Macro lens dilemma: DFA 100mm WR or Irix 150mm

Markovo · 02-10-2020, 01:41 PM

So... I have the 100mm macro WR and it is a great lens. However I travel constantly (mountain hiking mainly) and 150mm lens would have a better coverage for my landscape photos. I have two K-1 bodies that I travel with. My main body is hooked with Irix 15mm f2.4 and on my second I use DFA 24-70 or DFA 100mm WR depending on the case. Since I use my 24-70 less and less I am thinking of selling it. That lives me with the 100mm for my second body. So, the question is: Does it makes sense to sell the 100mm too and buy Irix 150mm? The lens will be used for landscaping and macros as well.

bertwert · 02-10-2020, 01:45 PM - **4 Likes**

Especially for travel and hiking, you may want to consider the size and weight difference... 840 grams vs 340 grams, about 2.5 times the weight...

Photo by @pepperberry farm; taken from here: Your latest acquisition - Page 1225 - PentaxForums.com

**pepperberry farm** · 02-10-2020, 01:55 PM - **2 Likes**

thank you, Bert...

that photo shows the large difference between the two... plus the weight, the AF v MF, etc...

they are both exceedingly sharp, have great colors, and reasonable bokeh...

brianmquinn · 02-10-2020, 01:56 PM - **2 Likes**

Have you considered the 1.4X TC to go with the 100mm lens you already own?

stevebrot · 02-10-2020, 02:12 PM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by Markovo

Does it makes sense to sell the 100mm too and buy Irix 150mm? The lens will be used for landscaping and macros as well.

Originally posted by bertwert

Especially for travel and hiking, you may want to consider the size and weight difference... 840 grams vs 340 grams, about 2.5 times the weight...

Another consideration might be focus breathing and how it effects working distance. Despite the extra 50mm focal length, the Irix does puts its nose almost as close to the subject at 1:1 as the D FA 100. Internal focus is sometimes not a great thing.

Steve

Paul the Sunman · 02-10-2020, 02:20 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by brianmquinn

Have you considered the 1.4X TC to go with the 100mm lens you already own?

The DA 1.4X TC is not FF.

**Apet-Sure** · 02-10-2020, 03:23 PM - **3 Likes**

My guess is that if you sold your DFA 100mm WR you would quickly regret it. Is the IRIX WR? It seems to me that could be important when hiking in the mountains.

BTW, I see that the IRIX has a 'neutrino coating'. Watching a lot of science shows as I do, I know those little buggars are extremely hard to catch. IRIX should contact the astrophysicists and tell them how they do it.

**pepperberry farm** · 02-10-2020, 05:49 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Apet-Sure

My guess is that if you sold your DFA 100mm WR you would quickly regret it. Is the IRIX WR? It seems to me that could be important when hiking in the mountains.

BTW, I see that the IRIX has a 'neutrino coating'. Watching a lot of science shows as I do, I know those little buggars are extremely hard to catch. IRIX should contact the astrophysicists and tell them how they do it.

the Irix is WR...

mtgmansf · 02-10-2020, 06:36 PM - **1 Like**

Pentax really does need to step up and create a FF 1.4x converter for their FF Lenses. Never understood why they came out with one that only covers aps-c, especially at $600 (now about $400), making it the most expensive converter I have ever contemplated.

Of course, a 1.4x FF converter would make the 100mm macro more versatile as well...

Adam007 · 02-10-2020, 07:39 PM - **3 Likes**

I have them both, and my initial thought was that I'd stop using the 100mm. That hasn't happened. For travel, the 100mm is a no-brainer, unless you know you will be shooting some macro and have the space for the Irix. I've rediscovered the 100mm as a portrait lens whenever I don't have the time for manual focus.

In studio, admittedly, it's been all Irix lately for macro shots, but I wouldn't get rid of my 100mm. Enjoy them both!

fehknt · 02-10-2020, 07:57 PM - **1 Like**

I have taken the 100mm macro as my only lens on mountain backpacking trips and been pretty happy with the results. The only downside I've seen is a few shots ruined by purple fringing that were unsalvagable, but none of those were probably going to be amazing anyway...

