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Yeah, the reversal ring is really fun to use. A bit weird in the handling - because changing the focus on the lens, doesn't change the focus. So, i have to move the tripod in order to get the focus at the right spot. A very ,very clumsy way... (No clue why the focus doesn't work like normal)
Talk about amateur.
The Pentax Reverse adapter ring 67 ø
gives me now the opportunity to get closer to my subjects - without being too close. Yet giving better general quality compared to when focusing a Pentax 6x7 105mm or 150mm lens the normal way with stepping rings mounted in between lens and camera. The latter degrades the optical performance...
Most lenses, especially without floating elements - are usually not designed to focus below a certain minimum distance. When you do, the optical performance starts to drop (requiring you to counteract that, by stopping the lens down more than usual).
Using the reversal ring + Pentax 67 Takumar 105mm f 2.4 lens gives good quality / sharpness albeit noting out of the ordinary. I would say average. ´
Overall - it turns out nicely. I really love simple, casual no frills close ups.
Talk about cheap pleasure.
later added note:
Oh, now i understand...
*rolling my eyes*
When a Pentax 6x7 75mm, 90mm or 105mm lens is reversed mounted with a Pentax 67 Reversal ring - i realized that "changing" the focus on the lens - doesn't do anything. That's why nothing happened in the finder, when i moved the focus ring *LOL*).
So, the only way to change focus, was to move the tripod. Quite clumsy approach... but OK. Perhaps it is a the Pentax 6x7 Helicoid adapter, which addresses the focus when a lens is reverse adapted ?
later added note 2:
Long Arca Swiss rail
OK, I had to think a while, to visualize the whole problem... - in order to solve the focus & clearance issue when i use the Vertex adapter, to ensure the camera can still be rotated (as the space is small for it).
I have to use another another (longer) rail, and instead move the whole assembly (camera, rail, adapter, 6x7 lens) in order to focus with a reverted lens. More Adapters, plates, long rail + etc. but it ensures me that i also can use other (reverted lenses) as close-up lenses. (75mm 90mm, 105mm in a reverted state - and then also the 135mm lens, but not reverted) That's three different types of close-up lenses / even macro.
Back to the original text below:
Close-up focus options for reversed lenses
I either move the tripod (the crude way to achieve desired focus)
Another alternative would be, to put the camera on a sliding rail - that way moving the focus plane. Albeit, most likely that will interfere with rotating the camera on the vertex adapter. As i put the camera forwards on a rail... the back of the camera will not have the free leeway to rotate. So, I'll pass on this approach.
Instead, I'll go for a Pentax 6x7 macro optimized lens. It is called a "Macro" lens - but in reality is more like a "close-up" lens down to 1:3 if you use with without extender rings.
Read below.
Pentax 67 SMC 135mm f 4 Macro
Pentax 67 SMC 135mm f 4 "Macro"
I have the Pentax 6x7 SMC 135mm ƒ 4 'Macro' lens coming in. Here I don't need to reverse it (and it isn't recommended with this lens either) - to do close-ups. That lens is optically corrected especially for closer distances, and I thought this would be a lot more handy for the purpose of closeups.
While I can do close-ups with other lenses, mounted normally, but the optical quality will drop a bit that way, because those are not created to perform their best in the close range. That is why you have Macro lenses - designed to give their best optical quality in the near field and range.
The price including shipping, import, 25% tax and god knows what - was in total 190 € from Japan - which i think is still a highly affordable lens. Gosh - it is a 6x7 medium format lens for crying out loud. 25+ years ago, those lenses were not cheap !!
Now, i can use it on a virtual 150 MP sensor the size of 65x65mm, utilizing this lens fully like it originally was designed for (e.g. using its full image circle).
I mean what is there not to like ?!
Finding my way
I don't need nor do I desire to win prizes. Don't have to do exhibitions or please anyone in any particular way. ( I don't mind, though - but I don't think I can compete with the "best" anyway... perhaps because I have no honest goal in doing so... for what purpose ?
So, i guess I am going my own little way. (That's nothing new by the way). It is often a quite lonely path - and yet - I do have fun in larger periods. I still feel curious. Still feel love in the thought to testing, experimenting and developing my photography.
And yeah, i know... I do repeat myself. What else is new.
Roots
So, what I really mean, is to get back into that individual feeling of creation. "The Ralf way". I have more often felt in latter years that my photography became... a stereotype, repetitive and shallow.
I yearn to find my own style again; the experimental feeling of exploring, and perhaps above all: PLAYFULNESS !!!
The mother of all ideas, the birth cradle of ideas. As they say "Spirit turning into matter". Think of this: every single invention he have in this world, took root in a thought. It is from there it developed (though you and others attached to an idea - in good and in bad of course), becoming a manifestation - being brought into the world of matter. By doing it, by creating it, by giving energy to matter, to be shaped and formed. Formed and transformed like clay. It becomes something particular.
So it is true, that matter manifest literally though spirit. Everything does !
Without spirit = no matter. |
