First macro lens : Sigma 70mm or Pentax 100mm ?

**david94903** · 06-28-2019, 12:57 PM

Originally posted by yibahh

So many options!

Isn't that the truth. And here's another one, LOL! If size is an issue, and working distance is not, look at the Pentax A-50mm f2.8 macro. Great compact size, sharp as heck, really versatile. I would suggest looking at the Sigma 50mm but I don't think it's much smaller than the 70, and I believe the 70 is a better lens overall.

**pepperberry farm** · 06-28-2019, 12:58 PM - **2 Likes**

I have a copy of both the 52B and the 72B Tamron 90mm lenses and they are not to be dismissed

.

**aslyfox** · 06-28-2019, 01:00 PM - **1 Like**

I'm easily confused and certainly no expert, but I don 't understand this comment:

Originally posted by yibahh

. . .

I shoot with a K-5ii, hence my fear of the 100mm being too long. . . .

Using a K 5 II with the D FA 100mm Macro would be no different than using any ASP-C sensor camera with the D FA 100mm macro

_________________

as far as getting a limited, be warned, you may not stop at just one:

the limiteds do they live up to the reputation and why - Page 17 - PentaxForums.com

I couldn't

_____________________________________

we love to give advice

only you can determine which lens is best for you

good luck

zapp · 06-28-2019, 01:31 PM

Buy Pentax.
You only have Pentax glass why bother with Sigma. DFA 100m is nice. Ok, no focus limiter, screw drive af, but image quality, built, size... perfect.

Thagomizer · 06-28-2019, 01:33 PM

I've got both the Sigma 50mm and 70mm macros, but not the Pentax 100mm. The Sigmas are both very good.

**Apet-Sure** · 06-28-2019, 01:37 PM

I think yibahh meant that a 100mm lens on a APS-C camera gives the same field of view on the sensor as a 150mm lens on a full-frame camera like the K-1. So while a 100mm lens was considered portrait length on a 35mm film camera (or on the K-1), it starts to get into the 'telephoto' category on a crop sensor camera.

normhead · 06-28-2019, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by Thagomizer

I've got both the Sigma 50mm and 70mm macros, but not the Pentax 100mm. The Sigmas are both very good.

London Ontario , home of Camera Canada, you lucky dude.
We are constantly bemoaning the lack of brick and mortar Pentax camera stores.
You should drop by and cheer everyone up.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/109990-we-really-rare-369.html

**aslyfox** · 06-28-2019, 01:43 PM

Originally posted by Apet-Sure

I think yibahh meant that a 100mm lens on a APS-C camera gives the same field of view on the sensor as a 150mm lens on a full-frame camera like the K-1. So while a 100mm lens was considered portrait length on a 35mm film camera (or on the K-1), it starts to get into the 'telephoto' category on a crop sensor camera.

some how I thought, in the film days, a 100mm was thought of as a short telephoto

but you are correct, the 100mm lens on an ASP-C's smaller sensor does give a different " field of view " than if the same lens is used on a full frame sensor such as a film Pentax Camera body or the K 1 or K 1 II

The Crop Factor Unmasked - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

**Apet-Sure** · 06-28-2019, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by aslyfox

some how I thought, in the film days, a 100mm was thought of as a short telephoto

Well, yeah I guess so. It was twice as long as the 'normal' 50mm lens (mine was actually 55mm). I had a 135mm 'portrait' (short tele) lens which was fairly common back then, but others used shorter ones for sure. My other teIes were 200mm and 400mm, so I considered the 135 as short by comparison. Guess the line between 'normal' and 'short tele' is fuzzy. I'm certainly no authority on nomenclature. I'm rambling, so I'll shut up now.

dbs · 06-28-2019, 02:45 PM

Hi Yibahh

I have a Tamron 90 and I like it
The choice of macros is annoying because they all are good
Looking at choices in your line up is another unknown
What sounds like a 'right' lens spacing can often be not what you think....sounds good in theory a pita in real life
Just another 5 cent opinion

Dave

normhead · 06-28-2019, 02:51 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by dbs

Hi Yibahh

I have a Tamron 90 and I like it
The choice of macros is annoying because they all are good
Looking at choices in your line up is another unknown
What sounds like a 'right' lens spacing can often be not what you think....sounds good in theory a pita in real life
Just another 5 cent opinion

Dave

The Tamron 90 is also a special lens. My wife took mine and won't give it back. And on occasion I go out with my FA 50 macro, also a lens worth looking at.

dbs · 06-28-2019, 03:00 PM

Originally posted by normhead

The Tamron 90 is also a special lens. My wife took mine and won't give it back. And on occasion I go out with my FA 50 macro, also a lens worth looking at.

Hi Norm
I've been debating getting a 50 macro just waiting for them to go on sale
Second hand lenses in Aus are thin on the ground

Dave

aaronjamesgray · 06-28-2019, 04:20 PM

I shoot a K-5 IIs and I have the DFA 100. It is superb. Even on a crop body, it doesn't feel too long. Framing is easy and IQ is crisp basically from edge to edge. I highly recommend it.

normhead · 06-28-2019, 07:04 PM

Originally posted by dbs

Hi Norm
I've been debating getting a 50 macro just waiting for them to go on sale
Second hand lenses in Aus are thin on the ground

Dave

Mine is second hand beat up, but the glass is good and it works great. But it got water in it on a canoe trip and eventually took a week drying it out. That was enough to convince me it was the DFA 100 WR going forward. But, I really like the lens apart from not being WR.

swanlefitte · 06-28-2019, 08:05 PM - **1 Like**

I have the sigma and love it but for bugs get the 100. Quick shift, distance, smaller and wr.
But the sigma is rarer, you can always get the 100 later.

