Is the Pentax D FA Macro 100mm WR the best macro option out there for my K1?

**lazarustx** · 07-01-2020, 09:01 PM

Hey folks,
I have and love my Pentax D FA Macro 100mm WR. This lens is on my KiMkii most of the time, and I find no fault with it..

I don't shoot bugs or critters so I'm not too worried about reach nor how close I do have to get...

But I do wonder if there are other macro lens that I might want to consider shooting with. I love this lens, but it might be fun to pick up a new lens and give it a try.

Suggestions welcome.

Regards,
Rodney

hcc · 07-01-2020, 09:52 PM

I am biased and I do not have the DFA Macro 100 WR. The Pentax lens has definitely a very high reputation in this Forum and I will not speak badly about it.
But .. I would argue that the 'best' macro is the Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 125mm f/2.5 SL. I own one and I use it. Most impressive and other owner of the VL125mm seem agree with a rating of 10/10 in the user reviews out of 11 reviews: Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar 125mm f2.5 Lens Reviews - Voigtlander Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database. The negative: the price and its rare avalability in the marketplace.
My 5 cents...

bratzmahn · 07-01-2020, 10:22 PM - **8 Likes**

Maybe you'll try the IRIX 150mm f2.8 macro?
It is very sharp, a fun to focus with and solid built - also weatherproof!
And the price is not that much...
https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/irix-150mm-f28-macro-11.html
Here are two examples of the results you can get...

bassek · 07-01-2020, 10:53 PM

I have 3 macro lenses: Sigma 70, Pentax M100 and the Sigma 180. All are terrific and different.

The best for close ups is my Pentax bellows with any M-series lens attached. Mostly the M50/1.7.

Seb

**pepperberry farm** · 07-01-2020, 11:19 PM - **2 Likes**

I have macro lenses from 35mm to 150mm, all with their own strengths, and their own character...

"best" needs to be defined....

splash_fr · 07-02-2020, 01:08 AM

It's probably not for you, since you don't need the reach, but there is the A* 200/4 as well.
Reviews are kinda OK'ish!

SMC Pentax-A* 200mm F4 Macro ED Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

I would say the D-FA 50 Macro might be what you want:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DFA-50mm-F2.8-Macro-Lens.html

Rgds,
Gerd.

**Bob 256** · 07-02-2020, 07:40 AM - **1 Like**

There's the Tamron 90mm floating around out there (which I have) and it is a great macro and produces stunning photos with my K-1. Probably very similar to Pentax options but at lower cost. Note: I prefer a longer focal length macro since it gives you more lens to subject working distance than those near 50mm (at some cost of DOF).

**aslyfox** · 07-02-2020, 07:51 AM

among your Pentax choices:

F 100mm F2.8 Macro

FA 100mm F2.8 Macro

D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro ( not WR ) *

all have the same optics as the D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR

D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro *

DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro * [ don't know how this would work with a K 1 ]

_______________

* = I have these and like them all

check the reviews

Fenwoodian · 07-02-2020, 08:58 AM

.
You want "the best"? Check this link out (click on the PDF file).

I own two of these lenses and none of the many close-up/macro lenses I've owned over the years compare to it's sharpness and bokeh!

I use them regularly on my K-1 and K10D Pentax cameras. Here's a link to a photo I recently took with this lens on my K10D.

While this "Leica M39 mount" CRT Nikkor-O 55mm f/1.2 lens is expensive, it's worth the price in my opinion.

Thagomizer · 07-02-2020, 10:32 AM - **1 Like**

The Sigma EX DG 50 and 70 f2.8 macros are both very good.

Here's one from the 50:

100% of above:

...and from the 70:

I've read in mamy places that "there's no such thing as a bad macro lens." Whether that's true or not, I don't know. Any I've used have been very good (including 1:2 lenses like the SMC Takumar 50, and 100 f4s, K 50 f4 and Tamron Adaptall 52BB 90mm f2.5). It's really a matter of what's going to work for you in terms of focal length, size, handling, ease of use, working distance, AF or not, A contacts or not, etc.

tryphon4 · 07-02-2020, 10:37 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

I have macro lenses from 35mm to 150mm, all with their own strengths, and their own character...

"best" needs to be defined....

Same for me: I own macro lenses from 28mm to 180mm and choose the one I will use according to the purpose (I will not use the same lens for flowers at 1:10, insects between 1:4 and 1:1 and details between 2:1 and 5:1).

I will prefer my Bresser/Oshiro/no-name 60mm F/2.8 2:1 when a short working distance is acceptable. It is full manual, sharpness is rather good and bokeh is smooth.
I will choose my Mitakon 85mm 1:1-5:1 when I need huge working distance. It is full manual too.
If I need a compact lens, I will use my Tamron 90mm F/2.8 Di, it is close to the Pentax 100mm WR, except that the Tamron is not WR.
If I need AF and a huge working distance, my Sigma 180mm F/3.5 lens will be welcome.
When I want smooth bokeh and vibrant colors, my Irix 150mm F/2.8 will be the one ; it is WR too.

