So Much Extension - Panagor 55mm f/3 1:1 Macro Lens Review
Vložit
- čas přidán 19. 07. 2024
- The Panagor 55mm f/3 is a macro lens notable because it goes all the way to 1:1. Manufactured by Komine in the 1980's, there is a later version that is an f/2.8 lens. The lens was sold under the brand names of Elicar, Panagor, Vivitar, Quantaray, Rokunar, Sears, and possibly others.
See my writeup: www.outsidetheshot.com/panago...
The lens performs surprisingly well, especially considering the price. My only problem with the lens is that the working distance at 1:1 is such a short distance.
Affiliate Disclosure:
Outside the Shot is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase
eBay Links:
55mm: ebay.to/2DdQKCO
Longer working distance:
90mm: ebay.to/2PfultQ - Krátké a kreslené filmy
I have this lens with the Vivitar branding. Mine is a little soft wide open but quickly sharpens up and is very sharp at f8 on. I have the Tamron 90mm and the Sigma 150mm non-OS so I don't worry about the short working distance because I use the 55mm when I don't need 1:1. I use it more in the 1:1.5 to 1:3 range most of the time.
The lens does work well for for close focusing, but not 1:1. It should work well for video. I got a 60mm Micro Nikkor D series recently that I've been using more. Automatic aperture control is too nice of a feature to pass up.
I also have one and believe that it was made by Kiron.
Macro photography is more than making close ups of flowers and flies.
Choosing the 90 mm macro lens is not always a wise decision
A 50 mm macro on a copy stand is very comfortable; the unit stays low .
and looking through the 90 degree angle finder is comfortable.
Macro photoos can also be made of coins, stamps, paintings, jewels etc.
It looks like it is a forbidden item to speak of macro optics plus a close-up
lens. Or constructing a custom made close focus unit for the compact
camera of the dermatologist of the Erasmus University Hospital in
Rotterdam in the Netherlands. It is so sad that almost all know how on
photographic technics is disappearing today.
You're not kidding about working distance. You can never have enough. I have a Tamron 90mm, but I want to look into a teleconverter.
Manual macro lenses that have a longer focal length aren't that expensive. Depending on the design, you'll be able to avoid the light loss and reduced quality caused by the additional optics in a teleconverter.
Light Slayer 69,000 Any you would recommend? Most recent longer macros, like Sigma 150 or 180mm (current OS or previous) or Nikkor 200mm cost $$$$. I'm not too familiar with older lenses.
Are you looking for a setup for studio or field work? How much magnification are you after?
I'm planning on testing out extension tubes on my telephoto lenses soon. My concern is that vintage telephotos aren't sharp corner to corner and have some chromatic aberrations. I'm not sure how much of an issue that is going to be.
John Shaw's Closeups In Nature is a great book that covers all kinds of macro setups. You can get a copy for ~$8 on Amazon. It was published in 1987, but 80% of the book is still relevant.
Light Slayer 69,000 For the moment, I'm one of those nerds who chases around bugs outdoors. This why I want more working distance. Extension tubes would be an interesting topic for a video. Going beyond 1:1 magnification would also be something to check out. I'll certainly be watching.
The Ai Micro-Nikkor 200mm f/4 lenses go for ~$200-250 on eBay. I haven't used one, so I don't know about the quality of the lens.
I was finally able to get a good deal on a PN-11 extension tube, so I'll being doing a video on it once it arrives. It has a built in tripod collar so I'll be able to use some of my larger telephotos without worrying about the camera mount.