[Gary H Perth]

dynamite stuff, Gary!

Thanks Dave.

I am on an interesting journey at the moment. My K-70 is at the repair shop and I have been using my very old K-m. So far all the good shots I get have been with really good lenses and always primes. The flowers were a great example of how good the colours are.

I have tried a couple of well regarded zooms - Pentax F 35-70mm, Sigma 24-60mm EX DG and even Pentax DA 18-135mm) - but the results are not really satisfying. I am experimenting with the custom image settings at present, and I have an Outback trip starting in a few days so I want to be able to get some great shots. I had disappointing results with the K-m in the past, I think the CCD sensor cannot handle the same dynamic range of light intensity as the CMOS.

[edom31]

Sigma 105mm EX DG Macro

I honestly think that this might be top 3 100-105 Macro lens out there... Yep, I still have not tried the Lester Dine, which I'd love to have. On that list I need to fit my SMC 100/4 Macro

[pepperberry farm]

I honestly think that this might be top 3 100-105 Macro lens out there... Yep, I still have not tried the Lester Dine, which I'd love to have. On that list I need to fit my SMC 100/4 Macro

the Sigma 105 is one that's been on my radar for a while, but the D FA 100/2.8 Macro is just stunning...

[edom31]

but the D FA 100/2.8 Macro is just stunning...

I'll defer to my usual line of defense:

top 3 MF macro 100-105 lenses

I've seen a few examples from a few forum members with the D FA 100/2.8 Macro = great results all around indeed.

I wish I could simply modify my Dental Eye III to use that lens on digital (along with its O ringflash). But for me it is not worth defacing such beautiful camera.

[pepperberry farm]

I'll defer to my usual line of defense:

top 3 MF macro 100-105 lenses

I've seen a few examples from a few forum members with the D FA 100/2.8 Macro = great results all around indeed.

add in the 90mm range and I've got a couple of nominees....

[edom31]

add in the 90mm range and I've got a couple of nominees....

That's where the Tammys come into play, right?

[pepperberry farm]

That's where the Tammys come into play, right?

aye, plus this Vivitar 100/3.5 may need to have a mention...

[edom31]

Soligor Tele-Auto 135mm 2.8 (Tokina T4)

[paulh]

I am experimenting with the custom image settings at present, and I have an Outback trip starting in a few days so I want to be able to get some great shots. I had disappointing results with the K-m in the past, I think the CCD sensor cannot handle the same dynamic range of light intensity as the CMOS.

Sounds like you're shooting jpegs? I love the rendering of the CCD sensors, but I would suggest shooting in RAW to maximize the colors and DR available to you. With some careful shooting and processing, you can overcome some (not all) of the older sensor's shortcomings. Under the right conditions, I prefer the output from my K10D rather than my K-5, despite the latter's DR advantage.

[Gary H Perth]

That's where the Tammys come into play, right?

I can check out the same garden beds next weekend using my Tamron 52B and 52BB - not 1:1 macro but great for closeups. Then I can compare with the Sigma.

I am also likely to bring out the Tamron 23A, which is a brilliant 1:2 macro lens but big and heavy.

[edom31]

garden beds next weekend using my Tamron 52B and 52BB - not 1:1 macro but great for closeups. Then I can compare with the Sigma.

This would be interesting, bring it on!

[pepperberry farm]

I can check out the same garden beds next weekend using my Tamron 52B and 52BB - not 1:1 macro but great for closeups. Then I can compare with the Sigma.

I am also likely to bring out the Tamron 23A, which is a brilliant 1:2 macro lens but big and heavy.

I'll throw in with my 52B and 72B!!!

[ivanvernon]

add in the 90mm range and I've got a couple of nominees....

I have the Kiron (Kino Precision) 105mm f 2.8 1:1 macro, which is optically the same as the Lester Dine lens, just differently branded. It's a great lens, all metal and a bit heavier than it looks. Unfortunately, the lettering on the lens is not engraved; it seems only to be sprayed on, and is rapidly wearing away on my copy. I have not seen the Dine version, so do not know whether it has improved lettering over the Kiron version. I guess this is a trivial point, but when you spend real dollars for a quality lens it is nice for the lettering to remain legible.

I also have the Tokina AT-X 90mm f 2.5 1:2 macro, which has a shared optical heritage with the Tamron and Vivitar macros mentioned in this thread. I believe the Tokina, Tamron, and Vivitar versions are virtually identical from an optical standpoint, although not manufactured by the same lens maker. I like using the Tokina more than the Kiron/Dine macro because of its lighter weight and easier focussing (at least for me), and because with my flower photography 1:2 macro is good enough. Both the Tokina/Tamron/Vivitar and the Kiron/Dine lenses seem to be widely accepted as being among the top macro lenses on the market but I have never seen a review directly comparing them. Both are capable of producing excellent macro images.

Beyond these two macro lenses, I have recently acquired a copy of the renowned Carl Zeiss 100mm f 2.0 Planar T* 1:2 macro, which has been adapted for K mount use. This lens is well described here: Zeiss 100mm f/2 Makro Classic Lens Review In addition, I have also recently ordered from Keh an "ugly" copy of the Mamiya 645 120mm f 4.0 1:1 macro. This lens is sometimes touted as offering near the optical quality of the Carl Zeiss 100mm while also offering 1:1 macro coverage. This lens is reviewed here: Mamiya M645 Macro MF 120mm f/4 While I lack enough lens knowledge to be a very good reviewer, I am hoping to make and share some comparisons between the Zeiss and Mamiya lenses, both of which I use on the K-1 and occasionally perhaps on the K-3. (The Mamiya medium format lenses cannot be adapted to the Pentax N/D/Z cameras because of incompatible registry distances, but work well on the K-1 using an inexpensive adapter.)

[edom31]

but when you spend real dollars for a quality lens it is nice for the lettering to remain legible.

This is very true, as a cosmetic wear will indeed bring the resale value down a bit - that is how I got an optically great A 50/2.8 Macro for a great price, as the outside paint is peeling all over the lens.

[richard0170]

Recent film shots from Angelsey holiday. Pentax ME Super and M20mm f4.
.
And Auto Revuenon 45mm f2.8