[Deathfiyr]

Hey all, I'm new to the world of film photography and SLR's and would like to know which would be the best lens for close-ups of flowers and maybe insects? I have a Pentax MZ-50 and my budget is $250 max. Thanks in advance
Nick,
Amateur Photographer

[manacho2005]

Your best bet would be a dedicated macro prime lens. If it doesn't meet your budget, you could get a lens reversing adapter or extension tubes for a cheap/fast nifty fifty.
Pair one of those up with an off camera flash/wide diffuser.
On a side note, you may want a camera with DOF preview for close up shots. Your MZ-50 does not have that.

[boriscleto]

To use tubes with the MZ-50 you will need tubes with the A contact. The MZ-50 will not meter with M or K lenses (crippled KAF2 mount). Reversing a lens will run into the same problem.

Your best bet is to start with a lens that has close focusing, but not macro, capabilities. The F 35-70, F 35-135, and FA 28-105 all do very well with flower photography and aren't terribly expensive.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/130-lens-sample-photo-archive/159881-pent...5-samples.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/130-lens-sample-photo-archive/185244-smc-...3-5-4-5-a.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/130-lens-sample-photo-archive/196946-smc-...-f4-5-6-a.html

If you feel you need a true macro lens look for one of the 50mm macros like the Sigma A 50mm F2.8

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/130-lens-sample-photo-archive/214554-sigm...2-8-macro.html

[grhazelton]

If you can find one the Vivitar 100mm f3.5 is a fine choice. It is available in both AF and MF versions, and focuses to 1:2 from infinity, and with its dedicated plus lens, from 1:2 to 1:1. Build quality is adequate. The lens goes under various names, Cosina, etc. There is a Flickr group devoted to it. I think it may have been branded Pentax at one time in the past. Autofocus in my opinion is hardly needed for macro work, since the depth of field is so small and since the lens may not focus on what you feel important.

[ChristianRock]

The Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro can usually be found easily within that budget. I think it will work well with the MZ-50, but I'm not sure.

The lenses that were recommended are all fine choices. For flowers, may I also suggest the Pentax-A 70-210mm f/4 Macro. I know it's not a true macro (1:4) but the color and rendering of flowers is something I like very much - every time I look in the viewfinder I am already pleased with that lens, whatever it is that it does... and the bokeh, I think, is to die for... Here's some samples of the quality you can expect from this lens: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/130-lens-sample-photo-archive/160222-smc-...o-samples.html
Also, it can be easily found under 100 dollars in excellent condition. Only downside is size and weight - but hey, no pain no gain