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Bunch · 07-02-2015, 07:07 AM

Has there been any talk of bringing back a telephoto macro into production? With Sigma and Tamron both pulling their 180 macros from K mount there has been a void for awhile now. With the A 200 and the FA*200 both fetching huge prices when they show up at auction you would think this would be worth it to Ricoh/Pentax.

Ishpuini · 07-02-2015, 07:51 AM

With already 3 macros in their offering (35, 50 and 100), I don't expect Ricoh to offer an additional one soon, esp since the 50 and 100 are DFA.

I agree that such a macro is very practical, myself being an avid user of a Sigma EX180/3.5 (the last one in stock at B&H, or so I was told by the sales person). It is indeed a shame that the only current option to find one for K-mount is the second hand market...

Rather than Ricoh adding one to the line-up, I believe there is a higher chance of Sigma or Tamron releasing their current versions for K-mount once the FF body is a fact and is selling.

hth, Wim

**jatrax** · 07-02-2015, 08:40 AM

I do not think those 200 macros ever sold in large volume so Ricoh adding one to the line is highly doubtful. Agree there is a better chance Sigma or Tamron will add k-mount for theirs. In the meantime adding the HD 1.4x RC to the DFA 100 f/2.8 macro gets you 140mm f/4. Better than nothing.

I would love to have the FA*200 macro but at going price (or probable price of a similar new release) I just could not justify the cost for the amount of use it would get.

**Pål Jensen** · 07-02-2015, 08:41 AM

There's a reason why the A* and FA* 200 macros are rare; they didn't sell...

Bunch · 07-02-2015, 08:51 AM

I feel like a DFA 200 Macro WR would have as a big a market as the new 150-450, and probably could be made and sold for less. Maybe I'm wrong on both accounts.

BrianR · 07-02-2015, 09:16 AM

A DFA 200 Macro WR would be on my wish list, but I probably wouldn't be able to afford one without several years of saving.

I'm still a little surprised they haven't updated the DFA 50mm macro yet.

**jatrax** · 07-02-2015, 09:27 AM

Originally posted by Bunch

I feel like a DFA 200 Macro WR would have as a big a market as the new 150-450, and probably could be made and sold for less. Maybe I'm wrong on both accounts.

I think you are wrong

. One way of judging potential sales is the number of used lenses that go through the market. The FA*200 is rare as hens teeth, in the years I've been with Pentax I can recall seeing less than 10 offered on Ebay, and I have a permanent 'watch list' for that lens. That tells me there were never very many sold.

And judging by the posts I've seen the DFA 150-450 is going to be a good seller. Honestly I am astonished at the number of people reporting they bought it. And that is a small, small percentage of the whole world. I think Ricoh has a winner there.

200 macro is a very specialized lens. On the same order as a tilt/shift. We are far more likely to see a 300mm f/2.8 or a 600mm f/4 than we are a 200 macro.

**Pål Jensen** · 07-02-2015, 09:30 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

I
200 macro is a very specialized lens. On the same order as a tilt/shift. We are far more likely to see a 300mm f/2.8 or a 600mm f/4 than we are a 200 macro.

I'm glad I've got one.

People were complaining upon its release that it was too expensive. I think it was around $1000....

**jatrax** · 07-02-2015, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

I think it was around $1000....

If you want to get your money back we can talk

BrianR · 07-02-2015, 09:56 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

I think you are wrong

. One way of judging potential sales is the number of used lenses that go through the market. The FA*200 is rare as hens teeth, in the years I've been with Pentax I can recall seeing less than 10 offered on Ebay, and I have a permanent 'watch list' for that lens. That tells me there were never very many sold.

Or it's so awesome that no one who owns one is willing to part with it.

Now I want one even more

max_pyne · 07-02-2015, 10:00 AM

I'd love to get a D-FA* Macro 200 F4 WR they could take the FA* design and add the rubbers (sealing) and i'd buy it...
Having the A* 200 is already doing it, but its so rare that I'm always a bit scared using it... I've been looking for the FA* but it never appeared so i got the A*.

**Pål Jensen** · 07-02-2015, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by max_pyne

I'd love to get a D-FA* Macro 200 F4 WR they could take the FA* design and add the rubbers (sealing) and i'd buy it...
Having the A* 200 is already doing it, but its so rare that I'm always a bit scared using it... I've been looking for the FA* but it never appeared so i got the A*.

I had both!

max_pyne · 07-02-2015, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

I had both!

thank you.... for letting me know.....................

Stavri · 07-02-2015, 10:30 AM

I'm using the Sigma EX 180mm f3.5 since I didn't want to commit manslaughter over the A*/FA* 200/f4 macro...I like mine a lot. I do expect a reintroduction of the legendary macro lens with the new FF. The 2015 was the year of the d-FA high performance zooms, hopefully the 2016 will be that of the prime (d-FA* 300/f2.8, 200/f4 macro etc..)

Bunch · 07-02-2015, 11:59 AM

I don't think a 200mm Macro is all that specialized. I think it has more in the field practicality for a hobbiest than a 50mm Macro. Especially in a digital age, where number of clicks is inconsequential. I can see how during the film era, macro would have been costlier because it can be so easy to lose critical focus, and you might blow through a whole roll to get two in focus while chasing a fly. But nowadays.....

