Macro lens shootout - binary choice

With the tammy there is a switch in the focus ring, so you can pull it back and it's MF and push it forward to have AF, or vice versa... I don't remember.
So when the lens is switch to MF you don't need to do that on the body.

With the Pentax it depends on how the camera is set, I've the AF under the AF button and leave the focus switch to AF so all my quick-shift lenses are MF lenses till I press the AF button for auto-focus. With macro I use the AF button since I'm lazy so I bring the focus close and to do the last part myself.

There are more users here who use quick-shift like that and since I'm used to it I miss it on other lenses

Last week Reading PC world still had the Pentax at around £350, if this is any help?

Thanks for the tip, but I have managed to find the Samsung version for slightly less. Relative cost isn't my issue between these lenses, more image quality and ease of use.

If it's only a slightly less I would go for the Pentax over the Samsung just for the resell value.

True, but I would have to add on the cost of going to Reading However looking for the Pentax on a no-longer-stocking-Pentax sale does sound like a plan, not that I'm planning to resell any of my gear soon.

True
Btw Mike is putting his on sale in classified adverts here link

I think you will find that PC world are stocking pentax, they have K7 and Kx in store.
There was no suggestion that it was a sale and they stocked several lenses and flashguns.

Is the Pentax lens optically similar to the Tokina? Reviews of the latter seem much easier to come by given the number of Canikon-only reviewers out there.

PS: I know about the new, WR version of the Pentax. Out of my price range

Yes the optics are 90% the same, only the lens coating is different so far as I know.

photozone.de has a review of the DFA100 and the Tamron 90 on the Pentax.

Hmm... thanks all. I'm still leaning towards the Tamron for two non-macro reasons:
*Performance wide open
*Slightly shorter FL
I realise this goes against the general consensus of the thread, but the points people have raised mean that whatever lens I eventually go for, I'll have a sounder basis for it.

[quote:3496ace15f="MrCynical]Am I right in saying though, that to switch from AF to MF on the Tamron I would have to operate BOTH the focus ring clutch on the lens, AND the body AF-> MF switch? Whereas on the Pentax I assume it would work the same as my other lenses ie body switch set to MF = lens is MF?[/quote]That is certainly the case with the Sigma 105 which is a bit of a pain occasionally, but as I generally use it almost exclusively MF when shooting macro and AF when using it as a medium telephoto it does not bother me too much.

Well I realise this is bordering on necromancy, but I thought it would be wortwhile posting to say I eventually went for the Pentamsung: the thread here advertising the deal forced my procrastination to an end a week or so ago and I got one. Loving it!