera with considering or is full frame a must? Do you have other bodies besides the ailing k1mkii? A backup seems prudent giving the not quite well k1.

Lighting? A flash or reflectors and some remote triggers might add to the types of spots you can get a good photo from. Lume cubes, small flashes etc.

Well, with regards to lighting/tripods triggers/backdrops I'm up to my neck in goodies. I don't have the 31mm! I'm tempted just so I can finish off the set. Are you selling one cheaply to help my issue?

I've been happy with my K-70 but I feel like I moved into the full frame world and I need to stick with it to justify all this glass. I'm just happy to know that I can keep using it on my APSC but I'd like to stick with Full Frame.

Regards,
Rodney

---------- Post added 12-04-20 at 09:18 PM ----------

I'm going to second this. Off-camera triggered manual flashes (like those from Godox) were the cheapest way I improved my photography immensely. There are just so many shots that are impossible without them. Next to a long lens (if you're interested in wildlife), I think my flashes have seen the most use.

That being said, I am not sure anything can get rid of GAS!

- You've hit the nail on the head. I spent good money on my AD200s and the accesories and I need to work on using them more often. It might be time to pull the flashes out of the lighting back and put them to use.

---------- Post added 12-04-20 at 09:20 PM ----------

+1 for the Lume Cubes, amazingly powerful light in a small package. There is a full range of lighting mods available. Platypod also makes a really nice small but stable platform especially for Macro with posable lighting mounts for small lights.

Otherwise, repair or replace the K-1ii.

Get the Pentax 100mm WR Macro, that way you can do your planned photo walk even if the weather is wet.

Lume Cubes, I'll need to check them out. I've not been really happy with the Sigma ring flash. I'm sure its me and not the flash though.

So I'll take a look at Lume cubes.

---------- Post added 12-04-20 at 09:22 PM ----------

For flowers, the 100mm macro is great.

I'd spend money on courses/books on composition and inspiration. Way more important than new gear, and it's a slower / harder burn.

I can't wait for March. I might get a serious photo tour bug and realize that I should have stuck to buying hardware!!!

I'm looking forward to it. Its been a while since I've had anything but a staycation.

---------- Post added 12-04-20 at 09:28 PM ----------

Laowa have announced a 100mm f2.8 super macro for Pentax. The magnification is 2:1. Www.laowalens.co.UK £469.
Worth a look?

I looked to see if I could rent one. It is definitely on my list of items. I'll go find the forum for that lens. I thought I saw one recently started.

Thanks!

[aslyfox]

. . . I don't have the 31mm! I'm tempted just so I can finish off the set. Are you selling one cheaply to help my issue? . . . .

sorry no can do

I just acquired my black MIJ FA 31mm as my early Christmas Present so no can do

it completes my collection of FA MIJ Limiteds ( black ) which goes along with my collection of all of the SMC Limited primes { black )

[lazarustx]

It looks like you have an incredible kit already, at least if your profile is accurate, and it says you already own a K1 along side your damaged K1mII so I don't know that a camera purchase is really going to satisfy your GAS, and you aren't lacking for a working FF body. You are missing a few great pieces like the 150-450mm or the new 85mm if you want something that will impress. Based on my own experience lighting (monolights, speedlights, triggers, stands, softboxes, umbrellas, etc) has made a big difference and has given me lots of good challenges to master - and I still have long ways to go there. My wife told me to order my own Christmas presents this year as she gives up trying to guess, so that's what I ordered for myself, more lighting accessories to fill out my setup.

Thanks. I updated my profile. It should read K1MKII as I upgraded the K1 when Pentax offered the $500 upgrade. So the purchase would really be to backfill hokey K1MKII.

I've got a decent ligthing kit and ever once in a while when I have a few buddies over we break it out and spend the afternoon boohooing that we all need more lighting practice. With his pandemic they not made it around. But that's no excuse for me not working on it myself.

