Lens Pentax Ist
Lens Pentax Ist

How to tell if a lens is capable of taking close-up shots?
If you're looking at lens specifics, how do you tell how close the camera can be to the subject while still getting a clear shot? Does that have to do with the focal length? I'm looking at buying a 70-210mm telephoto lens to do macro photography with on a Pentax K1000 (and soon, a Pentax IST DS2). Would this lens work well for my needs?
Just to give you an idea, the kind of photography I would love to do is similar to this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/baltic86/2811077371/ My current lens just isn't capable of that sort of thing.
There are two specifications to look for.
1. Closest focusing distance. This is the distance from the film/sensor plane to the subject, as close as the lens will focus. There are lenses in the 70-210 range where this is measured in feet. The closer you can focus, the better close-up shot you can get.
2. Reproduction ratio, or sometimes listed as magnification. This will be a number like 1:4, or 1:2, or 1:5. A true macro lens is 1:1, meaning the subject is life size on the film/sensor. A 1:4 reproduction ratio means the subject 1/4th life size. 1:1 is better of course, but even 1:4 can give you pretty good shots once you print them at 8x10.
I'm not familiar with the specific lens you mention... I would guess though that it won't do better than 1:4, maybe less. Once you get that *st DS2, look for a real macro lens to add to your kit.
PENTAX ist DS2. SLR
![]() Pentax AF 360 FGZ Flash for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras (w/ case) List Price: Sale Price: $224.99 You save: $114.96 (34%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Pentax and Samsung SLR Cameras List Price: Sale Price: $299.00 You save: $121.00 (29%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
![]() PENTAX DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Weather Resistant Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Camera List Price: Sale Price: $132.93 You save: $253.22 (66%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Pentax 49mm Lens Cap for the Pentax D FA 50mm & 100mm f/2.8 Lenses for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Sale Price: $9.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
![]() Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras List Price: Sale Price: Too low to display Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG IF Macro Aspherical Lens for Pentax and Samsung SLR Cameras List Price: Sale Price: $229.00 You save: $70.00 (23%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
![]() Pentax 16-45mm f/4.0 SMC PDA ED AL Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras List Price: Sale Price: $389.99 You save: $209.96 (35%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Pentax 70mm f/2.4 DA Limited Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras List Price: Sale Price: Too low to display Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
![]() Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 Ultra Compact Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras List Price: Sale Price: $363.35 You save: $136.60 (27%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() PENTAX DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED (IF) Fish-Eye Lens for Pentax Digital SLR List Price: Sale Price: $507.16 You save: $142.79 (22%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |

Eligible for free shipping!










