The image in the veiwfinder will vary in sharpness as you focus, when you get it focused a small green hexigon will light up at the bottom of the the display (and if set up appropriatly the camera will beep).

If your using older lenses ensure you set the custom menu line to allow aperture ring use. (You might as well set it anyway it does no harm)
If you decide to get a M42 adapter make sure it has no flange or you won't be able to focus on infinity.

I was lucky and got mine for £50.
Plasticy but a nice lens, perhaps not up to the quality of the pentax macros, but considerably cheaper.

Thanks Geoff
To date I've missed out on all the medium format lenses I've gone for.
I intwend to make a mouint for normal lenses too, they will work but only for close focus stuff - I dabble in Macro, and (with a lot of luck) I should be able to get an incresed effective DOF by tilting.
A reversed prime would I believe be even more for macro work than a standard one.
Some of my (T2) mirror lenses might work anyway, a full set of extension tubes seems to have no effect on the close focus, and they focus beyond infinity. If I change the T2 adapter it should be relatively simple (T2 has a registration distance of 55mm, so I've got nearly 1cm spare) ... Something else to play with

Sorry the first link is incomplete & I'm too late to edit it

http://flic.kr/p/8V9jBV along with

http://flic.kr/p/8V9jBz

http://flic.kr/p/8V9jBR

http://flic.kr/p/8V9jBM

http://flic.kr/p/8V9jC8

should work (hopefully)

Mike

To start things rolling:
I'm constructing a homemade Tilt/shift setup which looks like it's going to cost under £10 with a choice of 2 lenses.

Materials M39 enlarger lens(es) - I got a 40mm & a 75mm for ~£3 each
m39 mounting plate (mine came free with one of the lenses)
MR2 steering gaiter (£1 e-bay) other similar parts should work fine
budget m42 mounting adapter (£2 e-bay china - still on the way )
Epoxy or similar (surely everyone's got something similar available already)

The steering gaiter had to be cut down drastically to allow it to squeeze enough for infinity focus - this leaves enough for a macro project or two...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/petrochemist/5195895195/" title="DIY tilt/shift 1 by Analyst 1, on Flickr">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5195895195_c9134dc551_m.jpg" width="240" height="205" alt="DIY tilt/shift 1" />

http://www.flickr.com/photos/petrochemist/5195895195/photos/petrochemist/5195895...

The other pics in the flickr set should explain the set-up if further notes are needed.

Focusing by squeezing seems a bit hit or miss, so I'm planning on adding an optional external frame later, but the system seems to work.
It's generally best with the 40mm as the 75 needs to be pulled out slightly out focus. Once the bayonet mount is attached this should become easier.

One of the first attempts with the set-up (without the bayonet so technically free-lensing) is on my portfolio
https://www.pentaxuser.com/photo/freelensing-experiment-22625/large
others will probably follow...

Mike

Since Mowog is fussy on his £10 lens thread I thought I'd start one for those that aren't standard K or m42 mounts.
- I've upped the price somewhat to allow for adapters, but If it's interesting enough we'll stretch the limit.


I'm happy to see other (non lens) budget solutions as long s we don't stretch too far from the allotted section of the forum.

Mike

I think I remember seeing an on-line photo of the case, which didn't have room for a tripod.
I've eventually found my Pentax Collectors guide and have been trawling through it - unfortunately it's pictures are almost exclusively the cameras, and the K series 1000mm f8 is listed without any further information.

You & I both know they're not true macro lenses, but when it's in the name, many others will get fooled. I felt it necessary to point out for the benefit of less experienced people who might read the thread.

If your comment was rephrased to refer to macro primes then I'd agree wholeheartedly, and add I've not heard reports of one (that wasn't faulty) either!

Mike (K not P)

You've not met 'macro' zooms then?

Not that I've ever met one that actually meets the technical definition of macro (1:1 or better reproduction on the film/sensor)
I don't mean to imply 'macro' zooms are all bad...

Excellent news, Thanks Dan.

I'd particularly love to see some of the Macro/wildlife articles, from back Issues that had sold out. (issues 3:2009, 4:2008, 3:2006, 2:2006, & 4:2002)
All of these sounded interesting enough for me to have brought if the issues were still available.

I don't remember a single article that wasn't of interest in any of the copies I have - some might have aged somewhat (mainly the reviews) but all where interesting reading.

Like Algi, I'm sure the improvement will be popular!

Mike