Comparison between the old and new 100mm macros. Contains many large images

sebberry · 12-01-2022, 01:07 PM

Thanks for the effort on the comparison!

I always thought the 100 macro was an odd one to update when we have lenses like the 50-135 that are surely more flexible left to stagnate. Seems that if Pentax wanted to sell more bodies, refreshing general purpose, high quality lenses like the 50-135 would be a priority (they did it with the 16-50...)

northcoastgreg · 12-03-2022, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by btnapa

The samples that Ricoh showed when they introduced showed a much more pronounced purple fringing.

The only samples I've seen were shot in very bright light — direct sunlight. Is that perhaps what is needed to really bring out pronounced purple fringing. I have to admit that, although I have owned the DFA 100 WR lens for twelves years, I've never had the fringing problem that some people complain about and was actually surprised when I saw those Ricoh samples. But then again, I never shoot macros in bright light.

normhead · 12-03-2022, 04:47 PM

Quote:

But then again, I never shoot macros in bright light.

Smart people don't. The DR always gets you.

**Rondec** · 12-04-2022, 04:06 AM

Originally posted by northcoastgreg

The only samples I've seen were shot in very bright light — direct sunlight. Is that perhaps what is needed to really bring out pronounced purple fringing. I have to admit that, although I have owned the DFA 100 WR lens for twelves years, I've never had the fringing problem that some people complain about and was actually surprised when I saw those Ricoh samples. But then again, I never shoot macros in bright light.

I think the issue is if you use the DFA 100 macro for things other than macro. I have used it to do portraits of my kids and it actually works nicely (its probably too sharp), but if you do that or shoot landscapes with some back lit tree branches you suddenly see the purple fringing glowing in different spots.

Shooting macro I seldom shoot backlit and so fringing is pretty mild most of the time for those shots.

**dronegeek** · 12-05-2022, 06:04 PM

Thanks for the comparison. On the wider shot do you think the new lens carries a bit more contrast?

Wheatfield · 12-05-2022, 06:18 PM

Originally posted by dronegeek

Thanks for the comparison. On the wider shot do you think the new lens carries a bit more contrast?

It seems to. I think I will do another comparison tomorrow or the next day with a better lighting set up.

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12-01-2022, 01:07 PM	#16
sebberry Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Frozen white North Photos: Albums Posts: 1,135	Thanks for the effort on the comparison! I always thought the 100 macro was an odd one to update when we have lenses like the 50-135 that are surely more flexible left to stagnate. Seems that if Pentax wanted to sell more bodies, refreshing general purpose, high quality lenses like the 50-135 would be a priority (they did it with the 16-50...)

12-03-2022, 02:51 PM	#17
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	Originally posted by btnapa The samples that Ricoh showed when they introduced showed a much more pronounced purple fringing. The only samples I've seen were shot in very bright light — direct sunlight. Is that perhaps what is needed to really bring out pronounced purple fringing. I have to admit that, although I have owned the DFA 100 WR lens for twelves years, I've never had the fringing problem that some people complain about and was actually surprised when I saw those Ricoh samples. But then again, I never shoot macros in bright light.

12-03-2022, 04:47 PM	#18
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Quote: But then again, I never shoot macros in bright light. Smart people don't. The DR always gets you.

12-04-2022, 04:06 AM	#19
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,651	Originally posted by northcoastgreg The only samples I've seen were shot in very bright light — direct sunlight. Is that perhaps what is needed to really bring out pronounced purple fringing. I have to admit that, although I have owned the DFA 100 WR lens for twelves years, I've never had the fringing problem that some people complain about and was actually surprised when I saw those Ricoh samples. But then again, I never shoot macros in bright light. I think the issue is if you use the DFA 100 macro for things other than macro. I have used it to do portraits of my kids and it actually works nicely (its probably too sharp), but if you do that or shoot landscapes with some back lit tree branches you suddenly see the purple fringing glowing in different spots. Shooting macro I seldom shoot backlit and so fringing is pretty mild most of the time for those shots.

12-05-2022, 06:04 PM	#20
dronegeek Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Euless Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 268	Thanks for the comparison. On the wider shot do you think the new lens carries a bit more contrast?

12-05-2022, 06:18 PM	#21
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,980 Original Poster	Originally posted by dronegeek Thanks for the comparison. On the wider shot do you think the new lens carries a bit more contrast? It seems to. I think I will do another comparison tomorrow or the next day with a better lighting set up.

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