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**David** · 10-23-2007, 12:09 AM

Hi All, I have been searching for a Pentax FA 100mm f2.8 macro but they seem to be in short supply. I stumbled across the Tamron 90mm macro, checked Photozone and came away impressed. To me the Tamron lens seems to be on equal terms with the Pentax FA. I have used the Pentax D-FA 100mm macro on my K10D and wasn't too impressed with the build, operation and focusing. Comments re the Tamron would be appreciated.

Take Care,

David

-spam- · 10-23-2007, 12:16 AM

From what ive heard, its a great lens no matter what mount you get it for. Its on my to buy list, so hopefully in the near future ill have one in my bag

I know someone who has had both that and the canon 100 2.8 macro and they say it is as sharp as the canon at f2.8

A couple of threads you could look at...

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/13495-tamron-sp-af-90mm-...cro-1-1-a.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/12258-anyone-h...m-f-2-8-a.html

**David** · 10-23-2007, 01:10 AM

"If you ain't eating Spam, you ain't eating ham." Old movie line, Spam; before your time I suspect.

The reports and images on the 90mm are great (particularly the spiders). I almost wish that Kennedys' don't have a remaining FA 100mm on the shelf. I've just bought their last FA 28-105 f3.2 and a FA 43 Limited as part of my lens upgrade program.

As the Tamron is some $150+ cheaper and is at least as capable as the Pentax, it seems to be the way to go.

Thanks a Lot

David

drerka · 10-23-2007, 01:39 AM

I own the Tamron and can say it is a great lens. See PhotoZone for a test.
I use it for macro's, but it is also very usefull for landscape, architecture and portraits. It is virtually distortionfree.

and · 10-23-2007, 02:10 AM

I think the macro lenses around 100mm are pretty much equal. The DFA 100 doesnt have a limiter like the FA 100 does, thats a pity. then again the FA 100 is rather big and heavy.

The tammy 90 seems like a great macro, no reason to worry about image quality differences there.

Unless of course youd like to get the voigtlander 125mm, hubba hubba....

vrmp · 10-23-2007, 03:38 AM

Its great lens, but with a few problems.

1) missing quick-shift focusing - you cant "assist" the autofocus - so I you will find yourselft using MF really soon

2) counter-light flare can be a problem also.

joele · 10-23-2007, 03:52 AM

I ended up selling this one and buying the Voigtlander.. BUT the Tamron is a wonderful lens and in my opinion easily holds its own against any of the Pentax 100mm macros.

craftsmansky · 10-26-2007, 01:37 PM

is the voightlander a new lens or vintage? i havent found many listings for sale, and not sure from what the ads say. is it full manual? what is an average price?

thanks

offertonhatter · 10-26-2007, 01:46 PM

I've not got the Tamron you mentioned, but have the Tamron 90mm SP F2.5 Fully Manual and the optics are excellent. I even have the dedicated 2x converter making its a 180mm full 1:1 macro at F5. Superb piece of kit. I am sure the one you have bought will be excellent if my results are anything to come by.

Mr Hyde · 10-26-2007, 01:53 PM

I have the Tamron SP 90mm in the adaptall version and its super sharp. I posted a 100% crop of some popcorn in the photos section. Go take a look. The shots I posted in that thread have no PP at all

**David** · 10-31-2007, 03:39 AM

Thanks for the responses everyone. I bought the Tamron SP 90mm macro. My first test shots would certainly confirm the reviews for sharpness etc. I have an old Statblitz Macrolite I haven't used for 10 years. Works beautifully on the front of the 90mm. Well that ends the 2007 LBA.

Pentax AF 28-105 f3.2-4.5, FA 43mm Limited, FA 77mm Limited and the Tamron 90mm macro. Just as well I don't have to buy and pay for film processing, I've run out of loot.

Take Care

David

neil · 10-31-2007, 01:56 PM

Without a doubt, my Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di is my favourite and gets the most use out of my lenses which include the 31mm Ltd, DA* 16-50mm and DA 14mm.

I have owned quite a few different systems over the past few years and the Tamron 90mm Di is the first lens I have bought for all of them.

A lot of my favourite shots are taken with it, my real passion in photography is in flowers and this lens is wonderful for them. That said, it does everything well, took this one just the other day with it...

Takman · 10-31-2007, 06:52 PM

Neil - beautiful photo.

The SP 90 Macro is a classic lens - highly regarding in all of the mounts in which it is available.

imadethis · 10-31-2007, 07:11 PM

I would like to add the uniqueness of the limit switch, which will help you during focus. The switch basically limits how far the lens can focus whether it be a macro or a tele shot. Enjoy the lens!

**David** · 11-01-2007, 01:52 AM

Beautiful Neil, your shot tells me that I bought a magic lens and not just for macro which was the original requirement.

