Lens choice - Pentax D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro or Tamron SP 90 mm 2.8

**Des** · 04-27-2015, 03:18 PM

Originally posted by manntax

why would anyone want to buy an autofocus lens for macro and/or general/portrait photography if manual focusing lens does the macro job better, and the older macro AF lenses have focus limiter which makes them better for general shooting ... ?

Because:
1. it's beautifully built
2. the image quality is superb, both for macro and non-macro shots
3. it's WR.

The manual focus on the DFA 100 WR works very well; it doesn't suffer by comparison with a MF lens.

Don't exaggerate the significance of the absence of a focus limiter. AF hunts sometimes, mainly in low light. You can help it along manually. That's it. A focus limiter doesn't stop AF from hunting, just reduces the extent of the hunting.

It's still one of the best lenses in the Pentax catalogue.

manntax · 04-28-2015, 12:52 AM

Originally posted by Des

3. it's WR.

That is the only unique selling point of this lens - if somebody needs that extra weather resistance, then I am all for it. But all other points are valid for all macro lenses that I have, both SMC-F 100mm f2.8 and SMC-A 50mm f2.8 are beautifully , all metal built and produce superb image quality, at least as good if not better than that DFA macro - according to some reviews you can see even on this forum... but , to each their own as they say

drypenn · 04-28-2015, 01:36 AM

Based on my experience with the DFA 100WR, the focus hunting can be minimized almost to non-existence by "focus shifting" closest to the intended target, and voila! focus is almost always locked instantaneously. This trick works very well with the K3, and to a good extent to the K30. With the K-x the lens, at times still tends to hunt.

Ventzy · 04-28-2015, 01:38 AM

For me, specially for macro lens, WR is more than important...

Picture is from here... (link)

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04-27-2015, 03:18 PM	#31
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by manntax why would anyone want to buy an autofocus lens for macro and/or general/portrait photography if manual focusing lens does the macro job better, and the older macro AF lenses have focus limiter which makes them better for general shooting ... ? Because: 1. it's beautifully built 2. the image quality is superb, both for macro and non-macro shots 3. it's WR. The manual focus on the DFA 100 WR works very well; it doesn't suffer by comparison with a MF lens. Don't exaggerate the significance of the absence of a focus limiter. AF hunts sometimes, mainly in low light. You can help it along manually. That's it. A focus limiter doesn't stop AF from hunting, just reduces the extent of the hunting. It's still one of the best lenses in the Pentax catalogue.

04-28-2015, 12:52 AM	#32
manntax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by Des 3. it's WR. That is the only unique selling point of this lens - if somebody needs that extra weather resistance, then I am all for it. But all other points are valid for all macro lenses that I have, both SMC-F 100mm f2.8 and SMC-A 50mm f2.8 are beautifully , all metal built and produce superb image quality, at least as good if not better than that DFA macro - according to some reviews you can see even on this forum... but , to each their own as they say

04-28-2015, 01:36 AM	#33
drypenn Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 963	Based on my experience with the DFA 100WR, the focus hunting can be minimized almost to non-existence by "focus shifting" closest to the intended target, and voila! focus is almost always locked instantaneously. This trick works very well with the K3, and to a good extent to the K30. With the K-x the lens, at times still tends to hunt.

04-28-2015, 01:38 AM	#34
Ventzy Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Sofia Posts: 62	For me, specially for macro lens, WR is more than important... Picture is from here... (link)