Macro-Takumar F4/50

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

Sorry no photos yet...working on it.I have a few questions as I don't want to waste my precious film and try and get some decent shots 1st time to add to this post.
First off I am SO impressed of the detail that you get in the viewfinder for example the veins on the rose petal...although as I am realizing the Ricohs use a split viewfinder and it is pretty crap as half of the finder is always shaded so unsure if it is a fault in the Ricoh.
1)I keep forgetting to move the F stop off of F4 as It still lines up with the in camera exposure meter.Will it be able to work on the F4 setting at 250 in late afternoon sun...filtered onto the rose that I was trying to capture.
2) My tripod sux...what is a good tripod for macro and getting in and out of rose gardens.My tripod is a Velbon plastic CX680,I got it cheap enough off of ebay...I find it is to stiff and creaky the controls are not easy to adjust. I have an older metal (large) Velbon VG-3.

Thanks for any help on using this lens properly.

http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic,p,1018376.html#1018376
Added link to photos

larsr · Joined: 25 Jun 2009 Posts: 272 Location: Helsinki, Finland

CarbonR · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:51 am Post subject:

The macro is an f/4 lens, not f/1.4 Razz

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

larsr · Joined: 25 Jun 2009 Posts: 272 Location: Helsinki, Finland

Himself · Expire: 2013-05-30

As Nesster said, Lars gave you a good advice regarding the tripod. But man, it's so damn expensive a Gitzo, and then you have to buy a ballhead. The combo could get you close to a thousand buck skins and over.
I wait for my tripod to come. I place the order this week with Feisol for a 3301-tripod and 40D ballhead + column+quick release plate for 70-200 + shipping= 467$

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

I use a SLIK AMT, the largest one (700? may be the model number) which is quite a bit cheaper, and pretty damn solid. But large, heavy. I'm thinking their next two or three smaller models may be adequate for when I'm needing to carry a pod around a bit.

I like that I can adjust the legs independently and spread them wide, as well as reverse the center column, to get very low.

The promise of expensive carbon fiber legs is stability with lighter weight - which if you carry the damn thing around does make a difference. And the better heads are silkier to handle and perhaps more stable.

indianadinos · Expire: 2011-12-05

Hi,

Why don't you make a trip to some of the photo gear stores where you live ?
Sometimes, there is old stock that could do the job really well (i managed to get my Gitzo 1415 this way, at less than 30% of its catalog price, when Gitzo renewed its line three years ago ...)

Cheers

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

Thanks,I am a bargain shopper not many shops down where I am but worth a try in the ones that are around.I have watched a few ball heads go on e bay for at least 1/2 price of what's in the shops.

cheekygeek · Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Posts: 183

Required reading.

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

Thanks,It makes sense to wait and buy what I need properly not rushed Wink

xjjohnno · Expire: 2011-11-18

MoFo look at the offerings of one Phoebe-G on Ebay. They sell some very reasonably priced Fancier tripods with ball heads as well as macro rails and other goodies. While not being the Gitzmo or Manfrotto products they are of pretty decent quality and quite affordable.

mo · Expire: 2016-07-30

Thanks Mate,will do.

Himself · Expire: 2013-05-30

I received the tripod 2 days ago, that is thursday afternoon.
Boy, those Feisol are damn fast. I placed the order monday afternoon, which was like almost tuesday morning for Taiwan( am I right Mo-Fo. You should now better). Tuesday morning to me, I read the email: your package has been shipped, bla ,bla.
Thursday afternoon, DHL is ringing my bell. Yeah, I payed another 63 bucks, the cut to our beloved government. But I was aware of that.