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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-14-2012, 06:56 PM
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I love the lens and have an older M39 SLR version. This was taken tonight at f2 and 1.3 seconds. I was testing a Manfrotto Super Clamp and Articulating arm set at a longer exposure (which worked well for stability).
IMG_3025 by SWalker2009, on Flickr
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-12-2012, 09:21 AM
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I use Pentax M42 bellows with enlarging lenses. It works for the shots I am interested in.
Here is an article on how I use them - Inexpensive Macro Photography
I also use off camera flash and diffuse it via a simple white air furance filter (20 inches by 20 inches).
You can read about off camera flash here Strobist: Lighting 101 |
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-10-2012, 03:21 PM
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I shoot macro with M42 Pentax bellows and enlarging lenses - In my signature is a link to an article on settup. It is great for studio work and dirt cheap.
Off camera flash and some sort of diffusion or light tent will help a lot.
This is an article on cheap manual flash and a diy tent. In stead of building a tent with a box and tissue paper - per the link below - I use white furnace air filters. They have structure and are easy to form into a tent - also dirt cheap.
Strobist: How To: DIY $10 Macro Photo Studio |
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-02-2011, 09:50 AM
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I am glad you enjoyed the blog. I have seen similiar models with a focus rail by Olympus and Canon. But I think it is easiest to mount lenses if you start with M42. I am guessing Nikon and other's made them with focus rails as well.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-28-2011, 05:35 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-24-2011, 12:32 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-19-2011, 05:06 PM
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I would hold onto the rarer lenses and consider holding onto the ones that you feel perform well.
Lots of choices besides Pentax to use older lenses. Any 4/3 camera - Sony has a nice new NEX camera out - Canon users like me also want these lenses for their low cost and great performance.
I think the market changes for the lenses if DSLRs get autofocus capabilities in video- presumably less videographers using the older MF lenses then. I also wonder what happhens as older shooters start moving on. I do not think there are many younger shooters with MF.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-16-2011, 10:12 AM
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If you shoot with an EOS, then consider the older Nikkors (pre AI, AI and AIS). This site gives some feedback on the lenses and you can find them in the usual on line spots, even Adorama or Keh.
Lens Evaluations
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-31-2011, 03:30 PM
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Regarding Tripods, I use an old Chicago Majestic Tripod with a geared head. I think it was manufactured in the 70's and they are still made outside of Chicago.
The tripod extends very high and is rock solid, it was made for medium to large format and can be found used for about $100 (tripod and head).
While somewhat heavy, I have managed a short hike with it to get this photo of a mountain stream.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-31-2011, 03:03 PM
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I would try a static object with a fast shutter speed - to isolate any focus issues. If your focus is off it may account for some softness.
You should have some nice dof if you stop down to f4 or 5.6.
Grab a shot of Camp Randall at sunset.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-31-2011, 02:55 PM
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A month ago I got the M42 Kitstar 28 2.8. It came in a package with some Mamiya Sekor M42 lenses.
I have found the lens to be quite good IQ and well built, as such, it will stay in my collection. Hopefuly you will find your lens to be the same.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-17-2011, 07:10 PM
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Get a fast manual focus prime lens. Save some money and enjoy the results shooting a near motionless subject with great lenses. M42 Takumars come to mind if you use a Pentax body. This forum has a wonderful rating of the older lenses.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-28-2011, 08:16 PM
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Canon will accept M42 and any 4/3rd camera will work with the m42 and minolta len
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-21-2011, 03:51 PM
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I think starting with the best image is a fair point and I have certainly changed the look of an image via post processing.
I would not consider good manual focus lenses as cheap - rather I view them as inexpensive and good deals. It allows for a host of focal lengths without breaking the bank.
Adding one more image to the mix. This one taken with an old Takumar 135 3.5 preset lens.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-21-2011, 12:20 PM
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Nice image - reminds me of a warm summer night in the city.
I agree 100% and a big reason I enjoy older manual focus lenses. They are easy to collect and can produce images that do not look quite like those from modern lenses.
Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Oreston 1.8 50mm M42 - Some flare and pleasing softness in my opinion.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-20-2011, 08:52 AM
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Landscape - works great with inexpensive and very good manual focus lenses. You can balance your budget and have glass that professionals have used - without the automation for focus and setting aperture. Takumars and other M42 lenses abound.
Practice, training via articles and books and plain old toil. Not sure there is a short cut via equipment.
This was taken with a very old Takumar 135 3.5 Preset M42.
This was taken with a very inexpensive Helios 44-2 M42 lens - it is a current favorite of mine.
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Forum: Pentax Lens Articles
07-17-2011, 07:57 PM
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Your overview is great - as you know, there are so many paths to take with macro and it is nice to have a condensed version - also nice to see folks chime in with edits. Thanks for putting this out there.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-17-2011, 06:45 PM
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I use a 300 manual focus lens from the balcony - on a tripod. The lens is a 4.5 and I increase the ISO enough to get the shutter speed I am after.
Everyone in the balcony is shooting and lots of tripods.
I think the idea of shooting at a practice is a great idea - probably easier to get some really nice candid shots as well.
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Forum: Pentax Lens Articles
07-17-2011, 07:56 AM
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RioRico - that is a very good article and one that I would have benefited from when I was investigating macro.
I took the path of manual focus lenses and like you, especially enlarging lenses on a bellows. I have found it is a very good way to compose, obtain critical focus and stay on a budget. The only downside is I have a closet full of golf ball sized enlarging lenses and while inexpensive, it dose raise some issues at home with "how much gear does your hobby need?".
I posted this article about a year ago as a starter on enlarging lenses and bellows.
https://sites.google.com/site/inexpensivemacrophotography/ |
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-13-2011, 07:28 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-17-2011, 08:06 AM
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Yup, I have a few older Takumars, a Super Takumar 50 1.4 Eight Element and Takumar 135 3.5 all black preset. I think these are from the early 60's which would make them almost 50 years old.
The piece of Pentax equipment I use the most is the M42 Auto Bellows with enlarging lenses for macro. I think that is from the late 60's or early 70's.
All of this gear was built very well and is quite operational still today.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-16-2011, 08:03 PM
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Manual focus 50 or 55s are inexpensive (compared to AF lenses) and have different capabilities - and worth using in my opinion. Their flaws can be strengths and the prices allow for a diverse collection. Below are three examples taken with different "normal" lenses.
Helios 44-2 - Sharp Close Focus and Helios Bokeh
Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Oreston 1.8 50 - Some flare and pleasing softness
Nikkor AIS 50 1.2 Fast when needed - sharp and good contrast
All good lenses and all wonderful to work with and explore.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-22-2011, 08:07 AM
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Why not own a range of focal lengths (50 - 80 - 105 - 135). Enlarging lenses are cheap (less than $50 a lens).
I like something between 90 and 135 for flowers.
I use the enlarging lenses on a bellows which allows for easy focus and easy control of magnification.
Here is an article on this if there is an interest.
Inexpensive Macro Photography
This was taken with a Fujinon 135 EP enlarging lens on Asahi Pentax M42 Auto Bellows.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-14-2011, 08:25 AM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-14-2011, 07:51 AM
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I tend to think the older lenses are better than the modern counterparts based on price and this allows for multiple lenses in a kit for those on a budget.
Some of the older lenses have unique qualities and some qualities are a result of abnormalities within the lens.
Below is an example of bokeh and close focus capabilities that a $20 Helios 44-2 (58mm f2) produces.
This was taken with a Jupiter 9 (85mm f2) M39 adapted to M42. This lens was made in 1964 but still manages to hold up for this flower image in my opinion.
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