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05-08-2014, 02:57 PM   #1
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DA35mm Macro vs. FA100 Macro

I cannot believe this has not been asked before.....but cannot find it anywhere. So here goes,

I current own several lenses: a 20-40 Limited, 18-55 WR, 50mm f/1.8, 135mm M, and 55-300 WR. So, for a relative newcomer, with a K-30, I've got (I think) most things covered. However, with money saved, I'm looking for a Macro lens - something to try now the summer is coming and the bugs are out.

I've looked at both the 100mm WR Macro, and the 35mm Macro Limited. Both seem wonderful lenses. I'm uncertain on which to get. Given my current lens line-up, which would you all recommend I go for. And why? What is the true difference as a Macro lens between the two?

many thanks

05-08-2014, 02:59 PM - 1 Like   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by kentishrev Quote
I cannot believe this has not been asked before.....but cannot find it anywhere. So here goes,

I current own several lenses: a 20-40 Limited, 18-55 WR, 50mm f/1.8, 135mm M, and 55-300 WR. So, for a relative newcomer, with a K-30, I've got (I think) most things covered. However, with money saved, I'm looking for a Macro lens - something to try now the summer is coming and the bugs are out.

I've looked at both the 100mm WR Macro, and the 35mm Macro Limited. Both seem wonderful lenses. I'm uncertain on which to get. Given my current lens line-up, which would you all recommend I go for. And why? What is the true difference as a Macro lens between the two?

many thanks
With the 35mm, for 1:1 magnification, your subject will literally be a few millimeters away from the lens. It also doubles as a nice normal lens. With the 100mm, you can be over a foot away, so it's more convenient as a macro lens in many scenarios. It also doubles as a good but slow-to-focus telephoto lens. So that's the key difference in a nutshell

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05-08-2014, 03:18 PM - 1 Like   #3
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BTW the FA 100 (no longer made but available second hand) is a good short telephoto because it has a focus limiter making autofocus pretty quick. Love mine. The D FA 100 does not have the focus limiter unfortunately so auto focus is slower but still a good quality short telephoto.

Depends how much and what sort of macro you are interested in. As a primarily macro lens a 100mm macro is probably a better choice than 35mm but as a general purpose lens the 35mm wins (unless you looking for a 100mm prime anyway!).
05-08-2014, 03:20 PM - 1 Like   #4
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I suspect that with the 20-40 Ltd you don't really need the 35Lt as the 20-40 is close focusing and will do the job 95% of the time. On the other hand the little 35Ltd is brilliant as an all round lens. I would think with your kit the 100mm makes more sense as it allows you to be further back from your subject.

On my K5s the 100mm tends to hunt when focusing, but behaves really well on the K3. With macro I don't mind manually focusing. You might want to find out f the 100mm hunts a lot with the K30.

05-08-2014, 04:57 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by kentishrev Quote
I cannot believe this has not been asked before.....but cannot find it anywhere. So here goes,

I current own several lenses: a 20-40 Limited, 18-55 WR, 50mm f/1.8, 135mm M, and 55-300 WR. So, for a relative newcomer, with a K-30, I've got (I think) most things covered. However, with money saved, I'm looking for a Macro lens - something to try now the summer is coming and the bugs are out.

I've looked at both the 100mm WR Macro, and the 35mm Macro Limited. Both seem wonderful lenses. I'm uncertain on which to get. Given my current lens line-up, which would you all recommend I go for. And why? What is the true difference as a Macro lens between the two?

many thanks
What are you trying to take pictures of?
05-08-2014, 05:40 PM - 1 Like   #6
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As a general, purpose lens to carry when you are walking/traveling/camping the 35mm.
As a dedicated macro for animals/things that move the 100 mm.
If you plan to get into macro in a big way--then get a lens with an aperture ring (e.g., FA).
For most people most of the time (since you do not discuss your specific needs this is likely you, I believe a 50mm macro is ideal. This also doubles for a general purpose portraits of (people) animals.
05-08-2014, 06:05 PM - 1 Like   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by kentishrev Quote
I've looked at both the 100mm WR Macro, and the 35mm Macro Limited. Both seem wonderful lenses. I'm uncertain on which to get. Given my current lens line-up, which would you all recommend I go for. And why?
The 100mm Macro would provide an ideal complement to your DA 20-40,
a perfect minimal WR kit with the K-30.

05-08-2014, 08:53 PM   #8
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+1 on the DFA 100mm lens. I have this lens (and a K-30) and both my wife and I love it. As people already pointed out this lens will be a better compliment to your current lens set up and don't worry if the lens hunts sometime on your K-30. You can always switch to manual focus.
05-09-2014, 04:55 AM   #9
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++1 on the DFA100. The 20-40 and the 100 together make an excellent kit to walk round with.
05-09-2014, 06:34 AM   #10
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Get the 100mm.

I own both the DA 35mm macro limited and the FA 100mm macro (not the DFA or DFA WR).

I do prefer the images I get from the 35mm (all else being equal). I've been debating getting the 20-40 limited and I know if I did, the 35mm would go (or not get used). I like the images from my 35mm so much, that is the only thing stopping me from buying the 20-40 limited. Seriously. I've saved up for the 20-40, but just can't pull the trigger knowing that my 35mm limited will languish! Since you already have the 20-40, don't go there!

As for the FA 100mm macro, it can go where the 35mm cannot, and make more typical macro images. The 35mm limited is shading your subject anywhere near 1:1. The FA 100 gives you enough distance to allow light in or to add with flash. The images are great. Just not quite 35mm limited great.

Just my subjective opinion.
05-09-2014, 07:05 AM   #11
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I prefer the 100 when it comes to macro photography, not because the 35 isn't a good macro lens (it is quite good), but because the working distance is more reasonable with a 100mm lens than with the 35mm.

It just performs so well at multiple things...







05-09-2014, 01:37 PM   #12
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Many thanks to all for the helpful replies. I think you've headed me in the direction of the 100mm, and I can see the reasons why it is right for me at this time. 35mm at Christmas perhaps
05-09-2014, 05:13 PM   #13
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FA 100mm Macro
05-11-2014, 08:09 AM - 1 Like   #14
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I love the DA35 Ltd Macro (I sold it because I needed money for a HD 15mm Ltd.), but I prefer the DFA100 for macro shots. You have more distance to the subject and it is easier to isolate the subject. But with both you can make great pictures.

DA35 Ltd




DFA100:




05-11-2014, 12:08 PM - 1 Like   #15
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I don't disagree with other's comments, but i would note that just because it is a macro lens doesn't mean that one has to use it at 1:1 all the time. The lens works excellently as a close shooting lens leaving the background in a pleasing blur. I enjoy using both the M 100mm macro lens and the DA-35 Macro with an adapter on my nex cameras. The advantage of the DA-35 is it sticks out at a much shorter distance than the 5" fully extended M 100 1:2 macro, which is useful if you're trying to get under flowers, etc. Easy to carry, doesn't take up much room.
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