Keep shooting,

David

10-23-2007, 12:09 AM	#1
David Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 347	TAMRON SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 Hi All, I have been searching for a Pentax FA 100mm f2.8 macro but they seem to be in short supply. I stumbled across the Tamron 90mm macro, checked Photozone and came away impressed. To me the Tamron lens seems to be on equal terms with the Pentax FA. I have used the Pentax D-FA 100mm macro on my K10D and wasn't too impressed with the build, operation and focusing. Comments re the Tamron would be appreciated. Take Care, David

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10-23-2007, 12:16 AM	#2
-spam- Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 354	From what ive heard, its a great lens no matter what mount you get it for. Its on my to buy list, so hopefully in the near future ill have one in my bag I know someone who has had both that and the canon 100 2.8 macro and they say it is as sharp as the canon at f2.8 A couple of threads you could look at... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/13495-tamron-sp-af-90mm-...cro-1-1-a.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/12258-anyone-h...m-f-2-8-a.html

10-23-2007, 01:10 AM	#3
David Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 347 Original Poster	"If you ain't eating Spam, you ain't eating ham." Old movie line, Spam; before your time I suspect. The reports and images on the 90mm are great (particularly the spiders). I almost wish that Kennedys' don't have a remaining FA 100mm on the shelf. I've just bought their last FA 28-105 f3.2 and a FA 43 Limited as part of my lens upgrade program. As the Tamron is some $150+ cheaper and is at least as capable as the Pentax, it seems to be the way to go. Thanks a Lot David

10-23-2007, 01:39 AM	#4
drerka Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 68	I own the Tamron and can say it is a great lens. See PhotoZone for a test. I use it for macro's, but it is also very usefull for landscape, architecture and portraits. It is virtually distortionfree.

10-23-2007, 02:10 AM	#5
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	I think the macro lenses around 100mm are pretty much equal. The DFA 100 doesnt have a limiter like the FA 100 does, thats a pity. then again the FA 100 is rather big and heavy. The tammy 90 seems like a great macro, no reason to worry about image quality differences there. Unless of course youd like to get the voigtlander 125mm, hubba hubba....

10-23-2007, 03:38 AM	#6
vrmp New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3	Its great lens, but with a few problems. 1) missing quick-shift focusing - you cant "assist" the autofocus - so I you will find yourselft using MF really soon 2) counter-light flare can be a problem also.

10-23-2007, 03:52 AM	#7
joele Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,308	I ended up selling this one and buying the Voigtlander.. BUT the Tamron is a wonderful lens and in my opinion easily holds its own against any of the Pentax 100mm macros.

10-26-2007, 01:37 PM	#8
craftsmansky Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: louisville, ky Photos: Gallery Posts: 163	is the voightlander a new lens or vintage? i havent found many listings for sale, and not sure from what the ads say. is it full manual? what is an average price? thanks

10-26-2007, 01:46 PM	#9
offertonhatter Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North West UK Posts: 390	I've not got the Tamron you mentioned, but have the Tamron 90mm SP F2.5 Fully Manual and the optics are excellent. I even have the dedicated 2x converter making its a 180mm full 1:1 macro at F5. Superb piece of kit. I am sure the one you have bought will be excellent if my results are anything to come by.

10-26-2007, 01:53 PM	#10
Mr Hyde Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 760	I have the Tamron SP 90mm in the adaptall version and its super sharp. I posted a 100% crop of some popcorn in the photos section. Go take a look. The shots I posted in that thread have no PP at all

10-31-2007, 03:39 AM	#11
David Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 347 Original Poster	Thanks for the responses everyone. I bought the Tamron SP 90mm macro. My first test shots would certainly confirm the reviews for sharpness etc. I have an old Statblitz Macrolite I haven't used for 10 years. Works beautifully on the front of the 90mm. Well that ends the 2007 LBA. Pentax AF 28-105 f3.2-4.5, FA 43mm Limited, FA 77mm Limited and the Tamron 90mm macro. Just as well I don't have to buy and pay for film processing, I've run out of loot. Take Care David

10-31-2007, 01:56 PM	#12
neil Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 182	Without a doubt, my Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di is my favourite and gets the most use out of my lenses which include the 31mm Ltd, DA* 16-50mm and DA 14mm. I have owned quite a few different systems over the past few years and the Tamron 90mm Di is the first lens I have bought for all of them. A lot of my favourite shots are taken with it, my real passion in photography is in flowers and this lens is wonderful for them. That said, it does everything well, took this one just the other day with it...

10-31-2007, 06:52 PM	#13
Takman Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 34	Neil - beautiful photo. The SP 90 Macro is a classic lens - highly regarding in all of the mounts in which it is available.

10-31-2007, 07:11 PM	#14
imadethis Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 89	I would like to add the uniqueness of the limit switch, which will help you during focus. The switch basically limits how far the lens can focus whether it be a macro or a tele shot. Enjoy the lens!

11-01-2007, 01:52 AM	#15
David Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 347 Original Poster	Beautiful Neil, your shot tells me that I bought a magic lens and not just for macro which was the original requirement. Keep shooting, David

TAMRON SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 1:1

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