What Maro to buy

**Heinrich Lohmann** · 11-11-2007, 09:15 PM

Money aside, what Macro lens would you buy?

Pentax 100
Tamron 90
Sigma 100
Sigma 70

In my opinion it's in between the Pentax and Sigma 70 but would like some other opinions before I put my money down.

Thanks, Heinrich

Chako · 11-11-2007, 10:01 PM

They are all good. After a lot of reading online, I finally decided this past summer to get the Tamron 90. Needless to say, I am very happy with it. Whichever lens you select, I am sure you will be equally happy with.

**tranq78** · 11-11-2007, 10:24 PM

Originally posted by Heinrich Lohmann

Money aside, what Macro lens would you buy?

Pentax 100
Tamron 90
Sigma 100
Sigma 70

In my opinion it's in between the Pentax and Sigma 70 but would like some other opinions before I put my money down.

Thanks, Heinrich

I would choose between the D-FA100/2.8 or the Tamron SP 90/2.8 (an excellent lens). I own both the Tammy and FA100/2.8. I use the Tammy more because it's smaller, more discrete & easier to carry. The D-FA has QSF but the Tammy has a focus limiter and a AF/MF clutch.

You can't really go wrong with any of the macros actually. I'd go with the cheaper of the Tamron or D-FA.

My opinion is worth 1/$549 or 1/$500.

**keithlester** · 11-12-2007, 07:22 AM

I have the D-FA100/2.8
It is sharp as a tack and has Bokeh to die for.

and · 11-12-2007, 07:28 AM

...Voigtlander SL125..?

I have that and the FA 100, havent had time to test them against each other yet, just got the VL 3 days ago. From what I have seen thats the only one I would say was better than the others, the rest are all very good. the FA 100 is very good and sharp wide open.

Its more of the what FL would you like. The Sigma 70 could be a nice FL for portraits too

Peter Zack · 11-12-2007, 07:54 AM

I have the Sigma 105mm f2.8 and like all the others it's an excellent lens. It also has the focus limiter which is a great feature if you want to use the lens for shots other than macros (it won't range from full macro to infinity when you are using it as a telephoto). It's an easy lens to manually focus and very sharp. Well built with a metal barrel and my only (minor) gripe is the hood which is solid (metal) and will certainly last but needs to be screwed on the front, so it's not quite as fast to set up but that's minor. At least it won't wear out like the plastic bayonet hoods.

I choose this lens because I have the 77mm Limited and didn't want it for portraits. I also have the FA 50mm f2.8 macro and it's a little tiny bit sharper but you have to be right on top of the subject and the Sigma gives a lot more working distance which is better for bugs that are alive etc.

**barondla** · 11-12-2007, 08:20 PM

Have the Pentax DFA100. Love it. Wouldn't be interested in the Sigma 70mm. Want greater working distance of 100. Now, the Voightlander 125 would interest me some. The 90 Tamron is a nice macro that would have been fine if I didn't have the Pentax. For portraits I use the 77 so thats not a consideration on macro lenses.
thanks
barondla

**Heinrich Lohmann** · 11-12-2007, 11:40 PM

Thank you all for the detailed responses it puts things sort of in perspective, I think that I'll settle for the Pentax 100.

Thanks again, Heinrich

roentarre · 11-13-2007, 12:33 AM

DFA 100mm macro is a great decision. Its colour and contrast are really the strong points.

If I was given a choice between DFA 100 vs Tammy, I would go for DFA 100. The reason is because sharpness is not everything. It is the colour and contrast I really care more about.

p.s. my DFA survived a lot of "trauma" and still intact cosmetically or optically. Yet it feels so plasticky but kind of cosy.

11-11-2007, 09:15 PM	#1
Heinrich Lohmann Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,097	What Maro to buy Money aside, what Macro lens would you buy? Pentax 100 Tamron 90 Sigma 100 Sigma 70 In my opinion it's in between the Pentax and Sigma 70 but would like some other opinions before I put my money down. Thanks, Heinrich

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11-11-2007, 10:01 PM	#2
Chako Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sault Ste Marie, Ont, Canada. Posts: 563	They are all good. After a lot of reading online, I finally decided this past summer to get the Tamron 90. Needless to say, I am very happy with it. Whichever lens you select, I am sure you will be equally happy with.

11-11-2007, 10:24 PM	#3
tranq78 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,005	Originally posted by Heinrich Lohmann Money aside, what Macro lens would you buy? Pentax 100 Tamron 90 Sigma 100 Sigma 70 In my opinion it's in between the Pentax and Sigma 70 but would like some other opinions before I put my money down. Thanks, Heinrich I would choose between the D-FA100/2.8 or the Tamron SP 90/2.8 (an excellent lens). I own both the Tammy and FA100/2.8. I use the Tammy more because it's smaller, more discrete & easier to carry. The D-FA has QSF but the Tammy has a focus limiter and a AF/MF clutch. You can't really go wrong with any of the macros actually. I'd go with the cheaper of the Tamron or D-FA. My opinion is worth 1/$549 or 1/$500.

11-12-2007, 07:22 AM	#4
keithlester Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Carradale, Scotland Posts: 301	I have the D-FA100/2.8 It is sharp as a tack and has Bokeh to die for.

11-12-2007, 07:28 AM	#5
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	...Voigtlander SL125..? I have that and the FA 100, havent had time to test them against each other yet, just got the VL 3 days ago. From what I have seen thats the only one I would say was better than the others, the rest are all very good. the FA 100 is very good and sharp wide open. Its more of the what FL would you like. The Sigma 70 could be a nice FL for portraits too

11-12-2007, 07:54 AM	#6
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	I have the Sigma 105mm f2.8 and like all the others it's an excellent lens. It also has the focus limiter which is a great feature if you want to use the lens for shots other than macros (it won't range from full macro to infinity when you are using it as a telephoto). It's an easy lens to manually focus and very sharp. Well built with a metal barrel and my only (minor) gripe is the hood which is solid (metal) and will certainly last but needs to be screwed on the front, so it's not quite as fast to set up but that's minor. At least it won't wear out like the plastic bayonet hoods. I choose this lens because I have the 77mm Limited and didn't want it for portraits. I also have the FA 50mm f2.8 macro and it's a little tiny bit sharper but you have to be right on top of the subject and the Sigma gives a lot more working distance which is better for bugs that are alive etc.

11-12-2007, 08:20 PM	#7
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714	Have the Pentax DFA100. Love it. Wouldn't be interested in the Sigma 70mm. Want greater working distance of 100. Now, the Voightlander 125 would interest me some. The 90 Tamron is a nice macro that would have been fine if I didn't have the Pentax. For portraits I use the 77 so thats not a consideration on macro lenses. thanks barondla

11-12-2007, 11:40 PM	#8
Heinrich Lohmann Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,097 Original Poster	Thank you all for the detailed responses it puts things sort of in perspective, I think that I'll settle for the Pentax 100. Thanks again, Heinrich

11-13-2007, 12:33 AM	#9
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	DFA 100mm macro is a great decision. Its colour and contrast are really the strong points. If I was given a choice between DFA 100 vs Tammy, I would go for DFA 100. The reason is because sharpness is not everything. It is the colour and contrast I really care more about. p.s. my DFA survived a lot of "trauma" and still intact cosmetically or optically. Yet it feels so plasticky but kind of cosy.