Macro Lenses

[Unknown303]

I currently have a couple old SLR cameras and am looking into macro photography. The one camera is old enough that it actually takes the screw-on lenses, this is the one i'd really like to get a macro lense for. I also have a Berreta mount Pentax SLR that i'd like to track down a macro lense for as well. I'm not near the cameras right now so if i didnt give enough information i will probably post again tonight. Thanks for the help guys.

[Thaco]

do a search on google for "lense baby" those are the ultimate in macroing.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

^ What? Lensbabies are selective-focus and I don't think they'd be very well-suited to macro photography. I could be wrong though, I've never been a fan of lensbabies to begin with...

[turboMiata]

i have two pentax SLRs myself (SP II and ME). You should be able to easily find a nice macro lens on ebay for pretty cheap. i'd recommend a 85mm or 100mm for the longer working distance.

[D'z Nutz]

If your camera takes screw-on lenses, then it's likely M42 mount lenses you're looking for. Some of the more popular ones are made by Pentax (search for Asahi Takumar) or Carl Zeiss Jena. I know there's a few Takumar macro lenses made at various focal lengths, not too sure about the CZJ's. They're easy to find, dirt cheap, and are good enough to even compete with many modern lenses.

If you have any lenses between 20mm and 50mm, try flipping it around in front of the camera body. That'll give you enough increased magnification to do some macrophotography. Or put something like a 50mm backwards in front of another longer lens. It basically acts like a magnifying glass in front one your main lens. Since you'll be using it backwards, the mount won't really matter, so you can buy any ol' 50mm f/1.8 and it'll work fine. Lenses like Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 can be had on ebay for as cheap as $15. I'm sure older pentax and nikon mount lenses are about the same price.

The only benefit of having a dedicated macro lens is it gives you extra working distance, more suitable if you're trying to shoot things like bugs or small animals that may be frightened away.

You may also want to consider looking into getting extension tubes.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Speaking of extension tubes, you can always do the classic Pringles-Can Extension Tube and have some fun with it!

http://www.photocritic.org/2005/macro-photography-on-a-budget/


http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1160/dsc11867gd.jpg

Remember, with the reverse setup (if you mount the lens in the can backwards), the wider-angle you use, the more zoomed-in it becomes. (18mm is more close-up than 70mm.)

I'm going to try this as soon as I can pick up a spare body cap and a can of Pringles.

Note: Controlling the aperture becomes impossible with most Canon lenses unless you use the DOF-preview trick, but you can adjust the aperture on Nikon lenses with the spring-lever on the lens if you mount it in the can backwards. Or, you could use an old-school lens with an aperture ring.

[Ekliptix]

A used $50 50mm lens and some macro tubes is a nice setup, for me at least.

[Unknown303]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm looking to do some really good quality macro shots here so i'm probably looking for a dedicated macro lense.

Must also point out although i have 4 SLR cameras i still am fairly amateur and would really appreciate some links to some sites with good information regarding composing shots and maybe some camera information like what f4.5 means. I'm guess thats focal distance or some such thing?

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Go out and pick up a book called "Understanding Exposure." It's highly recommended.

[Newk]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat
Go out and pick up a book called "Understanding Exposure." It's highly recommended.

I'm reading it right now, excellent book.

[Unknown303]

Sweet thanks.

[turboMiata]

Originally posted by D'z Nutz
If you have any lenses between 20mm and 50mm, try flipping it around in front of the camera body.



Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat
Speaking of extension tubes, you can always do the classic Pringles-Can Extension Tube and have some fun with it!




Originally posted by Ekliptix
A used $50 50mm lens and some macro tubes is a nice setup, for me at least.



i bow down to your ghettoness! but those tricks indeed work.

[Unknown303]

Originally posted by turboMiata
i have two pentax SLRs myself (SP II and ME). You should be able to easily find a nice macro lens on ebay for pretty cheap. i'd recommend a 85mm or 100mm for the longer working distance.

What model of lenses are those. or i guess whats the f on them?

[Ekliptix]

Originally posted by turboMiata



i bow down to your ghettoness! but those tricks indeed work.
I forgot lense stacking. Literally hold the 50mm in reverse against the 70-200 that's mounted on the camera. National Geographic quality.

[Unknown303]

Thought I would let ou guys know what equipment i have as to better understand what i have to work with already.

Voigtlander Vito II
Film Size: 135
Marketed: 1951 to 1955
Lens Mount: Fixed
Lens: Voigtlander Color Skopar 50mm f/3.5

http://i.pbase.com/o4/87/331787/1/60725605.35941074.35mmcamVitoIIa.jpg
http://k43.pbase.com/u14/equipment/large/41774765.41287775.Dscf0036.jpg
http://mk29.image.pbase.com/v3/87/331787/1/50409578.44363346.camerasVitoII.JPG

Thats my baby. Just got if a little while back, was my grandfathers (RIP).

Link To Camera Page (http://www.pbase.com/cameras/voigtlander/vito_ii)

I also have a

Mamiya/Sekor 500 DTL
Film Size: 135
Marketed: 1968
Lens Mount: M42

http://herron.50megs.com/500-TL-a.jpg
http://herron.50megs.com/1000-TL.jpg

Got this camera from an avid photographer who i worked for in BC, this was my first camera and has taken many good picture, in my opinion. Thanks Gary (RIP).

Next on my List of Cameras is my

Pentax ME Super
Film Size: 135 Picture Size: 24x36mm
Marketed: 1979 to 1983
Lens Mount: K

http://ct.pbase.com/t1/87/331787/4/61860977.N7A7j5Nd.jpg

Got this camera from my father about two years ago now. Still having troubles getting good photos out of it on a regular basis.

And finally the
Minolta Maxxum HTsi Plus
Film Size: 135
Marketed: 1998

Got this last year just as autofocus SLR to add to the arsenal.

[Unknown303]

As for lenses i have

1 x K Mount Sigma High speed zoom 1:3.5~4 f=80-200mm

1 x Cambron Auto Wide-tele zoom 1:3.5 f=38mm-95mm

1 x Pentax-M 1:1.7 50mm

1 x Sigma widemax 1:2.8 f=28mm

1 x Mamiya/Sekor 1:2 f=50mm

Then the Minolta AF has a AF Zoom 28-80mm 1:3.5(22)-5.6 D

[D'z Nutz]

Sweet! :thumbsup: I love a good fully manual camera. But the Vito is a rangefinder, not an SLR. Do you have any photos taken with it?

[Unknown303]

Not yet, have to get a light meter for that bad boy. can't wait to use it though. Might just take one of my other cameras and try and match the settings or something.