Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/01/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]HoPpY...if you just want to dabble, and you're already loaded with nikkor glass, look for a Nikon "K" ring set on gleeBay. Cheap Cheap...work great! compliments the tubes. Montie >Hoppy, I have been doing macro for a very long time so I have many, many options. If you want to use your M then a Viso II or III with a LTM to Viso adapter will let you use extension tubes and enlarging lenses very cheaply. Or, stock up on an R4(dirt cheap) a couple of R extension tubes and a 180 preferably one of the APO's. R bellows are also pretty cheap as well. Or, you can use a short tele like a 90 Summicron and the inappropriate Elpro. All of these options will cost about $500 US if you are starting from scratch. Possibly a better option would be to acquire a 180 ED Nikkor and a 6T with possibly an extension tube. The old tubes for an F are amazingly cheap but will force you to shoot pretty close to wide open as you are at working aperture. Alternatively, get a male to male 62-52 adapter and use a 50 F1.8reversed in front of that 180 and you will be amazed at what you will see. Really, macro can be very cheap to get into if you start with a pretty good lens. Nikon is still pretty expensive, for example, I picked up a Canon F1n for $100 and spent another $100 for a CLA. I did this as I had found a 200 macro FD for $250 so this lens pretty much stays glued to the F1. End result is a very capable system for $450; considering that the new 180 is over a grand and the new Nikon 100 is over $700 and I am a pretty happy camper.