Macro Attempt for the Pentax

airconvent · 6th August 2006

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...92#post2357292

Here is my first attempt. I am using a Nikon 4T (+1.9) and a Hoya +4 close up and yet I can't seem to get any closer. My friend says I need to use a reverse lens to get the effect. Any comments on this? How do you all do it for the Pentax? Also none of the shots were tack sharp...I was using macro mode.
Any advice is welcome.
Thanks and have a nice day...

alanswan · 8th August 2006

Sorry if I'm being too straight... but those are hardly macro shots.

If I'm not wrong, to use reverse lens, you have to get an adapter to mount the front of a lens to the front of another.
How the focal lengths work out and which lens to focus with, I'm not sure.
But the adapter should be nothing more than a ring with just screw threads.
(Something like a filter with glass and threads on both sides.)
And if you do this, you have to get really close, like less than 5cm to the subject.

If you don't want to get that close (not a good idea since they would probably run/fly/skitter away), the alternative is to use extension tubes.
I have seen K-mount extension tubes on auction sites (auto-focus even, but not cheap) but have never seen them in any shop in Singapore before...

southernoise · 8th August 2006

from my limited experience with macro shooting, you'll need

1. Macro focussing lens. Pentax DFA100 2.8, Tamron SP90 etc. I'm using a manual focus vivitar 100 that I got from ebay cheap.
2. Tripod/monopod
3. Extension tubes etc if you need to get closer or if you want to use your regular lens
4. Flash/External flash DIY'ed extender, there are some articles using tootpaste box lined with aluminium foil.
5. Tons of patience and stealth.

airconvent · 8th August 2006

Originally Posted by alanswan

Sorry if I'm being too straight... but those are hardly macro shots.

I know...i know..that is why I am asking for advice. I stacked the Hoya 4+ and Nikon 4T together and the lens was only like 20mm from the insect (they don't seem to mind that!) and yet the image came out so wide. I tried to zoom in but then the camera was unable to reach focus....
I've been reading and it seems for reverse macro, I need an adapter (size depends on what lens I buy) and another shorter lens to be connected to the main one.

Since I am using the 18-55m kit lens, what setting should I use (18mm or 55mm) and what is the recommended reverse macro lens for this combination?

Appreciate your pointers..thanks!

airconvent · 8th August 2006

Originally Posted by southernoise

from my limited experience with macro shooting, you'll need

1. Macro focussing lens. Pentax DFA100 2.8, Tamron SP90 etc. I'm using a manual focus vivitar 100 that I got from ebay cheap.
2. Tripod/monopod
3. Extension tubes etc if you need to get closer or if you want to use your regular lens
4. Flash/External flash DIY'ed extender, there are some articles using tootpaste box lined with aluminium foil.
5. Tons of patience and stealth.

Hi southernoise,
just a continuation of my previous post, so are you saying I will need a non-zoom lens for reverse photography or simply a single macro lens? Is the flash an essential requirement? Can I not depend on ambient light since the slr's noise performance should be ok...

Zaknafein · 8th August 2006

more light is always good imo

southernoise · 8th August 2006

Originally Posted by airconvent

Hi southernoise,
just a continuation of my previous post, so are you saying I will need a non-zoom lens for reverse photography or simply a single macro lens? Is the flash an essential requirement? Can I not depend on ambient light since the slr's noise performance should be ok...

The zoom lens will have a lower magnification ratio(I REALLY DON'T KNOW THESE TERMS! So I may be wrong!) and thus you can't focus those insects big big and swee swee.

When you do macro with tubes/macro lens, your arperture will be f8 or even higher cos of the Depth of Field(DOF) will be very shallow. So you'll need all the light you can.

You can read tons of these stuff online. They can give you the proper terms. heh...

airconvent · 9th August 2006

thanks all...
I casually walked into Cathay this afternoon and casually asked if they had pentax lenses and they said they only stocked originals plus one "limited".
I then casually asked the price of the 50mm f/2.8 and he casually told me $690 and I said thank you and casually walked out of the store!

Had no idea they were so expensive! I was comparing them with the "C"'s range...a friend bought one for around $200...50mm f/1.8 (I think).

fabian_toh · 9th August 2006

I know a friend who found a sigma f2.8 50mm macro lens for 350bucks... is that ok?

CYRN · 9th August 2006

use your Nikon 4T on your 18-200.

use 100mm and above, use flash and use f12 and above

6th August 2006	#1
airconvent Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,100	Macro Attempt for the Pentax http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...92#post2357292 Here is my first attempt. I am using a Nikon 4T (+1.9) and a Hoya +4 close up and yet I can't seem to get any closer. My friend says I need to use a reverse lens to get the effect. Any comments on this? How do you all do it for the Pentax? Also none of the shots were tack sharp...I was using macro mode. Any advice is welcome. Thanks and have a nice day...

8th August 2006	#2
alanswan Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seng Kang Posts: 944	Re: Macro Attempt for the Pentax Sorry if I'm being too straight... but those are hardly macro shots. If I'm not wrong, to use reverse lens, you have to get an adapter to mount the front of a lens to the front of another. How the focal lengths work out and which lens to focus with, I'm not sure. But the adapter should be nothing more than a ring with just screw threads. (Something like a filter with glass and threads on both sides.) And if you do this, you have to get really close, like less than 5cm to the subject. If you don't want to get that close (not a good idea since they would probably run/fly/skitter away), the alternative is to use extension tubes. I have seen K-mount extension tubes on auction sites (auto-focus even, but not cheap) but have never seen them in any shop in Singapore before...

8th August 2006	#3
southernoise Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 525	Re: Macro Attempt for the Pentax from my limited experience with macro shooting, you'll need 1. Macro focussing lens. Pentax DFA100 2.8, Tamron SP90 etc. I'm using a manual focus vivitar 100 that I got from ebay cheap. 2. Tripod/monopod 3. Extension tubes etc if you need to get closer or if you want to use your regular lens 4. Flash/External flash DIY'ed extender, there are some articles using tootpaste box lined with aluminium foil. 5. Tons of patience and stealth.

8th August 2006	#6
Zaknafein Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: my room Posts: 1,223	Re: Macro Attempt for the Pentax more light is always good imo __________________ Photo Album - Photo Album Looking for DOOMTOWN CCG. PLS PM ME!!

9th August 2006	#8
airconvent Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,100	Re: Macro Attempt for the Pentax thanks all... I casually walked into Cathay this afternoon and casually asked if they had pentax lenses and they said they only stocked originals plus one "limited". I then casually asked the price of the 50mm f/2.8 and he casually told me $690 and I said thank you and casually walked out of the store! Had no idea they were so expensive! I was comparing them with the "C"'s range...a friend bought one for around $200...50mm f/1.8 (I think).

9th August 2006	#9
fabian_toh New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 29	Re: Macro Attempt for the Pentax I know a friend who found a sigma f2.8 50mm macro lens for 350bucks... is that ok?

9th August 2006	#10
CYRN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 4,483	Re: Macro Attempt for the Pentax use your Nikon 4T on your 18-200. use 100mm and above, use flash and use f12 and above __________________ Photoevangel - Gallery - Photography Evangelism : Spreading the Good photography.