QUESTION ABOUT MACRO LENS

Hi All:

Living in Canada I noticed the Pentax 100 mm Macro lens at Henry's is selling for CD$ 549.99 on-line @ http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ItemsDisplay?itemID=133252&s...
and the Tarmon 90 mm Macro lens at Henry's is selling for CD$ 649.99 @ http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ItemsDisplay?itemID=132354&s...

Thus wondering what the real difference is between price as I still have a long way before I can go out purchase either of these pieces of glass as I still paying for my new NOTEBOOK I got before Christmas.

Thanks,

Hi, I have no experience of the Tamron lens but I have the SMCP-FA 100mm 1:2.8 Macro and it is simply stunning. Makes a terrific telephoto for portraits too. Of the two, I would choose the Pentax lens every time.

The link wouldn't work, do you know which Pentax macro lens it is?

The link worked for me John, second time of trying. It's the latest D-FA version.

The SMC Pentax D-FA 100mm f2.8 Macro lens is a beautiful lens and at a lower price than an independent lens I would say there is no choice to be made. The pentax engineering is gotrgeous, the lens handles like a dream and the results are fantastic.

We use the SMC Pentax-FA 100mm f2.8 Macro, and that is a superb lens as well, as mentioned, although somewhat bigger and heavier.

I'll second that. I just received my DFA 100mm 2.8 a few weeks ago, absolutely love it. Very happy, I realise the Tamron has excellent write ups as well but I can't see how it can beat the genuine Pentax.

I've decided I'd rather shoot without a certain focal length for a bit longer in order to get the best glass I can. And that of course is Pentax

Thanks for your comments.

Now to start saving up for the PENTAX which I was planning on doing anyhow.

Hi.

I sent you a PM regarding suppliers...

I think optically the Pentax and the Tamron are en par.

The Pentax has no focus limiter, which is a concern only if you shoot other things than macro with the lens. The Pentax has Quick-Shift and is the smallest and lightest 100mm lens.

The Tamron to the contrary has the limiter, has 9 aperture blades and is a lot cheaper. On the negative side the Tamron is longer, heavier and the focus ring goes the other way round.

It's up to you what you find more important.