Bellows advice please

Hi guys, I am in the market for a set of Bellows mainly for Macro photography but also for slide copying.. I have searched on the internet but cannot make my mind up which type I want/need and which are the best quality.. I am using a K5 and a K7 and I do realise that I will probably have to focus manually etc but that is not a problem as I normally do this for my Macro work anyhow..

Thankyou for any advice or comments

Pete

Pentax are about the best. I don't think you will find anything
else in a K Mount anyway. You can use M42 but need adapters and
even the Pentax one needs an extra extension tube to clear the
projections on the digital camera such as flash housing.

There are other third party K mount versions but you're right about the Pentax ones being the best, and by some margin IMO.

Not on the K10D

[IMG]http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd37/hefty1969/ross%20lens%20review/rosslens.jpg[/IMG]

Lens in the photo is a Ross 196/8, but I often use a Schneider Componon 50/4 enlarging lens for macro work.

Mounted: Camera> M42 adapter> Asahi M42 bellows> 42-39mm step down ring> 39-25mm step down ring> Componon lens.

Makes for a very nice set-up and the M42 bellows gives me the flexibility to use all sorts of exotic optics

Some useful reading. LINK

John

Thanks for your help so far. I think I have had a brain overload this morning as I am a little confused (normal)

Just to clarify .....
It is a Pentax k mount bellows I need and for the lens I can fit my normal lenses to it ..

I have a 105mm macro amongst several others would this be suitable or do I just use my standard 18-55 kit lens.. Or would I need to invest in another "specialist" lens

The macro work I would like to try is a dragonflies eye. spiders heads etc ..
I often see macro shots I really like. I know it has all been done before but not by me .. I am of the breed that will not be happy until I try even if I fail I enjoy trying.

I am planning on ordering it today so I can use it over the weekend..
thank you again

The simplest arrangement is to have a bellows unit with PK mount(s), which will save you all the hassle with adaptors.

Afaik, fixed lenses, such as the SMC A 1.7/50, work better on bellows than zoom lenses.

Mind you, a 1:2.8/100 Macro lens would be more convenient...

thanks Terry.. So if I understand correctly my 105mm macro will do the task



or do you mean 1:2.8/100 is more convenient than a bellows?

Basically, I mean that a macro lens is more convenient than bellows. Easier to put on the camera and easier to focus.

And a 100 or 105 mm macro provides convenient working distance - approx. 30 cm for 1:1 scale. So if you already have a 105 mm macro lens, I don't see the point of purchasing the bellows.

More on reproduction size v focal length.LINK

John

While we're on the subject...

On a K7, 100mm macro, @closest focus (= 1:1) with 100mm bellows extension, what is the reproduction ratio?
I can get my head around 1:1 ratio on 35mm.,(subject area = 24x36),
but on digital.....?
(I have the Asahi Pentax Auto Bellows M. It's beautiful, recommended.)

Coker.

1:1 is 1:1 regardless of the sensor/film size it is projected onto. It will appear to be bigger on digital as you have the same size image taking up proportionately more of the capture area available.

Sorry, Hefty! Don't understand!
So, if I have a 100 macro on its closest focus, on its own on the camera, R.R. is 1:1.
It must , surely, make a difference if it's extended by 100mm..

Doesn't it.............?

Yes. It will give you a reproduction ratio of 2:1 (twice life size). What I was saying was it will have the same ratio whichever camera it's mounted on for any given focal length/extension.

Goddit!
(As they say!)

Thanks.

Roger.

Thank you for all of the info and input again folks..
Although I must admit sometimes I don't understand it, it is all very much appreciated. I am still not 100% sure of what to do now but I am slightly more educated than I was yesterday.