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jesalonen · 01-18-2009, 08:26 AM

Hi all,

there's no limit for my questions... Just got today a second-hand DFA 100 macro. No documentation came with it, and I was left wondering what might the switch "clamp off - on" be for? Can anybody help?

BW,

Jari

Bart · 01-18-2009, 08:40 AM

Jari,

I don't have this lens myself but you can get any manual from Pentax website:

Customer Support - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site

Select Category 'Lenses' and Sub-Category 'D FA', then you download the manual.

Ivan Glisin · 01-18-2009, 08:44 AM

Originally posted by jesalonen

there's no limit for my questions... Just got today a second-hand DFA 100 macro. No documentation came with it, and I was left wondering what might the switch "clamp off - on" be for? Can anybody help?

Clamp it and try to focus. Nothing happens.

Macro lenses have magnification scale ('1/x' in addition to 'ft' and 'm' distance scale), so for certain applications you want your lens to be set and stay at, say, 1:2 magnification. Then you focus by moving the whole camera back and forth. This focusing approach is typical for macro applications.

I would prefer focus limiter on D-FA 100mm Macro, but for some reason Pentax has decided to remove limiter and leave clamp. IMO, focus limiter would be much more useful feature.

Wheatfield · 01-18-2009, 08:47 AM

Is that the focus limiter? You should be able to download a copy of the owners manual for the lens off the Pentax USA website (It will be in English though).

audiobomber · 01-18-2009, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Is that the focus limiter? You should be able to download a copy of the owners manual for the lens off the Pentax USA website (It will be in English though).

There's no fucus limiter on the D FA 100mm. As Ivan said, the clamp just locks the focussing ring for one set distance.

creampuff · 01-18-2009, 10:01 AM

The Pentax DFA macro lenses only have a focus clamp. Basically it locks the focusing ring. You can use it in a variety of ways. For example, if you want to shoot at a set magnification or distance (for example 1:1) and you focus by moving the camera forwards or backwards with your body or perhaps a focusing rail. Can also be used if you're using a copy stand to shoot documents or artwork where you don't want the focusing ring to inadvertently move or creep when shooting.

jesalonen · 01-18-2009, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by Ivan Glisin

Clamp it and try to focus. Nothing happens.

Damn! So that's what it is for... Canon had nothing like that

Thanks all, again!

01-18-2009, 08:26 AM	#1
jesalonen Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 60	D-FA 100/2.8 macro Hi all, there's no limit for my questions... Just got today a second-hand DFA 100 macro. No documentation came with it, and I was left wondering what might the switch "clamp off - on" be for? Can anybody help? BW, Jari

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01-18-2009, 08:40 AM	#2
Bart Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: WW community of Pentax users Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,646	Jari, I don't have this lens myself but you can get any manual from Pentax website: Customer Support - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site Select Category 'Lenses' and Sub-Category 'D FA', then you download the manual.

01-18-2009, 08:44 AM	#3
Ivan Glisin Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgrade Posts: 656	Originally posted by jesalonen there's no limit for my questions... Just got today a second-hand DFA 100 macro. No documentation came with it, and I was left wondering what might the switch "clamp off - on" be for? Can anybody help? Clamp it and try to focus. Nothing happens. Macro lenses have magnification scale ('1/x' in addition to 'ft' and 'm' distance scale), so for certain applications you want your lens to be set and stay at, say, 1:2 magnification. Then you focus by moving the whole camera back and forth. This focusing approach is typical for macro applications. I would prefer focus limiter on D-FA 100mm Macro, but for some reason Pentax has decided to remove limiter and leave clamp. IMO, focus limiter would be much more useful feature.

01-18-2009, 08:47 AM	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,991	Is that the focus limiter? You should be able to download a copy of the owners manual for the lens off the Pentax USA website (It will be in English though).

01-18-2009, 09:31 AM	#5
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by Wheatfield Is that the focus limiter? You should be able to download a copy of the owners manual for the lens off the Pentax USA website (It will be in English though). There's no fucus limiter on the D FA 100mm. As Ivan said, the clamp just locks the focussing ring for one set distance.

01-18-2009, 10:01 AM	#6
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	The Pentax DFA macro lenses only have a focus clamp. Basically it locks the focusing ring. You can use it in a variety of ways. For example, if you want to shoot at a set magnification or distance (for example 1:1) and you focus by moving the camera forwards or backwards with your body or perhaps a focusing rail. Can also be used if you're using a copy stand to shoot documents or artwork where you don't want the focusing ring to inadvertently move or creep when shooting.

01-18-2009, 10:03 AM	#7
jesalonen Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 60 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ivan Glisin Clamp it and try to focus. Nothing happens. Damn! So that's what it is for... Canon had nothing like that Thanks all, again!

D-FA 100/2.8 macro

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