macro lens
Posted 27/12/2011 - 11:37
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Welcome to the forum Tammy.
Neither of the lenses you mention are macro.
I use a 100mm macro; it gives me a comfortable working distance from the subject.
Neither of the lenses you mention are macro.
I use a 100mm macro; it gives me a comfortable working distance from the subject.
Posted 27/12/2011 - 12:11
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For me it would have to be the DFA100 macro. It is my most used lens. It gets used for flowers, small objects like coins and all sorts of things that my wife sells on ebay as well as the occasional macro abstract .
There are 50mm and the 35mm macros as well but I find that for both of these I need to get very close to the subject which could be a problem if the subject is something that easily frightens itself or the photographer and can also cause issues with the lighting. I find that 100mm is a good compromise between not having to get too close and not having to have steps or a ladder behind the tripod .
Tamron do a very good 90mm macro and I think Sigma also do a good 100mm macro.
The latest Pentax version is the WR, with a metal outer shell, but these do seem a little over-priced so I would recommend hunting out a 2nd hand DFA100.
I really can't fault the old Pentax DFA100. It is a wonderful macro lens.
I have put a sample flower shot using my DFA100 below.
Glyn
[IMG]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/GlynM/Misc/IMGP0884-c1s-small.jpg[/IMG]
There are 50mm and the 35mm macros as well but I find that for both of these I need to get very close to the subject which could be a problem if the subject is something that easily frightens itself or the photographer and can also cause issues with the lighting. I find that 100mm is a good compromise between not having to get too close and not having to have steps or a ladder behind the tripod .
Tamron do a very good 90mm macro and I think Sigma also do a good 100mm macro.
The latest Pentax version is the WR, with a metal outer shell, but these do seem a little over-priced so I would recommend hunting out a 2nd hand DFA100.
I really can't fault the old Pentax DFA100. It is a wonderful macro lens.
I have put a sample flower shot using my DFA100 below.
Glyn
[IMG]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/GlynM/Misc/IMGP0884-c1s-small.jpg[/IMG]
Posted 27/12/2011 - 12:30
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Hi Tammy.
With macro lenses longer the focal lengths give increased working distance for the same magnification, so are better for things like insects that get disturbed if you get too close. Most macro lenses seem to be around 100mm to maximise working distance without making the lens too unwieldy.
If working distance is not an issue short focal lengths are easier to get higher magnifications with.
I've never heard any comments of poor quality in the optics of true macro lenses. (Macro zooms are rarely even close to macro lenses, just focusing closer than normal for their focal length).
There are a number of techniques that can be used with standard lenses to give macro magnifications, they an be very cheap to implement but are generally more awkward to use than a dedicated macro lens, they would also show problems at the edges if the subject was a flat plane such as a book, but this is rarely the case in most macro work. The lenses you mentioned should work well with some sort of extension between the lens & the camera. In its current line up I think Pentax only has two macro lenses a 35mm F4 & a 100mm, but there are third party alternatives from many years of K mount lenses (or even other mounts with suitable adapters). I have a KA mount 28mm macro, but use my (KA)100mm macro much more, neither supports autofocus but from what I hear AF is no advantage for macro anyway.
With macro lenses longer the focal lengths give increased working distance for the same magnification, so are better for things like insects that get disturbed if you get too close. Most macro lenses seem to be around 100mm to maximise working distance without making the lens too unwieldy.
If working distance is not an issue short focal lengths are easier to get higher magnifications with.
I've never heard any comments of poor quality in the optics of true macro lenses. (Macro zooms are rarely even close to macro lenses, just focusing closer than normal for their focal length).
There are a number of techniques that can be used with standard lenses to give macro magnifications, they an be very cheap to implement but are generally more awkward to use than a dedicated macro lens, they would also show problems at the edges if the subject was a flat plane such as a book, but this is rarely the case in most macro work. The lenses you mentioned should work well with some sort of extension between the lens & the camera. In its current line up I think Pentax only has two macro lenses a 35mm F4 & a 100mm, but there are third party alternatives from many years of K mount lenses (or even other mounts with suitable adapters). I have a KA mount 28mm macro, but use my (KA)100mm macro much more, neither supports autofocus but from what I hear AF is no advantage for macro anyway.
Mike
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Pentax:K5ii, K7, K100D, DA18-55, DA10-17, DA55-300, DA50-200, F100-300, F50, DA35 AL, 4* M50, 2* M135, Helicoid extension, Tak 300 f4 (& 6 film bodies)
3rd Party: Bigmos (Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM),2* 28mm, 100mm macro, 28-200 zoom, 35-80 zoom, 80-200 zoom, 80-210 zoom, 300mm M42, 600 mirror, 1000-4000 scope, 50mm M42, enlarger lenses, Sony & micro 4/3 cameras with various PK mounts, Zenit E...
Far to many tele-converters, adapters, project parts & extension tubes etc.
.[size=11:].Flickr• WPF• Panoramio
.
Pentax:K5ii, K7, K100D, DA18-55, DA10-17, DA55-300, DA50-200, F100-300, F50, DA35 AL, 4* M50, 2* M135, Helicoid extension, Tak 300 f4 (& 6 film bodies)
3rd Party: Bigmos (Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM),2* 28mm, 100mm macro, 28-200 zoom, 35-80 zoom, 80-200 zoom, 80-210 zoom, 300mm M42, 600 mirror, 1000-4000 scope, 50mm M42, enlarger lenses, Sony & micro 4/3 cameras with various PK mounts, Zenit E...
Far to many tele-converters, adapters, project parts & extension tubes etc.
.[size=11:].Flickr• WPF• Panoramio
Posted 18/01/2012 - 06:32
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Thank you very much for all your comments they were extremely helpful andI think I will go for the 100mm. Great picture Glynn.
Tammy
Tammy
Posted 18/01/2012 - 12:58
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Welcome to the forum Tammy and good luck with your macro photography.
Most of the macro lenses have very good optics and for what it's worth, I will give you my recommendation as well, which is the Lester A Dine 105mm macro lens. I have been using it for the past year and I can tell you the quality of the images is awesome. An example is below:
https://www.pentaxuser.com/photo/user-8492/my-first-real-macro-27142
Regards.
Most of the macro lenses have very good optics and for what it's worth, I will give you my recommendation as well, which is the Lester A Dine 105mm macro lens. I have been using it for the past year and I can tell you the quality of the images is awesome. An example is below:
https://www.pentaxuser.com/photo/user-8492/my-first-real-macro-27142
Regards.
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