[Jesus]

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Okay , I need a macro lens for my K10D & I have plenty of money , I am not rich
but I am not on a budget .
The Tamron 90mm can be used with extention tubes, I read good things about this one ??
How 'bout the Sigma 180mm APO ??


Please , recommend some good ones
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[barondla]

for bugs would rather have the Sigma 180 or Pentax 200 macros. You get more bug shots easier with the greater working distance. They will be almost twice as far away at same magnification vs 90-100mm. They are much bigger lenses though.
thanks
barondla

[k100d]

the Tamron always get good reviews, but the construction is mediocre

the old FA 100 Macro is well regarded
smc PENTAX FA MACRO 100mm f/2.8 Exc+ - eBay (item 160238550686 end time Jun-06-08 23:38:51 PDT)

there have also been lots of samples of the Sigma 180 if you search DPreview
site:dpreview.com sigma 180 pentax - Google Search

if you can find a Voigtlander 125, costs about $1000 and is technically very very excellent

if you have the bling and can find it, the Pentax A* 200mm F4 Macro if found is about $2000, the FA* is almost impossible to find

[Jesus]

I can afford a few hunderd , not over a thousand .
I am thinking up to $500 , around there .


The Tammy 90mm with 1.7 converter , is this right

[Sprags]

The Macro in my signature is a good choice...its a discontinued model but it's a great lens.

[BeerCan]

I use the dfa 100 2.8 I like this lens quite a bit and imo has great sharpness and rendering. It does however have 1 major downside, no focus limit switch. Sometimes if it can't find focus it goes bonkers and does its best buzz saw impersonation

[Nesster]

This past weekend I spent time with an old Tamron adaptall 80-210, at 210, stalking bugs on some leaves. Not quite macro but not bad - the point of telling you this is that indeed you'll want the working distance that a longer macro gives you. I have the old adaptall 90/2.5, which actually gets pretty close to the subject at maximum magnification. I haven't done any bug stalking with this setup yet, but the 90 with its 2x tele extender would seem - on paper - just about right, save that it gets slow-ish and physically long.

[ricosuave]

try finding a VS1/Kiron/Dine 105 macro for the budget.

[roy]

jesus,
not sure you wold be interested but i have a phoenix 100/3.5 and a smc M50/4.
these are both 1:2 macros. the phoenix comes with a diopter so you can get to 1:1x but i don't have it.. this lens is in E++ condition. i can't find any where it shows any use.

the 50 smc is in great shape with very little brassing..

either one of these would give you inexpense macros so you can see if shooting macros is up your alley..

[aegisphan]

Macro at $500, then you can go with Sigma 105. It's longer than all the choices mentioned here. Stack ext tube would not be good for bugs since you're forced to move closer + the light loss.

[CGJung]

you might be interested in this panagor, supposedly made by kiron. This is the same model of 55/2.8 vivitar/sears. I think it goes to 1:1 with a tube. I have the sears/m42 version of this and it is a very good lens.

BTW, I'm in anyway not related to the seller.

I can afford a few hunderd , not over a thousand .
I am thinking up to $500 , around there .


The Tammy 90mm with 1.7 converter , is this right

Best case scenario, this will put you in 700USD which it is quite close to what the sigma 180 costs and it wont give you the same IQ (althought you can use the adapter with other lenses).

[heatherslightbox]

try finding a VS1/Kiron/Dine 105 macro for the budget.

This one is a 1:1 macro that can be had for under $300. They don't make them anymore and they're hard to find for sale because they are so loved by their owners that they generally don't get rid of them unless they pick up something like a Voightlander or Zeiss, which are really top-of-the-line.

Weight-wise, they are beasts, which makes them a good dual-purpose lens--both for producing great closeup pics and as a weapon.

Apparently, there is a rumor going around here that I've got my Vivitar S1 105 up for sale--not true! I just got the thing.
Perhaps, if someone makes me an offer I can't refuse (like $500 or $600). I might change my mind.

Heather

[Jesus]

Yes , long focal length for keeping a distance from bugs is most important .

Hmm, what else is important ???


DOF , does focal length . wheather it's 90mm or a 180mm affect the DOF ????



Thanks for the responses , really

[Jesus]

Does , Pentax make a true 200mm macro ??