SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro

amp · 09-13-2016, 07:11 PM

I'm curious what people have to say about this lens? Is there a great difference in quality between this lens and its newer wr cousin? I don't see any on the forum for sale. What would be a reasonable price to pay for a lens like this? Any ideas, opinions or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

**jlstrawman** · 09-13-2016, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by amp

What would be a reasonable price to pay for a lens like this?

You can search at https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/36-sold-items/ on Pentax Forums, and/or check under completed
sales on ebay.com.

**RollsUp** · 09-13-2016, 08:43 PM

Originally posted by amp

I'm curious what people have to say about this lens? Is there a great difference in quality between this lens and its newer wr cousin? I don't see any on the forum for sale. What would be a reasonable price to pay for a lens like this? Any ideas, opinions or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro

HYS · 09-13-2016, 09:36 PM

I have the WR version of this lens and 50 DFA Macro as well.
Both will be never sold. Excellent lenses. The non WR version
has a body similar to the DFA Macro 50. A little bit plastic.
But as I said, main is very, very sharp and not so slow as to be often blamed.

**pjv** · 09-13-2016, 11:32 PM

Originally posted by amp

Is there a great difference in quality between this lens and its newer wr cousin?

Hi amp. Essentially these lenses are optically the same ( both brilliant !!

) and the only real difference is the WR. I think that you would be happy with either. I have the WR version used on my K-3, and sometimes the HD DA 1.4x rear converter. With a lens like this, you are getting what you pay for, so the price for me was not an important factor. The image quality is fantastic. Good luck with whichever one you choose. I doubt you will be disappointed.

JimD · 09-14-2016, 12:42 AM

I've got both. I bought the non wr version a few years back on Ebay and the current one about a year back on a very good 'one day offer' that I couldn't refuse.

I don't think that there is anything between them optically but the non wr version does seem to render warmer tones and is, in my opinion, more user friendly than the new version as things, such as manual focussing, are easier and it has a more familiar feel.

If wr isn't important go for the older version; it'll be cheaper. If it is then the newer version is the one. At present I'm hanging on to both.

marutinu · 09-14-2016, 01:14 AM

Hi,

I have the old version and it's great. Also, from the reviews I've read about the new lens, there is not much difference in the resolution, though there are some differences in the colour rendition. The old D-FA also has a autofocus limiter, which speeds the focusing nicely - I don't know if the new version has it as well. The new one weighs less, on the other hand, and has weather proofing.

Summing up -

1. The old one - built like a tank, very good optically, with autofocus limiter.
2. The new one - lighter, slightly colder colour rendition, weatherproofed.

Hope this helps.

amp · 09-14-2016, 04:22 AM

Thanks for all the input. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one.

lemonsoda · 09-14-2016, 04:35 AM

Originally posted by amp

Is there a great difference in quality between this lens and its newer wr cousin?

If "quality" means image quality, there is no difference between these two lenses and there is also no difference between these two and any other macro lens on the market. In terms of IQ F, FA, D-FA, D-FA WR are the same as Tamron 90 or Sigma 105.

The reason for me to buy the 100 WR is the very small size and the tubus expanding inside the hood. That way it allows a better working distance than other 100mm macros. And than it has some "limited-feeling".....

Driline · 09-14-2016, 03:16 PM

I paid $239 dollars a year ago for my FA 100 2.8 in excellent condition. Some posters on this forum who've owned both the newer WR and the FA claim the FA has richer color. Judge for yourself.........

BrianR · 09-14-2016, 04:09 PM

Originally posted by marutinu

Hi,

I have the old version and it's great. Also, from the reviews I've read about the new lens, there is not much difference in the resolution, though there are some differences in the colour rendition. The old D-FA also has a autofocus limiter, which speeds the focusing nicely - I don't know if the new version has it as well. The new one weighs less, on the other hand, and has weather proofing.

Summing up -

1. The old one - built like a tank, very good optically, with autofocus limiter.
2. The new one - lighter, slightly colder colour rendition, weatherproofed.

Hope this helps.

The old DFA100mm has a focus clamp, not a focus limiter. The clamp locks the focus ring from turning and, as a bonus, will also let you use Catch-in-Focus with this lens. It's also rarely described as being built like a tank (though it is solid) and is almost identical in weight to the new WR version. Maybe you are referring to the SMC Pentax-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro?

The old DFA (and the FA above) also has an aperture ring, which helps expand compatibility with extension tubes or bellows.

