Jump to content

Using MCEX-16 and Nik - FX convertor


Geoff Weber

Recommended Posts

As a recent convert to Fujifilm I purchased a NIK - FX convertor in order to use some of my old lenses that would other wise have sat in a draw. I had used a Tamron 70-300mm Tele Macro on my Nikon and although it has its limitations, always did a good enough job for me with the limited amount of macro I have fun with. I also purchased a Fujifilm MCEX-16 prior to the convertor to utilize my Fuji lenses for macro use.

It then occurred to me that  if I put the converter onto the Tamron lens and then in series, the MCEX-16, would I then potentially increase the macro ability of the Tamron on the camera. I think the answer is no, as on further reflection, all the  MCEX-16 function does is to place the lens a specific distance away from the sensor. Putting the convertor in between just increases that distance and therefore renders it useless. Am I correct or is there a solution - also interested that with this set up there appears to be nothing on the sensor as the back screen is dark, even when pointing directly to a light source. I have switched the screen settings to 'shoot without lens' and also with it on.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

Extension tubes reduce minimum focus distance and increase magnification, at the cost of losing infinity focus while mounted. So yes, it would have an effect.


However a 16mm tube will not significantly increase magnification of a 70-300 lens due to the small amount of extension. You would need a significantly longer extension tube to have an effect (at 300mm, you need 150mm of extension to go from Infinity to 1:2 , or from 1:2 to 1:1). The MCEX-16 is best paired with a 35mm or shorter lens if a significant change in magnification is required. 

I'd suggest getting a used Micro-Nikkor 55mm f3.5 for pairing with your Nik-FX adapter to get up to 1:2 Macro (1:1 if paired with a PK-13 extension tube). They're available for as little as $35 from KEH.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
On 7/14/2020 at 11:48 AM, matsonfamily said:

I disagree that it wouldn't be significant.  I think the flange distance is the distance that the extension tube modifies, not the focal length.

That is correct, and also the reason why extension tubes aren't effective on long lenses. Extension is bellows extension, not focal length extension. Extension tubes add bellows extension.

To get 1:1 magnification for macro work you need extension equivalent to the focal length of the lens if the lens is at infinity focus. That means a 55mm lens needs 55mm of extension to hit 1:1, but a 300mm lens needs 300mm of extension to hit 1:1 from infinity.

If the lens reaches 1:2 magnification at Minimum Focus Distance, then you need an additional 1/2 focal length of extension to reach 1:1, so that 55mm needs 27.5mm of extension to go from 1:2 to 1:1. But a 70-300 that reaches 1:2 (like the older Tamron 70-300 non-VC) needs 150mm.

That extension is what the extension tube provides. Naturally it's a LOT easier to get a tube configuration providing 27mm of extension (which the usual 11mm+16mm pair provides), but quite difficult to get 150mm of extension to get the 70-300 there (and remember, that 70-300 is only going to be at max magnification when it's at 300mm, so no cheaping out and adding 35mm to get it there at the 70mm setting).

Edited by mawz
Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • Looking more like the next Fuji camera we see will be an X-T50 but it is still a rumor and no specs have been published.
    • Hey guys, The shutter on/off button switch may be loose on mine. After turning camera on and pressing the shutter/holding close to the area, the camera will turn off and say 'sensor cleaning'. This doesn't happen if I'm shooting via touch screen at all. Everything else is functional. Anyone else experience this before? Would love a much cheaper fix since Fuji Canada just quoted me $700 CAD to fix it, and considering everything else is functional except that part I'm not even sure why MPMB Main Board parts is being replaced😕 I got no explanation from them either.
    • As far as I know the firmware is not country specific. Are you sure that the filename has not been changed ( I am told this can happen with mac os). That's the only thing I can think of.
    • My x-t5 does not exhibit the focusing switch behaviour as you report it, so that is very strange and indicative of a fault. It does not matter whether the flash is attached or not. Once you set the camera for your studio flash, say 1/250th at f5.6, the camera, which is showing you what you will get at that exposure without the flash, will show a black screen unless the ambient light is brighter than what you would typically get indoors. That is why, as Jerry says, you have to set preview exp/wb to off. I have set a button for this.
    • I connected to FRAME.IO a while back and it works fine, but the camera wouldn't connect to the internet all of a sudden today and would get stuck on the reset screen, including initializing and even switching USB Connection mode. Is anyone else experiencing the same thing?
×
×
  • Create New...