I know you're not looking for another option, but... I've been tempted to try out the new 70-210/4 lens and carry a close-focus filter (I already own the 77mm canon 500D) -- with the filter it would do 1:1.2 magnification at 210mm and be a fabulous do-it-all combo. The main thing stopping me honestly is that I'm having too much of a love affair with my Pentax primes and wanting to burn my weight there.

bdery · 02-11-2020, 06:06 AM - **2 Likes**

Have you read the review of the Irix 150mm?

Irix 150mm F2.8 Macro Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Having tested both lenses, I don't see the Irix replacing the Pentax in my kit. The IQ difference does not justify it, since while the Pentax does suffer from some PF its rendering is arguably more pleasing (to me). The Pentax delivers close to the 77 Limited to my eyes.

The 50mm extra reach is easily obtained by cropping and, especially when traveling, the Irix will be much more cumbersome.

Markovo · 02-11-2020, 09:07 AM - **1 Like**

Thank you for the great answers everyone! An FF teleconverter would've been great (never thought of that honestly), but the bottom line is I really love my 100mm and I think everybody will agree that it is a legendary lens. The AF is really rugged, but the image quality and sharpness are the best. When it comes to traveling the lower weight is always welcome, so I think I'll stick with my 100mm for now. Here are some photos that I took with this great lens:

bdery · 02-12-2020, 06:07 AM

The photos do not show, here at least. Glad to see you have reached a decision.

**Apet-Sure** · 02-12-2020, 12:07 PM

Say, I have an idea. Instead of messing about with inches vs. centimeters and grams vs. ounces, why don't we standardize on a unit of measure called the Thin Mint?

'The Pentax DFA 100mm Macro WR is 14 Thin Mints long, 1.43 Thin Mints in diameter, and weighs [???] Thin Mints. The IRIX 150mm Dragonfly is 19 Thin Mints long, 1.9 Thin Mints in diameter, and weighs [???] Thin Mints.'

I don't have any Thin Mints to weigh, so maybe bertwert can provide the missing specs. Then we can answer the question:

"How many Thin Mints are in a Dragonfly?"

02-10-2020, 01:41 PM	#1
Markovo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 149	Macro lens dilemma: DFA 100mm WR or Irix 150mm So... I have the 100mm macro WR and it is a great lens. However I travel constantly (mountain hiking mainly) and 150mm lens would have a better coverage for my landscape photos. I have two K-1 bodies that I travel with. My main body is hooked with Irix 15mm f2.4 and on my second I use DFA 24-70 or DFA 100mm WR depending on the case. Since I use my 24-70 less and less I am thinking of selling it. That lives me with the 100mm for my second body. So, the question is: Does it makes sense to sell the 100mm too and buy Irix 150mm? The lens will be used for landscaping and macros as well.

02-11-2020, 09:07 AM - 1 Like	#13
Markovo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 149 Original Poster	Thank you for the great answers everyone! An FF teleconverter would've been great (never thought of that honestly), but the bottom line is I really love my 100mm and I think everybody will agree that it is a legendary lens. The AF is really rugged, but the image quality and sharpness are the best. When it comes to traveling the lower weight is always welcome, so I think I'll stick with my 100mm for now. Here are some photos that I took with this great lens: Last edited by Markovo; 02-13-2020 at 12:50 AM.

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02-10-2020, 01:45 PM - 4 Likes	#2
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Especially for travel and hiking, you may want to consider the size and weight difference... 840 grams vs 340 grams, about 2.5 times the weight... Photo by @pepperberry farm; taken from here: Your latest acquisition - Page 1225 - PentaxForums.com

02-10-2020, 01:55 PM - 2 Likes	#3
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	thank you, Bert... that photo shows the large difference between the two... plus the weight, the AF v MF, etc... they are both exceedingly sharp, have great colors, and reasonable bokeh...

02-10-2020, 01:56 PM - 2 Likes	#4
brianmquinn Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Cincinnati Photos: Gallery Posts: 79	Have you considered the 1.4X TC to go with the 100mm lens you already own?