09-13-2016, 07:11 PM	#1
amp Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 168	SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro I'm curious what people have to say about this lens? Is there a great difference in quality between this lens and its newer wr cousin? I don't see any on the forum for sale. What would be a reasonable price to pay for a lens like this? Any ideas, opinions or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

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09-13-2016, 07:31 PM	#2
jlstrawman Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Midwest US Photos: Gallery Posts: 749	Originally posted by amp What would be a reasonable price to pay for a lens like this? You can search at https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/36-sold-items/ on Pentax Forums, and/or check under completed sales on ebay.com.

09-13-2016, 08:43 PM	#3
RollsUp Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: AK USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,564	Originally posted by amp I'm curious what people have to say about this lens? Is there a great difference in quality between this lens and its newer wr cousin? I don't see any on the forum for sale. What would be a reasonable price to pay for a lens like this? Any ideas, opinions or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro

09-13-2016, 09:36 PM	#4
HYS Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 350	I have the WR version of this lens and 50 DFA Macro as well. Both will be never sold. Excellent lenses. The non WR version has a body similar to the DFA Macro 50. A little bit plastic. But as I said, main is very, very sharp and not so slow as to be often blamed.

09-13-2016, 11:32 PM	#5
pjv Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,764	Originally posted by amp Is there a great difference in quality between this lens and its newer wr cousin? Hi amp. Essentially these lenses are optically the same ( both brilliant !! ) and the only real difference is the WR. I think that you would be happy with either. I have the WR version used on my K-3, and sometimes the HD DA 1.4x rear converter. With a lens like this, you are getting what you pay for, so the price for me was not an important factor. The image quality is fantastic. Good luck with whichever one you choose. I doubt you will be disappointed.

09-14-2016, 12:42 AM	#6
JimD Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Newport, South Wales Posts: 172	I've got both. I bought the non wr version a few years back on Ebay and the current one about a year back on a very good 'one day offer' that I couldn't refuse. I don't think that there is anything between them optically but the non wr version does seem to render warmer tones and is, in my opinion, more user friendly than the new version as things, such as manual focussing, are easier and it has a more familiar feel. If wr isn't important go for the older version; it'll be cheaper. If it is then the newer version is the one. At present I'm hanging on to both.

09-14-2016, 01:14 AM	#7
marutinu Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 8	Hi, I have the old version and it's great. Also, from the reviews I've read about the new lens, there is not much difference in the resolution, though there are some differences in the colour rendition. The old D-FA also has a autofocus limiter, which speeds the focusing nicely - I don't know if the new version has it as well. The new one weighs less, on the other hand, and has weather proofing. Summing up - 1. The old one - built like a tank, very good optically, with autofocus limiter. 2. The new one - lighter, slightly colder colour rendition, weatherproofed. Hope this helps.

09-14-2016, 04:22 AM	#8
amp Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 168 Original Poster	Thanks for all the input. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one.

09-14-2016, 04:35 AM	#9
lemonsoda Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: near Munich airport Posts: 60	Originally posted by amp Is there a great difference in quality between this lens and its newer wr cousin? If "quality" means image quality, there is no difference between these two lenses and there is also no difference between these two and any other macro lens on the market. In terms of IQ F, FA, D-FA, D-FA WR are the same as Tamron 90 or Sigma 105. The reason for me to buy the 100 WR is the very small size and the tubus expanding inside the hood. That way it allows a better working distance than other 100mm macros. And than it has some "limited-feeling".....

09-14-2016, 03:16 PM	#10
Driline Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,984	I paid $239 dollars a year ago for my FA 100 2.8 in excellent condition. Some posters on this forum who've owned both the newer WR and the FA claim the FA has richer color. Judge for yourself.........

09-14-2016, 04:09 PM	#11
BrianR Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,127	Originally posted by marutinu Hi, I have the old version and it's great. Also, from the reviews I've read about the new lens, there is not much difference in the resolution, though there are some differences in the colour rendition. The old D-FA also has a autofocus limiter, which speeds the focusing nicely - I don't know if the new version has it as well. The new one weighs less, on the other hand, and has weather proofing. Summing up - 1. The old one - built like a tank, very good optically, with autofocus limiter. 2. The new one - lighter, slightly colder colour rendition, weatherproofed. Hope this helps. The old DFA100mm has a focus clamp, not a focus limiter. The clamp locks the focus ring from turning and, as a bonus, will also let you use Catch-in-Focus with this lens. It's also rarely described as being built like a tank (though it is solid) and is almost identical in weight to the new WR version. Maybe you are referring to the SMC Pentax-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro? The old DFA (and the FA above) also has an aperture ring, which helps expand compatibility with extension tubes or bellows.