[TerryL]

Hello Folks,
I am putting together my K-1 kit for the first time using Pentax. Trying to put together the basics, and have the 15-30, and 24-70 so far. I usually have a 100 mm macro lens for taking flower shots. Is the Pentax FA 100 Macro a good choice? It has good reviews, but I thought I would ask your opinion before buying it. I appreciate and respect your opinions. Thank you.
Terry

[aslyfox]

I have the D FA 100mm 2.8 macro

according to the " in Depth Review " of the latest D FA 100mm 2.8 macro WR, the optics for it and the one I have and the one you are asking about are the same:

" The optical design is the tried-and-proven formula of the previous generation D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro lens, which in turn had inherited the optical design from the well-respected FA 100mm F2.8 and F 100mm F2.8 macro lenses introduced in 1991 and 1987, respectively. None of these earlier lenses had rounded aperture blades. "

Read more at: Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Review - Specifications | PentaxForums.com Reviews

if you are looking for " experienced " equipment, be sure to check the Market Place [ " buy/sell " ] here at the forum

[clackers]

A very sharp lens with 1:1 magnification, Terry.

[mr.b.snowden]

Get the DFA version if you are interested in the WR, as that'd help establish a nice WR-based batch of lenses for your kit. The lens is extremely sharp, even wide open, and produces great bokeh. The lens is compact and well-built too.

I replaced my Sigma 105 macro a few years back once the DFA had fallen to its lower price in the $400 ballpark, as it had been on my radar for a very long time.

[JensE]

The DFA 100 WR version is a very good choice. Among your two zoom lenses it will look tiny, so there's a good change you actually have it with you when you need it. It renders beautifully with nice smooth out-of-focus areas in the macro range and I also like it for non-macro shots. I posted some examples, e.g. Battle of the Nations Monument and even use(d) it for portraits. And, it's a joy to handle with its nice barrel, excellent included narrow hood and smooth manual focus.

[Na Horuk]

Is the Pentax FA 100 Macro a good choice?

Pentax A 100mm (Edit: The A is actually different), F 100mm, FA 100mm, DFA 100mm and DFA 100mm WR all share the same optical lineage. They are all very sharp with true macro magnification. The older ones might be more affordable. The main difference are the features. The F and FA have focus clamp, F has focus limiter (I'd like that on the new one). The DFA WR, the newest one, has a really compact barrel, looks amazing, and it has WR and QS. It has no aperture ring, though, so if you plan on using this lens on older film SLRs or with bellows, you will not be able to select aperture normally.
Oh, and Tokina uses the same optical design in its 100mm f2.8 macro, I think. but its not available in Kmount

I still recommend the DFA, though. Great lens, fairly priced. I only used it on APSC, but I think the FF reviews are good.

[fehknt]

I love the dfa100WR on both APS-C and FF. Strong purple fringing of backlit subjects and around very very high contrast highlights (like catchlights in eyes) is the only downside I have seen, but not so much as to make me not recommend the lens, it's really nice.

[aslyfox]

unless your budget allows you to ignore any price differences

first ask yourself do you need really need WR ??

lots of photographers have operated without it.

check carefully the other differences between the D FA 100 macro WR and the other choices: D FA 100 macro, FA 100 macro, F 100 macro or Pentax A 100mm

the reviews for each are accessible under " Lenses " above

and make your decision



I like my D FA 100 macro

and I can live without the WR and the other differences

[TerryL]

This is just great. Thank you all. It's a done deal!
Terry

[UncleVanya]

This is just great. Thank you all. It's a done deal!
Terry

I owned the F 100 Macro and I now own the D FA 100 WR Macro.
The biggest difference is physical size and features and coatings. The F had a focus limiter that I really really liked. The FA has a focus drag setting that is pretty bad but I think it also has the focus limiter which is very nice to have. The lens coatings are probably nicer on the D FA but not to the point you will notice unless you shoot in very contrasty conditions. These are all fine lenses. I am sure you will like it.

[rgknief60]

Pentax FA 100 Macro a good choice?

I purchased mine secondhand several years ago. It is well built, and performs well for me.

I've seen some real good deals on these in the marketplace over the past year.

According to the lens database the FA is 600 grams, while the DFA WR is a much lighter 340 grams.
The FA balances well on my K-1. I've not used the DFA.

If you don't need water resistance, and can find a good deal, the FA 100 should serve you well.

[Paul the Sunman]

The Pentax DFA 100mm macros and the Tamron 90mm macro are very highly regarded. I have the Tamron, which is excellent, but not WR. Price may decide.

[dms]

Presumably you know it--but in just in case--the WP version has no aperture ring. The non WP version w/ aperture ring allows use of bellows, extension tubes, etc. This could be important down the road, but apparently the non WP lens is heavier, and of course is not WP.

My apologies Na Horuk already mentioned it--I should have read more carefully.

[aslyfox]

Presumably you know it--but in just in case--the WP version has no aperture ring. The non WP version w/ aperture ring allows use of bellows, extension tubes, etc. This could be important down the road, but apparently the non WP lens is heavier, and of course is not WP.

My apologies Na Horuk already mentioned it--I should have read more carefully.

345 grams

SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro Reviews - D FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

vs.

340 grams

SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR Reviews - D FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

0.17636981 ounce

in my book not a whole lot heavier but YMMV

[dms]

Right. They are essentially same weight. I was writing about D FA's, but was thinking of the FA (and F) version weight wise.