Tom Kelley Loc: Roanoke, Virginia

Has anyone had any experience with this lens? It's also sold under Pheonix, Cosina and Promaster names i believe. I'm not trying to be 'cheap' but i'm trying to get started in Macro and don't have the money for a Canon or Tamron right now, the ones i really want.

I've read quite a few reviews and they're all pretty good, with the exception of the build quality and 'some' degredation when using the 1:1 adapter.

I know this is a stretch, but if anyone has any photo samples, i'd appreciate the posts.

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

There are some samples at this link the with Promaster version
http://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/promaster-100mm-1-3-5-mc-macro-spectrum-7.html

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

I've been struggling with this as well because I just can't plain afford a nice digital prime macro (and stay married). I shoot Olympus and have played around with the various legacy "macro" zooms and even some macro primes (Canon) with the proper adapters but never too satisfied. Recently I sprang for Olympus' dedicated digital ex-25 extension tube (used $125) and began taking better shots but with significant light loss.

I've always heard about the deficiencies of macro filter lenses but I read some very good reviews about Opteka's mult-element 10x macro lens "filter" and thought that,for less than 20 bucks, I might as well take a risk. And I have been blown away with the results. Bright, no light loss, it will even auto focus (whereas the doubler would not - often too dark). As for any distortion around the edges, if it's there I don't see it (perhaps due to the narrow DOF). First time I've gotten a shot of an insect (stink bug) where you can clearly see the multi facets of the eyes. I highly recommend checking out this surprisingly high quality piece of glass.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=809469&is=REG&Q=&A=details

Anyone want to buy an Olympus digital extension tube?

I would post a shot of the bug but it's not on this computer. However, you can see it on 500px (not too pretty and there is a big flash shadow and it is highly cropped, but still...)

http://500px.com/photo/24979197

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

That is the main problem with the add on Macro filters they make the DOF very narrow.

I have a old Pentax 100mm F/4 Macro that only does 1:2 and can get real good results just buy cropping it down to 1:1 size almost as good as the results of my True Macro lens.

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

True, but I've found with this add-on lens, it's bright enough that I can shoot with a much smaller aperture and get a wider DOF. Even when I was shooting with the Canon 50mm macro it was pretty narrow. Bottom line is, shooting on a tight budget, this gives me a way to practice with close-up/macro until my fairy god mother springs for a true macro (and considering Olympus' higher grade lens prices that could be a long, long, time from now).

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

There are some decent prices for Oly out there just not as common

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sigma-90mm-2-8-Macro-1-1-life-size-for-Olympus-OM-mount-Hard-to-find-RARE-/281059277737?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item4170703ba9

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sigma-105-mm-EX-DG-macro-Olympus-Panasonic-4-3-mount-lens-hood-case-box-/121061453200?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item1c2fd32d90

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

Thanks. The OM mount, maybe but...I'm on a TIGHT budget. :wink:

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

I know what you mean I have been unemployed for almost a year and can really understand the tight budget.

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

Right, like so many others. Keeps me from hating my job too much. An expensive passion, photography can be. But at least we don't have to buy film or pay for processing anymore.

ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

I have this lens and I am interested in using it on D700. But I need an adapter for it. Curious too if anyone has any info on it!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Try one of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/XPRO-F500-67mm-Close-Up-Lens-Macro-lens-Super-Macro-Conversion-Lens-/280874520769?pt=Camera_Filters&hash=item41656d10c1 on one of your standard/short telephoto lenses - works great - no light loss !

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

Looks good, but I have to say that the Optech glass works well and it's less than 20 bucks. I was fooling around with it the past couple of days and here are a few examples (nothing fancy and the bug ain't pretty).

These were shot with an Olympus 40-150mm and the add-on lens is 10X.