Macro Lenses Suggestions

SharkyCA · 01-18-2019, 07:42 AM

Okay group, having a gas attack! I am shooting w/k-70 and I currently have 2 lenses 18-135, and 55-300 mm lenses.
I would like to get a lens for MACRO & was thinking about DA 35 Ltd Macro but was concerned about "subject distance" so I am ASKING FOR ADVICE! Please keep it short I don't want to be overwhelmed.

Last edited by SharkyCA; 01-24-2019 at 08:55 AM. Reason: Spelling & Update

**aslyfox** · 01-18-2019, 07:48 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SharkyCA

. . . I would like to get a lens for MACRO & was thinking about DA 35 Ltd Macro but was concerned about "subject distance" so I am ASKING FOR ADVICE! . . . .

as I understand it, the focal length of your macro lens helps depending on what you target. Are you " in the field " or the studio, live " targets " or otherwise

I try macro of insects in the field without flash. so a 35mm macro like the SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro makes me get too close to get 1:1

Min. Focus
14 cm

https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DA-35mm-F2.8-Limited-Macro-Lens.html

I have chosen the SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro ( I went with the non WR version and got a good price acordingly )

Min. Focus
30 cm

https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DFA-100mm-F2.8-Macro-Lens.html

obviously there are many different choices of lenses that could be made

czhao1009 · 01-18-2019, 07:50 AM - **2 Likes**

Would be good to know what is your primary objective with the macro lens?
Insects, flowers, etc? Do you need 1:1 magnification?
Budget?

**DW58** · 01-18-2019, 08:04 AM - **2 Likes**

I have a K-70 and both the 35mm macro ltd and the 100mm macro WR. I use the 100mm for all my macro shots. Both are great lenses.

swanlefitte · 01-18-2019, 08:05 AM - **1 Like**

35 is close which means lighting is hard because the lens is in the light path. In a studio on a tripod that's fine.
The 100 is my recommendation for working distance and wr.

SharkyCA · 01-18-2019, 08:05 AM

Would be shooting outside, primarily nature, and I was hoping to get 1:1 magnification without using adapter. I know the da 35 Ltd will do this but focal distance is short, and was not looking at a ff lens. Any other suggestions?
Thanks for input.

jamin-b · 01-18-2019, 08:10 AM - **1 Like**

The pentax-a 50mm 2.8. Macro is one of my favorite lenses, for macro and otherwise. So compact, sharp and fun to use. The quintessence of what I like about Pentax gear..

**aslyfox** · 01-18-2019, 08:12 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SharkyCA

. . . was not looking at a ff lens. ?
Thanks for input.

why not full size sensor lens ( f f )

your choice but I'm confused about that

the DFA series works on either full size or ASP-C sensors

any lens developed for use with 35mm film cameras would be " full size " sensor

have you gone up to " Lenses " and looked at " in depth " and " user " reviews of Pentax and third party macro lenses yet

https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-d-fa-100mm-f28-wr-macro/review.html?src=lrdb

**aslyfox** · 01-18-2019, 08:18 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jamin-b

The pentax-a 50mm 2.8. Macro is one of my favorite lenses, for macro and otherwise. So compact, sharp and fun to use. The quintessence of what I like about Pentax gear..

and it " splits the distance " too

Min. Focus
24 cm

SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

altopiet · 01-18-2019, 08:22 AM - **1 Like**

Tamron 90mm f2.8 is doing a fine job, and quite affordable...

**termy** · 01-18-2019, 08:33 AM - **1 Like**

been using a Tammy SP 90 f2.8 regularly.
It is a fantastic and versatile lens if you want to have a 1:1 capability macro lens that can also be used for portraiture etc.
Should be able to get good deals on preowned copies.

K1N8 · 01-18-2019, 08:37 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by altopiet

Tamron 90mm f2.8

second that

swanlefitte · 01-18-2019, 09:05 AM - **1 Like**

If it has to vignette on a full frame then you are stuck with the 35mm. The vignetting is what defines a crop sensor lens. It needs to be cropped.

SharkyCA · 01-18-2019, 09:32 AM

Originally posted by aslyfox

why not full size sensor lens ( f f )

your choice but I'm confused about that

the DFA series works on either full size or ASP-C sensors

any lens developed for use with 35mm film cameras would be " full size " sensor

have you gone up to " Lenses " and looked at " in depth " and " user " reviews of Pentax and third party macro lenses yet

Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

I had not looked at lenses above 55mm as I was thinking of something a little wider with macro capabilities, but I will definitely give it a look!
Thanks

swanlefitte · 01-18-2019, 09:34 AM

Originally posted by aslyfox

can't you just add " vignetteing " [ shadowing of the corners of the image ] through PP, my simple PP windows program allows me to do that

Yes. That's why not wanting a ff lens makes little sense. I suspect the op wants a small lens or less expensive lens which by no means eliminates a ff lens. In fact several crop lenses are in fact ff.

