which lens you choose is a choice all your own but I can say that there are some '
to look for' attributes in a good macro lens.
- 1:1 magnification ratio (without extension tubes)
- good working distance 100-200mm is ideal 50-90 are ok.
- larger aperture 2.8 is usually the highest behind that you usually get 4, I would look for 2.8
- manual focus or a focus lock/limiter for AF lenses, I think you will find that MF is much more ideal for macro work so as to easily fine tune your focus (just make sure that when buying a used MF lens that the focus ring is smooth and well dampened). a long focus throw is ideal (and typical for 1:1 lenses.)
- having the 'A' setting is a huge plus for macros (that is if you choose a K mount over an older M42) because it allows for easy changing of aperture without to much camera movement and of course so you don't have to do stop down metering.
for pentax lenses 2.8 aperture usually signifies 1:1 whereas 4 usually signifies 1:2 (but not always)
there are allot of great lenses to look for but a few that come to mind are (
all 1:1 and in no particular order):
Pentax smc-A 100mm 1:2.8
Pentax smc-F 100mm 1:2.8
Pentax smc-FA 100mm 1:2.8
Pentax smc-D FA 100mm 1:2.8 (not as highly regarded as its FA and F autofocus counterparts)
Pentax smc-A* 200mm 1:4 (probably pentax's highest regarded macro)
Pentax smc-FA* 200mm 1:4
Tamron MF SP 90mm 1:2.8
Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 125mm 1:2.5
Vivitar Series 1 105mm 1:2.5
Kiron/Lester A. Dine 105mm 1:2.8
Sigma 70mm EX DG 1:2.8
Sigma 105mm EX DG 1:2.8
Sigma APO 150mm EX DG 1:2.8
Sigma APO 180mm EX DG IF 1:3.5
Pentax smc-F 50mm 1:2.8
Pentax smc-FA 50mm 1:2.8
Pentax smc-DA 35mm Ltd. 1:2.8
anyone willing to add any lenses be my guest.
Last edited by séamuis; 07-25-2008 at 02:14 PM.