PN-11 Extension Tube

[Roland Vink]

To put it another way, when using macro lenses with floating elements (close range correction / CRC) on extension tubes, it is best to keep the lens focused as close as possible, so the optics are best configured for macro shooting, and use the shortest possible extension tube to achieve the desired magnification.

Consider the AIS 105/2.8 micro, which focuses to 1:2 by itself. For magnifications just beyond 1:2, using the short PK-11 tube (8mm extension) would require the lens to be racked all the way out where it is best configured for macro shooting. If the PN-11 were used instead (52.5mm) the focus ring would need to be set close to infinity, where the optics are not well configured for macro. The two setups will give the same magnification, but the using the short PK-11 will give better results. If corner sharpness is not an issue (eg focusing on flower stamens while the petals to the sides are out of focus) then you can be more flexible in your arrangements. Experiment and see what works.

I will echo what others have said about the quick release plate for the PN-11, well worth having.

[Hugh_3170]

Some nice metalwork here David on your riser blocks.  I also have a fat 105/4.0 Micro-Nikkor (AiS in my case).

The PN-11 has but a single 1/4" threaded tripod mounting hole.  Did you put in any extra threaded holes or holes on the mounting base of the PN-11 to locate dowelling to curb any tendency for the PN-11 to rotate off axis when mounted to your riser blocks?

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I use a Winberley P-10 Acra-Swiss type plate to give a larger surface area when on a tripod. It has anti-swivel tabes as most plates have. It also accepts Kirkphotos older macro flash arms.

I made block for using a PN-11 with my fat 105/4.0 AI Micro-Nikkor. Here is a photo...


Please click image for a larger view.

Hope this helps,

Dave

[David H. Hartman]

Some nice metalwork here David on your riser blocks.  I also have a fat 105/4.0 Micro-Nikkor (AiS in my case).

The PN-11 has but a single 1/4" threaded tripod mounting hole.  Did you put in any extra threaded holes or holes on the mounting base of the PN-11 to locate dowelling to curb any tendency for the PN-11 to rotate off axis when mounted to your riser blocks?

Thank you for the kind words. I use a thin gasket material to mate the PN-11 to the aluminum blocks. The blocks are made from 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum like the products from Really Right Stuff, Wimberley and Kirkphoto A.K.A. Kirk Enterprises Solutions.

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My last post had some really poor writing with the usual typos near the end. Here is a second try... 

The foot print of the PN-11 is close to 25mm square (1 inch) so if mounted on a tripod head with a compliant surface like rubber or cork it will be unstable and vibrations can reduce image resolution. If the PN-11 is mounted on a hard surface such as an Arca-Swiss lens plate the mating is firm and problems with vibrations degrading the photograph are greatly reduced.  This assumes a quality tripod head and tripod which is another discussion.

I use Wimberley lens plates. If the PN-11 is mounted directly on a Wimberley P-10 plate, that plate has anti-swivel tabs. For mounting on a hard surface without tabs I use an automotive gasket material I get from Pep Boys auto supplies and service store in the US. It's available in 1/32 or 1/16 inch (about 0.8 or 1.6 millimeters) thick. I think it may be rubberized but I don't have a new package to check. Anyway it sticks two hard surfaces together and resists swiveling very well. I'm probably using the 1/32” (0.8mm) gasket material with the PN-11 and aluminum blocks in the photo I posted earlier. I also use this gasket material on my Sinar 2-way pan-tilt head liberated from an 8x10" Sinar view camera to mate it with a Wimberley C-30 Quick Release Clamp. I use the Wimberley C-30 Quick Release Clamp as a poor man's macro slider.

Dave

[Hugh_3170]

Thanks David - the gasket material is a neat & simple solution to the swiveling issue.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

An extra screw is even simpler ... needn't enter the PN-11 foot per se as long as it bites into its front- or rear flange.

I'm pretty allergic to anything that prevents metal to metal contact.

