Pixels or Glass?

I wouldn't say that the Sigma 105 DG EX Macro is either 'clinical' or 'heavy', in fact quite the opposite. It is a lovely, subtle lens with smooth bokeh and great colour rendering. For flowers, I can't think of many AF lenses that would be better.

Some of the old glass, as already mentioned, has a lovely way of rendering flower images, the K55 F1.8, the SMC Takumar 135 F3.5, both of which work great on tubes, but MF only.

Regards
David

Here are few flower images with the aforementioned lenses:

K55 F1.8:





Sigma 105 DG EX Macro:





SMC Takumar 135mm F3.5:




Regards
David

I think we were saying that a lens that communicates aperture to the camera requires at least that connector to allow control with tubes. Manual tubes will not allow the aperture information to feedback to the camera. So a lens with "A" aperture control will require tubes with contacts. [/quote]That's right, but the body of the lens/tubes provides the return path for the circuit that provides the code to show the max aperture of the lens

Nigel - go and buy some extension tubes and try them out with a lens you already have. The Pentax M75-150mm does work well with tubes (I have one too!). If you don't like the results - then go and buy a lens, nothing lost.

Andrew

Absolutely, I've never managed to solder a circuit with a single magic wire yet!

http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/magic-story.html

As I said David "Everybody has their own thing". I prefer the older glass to the newer.

I especially like the third with the Tak 135. Hope it's not M42 as I don't get on with them well.

The poppies look a little blown (perhaps the tip of the osteospurmum too) on the saturated colour. I've had that before with red on acer leaves. I think the sensors have a weak spot for not metering reds quite right.

Hi Doug, I'm afraid it is M42, but I leave an adaptor with the spring clip removed permanently fixed, so it's as easy as a bayonet lens.

You're right about the reds on the K55 image, they area bit blown, but there's nothing blown on the second one. With reds you have to underexpose quite a lot to avoid any blown areas. The nice thing about the K55 though is that the reds are true, no magenta tints.

Regards
David

Shame for me about the Tak.
My laptop screen is deeply average. It was just the tip of the pointy out petal 10 o'clock. But I'm nit picking

I enter the occasional dead/dessicated spider/flower to club comps but they are never received well

I think dogs and vases are de rigueur.

David, I did find tha Sigma quite a solid and weighty item - but my Canon fit was new back in 2001 - I wonder if the design has changed over time? In any case based on your recommendation I'll certainly consider it. It appears to be still an excellent quality / value macro option.

Just out of interest anyone, where's the best online source for new extension tubes?

I've been right through this whole thread and listed every suggested item .... here's a list of every lens or tube etc mentioned, without duplications : ....

Extension Tubes Kenko Telelpus x2 Macro Converter Raynox Macro Adaptor
49mm to K Reversing Ring +5 Achromatic Close up
Sigma 50mm f2.8 Sigma 105mm f2.8 Tamron 70 / 90
Sigma 90mm Kiron 105mm Vivitar 55 / 90
Pentax A50mm 1.7 Pentax 100 f2.8 macro Pentax K55 f1.8 . f2.0
Cosina 100mm f3.5 Vivitar 100mm f3.5 Pentax F 35-70
Pentax 50mm f4.0 macro Sigma 70mm DG macro FA 50 f1.7
Vivitar 135 close focus Pentax f 35-70
Sigma 70-300 macro DA ltd 35mm macro DA 16-45
Sigma 55mm f1.8 Adaptall SP90 Adaptall SP35-80

A great selection. I've got my research to do now. I might start by looking into the Kenko Teleplus Conveter, plus a new prime macro, or even one of the suggested short zooms. Plenty to get on with. Thanks again to all who have contributed such excellent advice.

I don't see any reason to avoid using a zoom with tubes. The tubes just move the lens away from the body, thus allowing the point of closest focus to be closer than without the tubes.

Closer subject = bigger image, that's all.

Ooo, ooo, ooo....

Here's what you want.

Forget the TC, but it's the right tubes. You'll just have to scratch a bit of paint off.

Blimey, or these, without the TC...

... you wait for hours, and then two come along at once.

Why would anyone use a prime lens over a zoom?

I think that might be for a whole new thread there !. In my case at least, my primes offer better IQ generally, so I would imagine that would translate to better IQ also with tubes. Although the Pentax M 75-150 has been referred to here as very good with tubes, so I will be trying that for sure.

I may try and get a better standard zoom as I only have the 18-55WR - very good for general walkabout shooting but not really for critical stuff.

So, in answer to your own poll,

Neither, I'm getting expensive fresh air filled photon blockers.