Macro Advice from the experts please!
Posted 13/12/2008 - 21:49
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Daniel Bridge wrote:
The Sigma macro lenses are in their EX range, which are generally superbly made, with a solid feel and smooth action.
My advice is to buy what you need at a price you can afford. If that's a Pentax, that's fine, but don't feel you can't get good results with another brand. I can't say that the Sigma or Pentax lenses would produce better results, as I haven't done side by side trials either.
Dan
I have trialed the Pentax D-FA 100mm and the Sigma EX 105mm macros side by side, and personally I found them both superb optically. johnriley wrote:
All macro lenses should give excellent results, but the Pentax ones might be better quality at very large print sizes.
More important is that I think they are more compact and better made, so the long extension helicoid needed for such close focusing may well last longer before becoming sloppy.
Note, I have 'bolded' a few words in John's post. As John says, all macros should give excellent results, I use a Sigma 105mm and I know it does. I would be more than happy to enlarge shots from it way beyond A3 size. At higher magnifications, good quality is as much to do with good technique as anything else.All macro lenses should give excellent results, but the Pentax ones might be better quality at very large print sizes.
More important is that I think they are more compact and better made, so the long extension helicoid needed for such close focusing may well last longer before becoming sloppy.
The Sigma macro lenses are in their EX range, which are generally superbly made, with a solid feel and smooth action.
My advice is to buy what you need at a price you can afford. If that's a Pentax, that's fine, but don't feel you can't get good results with another brand. I can't say that the Sigma or Pentax lenses would produce better results, as I haven't done side by side trials either.
Dan
I prefer the pentax for its lighter weight and quick shift capability.
Camera:|K-7|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
Posted 13/12/2008 - 22:35
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Dont forget the nice little 90mm from Tamron!.......
K20D...ist DS ,DA18/55,DA16/45.DA* 50/135,"A"1.7 50MM..."A" 70/210..M 50mm f2...Tamron 90mm macro,28/300 Tamron,200/500 Tamron 6.9....A Pentax DA*300... Sigma10/20,FA31mm 1.8 Ltd*********,FA 77mm Ltd!
Posted 13/12/2008 - 23:47
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beginner wrote:
Dont forget the nice little 90mm from Tamron!.......
I also have the 90mm AF Tamron albeit an older version 90mm f2.5, its a cracker also but only magnifies to 1.2 without the adapter. Dont forget the nice little 90mm from Tamron!.......
My brother has it at the moment and i'm not confident of ever seeing it again
Camera:|K-7|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
Posted 14/12/2008 - 08:51
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The only reason I would choose the Pentax over the others is for the Quick Shift which imo would come in very handy on a macro lens.
Apart from that I would say there isn't a duff macro lens out there.
My favourite and the one I use most is a 30 year old 100mm 1:1 Vivitar f2.8 and I seem to get pretty good results with it.
I also have an older Tamron 90mm f2.8 1:1 Adaptall 2 macro which is again excellent, much lighter and easier to focus than the Vivitar but doesn't seem to give the same quality of colours and bokeh.
Apart from that I would say there isn't a duff macro lens out there.
My favourite and the one I use most is a 30 year old 100mm 1:1 Vivitar f2.8 and I seem to get pretty good results with it.
I also have an older Tamron 90mm f2.8 1:1 Adaptall 2 macro which is again excellent, much lighter and easier to focus than the Vivitar but doesn't seem to give the same quality of colours and bokeh.
Posted 14/12/2008 - 09:05
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Don't forget the Elicar, which also has a good reputation.
Like many of the others though, it is huge compared to the Pentax lenses.
Like many of the others though, it is huge compared to the Pentax lenses.
Best regards, John
Posted 14/12/2008 - 11:02
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Lilly wrote:
Lilly
Lilly it means you don't have to put the camera body into manual focus if you choose to focus manually, you can leave the body set to auto focus.
Clarky wrote:
.... and quick shift capability.
please explain 'quick shift'?.... and quick shift capability.
Lilly
Camera:|K-7|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
Posted 14/12/2008 - 11:45
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Lilly wrote:
Lilly, your kit lens has Quick Shift (assuming it is not the L version). You let the body auto focus, and then you can change the focus by turning the focus ring yourself without having to switch to MF.Clarky wrote:
.... and quick shift capability.
please explain 'quick shift'?.... and quick shift capability.
Richard
Pentax K100D
DA 18-55 kit lens
A50/1.7 A28/2.8 M50/1.4 M135/3.5 A70-210/4
DA 18-55 kit lens
A50/1.7 A28/2.8 M50/1.4 M135/3.5 A70-210/4
Posted 14/12/2008 - 14:38
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Quick-Shift is only useful though if you turn off the function to auto-focus when you half-push the shutter button. Then you can manual-focus by turning the ring, or auto-focus by pressing the AF button.
~Pete
Posted 14/12/2008 - 14:46
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Which just goes to show how different people use cameras differently. If I want to tweak the AF position provided half pressure is kept on the shutter release then the lens can be manually focused and the shutter released.
So you AF using ths shutter release, it locks into position and then you adjust as you wish by using the MF ring.
So you AF using ths shutter release, it locks into position and then you adjust as you wish by using the MF ring.
Best regards, John
Posted 14/12/2008 - 16:15
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johnriley wrote:
Which just goes to show how different people use cameras differently. If I want to tweak the AF position provided half pressure is kept on the shutter release then the lens can be manually focused and the shutter released.
So you AF using ths shutter release, it locks into position and then you adjust as you wish by using the MF ring.
I wondered how the Quick Shift ring worked.Which just goes to show how different people use cameras differently. If I want to tweak the AF position provided half pressure is kept on the shutter release then the lens can be manually focused and the shutter released.
So you AF using ths shutter release, it locks into position and then you adjust as you wish by using the MF ring.
You learn something new everyday!
Cheers, HG
K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.
Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...
PPG entries.
K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.
Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...
PPG entries.
Posted 14/12/2008 - 16:54
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johnriley wrote:
Which just goes to show how different people use cameras differently. If I want to tweak the AF position provided half pressure is kept on the shutter release then the lens can be manually focused and the shutter released.
So you AF using ths shutter release, it locks into position and then you adjust as you wish by using the MF ring.
I would have used my camera like that if I had realised it was possible!Which just goes to show how different people use cameras differently. If I want to tweak the AF position provided half pressure is kept on the shutter release then the lens can be manually focused and the shutter released.
So you AF using ths shutter release, it locks into position and then you adjust as you wish by using the MF ring.
Thanks. I was wrongly assuming the camera would always try to refocus.
~Pete
Posted 14/12/2008 - 17:40
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I do it sometimes on general scenes, if you have something off centre in the foreground and want it to be in focus just half press the shutter to "lock on ", then recompose the shot and press!......Magic...lol I found out by accident!
Ken
Ken
K20D...ist DS ,DA18/55,DA16/45.DA* 50/135,"A"1.7 50MM..."A" 70/210..M 50mm f2...Tamron 90mm macro,28/300 Tamron,200/500 Tamron 6.9....A Pentax DA*300... Sigma10/20,FA31mm 1.8 Ltd*********,FA 77mm Ltd!
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8192 posts
22 years
London
That said, there are certainly some excellent lenses out there made by other manufacturers. Sigma have come a long way since they caused me to swear that I would never deface any camera of mine with a Sigma lens ever again.
G