Macro Lens Advice, Please
Posted 04/05/2011 - 15:12
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Darkskies,
I have been through the same dilemma as you, origionally I was looking for the DFA 100, however I spotted the 100 WR in a local Jessops and seeing it and holding it made up my mind, the extra cost would be worth it. It seems more compact then the D-FA 100 and still works on 35mm cameras.
I have not regretted the money, it is built like a limited and really blows me away, it's light comfortable and gets the shot (if I miss, it's not the fault of the lens, it's my technique!).
I had to apply focus adjustment when I first got it as focus was out on my K7 by quite a bit. It also does hunt a little, but manually pre-focussing first cures this. Forget live view focus though, however, I expect this is the same with all macro lens.
I have even coupled this with the Kenro 1.5 adaptor to give me a 150mm F4 macro - a good pairing!
I have been through the same dilemma as you, origionally I was looking for the DFA 100, however I spotted the 100 WR in a local Jessops and seeing it and holding it made up my mind, the extra cost would be worth it. It seems more compact then the D-FA 100 and still works on 35mm cameras.
I have not regretted the money, it is built like a limited and really blows me away, it's light comfortable and gets the shot (if I miss, it's not the fault of the lens, it's my technique!).
I had to apply focus adjustment when I first got it as focus was out on my K7 by quite a bit. It also does hunt a little, but manually pre-focussing first cures this. Forget live view focus though, however, I expect this is the same with all macro lens.
I have even coupled this with the Kenro 1.5 adaptor to give me a 150mm F4 macro - a good pairing!
Bodies: K5IIs, K7, MZ5n, LX, MV
Lenses: DA*16-50, DA18-55WR, DA18-135, DAL35, M50 F2, A50 f1.4, FA50 f1.4, DA*50-135, DA55-300, Tamron 70-300, DFA 100 WR Macro, M135 f3.5, Sigma 120-400 APO DG HSM, Tokina 500 f8.0
Flash: Metz 58, Metz 48
Accessories: BG4, Pentax right angle finder, Pentax mirror adaptor lens, O-ME53 Viewfinder Loupe
Auto 110 System: Auto 110, Winder, 18mm, 24mm, 50mm, 70mm, 20-40mm, AF100P, 1.7x telecon
Lenses: DA*16-50, DA18-55WR, DA18-135, DAL35, M50 F2, A50 f1.4, FA50 f1.4, DA*50-135, DA55-300, Tamron 70-300, DFA 100 WR Macro, M135 f3.5, Sigma 120-400 APO DG HSM, Tokina 500 f8.0
Flash: Metz 58, Metz 48
Accessories: BG4, Pentax right angle finder, Pentax mirror adaptor lens, O-ME53 Viewfinder Loupe
Auto 110 System: Auto 110, Winder, 18mm, 24mm, 50mm, 70mm, 20-40mm, AF100P, 1.7x telecon
Posted 05/05/2011 - 22:56
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darkskies wrote:
Later in the year I had hoped to buy the DFA 100 macro. Unfortunately, I think this lens has become rather scarce as it has been discontinued. I do not wish to pay the extra for the WR.
So, is it sensible to just wait for a used DFA 100 to turn up to buy or bid for, or are there any alternatives which would do the job just as well, such as the Tamron 90 or Sigma 105, or even another Pentax lens?
I'm sure there are enough of you with plenty of experience who can help me.
Cheers,
darkskies
I recently bought the DFA 100mm macro off the classifieds here a few weeks ago, whilst SRS have also had both the Pentax and Samsung version in their used section fairly recently.Later in the year I had hoped to buy the DFA 100 macro. Unfortunately, I think this lens has become rather scarce as it has been discontinued. I do not wish to pay the extra for the WR.
So, is it sensible to just wait for a used DFA 100 to turn up to buy or bid for, or are there any alternatives which would do the job just as well, such as the Tamron 90 or Sigma 105, or even another Pentax lens?
I'm sure there are enough of you with plenty of experience who can help me.
Cheers,
darkskies
Hopefully something will turn-up for you.
Regards
Adrian
K5IIs, Sigma 10-20, Pentax DA 16-85, Pentax DA 55-300, Pentax 70 Ltd, Metz 44 AF-2.
