close-up

Hi everybody,
I am interested to make some macro photos. I already have a 28-80 with a macro position and i'd like to go further without buying a real macro lens.
My question is: is there a close up lens from Pentax or other supplier that could be directly "screwed" on the lens (58mm) or do I need another system , if yes: which one ??

Thanks

Christophe

Hi Christophe,
Any supplimentary closeup lens should work in the right filter size. Don't expect great results though. A better option would be some tubes and these shouldn't be much more than a closeup lens.

Kim

Further to Kim's comment, you have four options:
1. Close up filters. Light, and easy to carry, but not brilliant quality.
2. Extension tubes. If you have a good prime lens (e.g. 50mm/f1.7), then these are superb. Subject to lens distance can be very small, so can be a problem lighting.
3. Dedicated macro lens. The best quality, and the most expensive. Pentax have made, and still make 1:1 (i.e. lifesize) macro lenses.
4. Reverse lens

I have tried all three. The macro lens is the best. I have the SMC-F 100mm/f2.8. It is quite heavy but absolutely delightful to use. Doubles up as a super sharp portrait lens too.

My next favourite is extension tubes. Pentax only ever made mechanical tubes which don't work so well with the *ist-D/DS and *ist. I have a third party tube set which has electrical contacts. Tubes are great for the occassional image (I just pick one of the tubes and carry that around). It makes for a very lightweight kit bag.

Close up filters are fine if you have no other option. Normally a +1 or +2 dioptre closeup will give pretty good results. Once you start "stacking" them to get closer still you get all kinds of horrible effects - chromatic aberration, blurred edges etc.

The final option is a reverse lens. For this you take a "normal lens" (zoom or whatever), and a fast prime (preferably). You couple the prime to the normal lens - filter-to-filter, and leave the prime wide open. (The normal lens is on the camera body.) This give absolutely astonishing macro, much closer than 1:1. Extremely fun too

Hope that helps,
Matt

Whilst I would agree that auto extension tubes are better than manual ones, the fact is that macro photography is usually a pretty slow-moving process and there is usually ample time to get the right exposure in manual mode with non-auto tubes.

The quality, of course, is the same whether you use auto tubes or manual tubes.

So, if you're on a budget, don't despise manual tubes. I personally haven't felt sufficiently disadvantaged by my manual tubes to rush out and get auto tubes.

When you've got your tubes, start saving for decent lighting. A nice ring-flash is good to have.

George

thank you all for these very precise and usefull details and recommendations.
Much appreciated

Christophe