macro lenses

Pentaxor · 06-06-2011, 02:33 PM

Originally posted by Winder

I am currently waited on the weather sealed Sigma 150mm HSM OS.

I used the 150mm Sigma on my E-3 and it was really an impressive lens. HSM means that it is not slow like most other macro lenses. I want a lens that I can use for macro, but still be fast enough for people and telephoto work. The Sigma appears to fit that bill.

Just have to wait for the reviews.

I won't personally wait for the review, but I would definitely get one as one as it becomes available for the K-mount. looks like the Pentax version would take the backseat once again behind the Canon/Nikon version. gosh, I hate it when Sigma does priority market.

Winder · 06-06-2011, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

I won't personally wait for the review, but I would definitely get one as one as it becomes available for the K-mount. looks like the Pentax version would take the backseat once again behind the Canon/Nikon version. gosh, I hate it when Sigma does priority market.

They have to go where the money is. Personally I think it is a good thing. Canon and Nikon get the first runs and if there is any QC issues they get worked out by the time the Sony/Pentax/Olympus mounts are going out. Or at least I like to believe that. As a long time Canon shooter I have bee weary of the Sigma AF. I have never bought a Sigma lens for my 5D. Actually the Sigma 50mm F/1.4 is the first Sigma I have owned. Excellent lens. I have used a few borrowed lenses on my E-3 and always had good results.

Class A · 06-07-2011, 04:58 AM

On APS-C, macro lenses shorter than 100mm can be very useful.

Consider the Sigma 70/2.8 EX. A 1:1 macro lens that can double as a portrait lens.

I find >=100mm too long for anything else than macro (on APS-C). It gives you a bit more stand-off distance while shooting macro, but that's all.

Pentaxor · 06-07-2011, 06:56 AM

Originally posted by Class A

On APS-C, macro lenses shorter than 100mm can be very useful.

Consider the Sigma 70/2.8 EX. A 1:1 macro lens that can double as a portrait lens.

I find >=100mm too long for anything else than macro (on APS-C). It gives you a bit more stand-off distance while shooting macro, but that's all.

I'm going to try some macro + TC combo, and see how it would go. as well as some comparisons if one would just be fine with the other. lenses on mind are 70, 100 and 135.

pentaxk1000denver · 06-07-2011, 10:38 AM

any thoughts on the promaster spectrum 100 mm f/3.5 Macro? I understadn the limitation of a 100mm lens, but I like macro shots and will shoot a lot of them with the right lens. I'm curious about the quality/sharpness of the glass as well as a reasonable price for one in excellent condition. thanks!

RioRico · 06-07-2011, 07:27 PM

Originally posted by pentaxk1000denver

any thoughts on the promaster spectrum 100 mm f/3.5 Macro?

Promaster is a marketing brand and I think it's almost always for Tamron lenses. So see reviews for Tamron 100/3.5 macros.

dgaies · 06-07-2011, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

Promaster is a marketing brand and I think it's almost always for Tamron lenses. So see reviews for Tamron 100/3.5 macros.

I believe in this case it's a Cosina (link)

I think it also sold as a Vivitar and a couple other brands as well. I'm not sure if the Pentax 100/3.5 was related or not.

pentaxk1000denver · 06-08-2011, 09:22 AM

interesting. it reviews well, but the plastic casing and rattling parts make me a bit nervous. glass sounds about what I'm looking for though. hmm. decisions decisions. thanks for the help.

napawino · 06-08-2011, 11:24 AM

My FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 WR just arrived. I'm excited to go get up close and personal with some bugs and things.

**TER-OR** · 06-08-2011, 01:36 PM

I have that FA100mm lens, it's great. Heavy, but great. It's dead-on reliable as a zoom, too. It may have to throw that focus far but it's super-sharp. I use it pretty much exclusively on center focus because I'm usually trying to get insect pictures.

Plus, it looks odd and gets double-takes.