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06-28-2019, 12:57 PM	#16
david94903 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Rafael, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 806	Originally posted by yibahh So many options! Isn't that the truth. And here's another one, LOL! If size is an issue, and working distance is not, look at the Pentax A-50mm f2.8 macro. Great compact size, sharp as heck, really versatile. I would suggest looking at the Sigma 50mm but I don't think it's much smaller than the 70, and I believe the 70 is a better lens overall.

06-28-2019, 12:58 PM - 2 Likes	#17
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,645	I have a copy of both the 52B and the 72B Tamron 90mm lenses and they are not to be dismissed .

06-28-2019, 01:00 PM - 1 Like	#18
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	I'm easily confused and certainly no expert, but I don 't understand this comment: Originally posted by yibahh . . . I shoot with a K-5ii, hence my fear of the 100mm being too long. . . . Using a K 5 II with the D FA 100mm Macro would be no different than using any ASP-C sensor camera with the D FA 100mm macro _________________ as far as getting a limited, be warned, you may not stop at just one: the limiteds do they live up to the reputation and why - Page 17 - PentaxForums.com I couldn't _____________________________________ we love to give advice only you can determine which lens is best for you good luck

06-28-2019, 01:31 PM	#19
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	Buy Pentax. You only have Pentax glass why bother with Sigma. DFA 100m is nice. Ok, no focus limiter, screw drive af, but image quality, built, size... perfect.

06-28-2019, 01:33 PM	#20
Thagomizer Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: London Ontario Posts: 2,068	I've got both the Sigma 50mm and 70mm macros, but not the Pentax 100mm. The Sigmas are both very good.

06-28-2019, 01:37 PM	#21
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,861	I think yibahh meant that a 100mm lens on a APS-C camera gives the same field of view on the sensor as a 150mm lens on a full-frame camera like the K-1. So while a 100mm lens was considered portrait length on a 35mm film camera (or on the K-1), it starts to get into the 'telephoto' category on a crop sensor camera.

06-28-2019, 01:41 PM	#22
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by Thagomizer I've got both the Sigma 50mm and 70mm macros, but not the Pentax 100mm. The Sigmas are both very good. London Ontario , home of Camera Canada, you lucky dude. We are constantly bemoaning the lack of brick and mortar Pentax camera stores. You should drop by and cheer everyone up. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/109990-we-really-rare-369.html

06-28-2019, 01:43 PM	#23
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by Apet-Sure I think yibahh meant that a 100mm lens on a APS-C camera gives the same field of view on the sensor as a 150mm lens on a full-frame camera like the K-1. So while a 100mm lens was considered portrait length on a 35mm film camera (or on the K-1), it starts to get into the 'telephoto' category on a crop sensor camera. some how I thought, in the film days, a 100mm was thought of as a short telephoto but you are correct, the 100mm lens on an ASP-C's smaller sensor does give a different " field of view " than if the same lens is used on a full frame sensor such as a film Pentax Camera body or the K 1 or K 1 II The Crop Factor Unmasked - Articles and Tips \| PentaxForums.com

06-28-2019, 02:11 PM	#24
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,861	Originally posted by aslyfox some how I thought, in the film days, a 100mm was thought of as a short telephoto Well, yeah I guess so. It was twice as long as the 'normal' 50mm lens (mine was actually 55mm). I had a 135mm 'portrait' (short tele) lens which was fairly common back then, but others used shorter ones for sure. My other teIes were 200mm and 400mm, so I considered the 135 as short by comparison. Guess the line between 'normal' and 'short tele' is fuzzy. I'm certainly no authority on nomenclature. I'm rambling, so I'll shut up now.

06-28-2019, 02:45 PM	#25
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,563	Hi Yibahh I have a Tamron 90 and I like it The choice of macros is annoying because they all are good Looking at choices in your line up is another unknown What sounds like a 'right' lens spacing can often be not what you think....sounds good in theory a pita in real life Just another 5 cent opinion Dave

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06-28-2019, 02:51 PM - 1 Like	#26
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by dbs Hi Yibahh I have a Tamron 90 and I like it The choice of macros is annoying because they all are good Looking at choices in your line up is another unknown What sounds like a 'right' lens spacing can often be not what you think....sounds good in theory a pita in real life Just another 5 cent opinion Dave The Tamron 90 is also a special lens. My wife took mine and won't give it back. And on occasion I go out with my FA 50 macro, also a lens worth looking at.

06-28-2019, 03:00 PM	#27
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,563	Originally posted by normhead The Tamron 90 is also a special lens. My wife took mine and won't give it back. And on occasion I go out with my FA 50 macro, also a lens worth looking at. Hi Norm I've been debating getting a 50 macro just waiting for them to go on sale Second hand lenses in Aus are thin on the ground Dave

06-28-2019, 04:20 PM	#28
aaronjamesgray Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Photos: Albums Posts: 190	I shoot a K-5 IIs and I have the DFA 100. It is superb. Even on a crop body, it doesn't feel too long. Framing is easy and IQ is crisp basically from edge to edge. I highly recommend it.

06-28-2019, 07:04 PM	#29
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by dbs Hi Norm I've been debating getting a 50 macro just waiting for them to go on sale Second hand lenses in Aus are thin on the ground Dave Mine is second hand beat up, but the glass is good and it works great. But it got water in it on a canoe trip and eventually took a week drying it out. That was enough to convince me it was the DFA 100 WR going forward. But, I really like the lens apart from not being WR.

06-28-2019, 08:05 PM - 1 Like	#30
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	I have the sigma and love it but for bugs get the 100. Quick shift, distance, smaller and wr. But the sigma is rarer, you can always get the 100 later.