To keep with my last post about still life photography, I thought that next I’d share my Macro photography of flowers taken with a special attachment, the Nikon PK3.
I tend to always have a bouquet of flowers or two around the house so that when the mood or lighting hits me I can shoot still life photos. In this case I had my Nikon F with the 55mm micro lens attached and it gave me the idea of seeing just how micro I could get with these flowers.
The Nikon PK3
Naturally, to KEH I went and I ordered a really cheap attachment for the lens, the Nikon PK3, to get even closer to these beautiful flowers.
This specific tube is made for Pre-AI lenses with the coupling prong so it can damage AI cameras such as the Nikon F3. You can read about more extension tubes that are available for AI lenses here.
The tube is easily attached to the lens the same way you’d attach the lens to the camera itself by lining up the dots and the prong over f5.6. It is then attached to the camera the same way.
The Micro Nikkor 55mm f3.5 lens by itself can achieve a 1:2 ratio, or half life size. When coupled with the PK3 extension tube, it goes even further to 1:1 life sized ratio. Therefore, it is a true macro lens once coupled with this tube.
My Results with the PK3
I kept the lens wide open and you can see this made the area of focus very narrow at times. The bokeh gets a little messy at points.
However at other times it makes your subject stand out nice and crisp depending on your distance. I’d also recommend using a tripod when doing macro photography like this, but I wasn’t here. Maybe they would’ve come a little sharper if I’d had.
That being said, there’s still a ton of detail as seen in the sunflower below.
For reference purposes, the following photos below were taken without the attachment. The Micro 55 is such a nice lens just by itself.
Final Thoughts
I really like this set up. The Nikkor 55mm is a great lens alone. It can work as a prime, but then take close focus photos. Then with this small, and cheap attachment, it can transform into an even more “micro” lens. To me that is a great set to add to any kit as an option.
What do you think? Is it a little too close? Is it something you’d use? Chat with me in the comments, and until next time, stay motivated and keep shooting.
Buy on KEH
As of today you can pick up the PK3 on KEH for only $4!
Get a Nikkor PK13 Extension tube at KEH
Pick up a Nikkor Micro 55mm Lens at KEH
Buy a Nikon F from KEH
Buy on eBay
Get a Nikon F
Pick up a Nikkor Micro 55mm Lens
and a Nikon PK3 extension tube
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Hi Aly
An AI converted 55mm is seemingly permanently attached to my Nikon D600 and never fails to do a super job. Mostly for copying paintings for my customers but also I use it as a standard lens out and about.
beautiful flower pictures!
Ian Hunter
Thank you. It’s definitely an overlooked lens.
Beautiful camera and lens and photographs and flowers. How do you determine the proper exposure with this setup?
Thanks Merlin. I metered the way I normally would but the closer you get the less light you get because the glass is farther from the film so you do have to compensate for that. Honestly though I didn’t do much different and the exposures came pretty good I think.
I love them!!! I am a big fan of flower macros, do many myself in the spring time here in NJ!!!
Thank you! So glad to hear that!
Absolutely love these, makes me want to pick up a 55mm again (had one years ago and sold it for some dumb reason)
Thank you very much. Yea definitely do it!