Pentax or Sigma?

After admiring the various macro shots in the Your Photos section, I really need a Macro lens.

Question is, should I go for the Pentax 100mm 2.8 or the Sigma 105 mm 2.8?

The advantage of the Sigma, apart from being cheaper, is that it has the same filter size as the 70-300 zoom lens. The Pentax' 49 mm threads would mean a new set of filters. And is the quality that much better?

Or maybe filters are not so important for macro photography?

Not important at all! You want as much light as possible for macro.

I have the older Pentax SMC-F 100mm f/2.8 lens - it's a superb piece of lens, and doubles up well as a very fine (but "brutally" sharp) portrait lens

A cheaper alternative is a set of auto extension tubes. I picked up a set for £20, and with something like the SMC-FA 50mm f/1.4 it's a very nice combination. Given the sheer weight of the Pentax 100mm macro, I don't often carry it around!

Matt

Which is the chief advantage (as far as I can see) in favour of the D-FA100.

It doesn't appear to be any better (or worse) than previous incarnations from an optics point of view, yet it weighs considerably less giving it a real world advantage over all its competitors as it's easier to hand-hold for longer exposures. And because it's a lightweight and compact beast you're more likely to carry it with you in the first place.

And it works just as nicely on my MX as it does my K10D. And did I mention Quick-Shift?

No prizes for guessing which one I recommend...

I think I would like to look at the construction quality of the D-FA, before making a decision. The F and FA versions are built to withstand earthquakes.

But if it passes muster, then it's down to a balance between price and weight. And availability.

G

Or to put the spanner in the works, how about the Tamron 90mm?
I use the older manual focus version and its a cracking lens.

All very good lenses..

Thankfully I work for a Japanese company and very cooperative colleagues who get the D-FA for me for the equivalent of GBP 270 and a bottle of Welsh Whisky (Penderyn - lovely )

D-FA 100, Tamron or Sigma - can't go wrong...

If you go for the Pentax lens, instead of buying new filters, just get a step up ring that brings it to your other filters size. It's a lot cheaper that way.

Thanks for good advice, everyone.

Looking at prices now, it seems I should wait for my next trip to UK, probably early September. SRS is nearly GBP 100 cheaper than Norwegian prices at the moment.

As far as filters are concerned, I often use a polariser when doing macro.

Bear in mind that 'macro' is a lot more than insects and other bugs. A polariser is often of great benefit when doing plants, toadstools etc.

Dan