Bertrand3000 · 07-02-2020, 10:45 AM

I love the DFA 50 Macro and its ability to do catch-in focus. Only real problem is that you need to be at only be a few centimeters from the front element for 1:1 macro (risk of shadowing the subject with the lens itself).

**Alex645** · 07-02-2020, 12:17 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by lazarustx

Hey folks,
I have and love my Pentax D FA Macro 100mm WR. This lens is on my KiMkii most of the time, and I find no fault with it..

I don't shoot bugs or critters so I'm not too worried about reach nor how close I do have to get...

But I do wonder if there are other macro lens that I might want to consider shooting with. I love this lens, but it might be fun to pick up a new lens and give it a try.
Rodney

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

I have macro lenses from 35mm to 150mm, all with their own strengths, and their own character...
"best" needs to be defined....

I agree with @pepperberry farm that because there are many options, and you already have an excellent DFA Pentax 100mm Macro WR, you need to show us macro images that you'd like to do but haven't been able to with your lens.

I would argue that if your macro is essentially doing what you need in terms of magnification, speed, and distance, then I'd recommend getting a ring flash for macro shots. This Metz Mecablitz 15 MS-1 Macro Ringlight Digital Flash Kit can be attached to the front of your lens and because of the increased light, will give you more depth of field and eliminate motion blur.

Metz Mecablitz 15 MS-1 Macro Ringlight Digital Flash Kit MZ

fehknt · 07-02-2020, 06:27 PM

The second macro I got after the 100mm pentax was a 15mm Laowa. If you're looking for something very different, well, it sure is different. It's not better really, just different.

**JensE** · 07-02-2020, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by lazarustx

But I do wonder if there are other macro lens that I might want to consider shooting with. I love this lens, but it might be fun to pick up a new lens and give it a try.

You already have the most compact ~100mm macro. For me, the compactness is part of the fun shooting with the DFA100WR. As you're not concerned about working distance, a much wider macro would be fun to experiment with, rather than the more bulky longer macros. The 25mm or 15mm Laowas come to mind, or even their "probe" - if you can spare such an amount. Most of them however are fully manual, so you could as well just adapt/modify something you may already have - e.g. a reversed 28mm lens, maybe even on an entension tube. There are a lot of lenses that you can use with a bit of creativity, I e.g. recently used a projector lens with a Raynox in front, with excellent results ...

If you however like convenience, start with the DF-A 50mm f/2.8 macro (or predecessors) - fairly different rendering and already a noticeable wider field of view. Also handy when you quickly need to shift between macro and 'regular' distances, because 50mm is fairly universal.

07-01-2020, 09:01 PM	#1
lazarustx Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Austin Tx Posts: 209	Is the Pentax D FA Macro 100mm WR the best macro option out there for my K1? Hey folks, I have and love my Pentax D FA Macro 100mm WR. This lens is on my KiMkii most of the time, and I find no fault with it.. I don't shoot bugs or critters so I'm not too worried about reach nor how close I do have to get... But I do wonder if there are other macro lens that I might want to consider shooting with. I love this lens, but it might be fun to pick up a new lens and give it a try. Suggestions welcome. Regards, Rodney

07-02-2020, 08:58 AM	#9
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874	. You want "the best"? Check this link out (click on the PDF file). I own two of these lenses and none of the many close-up/macro lenses I've owned over the years compare to it's sharpness and bokeh! I use them regularly on my K-1 and K10D Pentax cameras. Here's a link to a photo I recently took with this lens on my K10D. While this "Leica M39 mount" CRT Nikkor-O 55mm f/1.2 lens is expensive, it's worth the price in my opinion. Last edited by Fenwoodian; 07-02-2020 at 09:05 AM.

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07-01-2020, 09:52 PM	#2
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	I am biased and I do not have the DFA Macro 100 WR. The Pentax lens has definitely a very high reputation in this Forum and I will not speak badly about it. But .. I would argue that the 'best' macro is the Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 125mm f/2.5 SL. I own one and I use it. Most impressive and other owner of the VL125mm seem agree with a rating of 10/10 in the user reviews out of 11 reviews: Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar 125mm f2.5 Lens Reviews - Voigtlander Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database. The negative: the price and its rare avalability in the marketplace. My 5 cents...

07-01-2020, 10:53 PM	#4
bassek Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 706	I have 3 macro lenses: Sigma 70, Pentax M100 and the Sigma 180. All are terrific and different. The best for close ups is my Pentax bellows with any M-series lens attached. Mostly the M50/1.7. Seb

07-01-2020, 11:19 PM - 2 Likes	#5
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	I have macro lenses from 35mm to 150mm, all with their own strengths, and their own character... "best" needs to be defined....

07-02-2020, 01:08 AM	#6
splash_fr Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 178	It's probably not for you, since you don't need the reach, but there is the A* 200/4 as well. Reviews are kinda OK'ish! SMC Pentax-A* 200mm F4 Macro ED Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database I would say the D-FA 50 Macro might be what you want: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DFA-50mm-F2.8-Macro-Lens.html Rgds, Gerd.

