Sigma ex 105 macro vs Pentax 100 macro

ncallender · 08-01-2015, 06:30 PM - **1 Like**

Hey folks, I'm revamping my lens collection and since I'm filling it up with da limiteds, I'm really thinking about this. I have the sigma, and it's great. It was my first nice lens purchase. However, it is quite large and so I leave home without it a lot. For those of you that have used both or the new Pentax, what's the call on switching these out? Also, how would the Pentax work for a long portrait lens?

Fat Albert · 08-01-2015, 06:39 PM

I recently acquired the D-FA 100 WR. It's rather compact and takes 49mm filters. I'm not familiar with the Sigma 105, but having owned several Sigmas I assume that it's not nearly as svelte and compact as the 100 WR.

I personally think it works wonderfully as a long portrait lens, but some people have very strong opinions about using macro lenses to photograph people--something about it being too clinical. That's not something I subscribe to. As with most things, I believe it boils down to user preference.

jddwoods · 08-01-2015, 07:11 PM

If you like your DA limiteds you will like the DFA 100 WR. The look and feel, along with using 49 mm filters makes this lens the 100 Limited. I use mine for both macro and medium telephoto and it does both extremely well. I cannot comment on it for portraits. It is a very sharp lens and you will get every little detail. For what I use it for it is one of my favorites of the DA limiteds even if it is not labeled as one.

stevebrot · 08-01-2015, 07:48 PM

You can send the Sigma to me. I will provide it with a comfortable retirement.

Steve

jimr-pdx · 08-01-2015, 08:39 PM

I've owned the Sigma but not the DFA 100, and it's hard to imagine image quality going beyond the 105. If the bulk, WR or quick-shift make a difference to you than it's worth doing though. I settled on a DFA 50 after trying many macros including the 105, the quick shift really makes it right for me.

**Canada_Rockies** · 08-01-2015, 08:51 PM

I once took a portrait with my M 100/4 macro. I should have used a soft filter. The subject agreed vehemently.

Billk · 08-02-2015, 12:53 AM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

I once took a portrait with my M 100/4 macro. I should have used a soft filter. The subject agreed vehemently.

That's what skin softening features in Lightroom etc are for.

To get a portrait that is close to what you actually see, you need eyes and teeth as sharp as you can get them and skin quite a bit softer. It isn't cheating, it's how we actually see people. Wrap around light and F2.8 or wider can often achieve that without an PP being necessary.

Back to the OP, yes 100mm F2.8 makes a very good portrait lens, especially for head and shoulders portraits.

Last edited by Billk; 08-02-2015 at 12:54 AM. Reason: added sentence

AussieTrev · 08-02-2015, 04:00 AM

My wife and I have both the Sigma and the D FA as well as an FA 100 macro. I like the FA best, my wife likes the 100. The Sigma is one fantastic lens and Eaglem from over in West Australia uses his Sigma for all his macros and he is a master with it. The Sigma is heavy. Unfortunately ours took a tumble and was repaired and now doesn't seem quite the same. You will love both.

Driline · 08-02-2015, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by AussieTrev

I like the FA best

Awesome lens. Should have the limited badge behind it. It's that good.

langkata · 08-02-2015, 12:46 PM

If you appreciate build quality and compact size, the 100mm wr is truly unique. IQ is probably no better than the Sigma, but it is a joy to handle and there's always room for it to come along. Photography should be about taking pictures, but there's no harm in appreciating and valuing gear as works of art themselves, and the WR is definitely that.

I prefer the OOF rendering of the 50-135 or 31mm limited, but it's not so far behind them. I guess that's saying something.

**UncleVanya** · 08-02-2015, 01:14 PM

Old but good discussion about the F FA and D FA Pentax 100 Macro.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/143553-fa-v...parison-2.html

slip · 08-04-2015, 01:25 PM

I would consider keeping the Sigma 105 macro and also picking up the Sigma 70mm macro. Not as heavy, great IQ, and better for portraits IMHO. Plus the WR Pentax is likely close to the price of both the Sigma macros combine

Good luck with your choice

Randy

08-01-2015, 06:30 PM - 1 Like	#1
ncallender Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 128	Sigma ex 105 macro vs Pentax 100 macro Hey folks, I'm revamping my lens collection and since I'm filling it up with da limiteds, I'm really thinking about this. I have the sigma, and it's great. It was my first nice lens purchase. However, it is quite large and so I leave home without it a lot. For those of you that have used both or the new Pentax, what's the call on switching these out? Also, how would the Pentax work for a long portrait lens?

