Macro lens- a few beginner questions
Posted 16/12/2010 - 11:54
Link
All IMO
1. Somewhere around £100 for a manual focus 90-105mm.
2. 90-105mm
3. It varies, I suppose about 20cm for a 90-105mm. Less for shorter lenses, more for longer ones.
4. Most of your closest macros will be manually focussed, so AF is nice but not vital. Avoid M42 macro lenses as once you stop down (to increase the DOF) the viewfinder will get extremely dark, making focussing difficult.
1. Somewhere around £100 for a manual focus 90-105mm.
2. 90-105mm
3. It varies, I suppose about 20cm for a 90-105mm. Less for shorter lenses, more for longer ones.
4. Most of your closest macros will be manually focussed, so AF is nice but not vital. Avoid M42 macro lenses as once you stop down (to increase the DOF) the viewfinder will get extremely dark, making focussing difficult.
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Posted 16/12/2010 - 12:06
Link
Example min focusing distances:
DA35 14 cm
D FA50 20 cm
D FA100 30 cm
DA35 14 cm
D FA50 20 cm
D FA100 30 cm
Pentax K10D + Vivitar 55/2.8 macro + Super Takumar 55/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 85/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 135/3.5 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 200/4 + Super Takumar 300/4
Pentax K100D + DA18-55ALII + DA55-300
Pentax K5 + FA31Ltd + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR + M120/2.8 (+ DA18-55WR at occasion)
Pentax K100D + DA18-55ALII + DA55-300
Pentax K5 + FA31Ltd + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR + M120/2.8 (+ DA18-55WR at occasion)
Posted 16/12/2010 - 12:34
Link
Quote:
Avoid M42 macro lenses as once you stop down (to increase the DOF) the viewfinder will get extremely dark, making focussing difficult.
Avoid M42 macro lenses as once you stop down (to increase the DOF) the viewfinder will get extremely dark, making focussing difficult.
You can use the A/M switch on the lens to open up for focusing and stop down for shooting.
Best regards, John
Posted 16/12/2010 - 12:58 - Helpful Comment
Link
Please note that when manufacturers talk about min focus distances (MFD) then they mean from the sensor to the subject and NOT from the end of the lense to the subject .... depending on the circumstance then this can mean taking up to 3" (7.6 cms ) or so off of the MFD.
Generally a 90 or 100/105 is considered the most useful length for a good macro lense. Anything less than that (50 or 70) tends to mean much lower MFDs and so not so useful for live subjects. Anything more than that 150 / 170 / 180 are very expensive !
Generally a 90 or 100/105 is considered the most useful length for a good macro lense. Anything less than that (50 or 70) tends to mean much lower MFDs and so not so useful for live subjects. Anything more than that 150 / 170 / 180 are very expensive !
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Posted 16/12/2010 - 13:02
Link
johnriley wrote:
You can use the A/M switch on the lens to open up for focusing and stop down for shooting.
Quote:
Avoid M42 macro lenses as once you stop down (to increase the DOF) the viewfinder will get extremely dark, making focussing difficult.
Avoid M42 macro lenses as once you stop down (to increase the DOF) the viewfinder will get extremely dark, making focussing difficult.
You can use the A/M switch on the lens to open up for focusing and stop down for shooting.
That does work on a tripod, but I have found that it is virtually impossible to do handheld. I don't like tripods much, so no M42 macros for me
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Posted 16/12/2010 - 13:17
Link
anyone recommend a cheap good one?
Posted 16/12/2010 - 14:21 - Helpful Comment
Link
Patick - I have sent you info and a link with more information about a lens that I have been thinking of selling (Pentax 50mm SMCM macro). It may be suitable, depending upon what purpose you have in mind. It's a great lens but I agree with others that close ups of insects etc benefit from a longer focal length.
Posted 16/12/2010 - 14:55
Link
Quote:
anyone recommend a cheap good one?
anyone recommend a cheap good one?
Ah, the holy grail of photography, good cheap macro`s are as rare as the proverbial rocking horse droppings. You may get lucky on ebay, but I wouldn`t bet on it.
Davex.