07-02-2020, 07:40 AM - 1 Like	#7
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	There's the Tamron 90mm floating around out there (which I have) and it is a great macro and produces stunning photos with my K-1. Probably very similar to Pentax options but at lower cost. Note: I prefer a longer focal length macro since it gives you more lens to subject working distance than those near 50mm (at some cost of DOF).

07-02-2020, 07:51 AM	#8
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	among your Pentax choices: F 100mm F2.8 Macro FA 100mm F2.8 Macro D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro ( not WR ) * all have the same optics as the D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro * DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro * [ don't know how this would work with a K 1 ] _______________ * = I have these and like them all check the reviews

07-02-2020, 10:32 AM - 1 Like	#10
Thagomizer Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: London Ontario Posts: 2,068	The Sigma EX DG 50 and 70 f2.8 macros are both very good. Here's one from the 50: 100% of above: ...and from the 70: I've read in mamy places that "there's no such thing as a bad macro lens." Whether that's true or not, I don't know. Any I've used have been very good (including 1:2 lenses like the SMC Takumar 50, and 100 f4s, K 50 f4 and Tamron Adaptall 52BB 90mm f2.5). It's really a matter of what's going to work for you in terms of focal length, size, handling, ease of use, working distance, AF or not, A contacts or not, etc.

07-02-2020, 10:37 AM - 1 Like	#11
tryphon4 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Drome, France Posts: 304	Originally posted by pepperberry farm I have macro lenses from 35mm to 150mm, all with their own strengths, and their own character... "best" needs to be defined.... Same for me: I own macro lenses from 28mm to 180mm and choose the one I will use according to the purpose (I will not use the same lens for flowers at 1:10, insects between 1:4 and 1:1 and details between 2:1 and 5:1). I will prefer my Bresser/Oshiro/no-name 60mm F/2.8 2:1 when a short working distance is acceptable. It is full manual, sharpness is rather good and bokeh is smooth. I will choose my Mitakon 85mm 1:1-5:1 when I need huge working distance. It is full manual too. If I need a compact lens, I will use my Tamron 90mm F/2.8 Di, it is close to the Pentax 100mm WR, except that the Tamron is not WR. If I need AF and a huge working distance, my Sigma 180mm F/3.5 lens will be welcome. When I want smooth bokeh and vibrant colors, my Irix 150mm F/2.8 will be the one ; it is WR too.

07-02-2020, 10:45 AM	#12
Bertrand3000 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 2,009	I love the DFA 50 Macro and its ability to do catch-in focus. Only real problem is that you need to be at only be a few centimeters from the front element for 1:1 macro (risk of shadowing the subject with the lens itself).

07-02-2020, 12:17 PM - 1 Like	#13
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by lazarustx Hey folks, I have and love my Pentax D FA Macro 100mm WR. This lens is on my KiMkii most of the time, and I find no fault with it.. I don't shoot bugs or critters so I'm not too worried about reach nor how close I do have to get... But I do wonder if there are other macro lens that I might want to consider shooting with. I love this lens, but it might be fun to pick up a new lens and give it a try. Rodney Originally posted by pepperberry farm I have macro lenses from 35mm to 150mm, all with their own strengths, and their own character... "best" needs to be defined.... I agree with @pepperberry farm that because there are many options, and you already have an excellent DFA Pentax 100mm Macro WR, you need to show us macro images that you'd like to do but haven't been able to with your lens. I would argue that if your macro is essentially doing what you need in terms of magnification, speed, and distance, then I'd recommend getting a ring flash for macro shots. This Metz Mecablitz 15 MS-1 Macro Ringlight Digital Flash Kit can be attached to the front of your lens and because of the increased light, will give you more depth of field and eliminate motion blur. Metz Mecablitz 15 MS-1 Macro Ringlight Digital Flash Kit MZ

07-02-2020, 06:27 PM	#14
fehknt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 142	The second macro I got after the 100mm pentax was a 15mm Laowa. If you're looking for something very different, well, it sure is different. It's not better really, just different.

07-02-2020, 07:50 PM	#15
JensE Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Leipzig Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,969	Originally posted by lazarustx But I do wonder if there are other macro lens that I might want to consider shooting with. I love this lens, but it might be fun to pick up a new lens and give it a try. You already have the most compact ~100mm macro. For me, the compactness is part of the fun shooting with the DFA100WR. As you're not concerned about working distance, a much wider macro would be fun to experiment with, rather than the more bulky longer macros. The 25mm or 15mm Laowas come to mind, or even their "probe" - if you can spare such an amount. Most of them however are fully manual, so you could as well just adapt/modify something you may already have - e.g. a reversed 28mm lens, maybe even on an entension tube. There are a lot of lenses that you can use with a bit of creativity, I e.g. recently used a projector lens with a Raynox in front, with excellent results ... If you however like convenience, start with the DF-A 50mm f/2.8 macro (or predecessors) - fairly different rendering and already a noticeable wider field of view. Also handy when you quickly need to shift between macro and 'regular' distances, because 50mm is fairly universal.