[John G]

Hello All
.           This has been a excellent thread and a great tutorial for me.
.            Thank you again for the time taken to supply great instructions.
.            I feel this will be a go to reference for the future, for all who express
.            a interest in macro via the lens  combinations discussed.

.                           

[John G]

UPDATE !
             I received a PN - 11 delivered from Hong Kong on Thursday last week and had a Sunday afternoon with it attached to a 135mm f2.8
Monday morning whilst commuting to work I responded to a regularly used auction site listing item and as a result today at Saville Row in
London, picked up a very nice condition, a little internal dust, Micro Nikkor 105mm f2.8. Serial Number 243***. 
The ship has left the port, Bon Voyage.

[Jakov Minić]

Show us some results, congrats 

[David H. Hartman]

An extra screw is even simpler ... needn't enter the PN-11 foot per se as long as it bites into its front- or rear flange.

I'm pretty allergic to anything that prevents metal to metal contact.

The better solution for me would be a 105/4.0 AIS Micro which is slimmer than the AI. Then I would not  need the aluminum spacers. Still the gasket is only 0.8mm thick, fairly hard and under compression in use. I haven't notice a problem as yet.

I also need the aluminum spacer for use with a 300/4.5 ED-IF AI and 400/5.6 ED AI. I have another PN-11 I use directly on lens plates.

Dave

I'm not greedy I want another PN-11 for use without a plate.

[richardHaw]

this is very timely as i am in the market for a macro lens and a PN-11

http://www.throughthefmount.com/articles_back_tc.html

this site is very useful for macro and the PN is mentioned there briefly.

[oldfauser]

Another vote for an A-S plate for the foot of PN-11.  RRS 5A plate is the best.  The plate is discontinued but well worth looking for.

i looked for 18 months... but finally found one!  Well worth the wait


Art

[John G]

The Arca Swiss and Really Right Stuff base plates are elusive, two searches whilst commuting have shown no results.
Apologies for failing to resize the two example images.
The Sirui Ball Head has a base plate with two little red tabs that are recessed into the plate, I was looking at these today whilst taking a few measurements to see how the base plate holder would work with another product. I then discovered these were not decorations but hinged.
Eureka, the images will be the best explanation. I do not intend on this as a permanent accessory to overcome the PN - 11 rotation issue,
but it does do what you assume it should, quite well. I applied a little Buffoon treatment.
Today I attempted the provisional investigation of a mould removal exercise on my 85mm f1.4. I abandoned the task knowing I needed more tools and re visited Richards Web pages to identify the tools required.
I have saved a particular Web Site that offers accessories for photography and knew they offered Lens removal tools, as well as articulated arms for flash mounting, a device I intend to use when doing Macro with a SB 800.
The Company that produces these various items is called MENG, they have a ebay page.
What I discovered whilst scrolling through to find and assess their lens removal tools was a variety of base plates and sliding rails that look like they would do a very reliable job with the PN - 11 and a macro set up.
I believe the TY - C10 Quick Release Plate with a raised edge will lock the PN -11 in place and one the slightly longer plates attached underneath the TY - C10 will make a mount very similar to the one in the image offered by David.
There are other longer base plates with a raised edges, as well as incremented sliding rails.
I think these raised edge base plates may be a suitable solution for many, as well as for somebody who is patiently waiting for a option to purchase a rare branded base plate.
It may be a help if somebody with a PN - 11/ macro experience could take a look at a few items from MENG and offer their thoughts on their usability.     

[John G]

My previous post had rejected my images due to file size.
These are the two images referred  to in the post before this one.

[Roland Vink]

The RRS 5 plate has a slight curve in the heel which matches the shape of the PN-11 tripod foot, ensuring a good fit. However, any short plate with an upright heel would be almost as good, such as the RRS B6 or B82 plate.

[Mike G]

John G, Manfrotto make an Arca Swiss compatible plate!