Which Macro Lens for a *istD

Hi all

I am undecided on which 100mm macro lens to purchase for use on an *istD. I already own a SMC-A 50mm f2.8 but would like a 100mm one to give more working room.

The choices are SMC-A or SMC-FA both of which would probably have to be second hand, then there is the new models, either the SMCP-D (full frame) or SMCP-DA (for digital only). I still have a MZ5N film body but to be honest I can't see me using it again (although I still indend to keep it meanwhile).
Whats your thoughts on these lenses the new models in particular.

I haven't personally used the models you list, but I have used several Pentax macro lenses that you don't list! As a general thought, I'd be confident in buying any Pentax macro lens. In the context of macro photography I don't think autofocus is necessary, in fact it's undesireable in many instances, but you might also be using a 100mm as a portrait and landscape lens.

For the digital bodies, I would choose a lens with the "A" setting on the aperture ring, for the maximum operational convenience.

Hi Brian,
Well, I have the SMC-F 100mm/f2.8. Cost me £200 from LCE. It's a heavy beast (put it with the Metz 50MZ5 and I need to eat more meat!!).
It does have quite a bit of chromatic aberration when there are serious highlights, but it is just amazingly sharp. It's one of my favourite lenses on the *ist-D - just beautiful for portraits (though I find you have to smooth the skin in PS otherwise it just shows too much detail )

I've ummd and ahhhd over the new 100mm DA - mostly because of the weight. But I can't really warrant the extra expenditure

If you're interested - www.lcegroup.co.uk have a 100mm/f2.8 on the website (in Exeter), and www.ephotozineshop.com have a mail-order returned SMC-DA 100mm for £350.... just to tempt you further

Matt

Hi John/Matt

Thanks for the replies, I'm really struggling to decide on which model to aquire. I'm of up to Inverness sometime this week so I had a look to see what used items Ffordes have in stock apart from the new 100 FA-D. They have a choice of 5 at the moment, 2 SMC-FA 100 f3.5's (I believe these are the same design as the Vivitar), a Tamron 90 f2.8, a Sigma 105 f2.8 and a SMC-A 100 f4. All I believe are excellent lenses and all inside my budget although the A 100 looks expensive for a SH lens. Again your thoughts and guidance on these lenses would be much appreciated.

The 100mm/3.5 is only a 2:1 (or is it 1:2) lens? i.e. half life size.
Don't go for that

Thought they were all ½ life lifesize.

Hi Matt
As always you are correct, the MAX magnification for the f3.5 is 1:2 where as the the f2.8 is 1:1. Is the max magnification for the A f4 1:1 as well, can't seem to find much info on this lens (not listed on Stans page).

Hi Brian,
The info you need is here: http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/index.html
All the f2.8 Pentax lenses are 1x magnification. All the non-f2.8 are 0.5x
The f2.8 macros are wonderful. Just amazing
Matt

Not quite true - the SMC A 50/2.8 is 1:2

For macro shooting, with its extremely narrow depth of field, you might probably want to control the focus yourself, as that is a major part of the composition.

I'm quite exited tonight, finally managed to get a hold of a SMC-FA 100mm f2.8 macro lens, should arrive tomorrow. I've got a big (should say bigger) learning curve to look forward to now.

You got it for a pretty reasonable price too, I see
You'll have lots of fun with that I can assure you!
Matt

Hi Matt

The 100mm macro lens arrived yesterday, been trying it out on a lot of different subjects around the house and garden, WOW! even WOWER with th AF-140C attached.

Then my other new baby arrived today




Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 APO EX DG (no MSM for the Pentax mount)
Yes it is a Sigma but it is a quarter the cost of the equivelant Pentax lens, it has a truly wonderful feel and balance on the *istD. build quality looks top drawer and god it is lightning fast and quiet to focus. Ordered it yesterday from www.buyacamera.co.uk (cheapest on the net I could find)and it was delivered direct from Sigma before lunchtime today.

Ha ha! Now you're really going to have to get into weight training! The Sigma + Metz is going to be one heavy beast

Yes, the 100mm is definitely WOW! The only near equivalent in terms of sharpness is my SMC-F 50mm/f1.7 As a pair they're fab Look forward to some of your work...

Matt