Pentax 6x7 Lens for Macro Photography

Timothy Petersen · Nov 1, 2020

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I was having a hard time finding the info I need. I'm hoping to buy a lens for macro photography and am in need of advice. For some reason all the lens reviews I've found talk about macro lenses used for portrait photography, but I'm hoping to take photos of stuff very up-close. Attaching an image that I would love to be able to replicate if possible. Thanks for all your help!

Leolab · Nov 1, 2020

I have the 135mm macro lens for my 6x7, lovely lens, but it does not focus as close as you may need without the extension tubes, both the lens and the extension tubes can be readily found and are very reasonably priced

John Koehrer · Nov 1, 2020

Tube or bellows to get more than 1:1. Maybe reversed lens or lens from smaller format (enlarging?).

dpurdy · Nov 2, 2020

Yes the Pentax extension tubes or perhaps +diopter close up lenses. I use the extension tubes on my P67 and the closeup lenses on my 8x10.

GRHazelton · Nov 2, 2020

It would help if we knew what camera system you want a macro lens for? I use Pentax 35mm SLRs, Nikon 35mm SLRs, Pentax DSLRs, and the Pentax 645n. All need different macro lenses..While lenses from one system can sometimes be adapted for use on another system, best to at first investigate the dedicated lenses of a particular system.

Timothy Petersen · Nov 2, 2020

GRHazelton said:
It would help if we knew what camera system you want a macro lens for? I use Pentax 35mm SLRs, Nikon 35mm SLRs, Pentax DSLRs, and the Pentax 645n. All need different macro lenses..While lenses from one system can sometimes be adapted for use on another system, best to at first investigate the dedicated lenses of a particular system.

My bad, it’s in the subject, but I should have reiterated in my question that I’m hoping to find a lens for my Pentax 6x7.

GRHazelton · Nov 2, 2020

Timothy Petersen said:
My bad, it’s in the subject, but I should have reiterated in my question that I’m hoping to find a lens for my Pentax 6x7.

Doh! I entered the discussion without going back to the initial post. My bad.

ic-racer · Nov 2, 2020

I was having a hard time finding the info I need

Pentax 6x7 System Booklet available here, that should answer you questions: https://www.cameramanuals.org/pentax_pdf/pentax_6x7_system.pdf

Timothy Petersen · Nov 2, 2020

I'm wondering if anyone has experience using the SMC Pentax 67 100mm F4 Macro Lens and if this might achieve the results I want without bellows and tubes?

Timothy Petersen · Nov 2, 2020

ic-racer said:
Pentax 6x7 System Booklet available here, that should answer you questions: https://www.cameramanuals.org/pentax_pdf/pentax_6x7_system.pdf

Thanks!

Lachlan Young · Nov 2, 2020

Something that people tend to ignore whilst complaining about the 135/4's magnification is that it's quite obviously designed to deliver a 1:1 reproduction of the photographed object when printed to about 8x10.

Randy Stewart · Nov 19, 2020

Within the Pentax 67 system, you have two choices, both already mentioned:
1. The 135mm. Although called a "macro" it does not focus close enough to technically qualify to that definition. It will reach 1:1 with an extension tube. Not sure which tube required. This is the less expensive option.
2. The 100mm with its dedicated close-up conversion lens. This will do 1:1. It would be considerably more expensive, but absolute quality would be higher.
Either lens will do a great job for most uses. If you plan to do 2x24 inch enlargements in a real darkroom, plunge for the 100mm. (I have and use both.)

dourbalistar · Nov 20, 2020

Randy Stewart said:
Within the Pentax 67 system, you have two choices, both already mentioned:
1. The 135mm. Although called a "macro" it does not focus close enough to technically qualify to that definition. It will reach 1:1 with an extension tube. Not sure which tube required. This is the less expensive option.

You'll need the full set (#1 + #2 + #3) to reach 1:1, and an exposure factor of at least x4 or maybe even more.
https://skrasnov.com/pentax-67/135mm-f4-macro/
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-Macro-Takumar-6x7-135mm-F4-Lens.html

abruzzi · Nov 21, 2020

I’ve never used the 100mm f4, but if you’re thinking that’s your path to 1:1, make sure the LSC (life sized converter?) is included. I’ve noticed quite a lot are listed without it, and finding an LSC separately is pretty unlikely.

cobbu2 · Dec 5, 2020

Another option to consider are the Pentax 6x7 Reverse Adapters (there are 2, with 49mm and 67mm threads) best used with the 6x7 helicoid extension tube. Various magnifications can be achieved.

See the details here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/accessoryreviews/pentax-6x7-reverse-adaptor-49mm-amp-67mm.html

Pentax 6x7 Lens for Macro Photography

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