[Riddler]

The original 60mm F/2.8 2:1 macro lens is made and sold by Venus-Laowa.
However, there are copies of this lens with almost the same shape, they share the same optics and are sold under other brands: Oshiro or Bresser.

According to Laowa, the Oshiro's and Bresser's 60mm are copies, but I have no proof of that. The price is lower for the (potential) copies so I bought a copy (mine has no brand at all but the shape is the same than the Bresser).

Here is the Laowa:


Here is my "copy":


The common characteristics of Laowa, Oshiro and Bresser are:
- No "A" position on the aperture ring: If you set an aperture of F/16, you will compose your photo and focus at F/16, not wide open (and it may be difficult if you have no pilot lamp).
- 14 blades aperture
- same weight, height, diameter: about 500g, 70x95 mm
- same optics (9 elements, 7 groups)
-same minimum focusing distance: 18cm


This is the Venus-Laowa user review section: Venus Optics Laowa 60mm F2.8 2:1 Ultra Macro Lens Reviews - Venus Laowa Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

The Kuangren Kx 800 flash is compatible with any Pentax camera. It is fully manual: you separately adjust the power of the two heads.





It contains a led pilot lamp (with variable power), this pilot lamp is hugely useful when you close the aperture at F/8 and beyond.

Usefull for macro?

[aslyfox]

The working distance is an important characteristic from my moint of view, because insects can be very shy.. . .

my limited experience trying macro in the field is that the insects ignore your efforts

of course, I am attempting to capture images of pollinators, bees, beetles, wasps butterfly and moths

I have the 35mm macro limited and the D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro [ non WR ] and my lens of choice is the D FA

[david94903]

The working distance is an important characteristic from my moint of view, because insects can be very shy.

I couldn't agree more.


Anyone try the Venus Optics Laowa 24mm F/1.4 Probe Lens yet? Looks interesting but but a bit spendy for my budget.

Venus Optics Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe Lens for Pentax K VE2414PK

[angerdan]

I wonder What you find the best pentax macro lens
I lik the older macro lenses. With an Aperture ring for macro with extension tubes
The best macro Will be a voigtlander but very expensive

D FA 100mm WR is the best - WR, Quickshift and qualitiy like a limited lens.
D FA 100mm 2.8 with Movo MT-P56 AF Macro Extension Tube offers most possibilities.
Best is FA* 200mm 4.0 Macro.

[aslyfox]

not a bad article, but a little dated

The Advantages of a Dedicated Macro Lens
Achieving lift-size magnification
By PF Staff in Tutorial Videos on Apr 4, 2016

Read more at: The Advantages of a Dedicated Macro Lens - Tutorial Videos | PentaxForums.com

[tryphon4]

The Laowa 24mm probe is not a common macro lens but a very specialized one, its best speed is F/14!
It is intended to shoot small fishes in a tank or in a river.

[Riddler]

Thanks everybody

[torashi]

I only have the FA100 but from comparative shots I saw a couple of years back they very similar optically to the DFA100 lenses. I gather coatings have improved on aberrations (although I have not noted anything serious with my FA100) and contrast (my FA 100 is pretty sharp wide open but a little lower contrast). Of course the WR variant is an advantage too. Unfortunately the DFA100s have lost the focus limiter which gives the FA100 pretty consistently quick AF I have found.

It's been the same lens design since the F version, from what I've read. Just check the database. So the trade is basically WR for an aperture ring (and perhaps clamp for instant manual override and a slicker, limited style design and exterior metal build).

[UncleVanya]

It's been the same lens design since the F version, from what I've read. Just check the database. So the trade is basically WR for an aperture ring (and perhaps clamp for instant manual override and a slicker, limited style design and exterior metal build).

Coatings are thought to differ. Also the lack of hood with a deep from element differs. I've owned the f and the dfa wr.

[barondla]

I have the DFA 100 and A*200. Use both about the same amount. Both do 1:1 life size, but the working distance changes and backgrounds look totally different. I wouldn't trade The DFA 100 aperture ring for WR.

There isn't one working distance that is ideal for everything. The A*200 has about 24" of working distance at 1:1. This is great for insect phogography. Can also be great for flowers, unless it is windy, then the Wimberley Plamp isn't always long enough to steady the flower. Flash also needs to be more powerful to reach from camera hotshoe to subject.

In studio a shorter working distance allows looking thru camera while positioning the subject. It is much easier to shoot stamps, coins, and copy old pictures with a 100 or even 50mm macro.
Photographer needs to consider their intended use and pick working distance and background rendition to suit.

Thanks,
barondla

[UncleVanya]

I have the DFA 100 and A*200. Use both about the same amount. Both do 1:1 life size, but the working distance changes and backgrounds look totally different. I wouldn't trade The DFA 100 aperture ring for WR.

There isn't one working distance that is ideal for everything. The A*200 has about 24" of working distance at 1:1. This is great for insect phogography. Can also be great for flowers, unless it is windy, then the Wimberley Plamp isn't always long enough to steady the flower. Flash also needs to be more powerful to reach from camera hotshoe to subject.

In studio a shorter working distance allows looking thru camera while positioning the subject. It is much easier to shoot stamps, coins, and copy old pictures with a 100 or even 50mm macro.
Photographer needs to consider their intended use and pick working distance and background rendition to suit.

Thanks,
barondla

To be clear the A* 200 f4 macro not the A* 200 f2.8 right? Rare lens and lovely from what I hear.

[barondla]

To be clear the A* 200 f4 macro not the A* 200 f2.8 right? Rare lens and lovely from what I hear.

Yes A*200 f4 macro. It is a wonderful lens. Beautiful out of focus rendering combined with narrow angle of view really simplifies messy backgrounds. It also clobbers a Canon FD 200 macro. The Canon has tons of fringing.


That brings up something else I didn’t mention. Maximum aperture of f4 vs f2.8. Doesn't often affect shooting since macro lenses are usually stopped down, but it does affect viewing brightness via optical viewfinder. In macro liveview is our friend. Also love the rotating tripod collar on the Pentax 200 macro and miss it greatly when using DFA 100. Someday I will probably add a 50 macro. The extra background gives more environmental info.
Thanks,
barondla

[torashi]

I wonder how those two A* compare to the FA*. I suppose the 2.8's are the same optical design?

[BillO]

The A* 200/4, or the FA* 200/4 for you AF fanboys.

---------- Post added 12-10-19 at 10:16 PM ----------

I wonder how those two A* compare to the FA*. I suppose the 2.8's are the same optical design?

4 different optical designs. The F4 and F2.8 are different in both series and the FA* are internal focus while the A* are not.

[tryphon4]

The A* 200/4, or the FA* 200/4 for you AF fanboys.

---------- Post added 12-10-19 at 10:16 PM ----------



4 different optical designs. The F4 and F2.8 are different in both series and the FA* are internal focus while the A* are not.

And "internal focusing" means "focal length decrease", so the minimum focus is 55cm for the A* and 51cm for the FA*.

Size matters