Posted 16/12/2010 - 15:21 - Helpful Comment
Link
If you want macro on the cheap then use extension tubes or a Raynox (I prefer the 250 over the 150) to turn virtually any lenses into a macro lense. Both methods can give you excellent macro shots - with practice & patience !
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Posted 16/12/2010 - 20:42
Link
Have a look at this guys photo's on flickr
He uses normal lenses 35 or 50mm, which he reverses and using extension tubes he has produced some absolutely stunning images with an old K200D
It just goes to show that it is the person behind the camera rather than the equipment that produces the truly great images
flickr link
He uses normal lenses 35 or 50mm, which he reverses and using extension tubes he has produced some absolutely stunning images with an old K200D
It just goes to show that it is the person behind the camera rather than the equipment that produces the truly great images
flickr link
Pentax K20D is mine
Pentax-M 100mm f4 Macro K
Oh, what have I started!
Pentax-M 100mm f4 Macro K
Oh, what have I started!
Posted 17/12/2010 - 09:39
Link
Thanks for the replies. At the moment I use my Panasonic TZ3, which is good but not true macro.
Posted 17/12/2010 - 10:02
Link
I'm probably biased because it's what I have, but I would suggest looking for a Tamron 90mm f2.5 Adaptall-2. With a bit of effort and restricting yourself to a normal PK mount (not the PKA one) you should be able to find one for around £100 or so.
Alternatively a Pentax 100mm f4 macro should be a similar price, perhaps £120 or so.
If that's too much you could also look at a Tamron 70-300 zoom, that lens has a remarkably good macro mode which goes down to 1:2 (the same as both of the above 'real' macro lenses). Last year I posted a few bug shots with that lens here. When the macro mode is on the zoom is limited from 180-300mm, so it's a cheap long macro. (By way of comparison the Sigma 180mm macro costs £500.) You can probably find the Tamron 70-300 for about £50 if you look hard enough. There's one in the forum classifieds now for £65 I believe. The other bonus is that it's a very decent telephoto lens too. Very sharp for the price.
PS You can also fit a Raynox onto the Tamron 70-300. I did that here.
Alternatively a Pentax 100mm f4 macro should be a similar price, perhaps £120 or so.
If that's too much you could also look at a Tamron 70-300 zoom, that lens has a remarkably good macro mode which goes down to 1:2 (the same as both of the above 'real' macro lenses). Last year I posted a few bug shots with that lens here. When the macro mode is on the zoom is limited from 180-300mm, so it's a cheap long macro. (By way of comparison the Sigma 180mm macro costs £500.) You can probably find the Tamron 70-300 for about £50 if you look hard enough. There's one in the forum classifieds now for £65 I believe. The other bonus is that it's a very decent telephoto lens too. Very sharp for the price.
PS You can also fit a Raynox onto the Tamron 70-300. I did that here.
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Posted 17/12/2010 - 10:10
Link
Cosina 100mm f3.5 is another option
[link=https://500px.com/will_brealey/[/link]
Posted 18/12/2010 - 23:03
Link
Hi there! My first ever post. Sorry if I am being very newb.
Again, sorry for hijacking the thread, but can you use a macro lens to do normal photography and landscape?
Thanks in advance!
Again, sorry for hijacking the thread, but can you use a macro lens to do normal photography and landscape?
Thanks in advance!
Still learning!
Zooms: DA12-24 | DA16-45 | DA*50-135 | DA55-300
Primes: FA31 | DFA100WR | M50F1.7
Fun: LensBaby Composer + Kit
Zooms: DA12-24 | DA16-45 | DA*50-135 | DA55-300
Primes: FA31 | DFA100WR | M50F1.7
Fun: LensBaby Composer + Kit
Add Comment
To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.
647 posts
14 years
1. Just wondering what price a proper/true macro lenses begin at 2nd hand?
2. what is the 'generally regarded' best focal length for macro?
3. what is the minimum distance from the object with macro lenses? It is still about 26cm but the object just appears closer?
4. anything else to note?
thanks,
Pa.
Pa
http://www.photoblog.ie where every post have a musical reference as it's title.