Close up lenses vs. Extension tubes vs macro lens

I'm thinking about how I might go about doing some close up work with the K10D, and I guess the first step is the glassware. I'm a complete noob when it comes to close work, so bear with me...

AFAICS, my options are:

- Extension tubes
- Screw on close up lenses
- Adaptor for turning the lens round.
- Macro lens

The close up lenses seem very inexpensive - are they too cheap to be worth anything? And macro lenses can be expensive.

I'm not wild about turning the lens round, since I don't really want to be exposing the innards to dust.

So extension tubes or close up lenses would seem to be possible options.

But I'd appreciate some comments on these from those that know about such matters - or just a relevant link would be fine too.

I posted this in the DSLR forum, since I want in particular to find a solution that doesn't leave me with the manual mode metering problems.

TIA.

Yes and yes.
You only need to turn the lens round for magnifications of greater than 1:1. This is a lot higher than it sounds, and you're unlikely to want to go that close to begin with. Also, you're stuck with manual metering for obvious reasons.
Extension tubes would be your best bet, but you need to make sure to get ones with electrical contacts (the seven little metal pins) to use program exposure modes. These are available new from Kenko or second hand from various manufacturers.

You don't mention what lenses you have: any of the 50mm primes will give very good results on extension tubes.

Steve

http://www.siblingmedia.com/

I agree with everything said above, extension tubes are I think the easiest way to get really close, but a focal length of 50mm with extension tubes doesn't leave you with much working distance - someting a little longer makes things a bit easier. Also consider the fact that when you have the tubes in place there is no way you can focus to anything like infinity (more like a couple of metres) so you're a bit stuck if you suddenly spot something a bit farther away you wouldn't have this problem with a dedicated macro lens.

p.s I'm very happy with my (manual) extension set, but then again i'm using a dl2 which doesn't seem to have the stop down metering problems of the k10d

Nothing wrong with screw on close-up lenses, they're quick and as convenient as changing a filter and you don't lose any lens functionality.

There's no reason to suppose that the close-up lenses (by top manufacturers) are of a lower quality than the lens they're being fitted to and it is possible to achieve excellent results.

As you gain experience, you'll want to move up to more expensive hardware but close-up lenses are an ideal way to start

Took this with a sigma 28-80 1:2 lens with a couple of close up lens's on the end,field of view is very narrow with them but you get used to it.

http://ranfog.co.uk/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=2#nav_pic

I use an A 100mm Dental Macro with Kenko tubes (well built and have all contacts) with the K10D. I can go up to or past 1:1 with this rig, and the results are superb.

get a proper macro lens second hand, you wont regret it

~£50 will buy you a very nice lens, at these distances autofocus wont really be any use to you and the glass in some of the old macros is superb. Look for a Kiron, Tamron SP, Vivitar Series 1 or obviously the Pentax offerings are great.

Quite right. But, as Arthur says, get a set of extension tubes too. Forget close-up lenses unless you are on a very tight budget.

G

Ok, I hear about these Kenko tubes for Pentax with all the contacts.... but I cant find them anywhere! On the Kenko site they aren't listed!
My plans are to get some of these tubes to work with the DA*50-135 that's coming out next month.
Any tips on where to find these tubes?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Jessop-Auto-Extension-Tube-Set-Pentax-PKA-AF_W0QQitemZ190083552573QQihZ009QQcategoryZ4688QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Joshua, it might be worth asking the seller if he/she will post to europe.

BTW, I have a spare SMC-A 100 f4 Detal Macro

Well I got some extension tubes - Jessops PK/A ones - and I've had a go with them - a rather dopey bee got into the house yesterday so I put the 31mm tube in between the K10D and the 50mm A-series F1.7.

Do they clean themselves more when they're not sleepy? I've never seen as much dust and stuff on a bee before. But maybe I've just not looked as closely.

It's a fine lens, I use it. With Kenko tubes it can't be beat!




(Thanks, George!)

Got mine from Warehouse Express but it was about 12 months back

Thats a good effort Chris,
Now try it with a wasp, a BIG one, with a mean glint in its eye
You can tempt one into the house with some jam on a spoon, a bit like a donkey with a carrot

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