Should I upgrade my macro?

Hi all, I've been offered a 100-A Dental macro, minty fresh (never seen an A lens that looked like its been used less, comes with the lovely hardcase - which probably explains the condition!)
Now I have an 100-k macro in fair condition but am seriously considering an upgrade (seller is likely to take it in part-ex). As far as I know the glass is the same in both, (the mid eighties -A if afaik the same physically to the 70's one I have now) The main change is the -A setting meaning I wont have to do as much manual metering, so I feel I may get more usable frames from a shoot. (Plus its a K mount rather than an adapted m42 like my other)

Any helpful opinions?

There is some of the guys here that uses that lens, I'm sure that they can tell you how great it is. I think that it would be worthit doing the upgrade to make your life a bit easier

From Boj's site:-


The A setting is a real bonus but it's still an f4 lens. The later F and FA 100mm macro lenses are f2.8 and auto focus.

A plus side of the dental version is that it's comparatively rare, so it'll always fetch quite a good eBay price if you want to sell it on at some future point - especially if it's minty and cased with it's accessories.

Thanks Guys. Erring towards getting it, the auto aperture will be a godsend and it is sooo shiny..

It has the leather hard 'tube' case (HB-120?) rather than the big case - so no accessories i'm afraid Hefty, still its a nice thing to own in that condition I think.

Hope you get it and I'm sure that you will have many happy snaps with it

Bit the bullet and got it, had a little play (nothing serious yet worth posting but that will come). Pleased as punch.

On another matter he has a sigma 30mm F1.4 in, (early pre ex one). Any opinions on these? Looks like it would be good for low light conditions...

I have a more recent 30/1.4 and it is a lovely lens. Very few faults just a bit heavy but with that much glass not surprising. Lilly uses it as well to great effect which is one reason I bought it. Nice length and nice bokeh and colours. Doesn't focus too close which can be frustrating. You'll find shots using it on my flickr site and on Lilly's.

I find it quite usable at all apertures and it's sharp at 1.4 - nice lens. How much does he want?

Mike

Cheers mike, its up at £225, but 'mates rates' means about 140 to me

Rip his arm off at that price unless of course the pre EX means something important. I am pretty sure you won't be disappointed.