I've been wanting to do some macro photography. A couple of days ago I did some tests.

This is a Pentax Super-Multi-Coated Macro-Takumar 50/4 on my Panasonic G1. It's a Pentax M42 screw mount lens that I have for my Pentax Spotmatics. With a M42 adapter I can use it on my Panasonic G1. The crop factor on the G1 (smaller sensor that 35mm film) turns it into an effective 100mm lens. The thing that makes a macro lens a macro lens is the ability to move the lens elements further away from the sensor/film. That allows it to focus closer. The picture shows the lens fully extended.

With the G1 and macro lens mounted on a tripod I approached some little flowers on our porch. The are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) accross at the max.

This is with the macro lens fully extended. It is really easy using the old (1970s vintage) macro lens on the digital G1.

But wait! There's more! The macro lens can only extend so far. From there a macro bellows is needed. This moves the whole lens out further. This picture shows the bellows fully extended.

Taken with bellows and macro lens near full extension. The bellows and macro lens are a great combination. There is a whole different world to be seen. I was blown away to see the water droplets. These photos will print 10x13 inches without upressing. More pictures on my Flickr set: Panasonic G1 Macro. The big problem getting these pictures was that every little breeze would set the flowers jumping around. Next I will try this with my studio strobe setup.