100mm F2.8 Macro

When I got my K100D about a year ago, I checked out the lenses available for

it. One that looked interesting, but out of my price range, was the Pentax SMC-

FA 100 F2.8 macro, reviewed on this site. I think it was about $600 without

rebates.

 

I just checked Adorama and they're selling a "Pentax D-FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro

Auto Focus Lens with Hood - U.S.A." for $489 (less a $100 rebate). They claim

it was "designed specifically for digital cameras" even though it has an "Image

Circle compatible with 35mm format SLR Cameras." Right.

 

Is this just the same lens as before with a lower price and a "D" added to its

name?

I've never used either one of them, but if you'd like to compare the two, here are reviews of the FA and the D-FA.

 

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/pentax_100_28_fa/index.htm

 

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/pentax_100_28_dfa/index.htm

Actually, I did some more research online, and they are definitely different lenses. Thanks for the response.

<p>Sigma has a <a href="http://sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3253&navigator=5">105mm f/2.8 macro</a> and Tamron has a <a href="http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/90mm.asp">90mm f/2.8 macro</a> that compete with the Pentax 100mm offering. Both of the third-party lenses seem to be well reviewed. The Tamron 90 f/2.8 is probably my next lens purchase.</p>

Here is a review of the Tamron 90/2.8 macro:

 

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/tamron_90_28_nikon/index.htm

 

(The review is for the Nikon version, but the Pentax version is basically the same)

 

Comparing the Tamron and the Pentax D-FA 100, I'd rather have the Tamron.

I think this is the 100mm 2.8 macro you're looking for Rachel, $524 less $100 rebate and usable on film cameras and dslrs:

 

The Pentax smc PENTAX-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 is designed to be extremely compact and lightweight, compared to conventional macro lenses. The drastic downsizing and weight reduction were achieved through the development of compact, high-performance optical elements and the incorporation of durable yet lightweight exterior components.

 

This lightweight macro lens features an image circle to accommodate up to 35mm format and offers close-up to 1:1 life-size magnification.

 

The SMCP "D" lens series is designed to optimize image quality in both digital SLR and film photography. Improvements include optimized lens coating and curvature and positioning of optical elements. In particular, flare and ghost images - the most disturbing factors in digital SLR photography - have been reduced to minimum for clear, high-quality digital images.

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/351697-USA/Pentax_21520_SMCP_D_FA_100mm_f_2_8.html

Looks like the 100mm "FA" macro has been discontinued in favor of this newer digital/film lens. The one you wanted was likely made in japan and this one I linked for you is likely made in China or Vietnam. My link saves you about $50 over adorama at purchase before $100 rebate.

 

Buy everything thats rebateable at once as pentax only uses items bought at once from same seller to qualify for their rebate special rules. Just incase theres a second or third lens you want too.

The D-FA has updated optics (Same basic design, better coatings, reduced CA) over the FA, a much lighter barrel design and Full-time manual focus. I would certainly choose the D-FA over the FA for use on a DSLR.

 

The Tamron 90/2.8 is a very good lens, and a personal favourite of mine on digital and film. I own one in F mount and it's one of my 3 'never sell' lenses.

I bought a tamron 90mm/2.8 DI macro, very good lens - however on my K10D, it had a tendency to hunt and then refuse to focus (blinking focus light) at least 66% of the time - that was a very annoying lens. I ended up having to return this and buying a Pentax D-FA 100/2.8 macro.

 

In comparison, the Pentax D-FA 100mm/2.8 maco would also hunt a bit, but it would at least focus eventually, so even though on paper, the Tamron looks like a better lens, please test it to see if there are any AF issues on your body.

The photozone and other tests are good info to have, but unfortunarely, todays tests rely heavily on MTF measurements, which are done at infinity focus. Performance at other focus distance can be quite different. The greatest difference, of course would be at macro, compared to infinity, yet no lines of resolution, and very little other visual testing is curently being done at close focus or macro distance.

 

The current Pentax D-FA 100mm and the other two lenses by Sigma and Tamron are all very good lenses. There are then practical consiiderations like the Pentax not having a focus limiter switch as the others have, but having a focus lock switch and "quick shift" manual over ride of AF, which the others do not have.

 

Lloyd brings up important info regarding focus. AF can be very useful when doing hand-held closeups and for small moving critters. I have the D-FA 100, and also an older Sigma 105 EX. Focus speed on both is satisfactory. If more interested in the focus limiting switch, so focus is limited within a certain range for quickest AF, the Sigma would apparently be best choice. The Pentax for the other features mentioned.

You may do better in the 100mm range by looking at the manual focus lenses available on the used market. Vivitar Series I, Kiron, and Lester Dine (a dental adaptation) are some of the names of a lens manufactured by Kiron. I have one of them in a 105mm f/2.8 lens with an A setting and it takes a common 52mm filter.

 

Autofocus in macro mode is sort of not advised. True macro (1:1 or better) really ought to be manually focused. Your point of focus within the composition and the use of depth of field are major factors in macro work.

 

That said, 100mm on a DSLR has an efffective field of view of 150mm, so a solid tripod is really helpful. I've gotten away with hand-held macro with a 50mm, but not with the 100mm length.

I have Sigma 70mm Macro. It is a very good performer. It does not have any particular optical weakness, and it is one of the sharper lenses I have used. However, it does exhibit the idiosyncracy inherent to many Macro's -- AF hunts. Focus delimiter does help a lot, macro or otherwise. (But, I focus manually most of the time when shooting macro.) AF seems to suffer in low light.

 

I can't say much about Tamron 90mm as I have not used it before. A friend of mine owns Pentax D-FA 100mm, a very solid performer. AF hunts a lot. Not having a focus delimiter is definitely a disadvantage if you don't like the manual option. Focus lock seems to help. I hear from my friend some complaints about AF in low light. Build quality is not there.

 

I think the Sigma is sharper and is a better performer in general than the Pentax. However, you really need to consider the appropriateness of the focal length for your shooting style. 70mm won't help much if you like stalking skittish ones. If you are looking for a one macro lens solution, 90mm or 100mm would be better in my opinion. (I believe in two maco lens solution, one around 50mm or 70mm, and another around 150mm.) If you like shooting portraits with 70mm, Sigma would be pretty good for it, but it won't match 77mm limited when it comes to bokeh (well, I guess it is a matter of individual preference).

 

By the way, 77mm limited is better in AF performance, handling low light, more pleasing contrast (again individual preference, I guess), and such.

 

Good luck....

I also have the 77 Limited. It really cannot compare in terms of macro to a macro lens, but yes can be campared as a portrait lens, where it is fantastic. And it produces some wonderful closeups (not macro or even 1:3).

 

The Sigma AF 105mm EX DG would be a fine choice for all the reasons Young gives. I agree with those reasons. But for some people the lighter weight and 'quick shift" to MF would be of greater consideration for the Pentax D-FA 100mm.

I'm a proud owner of the old FA and according to the first pair of linked tests there isn't a reason to ditch it. (Although one to leave it at home seems obvious.) I'm quite happy to have AF with limiter since I don't get along that well with the DSLR focusing screens and on my old manual film bodies I really don't like the focus throw of any Pentax 1:1 macro, even the f2.8 A lens, at portrait range.