Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
11-25-2015, 06:58 AM   #16
Veteran Member
wissink's Avatar

Join Date: May 2014
Location: S-ON
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 609
QuoteOriginally posted by utak Quote
quite tricky to nail close-ups wide open with such a narrow do
I want to emphasize this. Longer focal lengths at close distances (ie 100mm) has such a narrow DOF that most of your image (and subject) will be out of focus unless you are focus stacking. This is not easy with live subjects. Yes 35mm requires you to be really close, but the DOF is easier to work with.

11-25-2015, 07:00 AM - 1 Like   #17
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 432
I went through all this when looking into macro lenses. I finally decided on the sigma 70/2.8. 100mm can be kind of long sometimes and 35 seems best for studio macro stuff. Although I never really got into doing much macro work, I'm glad I got the 70mm fl. It's perfect for pretty much anything.
11-25-2015, 07:19 AM - 1 Like   #18
Senior Member
sinjin's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 242
Something you can do is go to flickr and browse the lenses by the "tag" to give you an idea of the sorts of photos people are producing with either lens. This will give you an idea of which most fits with what you want.

Pentax 35mm Macro Limited
Pentax DFA 100mm Macro

We also have "lens clubs" threads here but at the moment I can only find the one for the 35mm Limited. Perhaps someone else can provide a link to the DFA 100mm thread.

FWIW, I own both of these lenses, and they are both excellent. If you were asking because you are serious about getting a macro lens specifically, I'd say the 100mm hands-down. But for general shooting (including close-up options) it's the 35mm Limited all the way. The 35mm Limited is always in my bag (and often on my camera); the 100mm only comes out when I know I want to shoot macro.
11-25-2015, 07:32 AM   #19
Pentaxian




Join Date: Mar 2015
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 6,381
I own both, I love both, and I will echo all the comments made above. Calsan says it best, I think. WPRESTO is also right on track; the only area in which I differ from him is that I need both wide field of view and macro either simultaneously or alternately in close succession and it is tiresome to switch lenses back and forth. I eventually found it necessary to buy a ring flash to overcome some of the lighting issues with the 35mm. That being said, what I do is very highly specialised.

If after consideration of ALL of the above you are still sitting on the fence, ask yourself "Where is the biggest hole in my lens roadmap right now?" and "Will I be going full-frame or film?" Because the D-FA 100 WR will work on film bodies that allow you control over the aperture (e.g. most if not all of the AF film bodies and the Super Program).

11-25-2015, 07:50 AM   #20
Pentaxian
jddwoods's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Newark, Delaware
Posts: 1,035
QuoteOriginally posted by calsan Quote
I've found that you can only go beyond 1:2 magnification with a tripod or a flash. You will need a tripod to get the best out of either.

35 macro for close ups of big things.
35mm is for close ups, copying work, flowers and does nice portraits with a bit of environmental context. It's best thought of as a normal lens that has no limit on how close you can get to your subject, so it's a nice walk around lens. In practical use, you won't really be using 1:1 except for copying work, because it's hard not to block light to your subject without creating shadows from yourself and the camera.
Probably the best prime lens there is, in my opinion. Sharpness, contrast, colours will amaze you. Not the most useful macro focal length due to the above, however.

100 macro for macros of small things.
100mm would be for bugs and things where you need distance from the subject. Allows much better lighting control also.
I also own both lenses and both are my two best lenses, superb build quality. Aside from their macro capabilities the DA 35 Limited is a great normal lens and the DFA 100 WR is a goods sharp telephoto on APS C. If you can afford both it is worth it to have both. You can get good used SMC versions of the DA 35 Limited fairly reasonably and the DFA 100 WR is selling new at the lowest prices it has ever been
11-25-2015, 08:22 AM   #21
Pentaxian
max_pyne's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: zurich
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 409
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/288412-look...estions-4.html
11-25-2015, 08:27 AM   #22
Senior Member




Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 135
I just got the 100 WR and I'm in love with it. It's amazing at what it does. If I had it to do all over again I might go with the 50, though. I wanted it to be more of an all-purpose lens than a dedicated macro lens, and 100mm on APS-C keeps you pretty far from your subject. Any indoor portraiture is pretty much out the door for me.

If you intend to do any shooting other than macro/close-up and you have something that does 100mm, put it on 100 and leave it alone. Spend some time walking around with it and see how you feel about it.

