istDS X Combo mono-rail 45

My friend Ken Tam got a made in China 45-camera-to-Canon adaptor, modify for PK mount, and manage to mount his Pentax DSLRs on a Combo 45 camera. He uses it to shot simple product shots with the advantage of lens movement.

What a poorman's digital back!!

Will post some sample shots here later.

Metal lens rear cap

Just obatined 3 of this nice looking metal cap at a clearance sales, for HK$20 each. It's not Pentax original, but it is very good fit on the lens. The inside is matted black (not the grey color which shown on the photo), and there is a silver engrave on the outside.

Some people asked if it would scratch the lens mount. No it won't. Afterall, the mount on the camera is also metallic.

Good result with macro filter

This is a high-quality 2-elements macro adaptor producted by Olympus, originally meant for small DC. I used it on my Tokina ATX 80-200/2.8 with very good results.

People sometimes complain they cannot get good result with macro filters, but I think it mainly the results of cheapy single element filter and using of cheap zooms. With a quality filter and quality lens, the result should be good.

However, I really don't recommend using filter as the solution for macro photography. First, you only get a very limited focusing distance with a macro filter, you will always need to move back-and-forth your camera to focus. Second, a quality macro filter is not easy to obtain and ofter quite expensive. I happen to buy my OM macro adaptor with my old OM4040 DC, but I spent HK$650 for it.

PS: I am very sure the OM macro filter is made of 2 (or more) lens elements: I get some dust between the elements.... :(