Which macro lens for K-x ?

There are lots of topics here about macro lenses, but I haven't found one that answers my question.
Plus of course cost is a factor !

I would like to treat myself to a macro lens, at the moment chiefly for insects and butterflies. I'm still very much a learner so I don't want anything that's too advanced or too expensive.

Up to now I've managed some reasonable close-ups with my 55-300 but of course I will never get the detail and sharpness afforded by a macro lens.

Any suggestions/help would be appreciated.

Insects and butterflies aree tricky subjects and a macro lens will serve best. I find 100mm is about right, so if you can find any make of AF macro lens then any should serve you well. I don't think there is a bad macro lens anywhere.

Pentax, Vivitar, Tamron and Sigma all offer, or have offered, suitable lenses.

If you can include manual focus lenses, then the cost is lower and we should add Elicar to the list.

Thanks John - I did read a posting here where someone praised his beloved 100mm !
I will probably stick with AF as sometimes you need to be very quick !

Cheap manual extension tubes are good for experimenting with. Under a tenner new.

The .24 magnification combined with the 40cm focus distance through the whole range make the 18 - 135 DA WR at 135mm good for close up of butterflies (some examples recently on my gallery). The problem with the 55 - 300 DA is you have to be about five feet away. Good when in focus though. I thought I needed macro (at least 1:1) and realised close up was fine for most of my interest.

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - Absolute cracking lens

I feel I've gone as far as I can with the 55-300 and will never get the result I want for anything smaller than, say, a swallowtail.
I've had a good look on internet now and I will just have to bite the bullet re cost - but might be lucky ad find a secondhand one.

One question, though : Will Sigma, Tamron and Vivitar fit the Kx ? Or will I need an adaptor ?

As long as they are for Pentax/Samsung i.e. have a K mount they will fit

They'll all fit the kx if you make sure they are Pentax - K mounts Sally,

What exactly are you wanting to photograph ? (I only ask because obviously that will make a difference regarding the type of lens you may need).

If you want to have a chat about it you know where to find me and I can give you the benefit of my limited experience.

Another vote from me Sally for the Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG EX Macro. I've owned one for a few months now, after previously having a Sigma 50mm manual focus F2.8 macro and I think it is a superb lens. The 105 is definitely the better lens, although the 50mm was sharp, it was not as consistently good. The issue is one of cost versus performance; the 50mm manual focus lens sells for approx £90 to £100, whereas the 105 DG EX will set you back between £225 and £300 for a good one. I wouldn't worry too much about AF if I were you as you will probably find that most of your macro shots are with manual focus.

Any 'K', 'KA' or 'KAF' mount lens will fit your K-x without an adaptor, regardless of what make it is.

Regards
David

Thank you all for the helpful input.
From everything I've read, something around 100mm would be ideal. I also appreciate that I will probably need time to learn how to use it to its best advantage !

I happen to have a K adaptor that I needed for a Tamron 70-210 lens (which I really must get on and sell).
The Sigma 105 certainly seems to get rave reviews.

I do envy people that manage to pick up secondhand bargains - I don't know how easy it is to find anything here in France. I have to confess to never having used ebay (to nervous).
Charlotte - thank you, I will probably be along to pick your brains.

Edit : I don't suppose anyone here has one they want to sell ? I'll be coming to Devon via Portsmouth in September for 10 days ...

I have this one - Vivitar 100mm f3.5 AF Macro Lens (http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/327 )

I have only used it about 6 times, if you are interested send me a PM.

Regards

That sounds very interesting, Colin.

This is the sort of thing I would hope to improve on with a macro lens :




The focussing range of the 55-300 will not allow me to go any closer and cropping reduces the quality of the image. I want something much sharper, and bigger !