Pentax Close-up Accessories

Pentax Close-up Accessories

SMC Close-up Lenses

Similar to a filter, a close-up lens is screwed into the filter thread of a lens. Without light loss, it reduces the minimum focus distance of the lens and increases the magnification ratio.

The names of the Pentax close-up lenses are made up as follows:

  • S – to be used with standard lenses
  • T – to be used with telephoto lenses
  • n – focal length of the optical element (in cm). It gives the distance from film to subject when the lens to which the close-up lens is attached to is focused at infinity. It can be converted to diopters d as follows: d = 100 / n.

The Pentax close-up lenses are listed in the Table 1. The ones with the larger diameters are the older versions, designed to fit the filter threads of the K-series lenses.

*Close-up Lens T9-2x was sold in M.D.Image set only.

Close-Up LensDiameter (mm)Use With Lenses with f (mm)If Used WithSubject Distance (cm)Magnification
S2549, 525050/1.732.6 ~ 221/4.8 ~ 1/2.7
S4049, 525050/1.748 ~ 271/7.6 ~ 1/3.5
T8049, 5285 ~ 15085/291.6 ~ 50.51/9.4 ~ 1/4.2
T9552, 58135 ~ 200200/4111.7 ~ 80.31/4.96 ~ 1/2.61
T16049, 52100 ~ 150135/3.5174.2 ~ 79.11/12.3 ~ 1/4.31
T18352, 58135 ~ 200200/4200 ~ 1081/9.5 ~ 1/3.77
T9-2x100*

Dental Close-up Lens Set and M.D.Image II

This set is meant to be used in combination with a ring flash and a Dental Macro lens (see the diagram). It consists of two close-up lenses (DS9 and DS25) and a magnet holder. DS9 has a yellow painted ring around it, and DS25 has a red one. Both names follow the close-up lens naming convention explained above, with the addition of “D” for “dental.”

There are two Dental macro lenses, the SMC-M Dental Macro 100 mm f/4 and the SMC-A Dental Macro 100 mm f/4. The only difference between these two lenses and the respective non-dental ones are the additional yellow and red magnification ratio markings that correspond to the use of the two close-up lenses.

Instead of the DS9 the M.D.Image II Set contains the T9-2x close-up lens for 2x magnification.

M.D.Image II

Extension Tubes

Extension tubes are mounted between the camera and the lens. They increase the distance between the two, thus allowing closer focusing and therefore a higher magnification ratio. The longer the extension, the closer the distance to the object.

The following extension tubes are available:

Tube NameLength
Auto Extension Tube K50 mm
Auto Extension Tube K100 mm
Helicoid Extension Tube K manual diaphragm operation26 ~ 46 mm
Manual Extension Tube Set K manual diaphragm operation9.5, 19, 28.5 mm
Auto Extension Tube Set K12, 19, 26 mm

Pentax does only offer extension tubes for the native K-mount without electrical interconnection and without mechanical interconnection for the in-body AF-drive.

nice macro setup: LX, bellows, bellows lens, double release cable

Bellows, etc.

  • The auto bellows (identical with auto bellows M and auto bellows A) can be extended 38 mm ~ 170 mm. It has a lens reversing system, automatic diaphragm, double cable-release, an extension measuring scale, and a moving tripod mount. (The image shows the auto bellows A together with the slide copier A.)
  • The bellows unit III manual-aperture operation has an extension range 32 mm ~ 137 mm and a moving tripod mount.
  • The slide copier A/M attaches to the auto bellows, and can be used for copying slides at magnifications from 1:1 to 1.5:1. (The image shows the auto bellows A together with the slide copier A.)
  • The slide holder 1X K holds a slide so it can be duplicated.
  • The slide holder K holds a slide so it can be copied at magnifications between 1:1 and 1.15:1.
  • The macro focus rail III has a tripod receptacle and allows fine focusing by moving the entire camera-extension tube-lens assembly back and forth. This allows keeping a pre-determined magnification ratio constant.

Reverse Adaptor K

Reverse adaptors manual-aperture operation are used for mounting a lens backwards. One side of the adapter screws into the lens’ filter thread and the other mounts onto a camera body or an extension tube. Using such an adaptor is advised when shooting at magnifications higher than 1:1. Two reverse adaptors are available: for 49 mm and 52 mm filter threads.

Reverse Ring Light Holder K

The reverse ring light holder K manual-aperture operation facilitates attaching a ring light to the mount of a lens that itself is mounted backwards on the body.

Stands and Tables

  • The macrophoto stand is very convenient for macrophoto photography. In the picture it is shown with a macro focus rail III and a bellows attached. The stand includes a reversible gray/black plate (the grey side has 18% reflectivity).
  • The lighting table is designed as an accessory to the macrophoto stand and is ideal for shooting transparent and semi-transparent objects.
  • The copypod is a compact, portable copy-stand which attaches to the filter thread of a lens or a closeup lens. It is available in two sizes (49 mm and 52 mm), and comes with a soft case.
  • The copy stand III is used for copying work. It is equipped with a fine adjustment device and an 18%-gray reflector.
  • The copy stand III p is portable, the carrying case serving as a base when the unit is assembled.
  • The table clamp is useful for fixing the copy stand III to a table-top less than 6 cm thick.