I'm in a TIZZ

After a break from taking pictures for about a 1 1/2 yrs or so ,the nice summer weather has renewed my passion once again. When i first started i was intrigued by macro/closeup in general . So now i'm on the lookout for a nice old manual macro lens ,not really interested in the modern macro lens plus too much money anyways

Next question ...which lens ? I'd also like the lens to double up as a portrait lens (i love taking shots of my granddaughters).

so....which ?

100mm macro
50mm macro
35mm macro
28mm ?

Bearing on mind i'm on a tight budget

This is where i get information overload ,so i'm open to suggestions please .

Cheers
sean

I use a Tamron 90mm 72b manual focus macro lens and it does the job for me.

https://www.pentaxuser.com/photo/user-12248/my-mates-dog-57837

Not that expensive and as good as the DFA 100mm macro as I had one and sold it and kept the Tammy.

Macro lens choice is to a large extent driven by subject.

Shorter focal lengths are fine for 'still life' subjects as they don't give you much working distance. Longer, i.e. 100+, are better for creatures, etc. as they give you greater working distance.

Given the crop factor on our APSC cameras, the 50mm will give you the closest to the 'perfect' focal length for portraits, which in 35mm terms is 85mm.

I would second the 90mm focal length, gives enough working distance for the macro, also believe it gives a better portrait look than the 50mm, I wish I could've kept my 90mm maybe get another in the future.

Thanks for the input guys k

I think the 50 my be use for my needs,plus it would make a great walk about. Question now is which one do I go for?

Sean

I don't do a lot of macro (read that as practically none) but I have an old Sigma manual focus 50mm f/2.8 macro for the odd occasions that I do. You can pick one up very cheaply and they perform well as both a macro and general walkabout lens. You have to get very close, though, and if I were more interested in macro I'd certainly go for a 90mm or 100mm, as others have suggested. An old 50mm could be a good low-cost solution if you just want to try it out. I suspect they're all pretty good.

Al

There are some Sigma 50mm f/2.8 macro lenses around and they are apparently very good and go for reasonable prices (maybe 130 with AF, 80 if manual focus). Those would probably be your best bet. The equivalent Pentax lenses would cost more and are probably less common. The one I see for sale most often is the M series 50mm f/4, but it's a little slow for portraits and manual focus on a DSLR. It usually goes for around a 100 quid.

Galoot has a nice looking Pentax 50mm f2.8 macro for sale at what looks like a very reasonable price here:- link

or, for the same price you could have my lovely in as new condition Cosina 100mm f3.5 AF macro lens....