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ambott/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ambott/
Posted 06/05/2011 - 23:10
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I use Sigma 105 2.8 macro and am very happy with it. Very good on GP use, too, a little bit like my old 180mm 2.8 Nikkor that I used to use for all my concert stuff.
Posted 07/05/2011 - 09:20
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Currently using the Tamron SP Di 90mm 2.8 Macro, very high IQ with great OoF rendering. Manual focus is smooth and nicely damped, the focus limiter allows very responsive AF when used as a nornal Telephoto, it fits nicely into my lens kit between the DA-70 and FA-135. The only thing I miss is the focus lock of the old FA-100/2.8 Macro.
John
John
Posted 07/05/2011 - 20:07
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johnwhit wrote:
Currently using the Tamron SP Di 90mm 2.8 Macro, very high IQ with great OoF rendering. Manual focus is smooth and nicely damped, the focus limiter allows very responsive AF when used as a nornal Telephoto, it fits nicely into my lens kit between the DA-70 and FA-135. The only thing I miss is the focus lock of the old FA-100/2.8 Macro.
John
I agree wholeheartedly with John. The Tamron is excellent, both as a macro and as a standard telephoto lens. I've been delighted with it. SRS are offering it at a good price (£339) at present.Currently using the Tamron SP Di 90mm 2.8 Macro, very high IQ with great OoF rendering. Manual focus is smooth and nicely damped, the focus limiter allows very responsive AF when used as a nornal Telephoto, it fits nicely into my lens kit between the DA-70 and FA-135. The only thing I miss is the focus lock of the old FA-100/2.8 Macro.
John
John, your gallery is very impressive, if I may say so. The bird shots are terrific, and the steam trains just classic.
All the best,
Chris
Posted 07/05/2011 - 21:37
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Thanks very much for your additional comments, folks.
I gather the Tamron 90 is a very good lens, but the DFA 100 has the advantage of being 1:1 rather than 1:2, does it not?
I gather the Tamron 90 is a very good lens, but the DFA 100 has the advantage of being 1:1 rather than 1:2, does it not?
This space deliberately left blank.
Posted 07/05/2011 - 21:48
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The Tamron SP Di 90mm is true 1:1 also, wihout any tube attached as in the older version. Hope this helps.
http://www.photozone.de/pentax/362-tamron-af-90mm-f28-di-sp-macro-pentax-
John
http://www.photozone.de/pentax/362-tamron-af-90mm-f28-di-sp-macro-pentax-
John
Posted 08/05/2011 - 06:00
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darkskies wrote:
Thanks very much for your additional comments, folks.
I gather the Tamron 90 is a very good lens, but the DFA 100 has the advantage of being 1:1 rather than 1:2, does it not?
Not just a 'very good lense' an absolutely outstanding lense. Many of the very best macro shooters around use the Tamron (the Sigma, Tamron & Pentax are all superb). The Tamron under discussion (current version), Sigma 105 and the Pentax are all 1:1. That is the definition of a true 'macro' lense. However unfortunately manufacturers have now taken to marketing anything under 1:4 as having a 'macro' function Thanks very much for your additional comments, folks.
I gather the Tamron 90 is a very good lens, but the DFA 100 has the advantage of being 1:1 rather than 1:2, does it not?
You could buy any of those macro lenses (you said you don't need WR) and be very happy with your purchase. They are all superb.
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Posted 08/05/2011 - 09:23
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Frogfish wrote:
You could buy any of those macro lenses (you said you don't need WR) and be very happy with your purchase. They are all superb.
Absolutely, it has to come down to personal choice, maybe go to somewhere that has them all in stock and handle them on camera if you're considering buying new. The Tamron was just my personal choice.You could buy any of those macro lenses (you said you don't need WR) and be very happy with your purchase. They are all superb.
John
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1072 posts
18 years
Newport,
South Wales,U.k
That's cheating .. you can't say final bump on the thread and then get round it by advertising it on another.
Mike-P wrote:
Well give me a shout later in the year .. I must admit I quite fancy the WR version so my DFA 100mm would have to go.
Roy
Pentax K3 gripped,and some lenses
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pentaxroy/
my pbase gallery