Macro options

[deckitout]

I would like to try a Macro option that won't break the bank.

Happy to manual focus, so would be interested in a good quality lens to use via an adaptor

Any advice appreciated

 

[RetroBoy]

I've only dabbled a bit with macro.
I already had a Konica AR to u4/3 converter so I happily snapped up a Hexanon 55 macro + extension tubes set when one came up on ebay.

On it's own the lens is sharp, max aperture 3.5 and focuses as close as 250mm.
It usually comes in a set with ext tube adapter together in a leatherette canister.

The magnification area of the macro lens by itself is 36mm - so about 1:2 - at working distance of around 120mm.

Add the adapter and you can just fit 18mm in the frame but the WD is only 70mm. The adapter actually mounts the lens upside down so then the aperture markings show the actual f/stop taking into account the 1 stop loss of light.

And here's a picture...

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/retroboy07/5333028436/" title="EPL1 Hex 55 macro + EXT by Retro.Boy.07, on Flickr">

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"500" height="377" alt="EPL1 Hex 55 macro + EXT" /></a>


You can also use the Hexanon 2x teleconverter...
The Tcon + lens = 18mm at 130mm WD.
The TCon + lens + Ext tube adapter will just fit 12.5mm in the frame and allow a working distance of 95mm.
But you lose 2 stops of light with the tcon.

Here's the whole shebang - Macro lens + Extension tube adapter + Tcon + AR to u4/3 adapter + E-PL1

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/retroboy07/5333028342/" title="EPL1 Hex 55 macro + EXT + TC by Retro.Boy.07, on Flickr">

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"500" height="377" alt="EPL1 Hex 55 macro + EXT + TC" /></a>

I rigged up a snoot for the onboard flash with a diffuser which sits above the end of the combo. Was able to grab a few shots of this tiny fly outside recently.
Taken with all the above with monopod, flash at 160, iso 200 and aperture at f/16

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/retroboy07/5332413275/" title="Macro Fly3 by Retro.Boy.07, on Flickr">

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"500" height="375" alt="Macro Fly3" /></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/retroboy07/5333028636/" title="Macro Fly2 by Retro.Boy.07, on Flickr">

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"500" height="375" alt="Macro Fly2" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/retroboy07/5332413133/" title="Macro Fly1 by Retro.Boy.07, on Flickr">

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"500" height="375" alt="Macro Fly1" /></a>

 

[mikekiwi]

I rigged up a snoot for the onboard flash with a diffuser which sits above the end of the combo. Was able to grab a few shots of this tiny fly outside recently.

Thanks for your post. I'm not the TS, but I would like to see a picture of the snoot for the flash...

 

[JCD]

you may also try the cosina/vivitar/soligor (ecc. ecc.) 100mm f/3.5 macro in any mount (nikon, canon, pentax, minolta ecc.)

 

[Narnian]

50mm and 100mm macros are widely available on eBay cheap (under $150 for 100mm and under $100 for 50mm).

If you want to shoot flowers the 50mm are great and if you want to shoot insects go with the 100mm. I picked up a 50/4 Pentax macro and an Olympus OM 50./3.5 macro on eBay for around $50 each and a 105/4 Micro-Nikkor for around $70. If you want the faster ones (e.g. f2.8) expect to pay about twice as much.

 

[shoturtle]

do you have a 45-200 or the 40-150 or 14-150. If so you can do a really cheap way close to 1:1 or super macro by simply adding a macro conversion lens, like the canon 500D or 250D. The 250D will give you super macro, while the 500D will give you close to 1:1 macro.

Here is a recent close up with the 45-200 and canon 500D close up lens. It is an inexpensive 60 dollar option.

If you want a true 1:1 macro, the olympus 4/3 35mm 3.5 with the mmf 2 adaptor is another low price option.

 

[carpandean]

The Minolta MD/MC 50mm f/3.5 macro lens with 1:1 adapter tube is readily available on Ebay (been thinking of picking one up) for not too much and is supposed to be quite good, if it's long enough for you. Their 100mm macros (older f/3.5 and newer, slower, but seemingly better f/4) tend to be significantly more expensive ($150-250), so I'd look for other option at that focal length.

 

[deckitout]

Thanks for all the advice

Rather a lot to think about and so many options