All Forum Comments
Comment by walt posted on Tamron SP 90 macro or Pentax 100 WR macro at 26/07/2018 - 17:47
So I was looking for opinions on these 2 preferably from people who have used them. I thought I would never go back to extending macro lenses again having enjoyed the Sigma 180 and the Olympus 60 but I don't have that option for Pentax in the shorter range, do I?
I use AF all the time for my macros, having in the past relied on manual focus I find my hit rate with live view so much better with AF so I'm not looking for a manual focus lens.
I see from reviews that the pentax always spins the manual focus ring even during af, anyone found this a problem? (I sometimes use a flash diffuser that attaches to the lens body which can be a problem with my FA 100 where the focus ring always turns, thus spinning the diffuser unless I fix it away from the focus ring). I tend to hold the lens by or close to the focus ring so that I can make quick overrides on the 60. Moving my hand may well frighten off some of the more timid critters.
The tamron needs the focus ring pulled back to disengage af. What does this feel/sound like? on both my FA*300 and Sigma 180 it's a bit of a clunk, more so on the FA*, plus when af kicks in you can hear it re-engage. Also my sigma needs this but also needs the af/mf switch on the body set to mf. Do I have to set the AF/MF switch on the body as well for the tamron?
Is there any 2nd hand macro lenses in the 90-105 range that might be a better fit for me? I see the pentax DFA 100 (not WR) had a focus limiter, but I don't know if it had manual focus override.
If I get serious about this purchase I can always pop down to SRS as I see they have both the Tamron and Pentax in so I can test for myself, but for now I thought others may have some ideas?
Of course the final drawback for the Pentax has to be the price, £484 vs £349 for the Tamron.
Thanks
Comment by walt posted on Tamron SP 90 macro or Pentax 100 WR macro at 26/07/2018 - 15:16
Great set of images - especially the full frontal on the dragonfly!
Great set... particularly like the soft evening light...
Best
Fabulous!
Excellent images
A note on the KP - I've heard about mirrorless cameras having an issue with heating up too much and hence was worried about using my own KP to film an event (yes, video on Pentax!) - I have to say the KP performed very well with absolutely no overheating issues being used for a good 2 to 3 hours straight (Live View and recording at 1080) in a very warm hall.
Comment by walt posted on Dragonflies and butterflies with the KP and FA 100 F3.5 macro at 24/07/2018 - 12:28
Comment by walt posted on Les demoiselles at 11/07/2018 - 14:15
These are all excellent. The doubled up one with the dragonfly and the wasp is a bonus!
excellent set, you had a can of spray freeze didn't you.
great set
There's impressive sharp focus combined with smooth background colour tones that complement the subjects nicely. The light is bright but not harsh.... You chose a great time to shoot these.
Comment by walt posted on Dragonflies and butterflies with the KP and FA 100 F3.5 macro at 10/07/2018 - 21:22
Superb shots, you've got nice and close to the insects
Superb shots, you've got nice and close to the insects
Cracking set, great shooting 👍🏻
Yep - great shots - and I like the muted background focus and colours, they work really well
You did a fine job with these
Lovely photography, all nice and sharp, with uncluttered backgrounds, which is something I look out for in macro images.
The first one is the pick of the bunch for me.
Regards
David
A wonderful set there.
Very nice! I'm surprised you managed to get that close to the dragonflies. They have such good eyesight for any movement.
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to comment, much appreciated.
Comment by walt posted on Dragonflies and butterflies with the KP and FA 100 F3.5 macro at 09/07/2018 - 22:12
This is my first outing with the KP, I was using K3/K30 before this. I was pleasantly surprised that my KP now focuses perfectly with my FA 100 Macro as it always back focused by a massive amount on my K3, way past micro focus adjustments. It used to focus perfectly on all my previous Pentax's. So happy to have it back in use again!
I was slightly worried about the heat generated by the KP, it got quite warm to touch around the base/sides as I had been using live view and the flip out screen a lot, it was a warm evening but time will tell if it's an issue.




Comment by walt posted on Dragonflies and butterflies with the KP and FA 100 F3.5 macro at 09/07/2018 - 13:12
Probably the hottest APS-C deal I've seen since the one on Amazon for £549. Also includes the DA 18-50 lens which makes it an all in one package!
https://www.jessops.com/p/pentax/kp-digital-slr-in-black-with-hd-da-18-50mm-wr-l...
Add the code on the page to reduce the price to £509 with free delivery.
Happy buying
Comment by walt posted on Pentax KP + DA 18-50 at Jessops - £509 with code at 08/07/2018 - 13:16
Comment by walt posted on Need more reach - what to do? at 01/07/2018 - 18:42
Have just seen these posted on a K1 facebook page... Anyone seen them before.... Ive never seen AF Tubes.... Or TTL.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Kooka-KK-P56-Metal-Copper-AF-Auto-Focus-TTL-Exte...
Here's an example of it on an DA*300 F4.

Not used the twin tubes shown though as they weren't available last year when I got mine.
Comment by walt posted on Macro Extension Tubes at 21/06/2018 - 23:31


Can recommend the SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro (mine's the non WR version.)
Goes to 1:1, FF compatible and the Pentax ring flash is designed to fit on it. And yes it can be manually focussed.
It's such a great lens I've got two of them! (Open to an offer for one of them!)
You may find you can manage very well with a very basic fully manual macro too if funds are limited. (eg Vivitar 100mm/F2.8 macro )
https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/vivitar-100mm-f2-8-macro-or-attack-of-the-...
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/915389
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/45192-vivitar-...
I can vouch for the quality of that one.
My first true macro lens was the Tamron SP 90 F2.5 Adaptall lens which I bought new from SRS in the 80's and only just traded in a at SRS a few years ago, where they spotted it still had their SRS sticker and price on the box. I've had a lot of experience with manual focus over the years, I'm AF or now't these days....