Regards,
Rod

---------- Post added 12-04-20 at 09:48 PM ----------

I'd say you're well set with the 100mm... though a shorter focal length might be a nice addition - perhaps the D FA50/2.8 Macro? I suspect it would be a more versatile walk-around focal length on full frame, and would provide a different look than your 100mm, given the shorter minimum working distance. Alternatively, you might consider a clip-on Raynox macro adapter to use with your non-macro glass? They seem to be very well-regarded, even by dedicated macro photographers.



Definitely!



Arguably better than any gear purchase, at least if you already have a reasonable kit.



I can't comment on medium format, but even with the more compact Fujifilm or Hasselblad options, once you add lenses it's a chunk of kit to carry around

As for holding off for the K-1II replacement, personally I wouldn't. If you're going to replace your camera, I'd say do it soon and enjoy your shooting. If and when the K-1II replacement arrives, you can decide then what to do... sell you existing body to fund the purchase, or stick with the camera you have.



Then don't buy it. My personal experience is that if I buy something I really need or want and have clear plans for its use, I'm generally satisfied with the purchase and feel like it's been money well spent. I'm guilty of buying on a whim from time-to-time, without a clear plan of what I intend to do with the item, and it's a lottery as to how it turns out. In some cases, it has expanded my activities - but other items have ended up as expensive paperweights

Are there any types of photography you'd really like to get into, but aren't yet comfortable with? If so, a really good book on that specialist topic, along with any necessary lens(es), lighting & accessories to suit, might be a good way to ease your GAS... for now

.

All good points. I've been dragging my feet with the large 150-450. I just can't justify it quite yet. My brother is photographs birds. He's got a beast of a 600 that it just crazy and he says that's not always long enough. So the 450 won't be either if I intend to do birding ( not my thing so far).

You know, the FA50/2.8 Macro could be a real option here. I'll need to check into this. I've had a nifty 50 for many years and it was a favorite of mine for many a moons.

Thanks!

---------- Post added 12-04-20 at 09:51 PM ----------

I use a K1 and K1-II.

1) You need a backup camera if you are going on a photo safari. Shooting Pentax, I doubt that anyone will have a spare Pentax camera to loan you.

2) The D FA 15-450 is a great closeup lens. Focuses down to 2 meters. I have use it at that distance quite a bit. Can be hand held if you are steady enough.

3) The Irix 150mm Macro lens is well thought of. Manual focus though. Not a problem for me shooting macro. $70 off at B%H Photo at the moment. Comes with an Arca compatible tripod collar too. This lens has been on my radar for awhile now.

4) I have a Rokinon 100mm Macro lens. I like it a lot. Again not autofocus.

5) The DA 55-300 PLM works good on the K1 too. Fast focusing and some reach if you need it. A great walk around lens for your now repaired backup K1-II while on the photo safari.

6) The D FA 24 to 70 f2.8 if you have money to burn or the D FA 28-105 if not. Another good walking around lens.

7) Finally to round our you collection the D FA 15-30mm lens.

This ought to cure the GAS for awhile as you learn to use your new lenses.

The DA 55-300 PLM might be my answer to NOT getting the 150-450mm. I think i can justify spending that much on a walk about lens that gives me the reach I've been wanting to test out.

[UncleVanya]

Well, with regards to lighting/tripods triggers/backdrops I'm up to my neck in goodies. I don't have the 31mm! I'm tempted just so I can finish off the set. Are you selling one cheaply to help my issue?

I've been happy with my K-70 but I feel like I moved into the full frame world and I need to stick with it to justify all this glass. I'm just happy to know that I can keep using it on my APSC but I'd like to stick with Full Frame.

My 31 is not going anywhere right now. I did enjoy it immensely when I used a k1 for a month.

While you indicate plenty of lighting gear, these are cute and might be useful: ? LightPix Labs

As for the DA 55-300 Plm, I’ve never used it, but my impression is that it’s not even close to full frame. I’d suggest much more study before heading in that direction.

[Sandy Hancock]

Personally, I find the 100 macro to be a little long for flowers - I quite like "getting inside" the flower a bit more. To that end, either the DA 35 Macro Limited for one of your crop cameras, or the DFA 50 Macro for the K-1, would be a useful addition.

Do you have a ring flash? It can be very useful when you're very close to your subject.