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08-01-2015, 06:39 PM	#2
Fat Albert Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 966	I recently acquired the D-FA 100 WR. It's rather compact and takes 49mm filters. I'm not familiar with the Sigma 105, but having owned several Sigmas I assume that it's not nearly as svelte and compact as the 100 WR. I personally think it works wonderfully as a long portrait lens, but some people have very strong opinions about using macro lenses to photograph people--something about it being too clinical. That's not something I subscribe to. As with most things, I believe it boils down to user preference.

08-01-2015, 07:11 PM	#3
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	If you like your DA limiteds you will like the DFA 100 WR. The look and feel, along with using 49 mm filters makes this lens the 100 Limited. I use mine for both macro and medium telephoto and it does both extremely well. I cannot comment on it for portraits. It is a very sharp lens and you will get every little detail. For what I use it for it is one of my favorites of the DA limiteds even if it is not labeled as one.

08-01-2015, 07:48 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	You can send the Sigma to me. I will provide it with a comfortable retirement. Steve

08-01-2015, 08:39 PM	#5
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	I've owned the Sigma but not the DFA 100, and it's hard to imagine image quality going beyond the 105. If the bulk, WR or quick-shift make a difference to you than it's worth doing though. I settled on a DFA 50 after trying many macros including the 105, the quick shift really makes it right for me.

08-01-2015, 08:51 PM	#6
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	I once took a portrait with my M 100/4 macro. I should have used a soft filter. The subject agreed vehemently.

08-02-2015, 12:53 AM	#7
Billk Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 349	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies I once took a portrait with my M 100/4 macro. I should have used a soft filter. The subject agreed vehemently. That's what skin softening features in Lightroom etc are for. To get a portrait that is close to what you actually see, you need eyes and teeth as sharp as you can get them and skin quite a bit softer. It isn't cheating, it's how we actually see people. Wrap around light and F2.8 or wider can often achieve that without an PP being necessary. Back to the OP, yes 100mm F2.8 makes a very good portrait lens, especially for head and shoulders portraits. Last edited by Billk; 08-02-2015 at 12:54 AM. Reason: added sentence

08-02-2015, 04:00 AM	#8
AussieTrev Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,590	My wife and I have both the Sigma and the D FA as well as an FA 100 macro. I like the FA best, my wife likes the 100. The Sigma is one fantastic lens and Eaglem from over in West Australia uses his Sigma for all his macros and he is a master with it. The Sigma is heavy. Unfortunately ours took a tumble and was repaired and now doesn't seem quite the same. You will love both.

08-02-2015, 08:00 AM	#9
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,691	Originally posted by AussieTrev I like the FA best Awesome lens. Should have the limited badge behind it. It's that good.

08-02-2015, 12:46 PM	#10
langkata Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Baton Rouge Photos: Albums Posts: 68	If you appreciate build quality and compact size, the 100mm wr is truly unique. IQ is probably no better than the Sigma, but it is a joy to handle and there's always room for it to come along. Photography should be about taking pictures, but there's no harm in appreciating and valuing gear as works of art themselves, and the WR is definitely that. I prefer the OOF rendering of the 50-135 or 31mm limited, but it's not so far behind them. I guess that's saying something.

08-02-2015, 01:14 PM	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,381	Old but good discussion about the F FA and D FA Pentax 100 Macro. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/143553-fa-v...parison-2.html

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08-04-2015, 01:25 PM	#12
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535	I would consider keeping the Sigma 105 macro and also picking up the Sigma 70mm macro. Not as heavy, great IQ, and better for portraits IMHO. Plus the WR Pentax is likely close to the price of both the Sigma macros combine Good luck with your choice Randy