Going Macro

I recently bought a used Vivitar 105mm f2.5 1:1 Macro lens, presumably by Kiron. My first tests showed me that this is a terrific lens, tack sharp, etc. I tried it with a AF-360 FGZ+Omnibounce and I pretty much like the results; so now I'm waiting the summer to come along with some flowers & buggy friends to start my shooting.

My question is, what if the 105mm (actually 152mm with the crop factor) is not enough to keep appropriate distance from my subject (bare in mine I've never tried macro)? I thought I could add some extension tubes to the set and, here's my question, given the fact that extension tubes don't have any sort of glass element, is it worthy to try to get a Pentax one, or any brand is good? Any suggestion for extension tubes choices?

Extension tubes get you closer to the subject (with higher magnification) not further away. As to maker, make sure you get a reputable maker so that there are no fit/jaming problems. Also make sure they are 'auto' tubes (which means you get automatic stopping down of the lens on shooting). Otherwise anything will do.

I C

I think the only way to get further away from the subject is to use a longer macro lens to start with. EG: 200 or 300mm. I have Sigma 70-300mm Zoom which has a macro setting at the 300mm end of its range.

I have a Sigma 70-300mm as well (although the cheaper non-APO version). Have you tried shooting for example bees or small bugs? the fact that is not a 1:1 macro was a problem?

Mine is the APO version. I'll shoot some macro pics with it over the next few days and try and post the results. There are others much more knowledgeable than I am about macrophotography on here but you might try starting with the 70-300 then adding extensions which well get you closer but increase magnification. You can always try 'stacking' lenses, mount 2 lenses. Put your 70-300 zoom on the camera then a stacking ring, then fix say a 50mm reversed. If you have say a 200mm lens with a 50mm lens reversed you'll get something like 4X magnification.

There is a dedicated closeup lens (actually a dual element lens) which screws into the the front of the Sigma Apo Macro 70-300 which makes it a genuine 1:1. The results are pretty good if you can keep the lens stable - which is not so easy when it is 9 inches long fully extended (11 with the hood) and no tripod mount on the lens. But then what other options are there for a 300mm 1:1 macro lens??!!

I seem to recall some photogs on my tour of Great Slave Lake stacking teleconverters AND extension tubes on thier canikon bodies with 4-600mm (prime) lenses for close-ups.....

Fernando,

I have the same 70 - 300 mm APO sigma lens as Mannesty. The following is not cropped from the original 300mm, 1/180 @ F8 ISO400, I hope it gives you an indication of what you might expect to get magnification-wise.




This photographers' eyes could do with a bit of focussing, as I didn't quite get the bell of the snowpdrop in sharp focus, but the stem! It was handheld (braced against the bench I was sitting on) and slightly breezy.

I have had good experiences with using both extension tubes and reversing the lens onto the body with an adapter, but at the very close lens to subject distance, most wildlife would be far too shy to hang around! Also focussing becomes a problem, so I use a manfrotto micropositioning plate i picked up on ebay. Some samples of images taken with this rig are here http://www.ammonyte.plus.com/galleries/ExtensionTubes/index.html If you like lots of fiddling and tinkering, macro photography can be a heap of fun!

Pete,

your photo makes me think the Sigma is viable option after all, I'll try my non-APO for moving subjects, according to web reviews in the higher-end sharpness is similar to the APO one but I might get some extra CA (in the beginning that's workable) and the Vivitar for still ones (who knows maybe 105mm may work for bugs as well). Thanks for the micropositioning plate tip, didn't know that such gadget existed, looks handy.

Tony, Don thanks for the ideas.

Well, I'll curbe my enthusiasm and start with some still subjects; wish me luck

Credit for the snowdrop pic should go to Ammonyte, my efforts can be viewed here :- http://www.mannesty.com/album/Sigma%2070-300%20APO%20Macro%20Zoom%20shots/index.html

All of these pics were taken hand held using a *istD and Sigma 70-300 APO Macro Super Zoom lens. I used RAW format and these pics have simply been converted to .JPG using RawShooterPremium 2006. I didn't actually measure the lens to subject distance but it was about 12 inches give or take an inch or three.

My experience with extension tubes is that you need a flat-field lens like a bellows lens to keep the corners sharp. Also, the field of view is so narrow you almost have to shoot at F 11 or higher because you lose light the longer you extend the lens.

Probably better to stick w/ a good 1:1 macro. I'm using an FA 50 2.8 which has a true flat field (using curved lens elements, go figger). It also works as a decent standard lens equiv to about an 80mm, I've had good results with the iStd.

Here's a tip for copying your old negs and slides: I grabbed an old SMC auto bellows with the slide holder. You mount the whole thing on a tripod and point it up against a white wall. Use the pop-up TTL to get a perfect exposure every time. The mag factor works in your favour to really fill the frame. But there again, you need a flat field lens to get the best results.

Good luck!

I've been using a 50mm with extension tubes, before I got the Sigma 105mm, and, depending on the 'bug', you can get plenty close enough, so the 105 you have should be fine for lots of subjects. I've even taken a Dragonfly with 50 and all three tubes, you just edge toward them when they're sunning themselves!





Good luck,
Dan

having just purchased a Sigma 70-300 APO lens from ebay in the USA for macro shots I am now more enthusiastic than ever to try it out. just one question - how can I share my results?

You can't post pictures directly to this forum. You have to link to a picture that is on another website.

G