Don,

I had posted a reply before the forums were upgraded. Here's my suggestion...

As John mentioned, an adapter is out of the question - the bayonet fitting is larger than the screwthread. However, second hand lenses are readily available. Here's a small selection of sites:

I've dealt with all these companies (the top three include good guarantees too with 2nd hand stuff):
http://www.mxv.co.uk
http://www.ffordes.co.uk
http://www.parkcameras.co.uk
http://www.clocktowercameras.co.uk
http://www.snaphoto.co.uk

Then there's Jessops second hand too - worth trying.
Alternatively, trying using Google.co.uk and looking for "M42 Pentax lens" within the UK sites - you'll find a whole heap to search through!

Regards,
Matt

Nick,

I think you'll find all lens repairs moderately expensive. They can be tricky things. I've recently contact Asahi Photo ( http://www.asahiphoto.net ) who gave me a very good price for fixing a Tokina Pentax fit lens. Additionally, they gave Nithy an excellent price on his Z1 smashed-up-a-mountain-LCD fix. So, it's probably at least worth giving them a call...

Regards,
Matt

vfp,

Did a google.co.uk search on the groups:

http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?....num%3D2

"That is a technician code meaning that your shutter mechanism has
failed the return stroke or basically, it is not working.."

Hope that helps ???
Matt

(It may seem that I'm talking to myself here, but I know many are reading this )

I found some very helpful formulae for calculating the magnification ratio and the like, as well as some general information regarding close up work. (Don't get scared by the maths!!)

Hope the links help...

http://www.johndesq.com/formulas/cuform.htm
(And this page too: http://www.johndesq.com/formulas/ )

A newsgroup thread on the subject:
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=001Fl7

And a general page:
http://www.nbank.net/~bpage/CloseUp.htm


Regards,
Matt

Ross, thanks for your info.

The Kood filter set is fabulous! Haven't had so much fun in ages!
The effect on my 28-70mm Tokina looks great, and even on the 20-35mm Tokina the macro is definitely useful! Distortion comes in alot at 20mm, but it opens up a whole set of possibilities.

I found another advantage of close up filters over extension tubes - you can use them with a digital camera too Until I can get some real film processed with the results, here's last night's attempts at hand held macro - http://www.pbase.com/mattmatic/close_up_filter_test - comments are more than welcome.

The world has taken on a new dimension!
I would say that if you have a smaller lens than 72mm, definitely get some macro filters. The Kood filters are not multicoated, but do the job well enough, and are certainly cost effective. ( www.SRBFilm.co.uk do the Kood sets, and www.7dayshop.com do the Soligor sets, and £18 is not much to pay for all the fun! The 72mm cost £50, which is still not bad at all.)

Anyway, enough rambling...
Matt

Hi Ross,

Thanks for the info

Just ordered a 72mm KOOD set, and I'll let you all know what the results are when I've got my first roll of slide through. (Probably a couple of weeks knowing my rate at the moment!)

As my camera gear is getting heavier by the month, a light solution is necessary. A macro lens is nice, but too heavy I soon won't be able to take the whole kit on the plane!!

Thanks again,
Matt

John,

Thanks for your comments. Yes, I have tried reversing a lens - in fact with my digital camera. Have a look at the "Go Closer 1 & 2" in my flowers & plants gallery. ( http://www.pbase.com/image/16014839 and http://www.pbase.com/image/16014838 ) It's a bit tricky without a coupling adapter, holding all by hand, but does work well although you have to be astonishingly close!

My problem is really weight and space. When lugging a whole kit around it gets very difficult looking after my three little kiddies - they don't have the same appreciation for photography (yet) I was tempted by a 100mm f2.8 Tamron (which scores very well on the Photodo MTF tests), but it's the weight that gets me.

I might experiment with the two Tokinas to see if a reversing ring would work.

If anyone else has any close up lens samples, I'd love to see them

Thanks,
Matt

Hi all!

Has anyone got any experience in using close up filters? Especially the single lens construction. You see I have two lenses with 72mm filters (20-35 and 28-70) and would rather not lug around another lens for the occassional macro work. I find I can get a 72mm kit with three filters for about £50 (by Kood).

I was wondering how soft the edges go, and whether this softening is better or worse when using a larger filter (i.e. 72mm as opposed to 55mm).

Thanks for your help,
Matt

John,

(It's not a good idea to cross-post - i.e. put the same request in two areas )

I've given a reply in your question on the SLR forum...
https://www.pentaxuser.com/cgi-bin....=4;t=20

Matt

John,

Try this:
http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?....&rnum=2

Looks like you need to email Metz in Germany

Hope that helps,
Matt