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baig.sabeeh90 · 11-22-2010, 08:05 PM

I already have the DA 35/2.8 Macro Limited and am planning on getting the DA 70/2.4 Limited as well as a couple of longer lenses. How useful is this lens or its WR version? I'm not sure if I should get this one as well because it seems to be too much.

Adam · 11-22-2010, 08:08 PM

The 100mm macro is an amazing lens (and it's actually useful for practical macros, unlike the 35). I'd go for it over the 70mm, as I think you'll like it more!

The wr version has a bit smoother bokeh than the regular version, but no aperture ring. Both have great iq- check the lens reviews: Comprehensive Pentax Lens Listings - Pentax Lens Review Database

baig.sabeeh90 · 11-22-2010, 09:06 PM

The only problem is that I really love Pentax's pancake lenses.

r0ckstarr · 11-22-2010, 09:43 PM

Originally posted by baig.sabeeh90

How useful is this lens or its WR version?

See this thread:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/86625-lens-buy...ant-macro.html

tackyat.2 · 11-23-2010, 08:38 AM

A friend of mine had previously decided he was going to buy the 70mm, but after going to a camera show with Pentax representation he went with the 100mm anyway. I don't blame him.

The 70mm looks great and is small, but the 100mm is a masterpiece. Feels great in hand, very good manual focusing feel, and Quick Shift is awesome for macro.

drougge · 11-23-2010, 09:34 AM

Tackyat is of course talking about the WR version. They're about the same optically, but mechanically there is no comparison. (The non-WR version is a horror, though I'll admit to being more sensitive than most.)

I no longer own the D-FA (non-WR) (since I couldn't stand handling it), but I used to. If you need an aperture ring I would definitely recommend getting something older (I got the A100/4, which handles fine). If you haven't missed the aperture ring on your DA35 the DFA100WR might be good for you.

Owning a tele macro is something I would recommend to anyone.

tentacles · 11-23-2010, 10:32 PM

I own a DFA100 non-WR and while the focusing isn't buttery smooth it gets the job done; for macros I always have the best success setting the focus by magnification and moving the camera anyways. And as far as portraits etc go, manual focus on these APS-C cameras is beyond me, even with a split prism screen. I only got it because the price was too low to refuse ($260), but at the time I also owned a Tamron 90 AF macro.

One other comment, the DFA100, while much bigger than the 35 and 70 limiteds, is pretty much a limited compared to any competing products. The tamron 90 is a good 1.5-2" longer and my friend with a 5DII was shocked when I told him it was a 100 macro - he said it was about the size of his 35!

baig.sabeeh90 · 11-24-2010, 12:49 PM

Getting both of them. LBA for the win!

r0ckstarr · 11-24-2010, 05:40 PM

Originally posted by baig.sabeeh90

Getting both of them. LBA for the win!

The 70 and the 100? Ha, that's how I was with the 15 and 21. I couldn't decide, so I got both of them.

11-22-2010, 08:05 PM	#1
baig.sabeeh90 Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 71	Pentax D FA 100mm/2.8 Macro I already have the DA 35/2.8 Macro Limited and am planning on getting the DA 70/2.4 Limited as well as a couple of longer lenses. How useful is this lens or its WR version? I'm not sure if I should get this one as well because it seems to be too much.

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11-22-2010, 08:08 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	The 100mm macro is an amazing lens (and it's actually useful for practical macros, unlike the 35). I'd go for it over the 70mm, as I think you'll like it more! The wr version has a bit smoother bokeh than the regular version, but no aperture ring. Both have great iq- check the lens reviews: Comprehensive Pentax Lens Listings - Pentax Lens Review Database

11-22-2010, 09:06 PM	#3
baig.sabeeh90 Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 71 Original Poster	The only problem is that I really love Pentax's pancake lenses.

11-22-2010, 09:43 PM	#4
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Originally posted by baig.sabeeh90 How useful is this lens or its WR version? See this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/86625-lens-buy...ant-macro.html

11-23-2010, 08:38 AM	#5
tackyat.2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 181	A friend of mine had previously decided he was going to buy the 70mm, but after going to a camera show with Pentax representation he went with the 100mm anyway. I don't blame him. The 70mm looks great and is small, but the 100mm is a masterpiece. Feels great in hand, very good manual focusing feel, and Quick Shift is awesome for macro.

11-23-2010, 09:34 AM	#6
drougge Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Malmö Photos: Gallery Posts: 787	Tackyat is of course talking about the WR version. They're about the same optically, but mechanically there is no comparison. (The non-WR version is a horror, though I'll admit to being more sensitive than most.) I no longer own the D-FA (non-WR) (since I couldn't stand handling it), but I used to. If you need an aperture ring I would definitely recommend getting something older (I got the A100/4, which handles fine). If you haven't missed the aperture ring on your DA35 the DFA100WR might be good for you. Owning a tele macro is something I would recommend to anyone.

11-23-2010, 10:32 PM	#7
tentacles Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB Photos: Albums Posts: 48	I own a DFA100 non-WR and while the focusing isn't buttery smooth it gets the job done; for macros I always have the best success setting the focus by magnification and moving the camera anyways. And as far as portraits etc go, manual focus on these APS-C cameras is beyond me, even with a split prism screen. I only got it because the price was too low to refuse ($260), but at the time I also owned a Tamron 90 AF macro. One other comment, the DFA100, while much bigger than the 35 and 70 limiteds, is pretty much a limited compared to any competing products. The tamron 90 is a good 1.5-2" longer and my friend with a 5DII was shocked when I told him it was a 100 macro - he said it was about the size of his 35!

11-24-2010, 12:49 PM	#8
baig.sabeeh90 Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 71 Original Poster	Getting both of them. LBA for the win!

11-24-2010, 05:40 PM	#9
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Originally posted by baig.sabeeh90 Getting both of them. LBA for the win! The 70 and the 100? Ha, that's how I was with the 15 and 21. I couldn't decide, so I got both of them.

Pentax D FA 100mm/2.8 Macro

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!