Still insearch of a decent macro lens Konica or Nikkor

[Layer-cake]

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]

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..

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

[Lightshow]

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]

[Layer-cake]

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]

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]

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]

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



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

[RAART]

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

[kenetik]

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]

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]

That is a beautiful photograph.