100mm Macro Lenses

Another slice of 1982 lens life....

Decentering - Lens name - MTF 10 lpm - MTF 40 lpm - Distortion

5% Canon f4 91% 59% Zero
6% Pentax-M f4 91% 50% Zero
14% Micro-Nikkor f4 90% 48% -0.2%
4% Rokkor f4 90% 46% Zero
10% Macro-Elmar f4 94% 62% Zero
8% Tamron SP f2.5 93% 53% +0.7%
10% Panagor f2.8 92% 52% -0.1%

- distortion is barrel and + distortion is pincushion.

Again, the Pentax lens can hold its head high. In reality, all these macro lenses will give excellent results, as we would expect.

The Leica looks a bit special!

I'm guessing that's R-mount? I can't imagine macro work with a rangefinder being much fun...

Yes, R mount. It does look a good lens, and if we knew the price we would probably think so it should be!

There's more to lens quality that these bald figures of course, but nonetheless I think they are interesting and at least give us some information.

Even the Panagor holds up well.

The Panagor is the same as the very well respected Kiron, Vivitar and Elicar macro lenses. After doing a lot of research when buying my now sold Vivitar version I suspect they were all made by Kiron and rebadged.

Mike,
Thanks for pointing out the Elicar, I have just won one with built in ring flash for UKP 45, delivery on Tuesday.

I was in the market for a Pentax 100mm f4 and ring flash, but could not resist this as it combines everything and it's 1:1 versus the Pentax 1:2

Greg

Lets have a link then .. I love to see a bargain on Ebay

The Elicar has a very fine reputation. Do you have the 1:1 version or the greater-than-life-size 2.5:1 version?

This is the one I got, hope the link still works.

link

Greg

Looks like the 1:1 version, but in a Medical kit. Pentax also did a Dental version of the 100mm f4. The last Pentax dental kit came with the MZ-6 and the terrific SMC Pentax-FA 100mm f2.8 Macro lens. The best bit though was the fantastic case it came in. Really wanted that!

I sympathise with you about cases, I bought a Novoflex 400/600mm kit in an aluminium case, which I did not really need but it looked so professional that it overcame my common sense.

What I like about this Elicar is that it is f2.5
Greg