[Buddha Jones]

What are my best options. I have seen a few users on here that use a Vivitar 100mm. Who here uses what and what do you like/dislike about it.

[Jonas B]

I know (in the sence of having used them) two only; the SMCP DFA100/2.8 and the Tamron 90/2.8 Macro 1:1 Di (the current model, Di means Digital, meaning extra coating on the back of the rear element ensuring no reflections from the AA filter will bounce around).

The winner is the Tamron, thanks to lower price, better resolution at large aperture openings, better build quality, focus delimiter, recessed front element making it unnecessary to use the bulky lens hood. The DFA100/2.8 has a tad better coating and probably better resale value and a ugly bad hood, a plastic build, no focus delimiter and somewhat less resolution at f 2.8 - f8 (as I recall it). For macro shots at small aperture openenings they produced equally good pictures.

There are cheaper versions out there, especially if you choose 1:2 lenses and so on. I don't try to cover the subject with this post, just a comment about the two perhaps most common ones in the upper price class.

good luck,

Jonas

[Adam]

IMO, the 100mm D-FA is the best macro out there.

It's light and fast-focusing, and here are some sample shots: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/12-post-your-photos/173-todays-desert-macro-photos.html

I've compared this lens to the 100mm F macro, and it proved to be much better overall. The seemingly flimsy plastic build is only an illusion, and don't make me mention the sharpness- just see the pics above

[Jonas B]

Hehe, would you guess... two replies and two opinions. Look at it this way: you found the DFA100/2.8 to be better compared to the F100/2.8. Then I compared the better one to the Tamron... Some cool colors there. But for sharpness, I don't know if it was that smashing, it seems more like what you expect from any macro lens to me.
Don't get surprsied if the SMCP 200mm macro is better, or the Sigma thingy, is it 180mm? Some of the old Tamrons and Vivitars are really good. And extensiontubes, they are always undervalued.
I'm not that hard on macros... I use the V2XMFTC together with a 50mm lens or sometimes the FA77. That works for me.

regards,

Jonas

[HogRider]

Here is a pic of the 3 100s I have:
From left to right:
Vivitar Series 1 105mm f2.5
Lester A. Dine 105mm f2.8
Vivitar 100mm f 2.8

Ignore the difference in f stop and focal length. I pixel peeped and testest them extensively - they are identical. BTW - I sold my D-FA 100mm. While the sharpness is the same, the built quality of those old lenses is superior.

(I never use Autofocus)

PS: I am missing the Kiron 100mm f2.8 in my collection. If someone has a MINT one and wants to sell it - I am looking for one.

[KFrog]

Here is a pic of the 3 100s I have:
From left to right:
Vivitar Series 1 105mm f2.5
Lester A. Dine 105mm f2.8
Vivitar 100mm f 2.8

Ignore the difference in f stop and focal length. I pixel peeped and testest them extensively - they are identical. BTW - I sold my D-FA 100mm. While the sharpness is the same, the built quality of those old lenses is superior.

(I never use Autofocus)

PS: I am missing the Kiron 100mm f2.8 in my collection. If someone has a MINT one and wants to sell it - I am looking for one.

Whoa! Those sre some nice lenses. Vintage?

[HogRider]

Whoa! Those are some nice lenses. Vintage?

I don't know the year, but they are at least 20 years old - so I think they could be called vintage.

[Hawki]

I don't know the year, but they are at least 20 years old - so I think they could be called vintage.

Which is your lens of choice?
I know I used to love my Series I (that is until my oldest son dropped it).

[HogRider]

I use the 100mm on the right the most. Mainly because it is a user lens and has already several small rub marks and little scratches on the barrel.
The 2 others are mint - that's why they spent most of their time in dry dark area (my safe).