Macro Lenses

I've found that I'm always trying to get closer to my subject and the 1.1m focusing distance on the DA50-200 doesn't cut it for flora and small fauna. I've gotten some good results and find that the distance is just about right for not disturbing some insects but I do still need to get closer.

I'm looking for a macro lens of ~100mm (price/focal length balance), so the choices are:

Pentax DFA 100mm F2.8 Macro
Tamron AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro

I want it to be as sharp as possible. The prices of the Tamron and Sigma make them very attractive, £130 less than the Pentax.

Other things that would be useful is an AF/MF clutch system or even better quick shift or equivalent (which I think the DFA has).

Am sorely tempted by the Pentax lens but am unsure if either of the others are better lenses.

You've got a nerve asking a question like that around here!

I've got the Sigma and it's a lovely lens. Very solid build, good quality images, got mine second hand for £90. Couldn't be happier with it. Even better on the K10D than it was on the istD.

But I've heard good things about the Tamron, and of course the Pentax. There have ben various threads, with pics, on here before. Have a search and see what they say.

Dan

I'm buying the Pentax 100.
Reasons:
Portraits; we do weddings.
When somebody says "My uncles has a nice camera..." I pull out shots taken with specialty lenses and say:"ask your uncle to show you shots like this...". (ultra wide group shot inside limo, fish-eye, macro shot of ring etc....)
the pentax multicoatings mean consistancy in color from one lens to the next.

That's what works for me...

For best value, I'd go for the Tokina. Except I can't. So I'd go for the Pentax and grumble about the price...

I've seen the review on photozone and the pictures look perfectly sharp, although the older FA seems better at wider apertures. There is no focus limiter on the lens which would be an annoyance. My 50-200 already hunts enough and its focus ring rotation range is less than a macro lens.

I do love Pentax glass and coatings and it would be nice to have a really nice set of Pentax lenses.

the DFA is more compact and lighter than the other two as well as having quick shift.

Personally I'd be happy enough with any of the lenses mentioned. From the tests I've seen it doesn't look like anyone actually makes a bad macro lens and they all seem to review well.

I'm using an old manual focus 55mm F2.8 Vivitar Macro and I've been impressed with the results I've had.

I'm using an old Tamron 90mm F2.5 which I love to bits, especially with it's 2x flat field converter which gives me 180mm F5, perfect (or as near as I can afford) for in-the-wild macro shots. Doesn't scare the beastys

I have also used the Pentax D-FA 50mm briefly since I got my lab to buy one. I have been resisting the urge to use it in lunch times for fear I will do something rash like buy the 100mm version for myself. It is a spectacular lens in all respects and I suspect strongly the D-FA 100 is the same.

Worthy of note is the "quick shift" system on the macro lens (the 50 at any rate) is even better than on the DA lenses. The focus ring doesn't rotate when AF activates, so you can hold onto the ring all the time for stability without worrying about it trying to turn. Also makes manual adjustments to final point of focus that much easier.