I want to try Macro

I want to try some Macro shots but don't have a suitable lens. What recommendations re a lens on a budget. I have seen all prices both new and 2nd hand but really need some advice. Don't want to pay hundreds. Camera is a K-r and the shots would be flowers, insects etc.

Thanks

Les

There's an FA50 2.8 macro for sale at a very good price right now in the classifieds section...

I myself have the D-Xenon 100mm macro (same as the D-FA100) which I'll probably never part with...

The really cheap option is 'tubes' and a manual lens OR a reversal ring...

I'm no macro expert but I use a sigma 50mm f2.8 EX DG Macro and a sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro which is not true macro but the extra reach is good for insects especially the bees

I don't know the second hand value of the 50mm but there are older mf versions around I believe for less than £100 - perhaps some cheap extension tubes as well.

The 70-300 is ok but not in the same league as the 50mm for image quality
Tamron have a version for around £90 when offers are on

The sigma 70mm and 105mm are expensive even second hand unless you get lucky

Other options depending in what's around for sale could include the Pentax 100mm Macro and the Tamron 90mm macro - worth checking the classifieds, evilbay etc etc

Of course there are other options

I also use my 50mm as a walk around lens when I'm hoping for the odd opportunistic macro whilst wandering around, it's a great lens

As an alternative, why not try an old manual focus PK lens something like a 50mm f1.7 with a set of cheap extension tubes.
I have a DFA 100mm f2.8 macro but the results with a Pentax A 35-70mm and a 31mm extension tube are pretty good in comparison. I think it's definately something you can experiment with at a potential outlay of £50 or less.

I have just noticed a manual 50mm sigma in the classifieds for £60 - spooky

It won't get you v. close but I've used my 55-300 with 12 &/or 21 tubes.
The advantage being it keeps your distance from butterflies, etc. & gives you a good chance of capturing an image before the critters fly off!


Roger.

How did you control the aperture on the 55-300 Roger? Do your tubes have the aperture control, as mine don't, so I can't use them with the 55-300 as it has no aperture ring.

Regards
David

I used a Pentax A 70-210 with a Raynox DCR250 - worked very well, especially at 210.

When fitted with, say, the 13mm tube, in P mode on my K5, I get aperture control on the rear wheel & shutter speed on the front.

The tubes are an old set of Jessops, the box marked "For Pentax--KA".
They have 6 contacts, with the paint removed at the next position round.

"Should" they not work?!

Roger.

You need a better set of tubes then

Actually, getting an old K/M/A 50 should be a rather cheaper and easier option than a set of tubes with the electrical A contacts - which you would need to get aperture control. It will be more versatile for macro work as well.

As suggested above - a really cheap option is a reversing ring which you could easily use on your 50mm f2 lens. I use one with an SMC-F 35-70 and step the lens down manually once I've composed the shot and use Green Button for exposure. Here are a couple of examples of what can be achieved - as shot not cropped. Not a good option though for things that move !

Thanks for the help so far. I was looking at the Raynox DCR250 adaptor as I thought it could be used with my existing lenses. Would it be a good starting point.

Thanks

Les

Possibly, depending on the filter-thread size of your lenses...

Actually, the F-35-70 is not a bad idea anyway as it has a 'macro' feature that allows for closer focusing... Although nowhere near being a true-macro lens it is pretty damn sharp and can focus closely... They can be had pretty cheap if you are patient...

Personally, I'd get saving (or in my case, sell stuff) for a proper macro lens... They hold value quite well so if you don't like it, you should be able to easily sell on...

They certainly should work - I have the same set of tubes and the same lens and the combination works perfectly. Simpler tubes without the 'A' contacts however won't.

Just spotted this for £35

SMC PENTAX-A ZOOM 35-70mm 1:3.5-4.5 PENTAX K MACRO LENS

???????


Les