Quick Macro Pentax Lens Nikon D810 Body

[Leo.G (Leo)]

I'm just playing with a Pentax lens I didn't realise I had, it was still on a later model Pentax 35mm camera I have in my collection. I don't have a Nikon Macro lens, I have a 70-20 Tamron with macro but I haven't played with it.
The Pentax lens is a 28-80 f3.5 with macro when locked at 80mm

I purchased a Pentax K lens to Nikon F mount adapter from K&F concepts.


The images are cropped and I was shooting hand held in a wind (plus bees NEVER pose for photos).

[astronobob (Bob)]

Nice going Leo, I reckon the 1st flower would look even more awesome with a black or very dark background, I call them Parachute flowers ...
The bee look busy, yep, always moving,,, good ones

[Leo.G (Leo)]

Thanks Bob!

I've been wanting to play with focus stacking which I've heard a lot about but never played with. I was hoping the dandelion would be the perfect choice but there was a strong breeze. I ended up holding the stem with one hand while operating the camera (tripod mounted) with the other.
When I was a teenager I learnt the best time to take flowers was after dark, beautiful colours and no reflected sunlight.
I wonder if dandelions are out after dark?
Deep natural colours. Hmmm
I'm annoyed, tonight we had the closing fireworks of our local show and I heard the noise outside and stood at my back door watching those that made it high enough into the sky to see beyond the trees and light up in front of the near full moon (and lots of cloud). I didn't have time to grab my camera, swap lenses and set up a tripod, it would have made a very nice image with fireworks in front of the moon.
Next year!

[astronobob (Bob)]

Originally Posted by Leo.G

Thanks Bob!

I ended up holding the stem with one hand while operating the camera (tripod mounted) with the other.
Next year!

I remember improvising occasionally with garden shoots, found a many forked stick to hold flowers still so can set up the shot, tripod or not,,,

Also longer sticks to push bigger taller flowers (Bird-of-Paradise for example) a couple of feet to maximise the background or even change the entire angle of the composition, sunlight for petals and the list goes on,,

I'm sure your endeavours will become more rewarding at time goes..

[Leo.G (Leo)]

I don't do many floral shots, I just wanted to try out a lens I didn't even know I had for some macro (Pentax 28-80 with macro when locked at 80mm). The targets gave me a good indication of the quality of the lens.
I have a bellows set up for small, non moving things I've not tried it on my D810 body come to think of it. I needed to use a small macro extension tube to fit it on my old D80.
Hmm, maybe after a nap......



I stopped photographing small stuff when I could no longer see it without 2 or3 pairs of stacked reading glasses.