Extension Tubes

Please be patient with me. I have browsed previous postings but I don't understand the language.

I'm a complete beginner. I have a Pentax MZ-60 with a 28-90 lense. I need to take close up pictures of pieces of fudge and choccies for my new busness venture. Money is short. I have researched macro lenses but I can't afford one. Next choice, so I gather, is extension tubes...

My operating manual says the camera won't function when various lenses are attached inluding a 49mm and 52mm reverse adapter K, which I had also been considering buying. Do they just mean it won't work on auto?

What extension tubes should I buy and where can I buy some now?
Many thanks
Carrie

Carrie,
I bought mine second hand from Jessops.
I seem to remember seeing some in the bargain bucket of Jessops in Queens Rd not so long ago. Give them a call (or the Western Rd branch). Failing that, try Clock Tower Cameras (just off Queens Road) - http://www.clocktowercameras.co.uk/ - they're very helpful in there

Just make sure they have the electrical contacts on them and the lens should work fine in auto exposure (but manual focus).

Matt

Carrie,

Your camera has what is commonly referred to as the 'crippled' K mount. This simply means that your camera can only use lenses that have the electrical contacts to transmit data between camera body and lens.

If you fit a reversing adapter to your camera body, then mount a lens on the end, the electrical contacts have no effect therefore rendering it as a non-useable lens on your camera.

For your reference, any of the Pentax MZ cameras who's model name ends with 0 (zero) has the same 'crippled' mount. The ist film camera also has this mount.

To be able to use manual lenses, including reversed lenses or lenses mounted on extension tubes that don't have the electrical contacts, you'll need a MZ range camera who's model name does not end in 0.

MZ-7's and 5's crop up quite regularly on ebay at reasonable prices.

Thank you Matt.

No messing around here! I've been onto Clock Tower Camera's and they've put aside a 2nd hand set of Pentax extension tubes for me. I'll pick them up tomorrow.

Problem sorted. Thanks
Carrie

Peter,

Thank you for that. I wish I'd known that before I bought my camara...

Carrie

Carrie,
you could of course try your existing lens with a close-up lens attached.
They come in various strengths, look just like UV filters and screw onto the filter thread in the same way. As long as the thread is the same, any decent make will do and the results are normally pretty good.
You can often pick up close-up filter lenses second-hand for just a few pounds and the main advantage is that you don't lose light as you would with extension tubes.

BTW, the 'crippled' mount is a pretty naff idea - just another way of making everything automated, but the MZ60 is nevertheless an excellent camera and there's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't be able to get exactly the sort of results you're looking for.

Carrie,

The genuine Pentax extension tubes do not have the electrical contacts. Some third party ones (such as Kenko, Teleplus, Jessops) have the contacts - these will relay the aperture and lens information and will allow full metering and exposure options.

Just check that first

Matt

Thanks all

I hadn't come across close up filter lenses in my web search.

And I will make sure to look for contacts.

Carrie.

Do feel free to ask for tips on lighting and other ideas to help you with your project and from one small business enterprise to another...GOOD LUCK!
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Hi Carrie, and welcome to the forum.

If money is tight, then close up lenses may be the way to go, as all the extentions tubes with contacts will tend to be expensive..

I just had a look on Ebay, and found these..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EXTENSION-TUBES-FOR-PENTAX-K-KA-EXCELLENT-CONDITION_W0QQit...

and with 4 day to go, they may double in price.

That's what you're looking for anyway. If you look around the edge of the tubes in the pictures, there are 7(?) contacts. Without those, they won't work.

Of course, if you want to send the choccies and fudge to me, I'll take lots of photos for you.. sadly the fudge and choccies will be non-returnable, and the resulting images will have teeth marks in them..

Cheers

Liam

Another thing Carrie,

I've just had a look through Ebay to find out the filter thread size (the internal thread at the far end of the lens) for the 28-90. It doesn't seem to be marked on a lot of them, but I found one that says it's 58mm.

When buying close up lenses, you will need to know the size, as this what they'll attach to, so if it's not written on the end of the lens, take it with you to the shop, so you can check that they'll fit. You can get adaptors for a couple of quid, if you can't get closeup lenses for the exact size of the thread on the lens.

Cheers

Liam

thank you all so much!

The man at the shop has asked me to bring in my camera, so I will be doing that.

Inside my lense cap it says 58mm. So I assume that refers to the thread.

I feel so much better now that I know I can consult you when I get started.

I've bought a book... 'Starting Photography' Michael Langford 3rd edition. Coming at this as a novice I think it's a very thorough book. Has anyone seen it. I hadn't actually realised how much skill was involved in photography and I'm becoming enthusiastic about the large scope for creativity.

Thanks for the encouragement. I might point the way to my web site, if the photo's are good enough.

Carrie

in business image is everything.
We'll help you make sure they're fantastic.

That's right, Carrie. That's the size of the filter thread.


Absolutely, anything you need to ask at all, someone will know the answer here.. but probably not me.

Cheers

Liam

Carrie,

What I'm about to suggest may seem an expensive option, but you will learn the art/hobby of photography in lightning speed.

My suggestion . . . buy a Pentax digital SLR. You can practice to your hearts content with no waiting time for film to be developed. You can make the mistakes that we all make and correct them (read learn) in an instant (more or less). The *ist DL2 is relatively inexpensive with 2 lenses from Jessops.

Its worth thinking about and you can put it down as a business expense. You'll get up to speed much faster than using a film camera, then you can get on developing your business instead of films (pun intended).

The problem with film for amateurs has always been the waiting for film to be processed, then when you get a duff shot, trying to remember what you did wrong. That time lapse is totally eliminated in the digital world.

That said, digital imaging requires a computer to 'finish' the photo.