07-02-2015, 07:07 AM	#1
Bunch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 283	Telephoto Macro Has there been any talk of bringing back a telephoto macro into production? With Sigma and Tamron both pulling their 180 macros from K mount there has been a void for awhile now. With the A 200 and the FA*200 both fetching huge prices when they show up at auction you would think this would be worth it to Ricoh/Pentax.

07-02-2015, 09:27 AM	#7
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Originally posted by Bunch I feel like a DFA 200 Macro WR would have as a big a market as the new 150-450, and probably could be made and sold for less. Maybe I'm wrong on both accounts. I think you are wrong. One way of judging potential sales is the number of used lenses that go through the market. The FA*200 is rare as hens teeth, in the years I've been with Pentax I can recall seeing less than 10 offered on Ebay, and I have a permanent 'watch list' for that lens. That tells me there were never very many sold. And judging by the posts I've seen the DFA 150-450 is going to be a good seller. Honestly I am astonished at the number of people reporting they bought it. And that is a small, small percentage of the whole world. I think Ricoh has a winner there. 200 macro is a very specialized lens. On the same order as a tilt/shift. We are far more likely to see a 300mm f/2.8 or a 600mm f/4 than we are a 200 macro.

07-02-2015, 09:56 AM	#10
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Originally posted by jatrax I think you are wrong. One way of judging potential sales is the number of used lenses that go through the market. The FA*200 is rare as hens teeth, in the years I've been with Pentax I can recall seeing less than 10 offered on Ebay, and I have a permanent 'watch list' for that lens. That tells me there were never very many sold. Or it's so awesome that no one who owns one is willing to part with it. Now I want one even more

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07-02-2015, 07:51 AM	#2
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	With already 3 macros in their offering (35, 50 and 100), I don't expect Ricoh to offer an additional one soon, esp since the 50 and 100 are DFA. I agree that such a macro is very practical, myself being an avid user of a Sigma EX180/3.5 (the last one in stock at B&H, or so I was told by the sales person). It is indeed a shame that the only current option to find one for K-mount is the second hand market... Rather than Ricoh adding one to the line-up, I believe there is a higher chance of Sigma or Tamron releasing their current versions for K-mount once the FF body is a fact and is selling. hth, Wim

07-02-2015, 08:40 AM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	I do not think those 200 macros ever sold in large volume so Ricoh adding one to the line is highly doubtful. Agree there is a better chance Sigma or Tamron will add k-mount for theirs. In the meantime adding the HD 1.4x RC to the DFA 100 f/2.8 macro gets you 140mm f/4. Better than nothing. I would love to have the FA*200 macro but at going price (or probable price of a similar new release) I just could not justify the cost for the amount of use it would get.

07-02-2015, 08:41 AM	#4
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	There's a reason why the A* and FA* 200 macros are rare; they didn't sell...

07-02-2015, 08:51 AM	#5
Bunch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 283 Original Poster	I feel like a DFA 200 Macro WR would have as a big a market as the new 150-450, and probably could be made and sold for less. Maybe I'm wrong on both accounts.

07-02-2015, 09:16 AM	#6
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	A DFA 200 Macro WR would be on my wish list, but I probably wouldn't be able to afford one without several years of saving. I'm still a little surprised they haven't updated the DFA 50mm macro yet.

07-02-2015, 09:30 AM	#8
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by jatrax I 200 macro is a very specialized lens. On the same order as a tilt/shift. We are far more likely to see a 300mm f/2.8 or a 600mm f/4 than we are a 200 macro. I'm glad I've got one. People were complaining upon its release that it was too expensive. I think it was around $1000....

07-02-2015, 09:36 AM	#9
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Originally posted by Pål Jensen I think it was around $1000.... If you want to get your money back we can talk

07-02-2015, 10:00 AM	#11
max_pyne Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: zurich Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 409	I'd love to get a D-FA* Macro 200 F4 WR they could take the FA* design and add the rubbers (sealing) and i'd buy it... Having the A* 200 is already doing it, but its so rare that I'm always a bit scared using it... I've been looking for the FA* but it never appeared so i got the A*.

07-02-2015, 10:02 AM	#12
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by max_pyne I'd love to get a D-FA* Macro 200 F4 WR they could take the FA* design and add the rubbers (sealing) and i'd buy it... Having the A* 200 is already doing it, but its so rare that I'm always a bit scared using it... I've been looking for the FA* but it never appeared so i got the A*. I had both!

07-02-2015, 10:04 AM	#13
max_pyne Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: zurich Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 409	Originally posted by Pål Jensen I had both! thank you.... for letting me know.....................

07-02-2015, 10:30 AM	#14
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	I'm using the Sigma EX 180mm f3.5 since I didn't want to commit manslaughter over the A/FA 200/f4 macro...I like mine a lot. I do expect a reintroduction of the legendary macro lens with the new FF. The 2015 was the year of the d-FA high performance zooms, hopefully the 2016 will be that of the prime (d-FA* 300/f2.8, 200/f4 macro etc..)

07-02-2015, 11:59 AM	#15
Bunch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 283 Original Poster	I don't think a 200mm Macro is all that specialized. I think it has more in the field practicality for a hobbiest than a 50mm Macro. Especially in a digital age, where number of clicks is inconsequential. I can see how during the film era, macro would have been costlier because it can be so easy to lose critical focus, and you might blow through a whole roll to get two in focus while chasing a fly. But nowadays.....

Telephoto Macro

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