Macro for Pentax MZ-30

[hans andersson]

I will by a macro lins for my Pentax-MZ-30. I like to photo flowers,

musroms. butterflyes etc. Today I just use close up linses.

Shall I chose 50 or 100mm? Is t good to chose Zoom or fix?

Regards Hans Andersson

[hans_bernhard_beykirch]

Hans,

 

For these purposes, I recommend a 100mm macro (50 is to short and 200 quite expensive). Pentax has two, the 2,8 has a better optical performance.

 

Check out:

 

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/

 

and

 

http://www.concentric.net/~smhalpin/

 

Regards

 

Bernd

[stemked]

I agree, a 100 (or 90mm) lens is the way to go. Here are a few words of advise:

 

DO NOT BUY THE Pentax 100 f4 M macro lens. It will not meter correctly on your MZ-30 camera (too bad it's a good inexpensive lens). You need lenses that have electrical contacts.

 

The new Pentax/Vivitar/Corsica 100 f3.5 lens is an inexpensive way to get into macro (they are basically all the same lens-I'd recommend the Pentax version here). These lenses only go down to 1:2

 

The Pentax 100s have 4 lenses: 100 mm f4 A (also 1:2) excellent lens (usually used ~$250-300), the 100 mm f2.8 (1:1) rare and expensive and the 100 mm f2.8 F and FA lenses (narrow focus ring otherwise excellent ($350-550)

 

Tamron makes an EXCELLENT cheap alternative. The adaptol 90mm f2.5 (make sure you get an 'A' adaptol) is a wonderful 1:1 lens, their newer lenses are even more impressive but more expensive. Sigma likewise has a lens reported to be excellent (105mm f2.8 I think) but I know nothing more about it.

 

The 200 mm f4 Pentax lens is the stuff of legonds; I agree-it's my most impressive lens. I purchased it new for close to $900 though.

 

Cheers,

 

Doug

[stemked]

The lens after the 100mm f4 A should have read 100mm f2.8 A. Its still rare with or without my mistake.

[bruce_rubenstein___nyc]

Sigma also makes a EX105/2.8 1:1 macro on Pentax AF mount. Its price is right between the Pentax 3.5 & 2.8 lenses.

[hans andersson]

Thanks, for very good advises. I will look for 100 mm.

Regards Hans A<div></div>

[mark_jordan2]

It seems the Sigma EX 105mm f/2.8 is the best 105 macro on the market. The price is right and it gets the highest rating of the 90-105 macros on the Photodo web site. I have seen pictures from this lens and they are crystal clear. I do almost all macro work and use my 105 macro (not a Sigma, but a manual Kiron) more than any other lens. I will be getting the Sigma soon. I use Nikon equipment and the Sigma is considered a better lens than Nikon's 105mm Micro-Nikkor (for picture taking quality).

[hans andersson]

Thanks, I will go for a Sigma.

Hans A