Macro

Evening folks,
I love trying to do macro ,i find it fascinating ,is there a cheaper way apart from buying the expensive dedicated Macro lens . Not keen on the reversing ring idea of things ,far too worried about damaging my camera as well as lens .

I keep reading peoples comments on the Tamron Adaptall 2 lenses ,they seem to be a good option to try ,my question is ...which one to go for ?if indeed these are any good .

Thanks for looking i await any input .

The more I look at this, the more I agree with the "there isn't a bad dedicated macro lens" statement.

Charlotte inspired me to get a 55mm Vivitar manual macro lens. It is more fun (i.e. technically challenging) than the AF/AE lenses but the results are just as impressive.

You just have to focus manually and use the stop down metering. (use the camersa in manual mode, set the aperture on the lens, press the green button to set exposure it's not too hard.)

I think get one (any dedicated macro) at a good price from ebay with a pentax mount and give it a go. If you paid the going rate you'll be able to sell for a similar price if it doesn't suit.

I'd take a chance with pretty much any 90mm, 100mm, 105mm dedicated macro lens from Pentax, Tamron, Sigma, Vivitar , Cosina etc.

Some of the older lenses only do 1:2 ratio. Some might do 1:1 with a matched adapter lens but these are often missin, so ask! The other pentax forum do a very good technical database of lots of lenses to xref with ebay/classifieds.

Depends how macro you want to go, most large insects like dragonflies, butterflies etc you could get with a standard zoom, most of which will focus as close as 12" a dedicated macro (say 100mm) would help you get the same if not even more frame filling shots but also allow you to keep your distance.

One alterative is to use a close up attachment that screws to the front of the lens which will allow you to get even closer, the other more expensive alternative is to buy a set of extension tubes, I say expensive because the ones that have the contacts to relay the lens aperture info to the camera seem to be fetching a high price, of course you can buy totally manual ones with no contacts but they are much harder to use.

Cant comment on the adaptals but I had a Tamron 90mm macro with Pentax mount and that was superb.

I should also point out that a dedicated MAcro lens on its own will still not let you fill the frame with tiny insects (thats why people use reversing rings)

Thanks for the input ,anyone have any knowledge of the Sears lenses ,especially the 135mm f2.8 and 50mm f1.4

Manual focus isn't really a problem. I normally set the lens on the magnification I want (1:1 or 1:2 etc) then move the camera to get the focus. My Sigma 50 macro is used on manual focus 90% of the time.

Not sure why you are worried about the reversing ring though. I have a Pentax made one which seems fine. The only issue is being careful you don't hit the object you are photographing with the rear lens element. According to the paperwork that came with it, the best magnification is with a reversed 28mm lens.

K.