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06-04-2008, 05:03 PM   #16
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why not A*200/4 Macro? its easy to find then the Fa200/4 Macro.

06-04-2008, 05:22 PM   #17
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QuoteOriginally posted by Matthew Quote
Are you aware of an extension tube on the market for Pentax that will support a lens without an aperture ring? I've looked and it seems that Kenko no longer produce a Pentax model (since the merger). If anyone knows of such a tube set available, I'd love to hear about it and it would probably solve the OP.
there was one up on the marketplace recently. maybe you can put in a request
06-04-2008, 08:24 PM   #18
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QuoteOriginally posted by Gruoso Quote
I was meaning that I doubt they make it for Pentax K-mount (I wished they made it or that it were available)
Wow, you're right. I thought the 180mm macro was available in K-mount, but nooooooo!
06-04-2008, 08:54 PM   #19
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I highly recommend the Sigma 180mm Macro. I got one recently, to add to my Tamron SP90, with the main purpose being to get that extra working distance for skittish bugs.

Great lens - I love it. True - it's big and heavy, but boy, does it look the goods!!

Very quick to focus, mine seems to be as sharp as a tack.

See this thread - my first day or two with the lens. Most handheld, no true 1:1 macros on there as yet. But some examples, particularly about 2/3 way down the thread, of what the lens can do.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/26579-first-efforts-post...0mm-macro.html


Last edited by Derridale; 06-05-2008 at 02:36 AM.
06-05-2008, 05:28 AM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by Buddha Jones Quote
So I am thinking that I want a longer reaching macro (LBA returns). Aside from investing a mortgage payment and a good part of 5 years looking for a FA*200 Macro, what are my other options?
I own A200 macro bought from a forum member here Ron Bogg. This is a great lens. It provides a greater distance compare to vivitar 105 macro which I also own. Secondly, the bokeh of A200 is great, differs greatly from that of vivitar, creamy, soft and nice. Great for isolating subject. Great bokeh at f8, f11 for macro. There is one for sale in ebay by distudio or Rob, an australian a few weeks ago but unsure it this lens was taken. FA200 macro, I am not sure and have no experience.

Taken with vivitar s1 105 macro. handheld


shot this with A200 macro handheld. The OOF area was a few feet away and the leave was seen as greenish colors here.

Hope this helps.

Marcus
06-20-2008, 06:06 PM   #21
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I have question on these over 100mm macros. How important is it for it to be a macro? What I mean is that I see people posting shots with the DA*200/300 that look like they could be macros so I'm not sure if the sigma 180mm macro is more capable than the DA*s.
06-20-2008, 06:29 PM   #22
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Just for clarity's sake, Sigma's 150mm macro isn't available in a Pentax mount; the 180mm is, but the Pentax version doesn't have the HSM focus motor.

06-20-2008, 07:39 PM   #23
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The Pentax 200 macro is about twice the size of the DFA100. Saw a Sigma 180. It is much bigger than the A*200. Weight was surprisingly close between 180 and 200. The Sigma was a beautiful lens ( I don't say that often about Sigma). It would get my vote (ruling out finding Pentax 200). Macro really comes alive at 180-200mm.
thanks
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06-20-2008, 08:05 PM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by barondla Quote
The Pentax 200 macro is about twice the size of the DFA100. Saw a Sigma 180. It is much bigger than the A*200. Weight was surprisingly close between 180 and 200. The Sigma was a beautiful lens ( I don't say that often about Sigma). It would get my vote (ruling out finding Pentax 200). Macro really comes alive at 180-200mm.
thanks
barondla
Agreed - the narrower FOV of the 180-200mm telephoto macros "shuts out" the distractions, and no cropping is needed. The world of macro is amazing at those focal lengths - it does come alive.

My FA* 200/4 Macro allows you to photograph a swallowtail butterfly from 3 feet away, but you fill the frame...

Get the Sigma 180/3.5 if you can find it! It appears to be a wonderful lens. I got my FA* 200/4 prior to the release of the K10D, so the price was much better then. Here are some samples of from the FA* 200/4 macro and the 6MP DS body I used to own...

First flower macro I ever did with that lens - the day the FA* 200/4 arrived from Pentax Canada. A heavy afternoon rainstorm broke and the sun came out - a Yellow Zinnia:


"Neighbours" (Leafcutter Bee with a buddy - this is a heavy crop)


You know, 6MP just cannot cut it anymore...

Now get the Sigma 180/3.5 if you want/need the reach... or else...

Cheers,
Marc
06-20-2008, 08:26 PM   #25
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So when you're at the lengths, do you need a true macro lens? Or do any telephoto, i.e. DA*200/300 work for those close-ups?
06-20-2008, 09:02 PM   #26
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the advantage of macro lenses...

QuoteOriginally posted by highyellow1 Quote
So when you're at the lengths, do you need a true macro lens? Or do any telephoto, i.e. DA*200/300 work for those close-ups?
For excellent detail, a dedicated macro lens is best. The MFD (minimum focusing distance) is much shorter with a dedicated macro lens - sometimes less than half the distance of a standard telephoto lens. The standard telephotos MFD is normally 4-6 feet away.

Also, the clarity of a good macro lens is generally much, much better to pick out the very small details on an insect.

Examples:
FA* 200/4 - MFD is 1.69 feet/0.51m (min. working distance is 11 inches from the front element)
DA* 200/2.8 - MFD is 3.9 feet/1.2m
DA* 300/2.8 - MFD is 4.6 feet/1.4m

That's a big, big difference in how much a smaller subject will fill up the viewfinder... shorter MFD is better in macro...

I hope I explained this well enough? Please let me know.

Regards,
Marc
06-20-2008, 10:05 PM   #27
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35mm - Thanks for the response and I can see where the distance from subject would come into play. I just figured that using the telephoto would allow you to be further from those subject that would scary easier; but thanks to your explanation I see the disadvantage of regular teles if your shooting non moving subjects like flowers. Thanks.
06-21-2008, 06:06 AM   #28
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You can make a 200mm tele work but its a pain to get anywhere near life size. Two ways to do it. 1st, add lens to front (like reading glasses). This reduces the focal length so you loose working distance - the very thing you bought a 200 for. 2nd, use extension tubes between camera and lens. For a 200mm lens it would take around 6-8 inches of tubes. No one makes a 6" tube. So you have to stack many shorter tubes together. This contraption would tend to sag from the weight of the camera hanging from it. Have used 300-400 on a bellows outdoors. Glad I have the Pentax 200 macro now.
AS 35mm_film user said, the backgrounds with the 180-200 lens is incredible. Rarely use my Pentax DFA 100 macro anymore. It often sits in the "backup" camera bag. Do use it if shooting down on a waist high plant. Not tall enough to use 200 in this situation!
thanks
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06-21-2008, 07:44 PM   #29
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QuoteOriginally posted by Matthew Quote
Are you aware of an extension tube on the market for Pentax that will support a lens without an aperture ring? I've looked and it seems that Kenko no longer produce a Pentax model (since the merger). If anyone knows of such a tube set available, I'd love to hear about it and it would probably solve the OP.
I use my Kenko "for P/AF" auto extension tubes with my DA 40mm Limited (no aperture ring) all the time, no problems. Note that these extension tubes actually do not support autofocus, but you can pick your focus points/get focus confirmation/etc while manually focusing.
06-21-2008, 09:18 PM   #30
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Marcus, that 2nd image is stunning!

[OT] Kinda reminds me of the new SuSE 11 KDE color scheme.... [/OT]
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