01-18-2019, 07:42 AM	#1
SharkyCA Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 806	Macro Lenses Suggestions Okay group, having a gas attack! I am shooting w/k-70 and I currently have 2 lenses 18-135, and 55-300 mm lenses. I would like to get a lens for MACRO & was thinking about DA 35 Ltd Macro but was concerned about "subject distance" so I am ASKING FOR ADVICE! Please keep it short I don't want to be overwhelmed. Last edited by SharkyCA; 01-24-2019 at 08:55 AM. Reason: Spelling & Update

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01-18-2019, 07:48 AM - 1 Like	#2
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by SharkyCA . . . I would like to get a lens for MACRO & was thinking about DA 35 Ltd Macro but was concerned about "subject distance" so I am ASKING FOR ADVICE! . . . . as I understand it, the focal length of your macro lens helps depending on what you target. Are you " in the field " or the studio, live " targets " or otherwise I try macro of insects in the field without flash. so a 35mm macro like the SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro makes me get too close to get 1:1 Min. Focus 14 cm https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DA-35mm-F2.8-Limited-Macro-Lens.html I have chosen the SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro ( I went with the non WR version and got a good price acordingly ) Min. Focus 30 cm https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DFA-100mm-F2.8-Macro-Lens.html obviously there are many different choices of lenses that could be made

01-18-2019, 07:50 AM - 2 Likes	#3
czhao1009 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 101	Would be good to know what is your primary objective with the macro lens? Insects, flowers, etc? Do you need 1:1 magnification? Budget?

01-18-2019, 08:04 AM - 2 Likes	#4
DW58 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Rural Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,062	I have a K-70 and both the 35mm macro ltd and the 100mm macro WR. I use the 100mm for all my macro shots. Both are great lenses.

01-18-2019, 08:05 AM - 1 Like	#5
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	35 is close which means lighting is hard because the lens is in the light path. In a studio on a tripod that's fine. The 100 is my recommendation for working distance and wr.

01-18-2019, 08:05 AM	#6
SharkyCA Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 806 Original Poster	Would be shooting outside, primarily nature, and I was hoping to get 1:1 magnification without using adapter. I know the da 35 Ltd will do this but focal distance is short, and was not looking at a ff lens. Any other suggestions? Thanks for input.

01-18-2019, 08:10 AM - 1 Like	#7
jamin-b New Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 19	The pentax-a 50mm 2.8. Macro is one of my favorite lenses, for macro and otherwise. So compact, sharp and fun to use. The quintessence of what I like about Pentax gear..

01-18-2019, 08:12 AM - 1 Like	#8
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by SharkyCA . . . was not looking at a ff lens. ? Thanks for input. why not full size sensor lens ( f f ) your choice but I'm confused about that the DFA series works on either full size or ASP-C sensors any lens developed for use with 35mm film cameras would be " full size " sensor have you gone up to " Lenses " and looked at " in depth " and " user " reviews of Pentax and third party macro lenses yet https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-d-fa-100mm-f28-wr-macro/review.html?src=lrdb

01-18-2019, 08:18 AM - 1 Like	#9
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by jamin-b The pentax-a 50mm 2.8. Macro is one of my favorite lenses, for macro and otherwise. So compact, sharp and fun to use. The quintessence of what I like about Pentax gear.. and it " splits the distance " too Min. Focus 24 cm SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

01-18-2019, 08:22 AM - 1 Like	#10
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	Tamron 90mm f2.8 is doing a fine job, and quite affordable...

01-18-2019, 08:33 AM - 1 Like	#11
termy Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 1,154	been using a Tammy SP 90 f2.8 regularly. It is a fantastic and versatile lens if you want to have a 1:1 capability macro lens that can also be used for portraiture etc. Should be able to get good deals on preowned copies.

01-18-2019, 08:37 AM - 1 Like	#12
K1N8 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 242	Originally posted by altopiet Tamron 90mm f2.8 second that

01-18-2019, 09:05 AM - 1 Like	#13
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	If it has to vignette on a full frame then you are stuck with the 35mm. The vignetting is what defines a crop sensor lens. It needs to be cropped.

01-18-2019, 09:32 AM	#14
SharkyCA Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 806 Original Poster	Originally posted by aslyfox why not full size sensor lens ( f f ) your choice but I'm confused about that the DFA series works on either full size or ASP-C sensors any lens developed for use with 35mm film cameras would be " full size " sensor have you gone up to " Lenses " and looked at " in depth " and " user " reviews of Pentax and third party macro lenses yet Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews I had not looked at lenses above 55mm as I was thinking of something a little wider with macro capabilities, but I will definitely give it a look! Thanks

01-18-2019, 09:34 AM	#15
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Originally posted by aslyfox can't you just add " vignetteing " [ shadowing of the corners of the image ] through PP, my simple PP windows program allows me to do that Yes. That's why not wanting a ff lens makes little sense. I suspect the op wants a small lens or less expensive lens which by no means eliminates a ff lens. In fact several crop lenses are in fact ff.