02-10-2020, 02:12 PM - 4 Likes	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Markovo Does it makes sense to sell the 100mm too and buy Irix 150mm? The lens will be used for landscaping and macros as well. Originally posted by bertwert Especially for travel and hiking, you may want to consider the size and weight difference... 840 grams vs 340 grams, about 2.5 times the weight... Another consideration might be focus breathing and how it effects working distance. Despite the extra 50mm focal length, the Irix does puts its nose almost as close to the subject at 1:1 as the D FA 100. Internal focus is sometimes not a great thing. Steve

02-10-2020, 02:20 PM - 1 Like	#6
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Originally posted by brianmquinn Have you considered the 1.4X TC to go with the 100mm lens you already own? The DA 1.4X TC is not FF.

02-10-2020, 03:23 PM - 3 Likes	#7
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,861	My guess is that if you sold your DFA 100mm WR you would quickly regret it. Is the IRIX WR? It seems to me that could be important when hiking in the mountains. BTW, I see that the IRIX has a 'neutrino coating'. Watching a lot of science shows as I do, I know those little buggars are extremely hard to catch. IRIX should contact the astrophysicists and tell them how they do it.

02-10-2020, 05:49 PM - 1 Like	#8
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	Originally posted by Apet-Sure My guess is that if you sold your DFA 100mm WR you would quickly regret it. Is the IRIX WR? It seems to me that could be important when hiking in the mountains. BTW, I see that the IRIX has a 'neutrino coating'. Watching a lot of science shows as I do, I know those little buggars are extremely hard to catch. IRIX should contact the astrophysicists and tell them how they do it. the Irix is WR...

02-10-2020, 06:36 PM - 1 Like	#9
mtgmansf Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 321	Pentax really does need to step up and create a FF 1.4x converter for their FF Lenses. Never understood why they came out with one that only covers aps-c, especially at $600 (now about $400), making it the most expensive converter I have ever contemplated. Of course, a 1.4x FF converter would make the 100mm macro more versatile as well...

02-10-2020, 07:39 PM - 3 Likes	#10
Adam007 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 35	I have them both, and my initial thought was that I'd stop using the 100mm. That hasn't happened. For travel, the 100mm is a no-brainer, unless you know you will be shooting some macro and have the space for the Irix. I've rediscovered the 100mm as a portrait lens whenever I don't have the time for manual focus. In studio, admittedly, it's been all Irix lately for macro shots, but I wouldn't get rid of my 100mm. Enjoy them both!

02-10-2020, 07:57 PM - 1 Like	#11
fehknt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 142	I have taken the 100mm macro as my only lens on mountain backpacking trips and been pretty happy with the results. The only downside I've seen is a few shots ruined by purple fringing that were unsalvagable, but none of those were probably going to be amazing anyway... I know you're not looking for another option, but... I've been tempted to try out the new 70-210/4 lens and carry a close-focus filter (I already own the 77mm canon 500D) -- with the filter it would do 1:1.2 magnification at 210mm and be a fabulous do-it-all combo. The main thing stopping me honestly is that I'm having too much of a love affair with my Pentax primes and wanting to burn my weight there.

02-11-2020, 06:06 AM - 2 Likes	#12
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Have you read the review of the Irix 150mm? Irix 150mm F2.8 Macro Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Having tested both lenses, I don't see the Irix replacing the Pentax in my kit. The IQ difference does not justify it, since while the Pentax does suffer from some PF its rendering is arguably more pleasing (to me). The Pentax delivers close to the 77 Limited to my eyes. The 50mm extra reach is easily obtained by cropping and, especially when traveling, the Irix will be much more cumbersome.

02-12-2020, 06:07 AM	#14
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	The photos do not show, here at least. Glad to see you have reached a decision.

02-12-2020, 12:07 PM	#15
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,861	Say, I have an idea. Instead of messing about with inches vs. centimeters and grams vs. ounces, why don't we standardize on a unit of measure called the Thin Mint? 'The Pentax DFA 100mm Macro WR is 14 Thin Mints long, 1.43 Thin Mints in diameter, and weighs [???] Thin Mints. The IRIX 150mm Dragonfly is 19 Thin Mints long, 1.9 Thin Mints in diameter, and weighs [???] Thin Mints.' I don't have any Thin Mints to weigh, so maybe bertwert can provide the missing specs. Then we can answer the question: "How many Thin Mints are in a Dragonfly?"