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06-06-2011, 02:33 PM	#16
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by Winder I am currently waited on the weather sealed Sigma 150mm HSM OS. I used the 150mm Sigma on my E-3 and it was really an impressive lens. HSM means that it is not slow like most other macro lenses. I want a lens that I can use for macro, but still be fast enough for people and telephoto work. The Sigma appears to fit that bill. Just have to wait for the reviews. I won't personally wait for the review, but I would definitely get one as one as it becomes available for the K-mount. looks like the Pentax version would take the backseat once again behind the Canon/Nikon version. gosh, I hate it when Sigma does priority market.

06-06-2011, 02:50 PM	#17
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Originally posted by Pentaxor I won't personally wait for the review, but I would definitely get one as one as it becomes available for the K-mount. looks like the Pentax version would take the backseat once again behind the Canon/Nikon version. gosh, I hate it when Sigma does priority market. They have to go where the money is. Personally I think it is a good thing. Canon and Nikon get the first runs and if there is any QC issues they get worked out by the time the Sony/Pentax/Olympus mounts are going out. Or at least I like to believe that. As a long time Canon shooter I have bee weary of the Sigma AF. I have never bought a Sigma lens for my 5D. Actually the Sigma 50mm F/1.4 is the first Sigma I have owned. Excellent lens. I have used a few borrowed lenses on my E-3 and always had good results.

06-07-2011, 04:58 AM	#18
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	On APS-C, macro lenses shorter than 100mm can be very useful. Consider the Sigma 70/2.8 EX. A 1:1 macro lens that can double as a portrait lens. I find >=100mm too long for anything else than macro (on APS-C). It gives you a bit more stand-off distance while shooting macro, but that's all.

06-07-2011, 06:56 AM	#19
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by Class A On APS-C, macro lenses shorter than 100mm can be very useful. Consider the Sigma 70/2.8 EX. A 1:1 macro lens that can double as a portrait lens. I find >=100mm too long for anything else than macro (on APS-C). It gives you a bit more stand-off distance while shooting macro, but that's all. I'm going to try some macro + TC combo, and see how it would go. as well as some comparisons if one would just be fine with the other. lenses on mind are 70, 100 and 135.

06-07-2011, 10:38 AM	#20
pentaxk1000denver Inactive Account Join Date: May 2011 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 159	any thoughts on the promaster spectrum 100 mm f/3.5 Macro? I understadn the limitation of a 100mm lens, but I like macro shots and will shoot a lot of them with the right lens. I'm curious about the quality/sharpness of the glass as well as a reasonable price for one in excellent condition. thanks!

06-07-2011, 07:27 PM	#21
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by pentaxk1000denver any thoughts on the promaster spectrum 100 mm f/3.5 Macro? Promaster is a marketing brand and I think it's almost always for Tamron lenses. So see reviews for Tamron 100/3.5 macros.

06-07-2011, 08:04 PM	#22
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by RioRico Promaster is a marketing brand and I think it's almost always for Tamron lenses. So see reviews for Tamron 100/3.5 macros. I believe in this case it's a Cosina (link) I think it also sold as a Vivitar and a couple other brands as well. I'm not sure if the Pentax 100/3.5 was related or not.

06-08-2011, 09:22 AM	#23
pentaxk1000denver Inactive Account Join Date: May 2011 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 159	interesting. it reviews well, but the plastic casing and rattling parts make me a bit nervous. glass sounds about what I'm looking for though. hmm. decisions decisions. thanks for the help.

06-08-2011, 11:24 AM	#24
napawino Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 151	My FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 WR just arrived. I'm excited to go get up close and personal with some bugs and things.

06-08-2011, 01:36 PM	#25
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	I have that FA100mm lens, it's great. Heavy, but great. It's dead-on reliable as a zoom, too. It may have to throw that focus far but it's super-sharp. I use it pretty much exclusively on center focus because I'm usually trying to get insect pictures. Plus, it looks odd and gets double-takes.