Check out Professional and Advanced Portraiture section of our forum.
Is this a macro lens?
Jun 18, 2015 10:18:43 #
Shoeless_Photographer wrote:
There are no zooms (that I know of) that have the capability to natively focus at 1:1. While your Tokina is labeled macro it's magnification ratio is 1:1.4. So technically it's a telephoto lens with close focusing ability. Does that really matter? Not at all, if you are satisfied with the magnification ratio the lens provides and the IQ of the image, there is no need to look for a macro lens. If however, you would like to increase the magnification ratio of your photographs or would like a distortion free image from corner-to-corner then a macro lens is probably in order. This brings me back to one of my original questions:
How does one know if a lens is just a macro lens, or has a macro setting? My Tokina 50-250mm (FD mount) has a macro position on the tube. I can switch it into macro mode and slide the barrel back and forth to focus. That makes it a telephoto *and* a "macro" lens.
How does one know if a lens is just a macro lens, or has a macro setting? My Tokina 50-250mm (FD mount) has a macro position on the tube. I can switch it into macro mode and slide the barrel back and forth to focus. That makes it a telephoto *and* a "macro" lens.
Shoeless_Photographer wrote:
Yes it can be confusing. To help you separate the wheat from the chaff - Macro lens are primes that typically come in the following focal lengths 50/55/60/90/100/105/150/180/200mm. When you see a lens on eBay, KEH, or other online vendor that piques your interest, Google is you friend. Search the lens in question and add "magnification ratio" or "minimum focusing distance" to the search criteria. More often than not this will link to a technical brochure on the lens in question. A true macro lens will have a magnification ratio of 1:1 or greater.When I'm shopping for a lens, some of them say "macro", but how do I know if it's just for macro? Get sooo confusing.
Shoeless_Photographer wrote:
Been considering purchasing a set of tubes. Maybe I should just get the tubes and use them on my Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 which is the sharpest lens I have so far, although for $10 I could get the adapter and see what the Kiron can do, too.
Tubes are a good way to get into macro. Low initial investment to see if you enjoy this form of photography, no loss of IQ, and if you do decide to get a macro lens you can use the them to increase the magnification ratio. For the 50mm you will need a set of tubes with electronic contacts to control aperture. Kenkos is a good brand and patient monitoring eBay will produce a good set for half the price of new. For the Kiron lens plain old tubes (no electronic contacts) will work since it has a manual aperture. Been considering purchasing a set of tubes. Maybe I should just get the tubes and use them on my Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 which is the sharpest lens I have so far, although for $10 I could get the adapter and see what the Kiron can do, too.
Shoeless_Photographer wrote:
BTW, I have a Fotodiox FD -> EOS adapter for my old FD lenses, but of course I can't use that on the Kiron lens with a MD mount. Would have to get an adapter for that mount.
Correct you will need a new adapter. I have several Fotodiox adapters and for the most part have been quite happy with the quality.BTW, I have a Fotodiox FD -> EOS adapter for my old FD lenses, but of course I can't use that on the Kiron lens with a MD mount. Would have to get an adapter for that mount.
Jun 21, 2015 04:45:34 #
Thanks for all the tips. Guess I don't really have a true macro lens. Might pick up an adapter for the Kiron just to see what the IQ is like. I've found, at least with my Fotodiox adapter, that the Tokina 50-250mm and Canon 50mm FD lenses aren't nearly as crisp as my EF/EF-S kit lenses. Fun to play around with, though, and still put them to use since I haven't run a roll of film through the AE-1 in years.
Will definitely get some tubes. Been shopping, and will get the ones that will let the camera talk to the lens.
Will definitely get some tubes. Been shopping, and will get the ones that will let the camera talk to the lens.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Check out Printers and Color Printing Forum section of our forum.