Originally posted by Rondec For all the talk about mirrorless lenses and internal focus motors, the HD DFA 100 macro is 500 dollars on B and H photo. It takes a 49mm filter and size-wise, is 348 grams and 65 by 80.5 mm.
In comparison, the Canon RF 100 macro is1100 dollars, takes a 67mm filter and is 81.5 by 148mm with a weight of 730 grams -- it does do 1.4x macro as compared to the DFA 100 macro. The Nikon Z 105mm macro is 950 dollars, takes 62mm filter size and is 85 by 140mm in size with a weight of 630 grams.
Personally, I would be willing to deal with screw drive, to have half the weight and significantly smaller size -- plus 49mm lens filters. I also think that if Pentax could add the software focus limiter to cameras going forward and maybe include the K-1 II with that, that would help auto focus functionality out a lot.
Yeah, the DFA 100 is fantastic size-wise - and it still packs a very good optical punch. Even the RF 85/2 (yes, one stop faster, but only manages 1:2 magnification) is 500 dollars, weighs 500 g and has a 67mm filter size...
I think the only real contender* to the DFA 100 Macro, size-wise, is the
old Model 52 90/2.5 Tamron Macro, which is an even more venerable optical design. It's just a touch heavier/larger at 405 g/52mm filter, and a bit faster... but it also only manages 1:2 mag (without the matched extender, at least).
*Provided you find one, lol.