11-25-2015, 08:36 AM   #23
Closed Account
esrandall's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Sumner, WA
Photos: Albums
Posts: 965
QuoteOriginally posted by Another dyemention Quote
I went through all this when looking into macro lenses. I finally decided on the sigma 70/2.8. 100mm can be kind of long sometimes and 35 seems best for studio macro stuff. Although I never really got into doing much macro work, I'm glad I got the 70mm fl. It's perfect for pretty much anything.
Agreed on the 70. I used my 100 WR more than any other macro lens I owned, but the Sigma hit the sweet spot for all-around use. It also rendered skin tones really well wide-open. It was one of the last lenses I let go when I transitioned brands. The Sigma 105 is great, too. It can be found used for pretty reasonable prices ($250ish). You really can't go wrong with any of these (Tamron 90 included). I'm shooting Nikon now, and I ended up going with the Tamron 90 VC. Great lens, but I miss the easy handling of the 100 WR.
11-25-2015, 11:06 AM   #24
Senior Member




Join Date: Mar 2015
Photos: Albums
Posts: 150
I had the 35, I have the 100. Both are great, but for me flowers and stuff like that look great in rainy conditions so the WR is nice and I prefer the working distance of the 100 for close-up work.
11-26-2015, 07:45 AM   #25
Site Supporter




Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New England
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 46
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by sinjin Quote
Something you can do is go to flickr and browse the lenses by the "tag" to give you an idea of the sorts of photos people are producing with either lens. This will give you an idea of which most fits with what you want.

Pentax 35mm Macro Limited
Pentax DFA 100mm Macro

We also have "lens clubs" threads here but at the moment I can only find the one for the 35mm Limited. Perhaps someone else can provide a link to the DFA 100mm thread.

FWIW, I own both of these lenses, and they are both excellent. If you were asking because you are serious about getting a macro lens specifically, I'd say the 100mm hands-down. But for general shooting (including close-up options) it's the 35mm Limited all the way. The 35mm Limited is always in my bag (and often on my camera); the 100mm only comes out when I know I want to shoot macro.
Thank you for the helpful advice and links. Based on all of the advice received so far, I'm leaning toward the HD 35 Limited, because it sounds easier to use, and most of my macro shots are going to be of watches, not flowers or bugs. Thanks!
11-26-2015, 09:29 AM - 2 Likes   #26
Pentaxian




Join Date: Mar 2015
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 6,381
OK, if you're going to take photos of wristwatches with their bands stretched out or fob watches with their lids open and the chain coiled gracefully off to one side, the FOV of the 35 is definitely going to be an asset.
12-07-2015, 03:20 PM   #27
Veteran Member
PALADIN85020's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 442
I own both the 35 and the 100. I've been using the 35 for product shots from a tripod (I'm a gun writer), and it performs superbly for handguns and accessories. Quite sharp.

I purchased the 100 from B&H a few days ago, and except for focus-hunting in auto focus, I'm thrilled with it. My vote goes to this lens for extreme sharpness, which is my main criterion. I also favor the 100 for great bokeh, being usable with the forthcoming FF camera, and that it's a WR lens. Here are a few test shots I took with it recently.

John

PENTAX : PENTAX Photo Gallery artist page
Attached Images
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-3  Photo 
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-3  Photo 
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-3  Photo 
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-3  Photo 

Last edited by PALADIN85020; 01-07-2016 at 03:29 PM.
12-07-2015, 04:42 PM   #28
Pentaxian




Join Date: Mar 2015
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 6,381
That first picture looks like grist for the mill of any psychologist seeking to prove that guns are a... ehm... substitute for something men find lacking in themselves.

Personally I think some of the problems we see with them DO arise when the gun and the masculinity are too closely interdependent, but IMO it's as far from a complete and valid explanation as black is from white.
12-08-2015, 11:17 AM - 1 Like   #29
Veteran Member
PALADIN85020's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 442
QuoteOriginally posted by pathdoc Quote
That first picture looks like grist for the mill of any psychologist seeking to prove that guns are a... ehm... substitute for something men find lacking in themselves.

Personally I think some of the problems we see with them DO arise when the gun and the masculinity are too closely interdependent, but IMO it's as far from a complete and valid explanation as black is from white.
Don't let the name on the toy gun throw you! It's been used as a substitute for "detective" in the law enforcement field for years, giving rise to the Dick Tracy comic strip, for example. Colt's Detective Special handgun has long been nicknamed the "Dick Special." Any other interpretation of that name simply reflects on the observer, who might well have an unusual interest in... well, you know.

Best,
John
12-08-2015, 11:31 AM   #30
Pentaxian




Join Date: Mar 2015
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 6,381
QuoteOriginally posted by PALADIN85020 Quote
It's been used as a substitute for "detective" in the law enforcement field for years
Yes, I know. I just couldn't resist.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
100mm, 100mm f2.8 wr, 35mm, da, f/2.8, f2.8, fa, fa 100mm f2.8, k-mount, macro, pentax lens, slr lens, wr
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Pentax D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro WR *SOLD* Thomas Cantwell Sold Items 4 11-12-2015 03:59 PM
Lens choice - Pentax D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro or Tamron SP 90 mm 2.8 Riverlady Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 33 04-28-2015 01:38 AM
Lens Tournament: FA 77mm F1.8 Limited vs D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Adam Pentax Forums Giveaways 17 10-27-2014 07:19 AM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 WR bonaprof Sold Items 2 09-05-2014 08:54 AM
Wanted - Acquired: Pentax 100mm 2.8 macro, F, FA, D-FA, D-FA wr rwingsfan Sold Items 2 04-28-2014 01:23 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:15 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top