Still insearch of a decent macro lens Konica or Nikkor

Layer-cake · Joined: 18 Mar 2013 Posts: 560 Location: Cape Town

Hey Ya'll

still sitting with the same conundrum regarding a nice macro lens......I do have one that I like a Micro Nikkor 55mm 2.8 which is a really really nice lens, leagues better than the killfit 40mm 2.8 I had but now there's a good condition konica macro 55mm 3.5 thats come onto our markets and I'm wondering if I should get it and sell off the Nikkor for about the price.

Your opinions as always are appreciated, I know they are both well renowned lenses but would like some feedback about the decision.

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7576 Location: Hong Kong

The Konica 55mm 3.5 is a Tessar type 1:2 macro lens. I tried it once and it give nice result. However, it does not as sharp as my other double Gauss type marco lens(e.g. Nikkor 55mm 2. Cool

.

BTW, do you have any nice photos from Cape Town to share with us?

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3666 Location: Calgary

Buy the Konica and try them side by side and keep the better one, but honestly I don't see the Konica much if any better then the Nikkor.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Layer-cake · Joined: 18 Mar 2013 Posts: 560 Location: Cape Town

Thanks to all, indeed I have to agree getting used to using a lens properly goes a long way. I already have too many lenses in my bag that are gathering dust because I prefer specific ones.

The flowering season has just started here in the western cape and we did go away to a small town called Langebaan on the west coast over the weekend, was a bit windy so the macro shots didnt really come out to good but I did manage to take quite a few interesting shots that I will gladly load up, some really cool ones of lions.

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I'm selling a Vivitar Close Focus 28 / 2.8 in just about mint condition, and Konica mount, if that's of any interest? I know it's not exactly a macro lens, but they are very good.

sceptic · Joined: 01 Jun 2013 Posts: 255

I've owned both the Nikkor and the Konica 55 macros, and kept the Nikkor after comparing them. I have yet to find a macro lens that's sharper than the Nikkor; so far I've compared it to Canon FL, Minolta MC, Vivitar 1:1 50/2.8 and Konica AR and the Nikkor beat them all. Still, as pointed out by Attila, it has more to do with technique than lens quality and most 50-ish macros are great. That being said, I'm still looking for something better, most recently a Leitz Focotar 40/2.8 (enlarger lens) which will be interesting to try.

Layer-cake · Joined: 18 Mar 2013 Posts: 560 Location: Cape Town

Thanks Lloyd but i recently picked up a CPC phaze 2 macro 28mm that i'm gonna try out, for some reason I'm not a fan of 28mm lenses had some very good ones but I never really seem to keep them...... the minolta 28mm 2.5 i had had a bit too strong a yellow cast from the thorium still my favorite was the Tokina RMC EL 28mm which I sold right in the beggining of my lens lust unfortunately:lol:

also just got a mamiya sx 28mm thats got some fungus in the front element, trying to get it open but they glued every retaining ring in place so it's proving rather difficult but I will get there eventually.

Thanks Sceptic for your response, I'm liking the Nikkor so far but haven't really put it through it's paces yet so I'll keep going. I actually had a focotar 50mm 4.5 that I built an adapter for but again didnt really use the lens so sold it.... only the lens though as i kept the 50mm 2.8 Nikkor EL lens, super sharp really, both were and sadly the focotar was the only "Leica" lens I owned

Razz

but I think they would be ideal to use as a macro lens considering the results they give.

RAART · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 1:24 am Post subject:

I really like my Oly 50mm 3.5 Macro... maybe you like to try this one too.

kenetik · Joined: 02 Mar 2014 Posts: 521

As Calvin mentioned, the 55/3.5 is a classic tessar design. It's a nice lens (always get it with the tube), but I agree that for close up macro work for most of us who are not pros, excellent results can be achieved with lots of lenses, setups and accessories. That's why I like macro lenses that also work well as normal lenses, macros generally hold up really well to digital sensors. Tessar's are a bit soft around the edges when used as normal lenses, so I might consider double gauss as well.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

genuine post in Mflenses Facebook Gallery Micro Nikkor 55mm f2.8 A7
Photo: Jovan Aditya
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=774162725959480&set=gm.838547166169987&type=1&theater

kenetik · Joined: 02 Mar 2014 Posts: 521

That is a beautiful photograph.