[aaronius]

Hi guys, I need your advice. I have been following the DFA 100mm WR since it was announced and it is now available for sales in my region. I currently own the 18-55mm kit lens, FA35 and DA70.

Currently I am using the DA70 as my portrait lens and also as a medium telephoto lens for street photography. However I am very tempted to get the DFA 100mm WR to replace the DA70 as it has a longer reach and I heard the bokeh is quite special in a good way due to the curved aperture blades. Anyway the F2.4 of the DA70 is about the same as F2.8 in my opinion. Plus since I don't have a macro lens and the DFA 100 WR is a macro lens, its a bonus too since I can take macro as well.

My questions are:

1) In terms of IQ, should I sell off my DA70 and get the DFA 100 WR?

2) Will the DFA 100 WR serves my purpose better than the DA 70 as a portrait and street photography lens?

[Pentaxor]

do you really need the extra reach?

those are 2 lenses made for different settings. you might find the 100mm too long for indoors that require some wideness at close proximities.

[aaronius]

I think the extra reach will be useful as I do shoot some fashion shows or dance performances from time to time and the extra 30mm will be useful. I guess one downside is the AF will be slower due to the long throw.

do you really need the extra reach?

those are 2 lenses made for different settings. you might find the 100mm too long for indoors that require some wideness at close proximities.

I would say no. DA 70 is too good of a lens to let go, especially in place of D FA 100, not that there is anything wrong with it.

[Marc Sabatella]

The difference in focal length is noticeable. I find 70 more useful for portraits and "street" photography (which in this context I take to means candids from a bit of distance), but 100 more useful in my concert photography, since I mainly shoot closeups. My 100 is the regular M non-macro version, BTW, so I can't comment about bokeh or anything else about IQ. Overall, I wouldn't heitate to make the swap if your main concern was anything other than portraits, but 100mm is definitely on the tight side. Not unusable by any means, of course. If you've got a telephoto zoom, I'd suggest using at 100m for a while to see how it suits you.

Of course, the 70 is less than half the size and weight of the D-FA 100, although the latter can hardly be called large. But I'd personally find the difference significant. But I have considered the possibility of replacing both the 70 and my M135/3.5 with the 100 macro.

[Pentaxor]

I think the extra reach will be useful as I do shoot some fashion shows or dance performances from time to time and the extra 30mm will be useful. I guess one downside is the AF will be slower due to the long throw.

then I think you will need both then. the 70mm focal range is indispensable when the situation calls for it (which is more often). the 100mm can be really useful for macro and slight longer telephoto. it is also very useful for fashion shows and other events with quite a distance. I have both focal lengths, and I would say that the 70mm is more useful or versatile.

[Tuner571]

I think that you should keep the 70mm and then get the 100mm as well. If I had the money I would but both of these lenses because both are absolutly amazing and both have very different purposes. For example the D-FA 100mm is WR while the DA 70mm is not and the 100mm also has a macro function while the 70mm does not as well.

[SOldBear]

If money is not a problem, keep the DA70 and buy the DFA100WR macro.

If money is tight, keep the DA70 and buy the Tamron 90mm macro. The cost is probably the same as selling the DA70 and buy the DFA100WR macro.

[rustynail925]

Hows the IQ of the DFA compare to the Tamron?
Does the DFA have focus limiter?

[creampuff]

I think overall, you'll find the DFA100mm WR to be the more versatile lens.
While the DA70 is nice and sharp, compact in size and focuses pretty quick, for a prime lens it's max aperture just isn't wide enough imo, which is why in terms of blurring the background, it will always play second fiddle to the likes of the more expensive FA77, DA*50-135 and even the DFA100WR. Personally, the new DFA100 is just so much better than the Tamron.

[rparmar]

From what I have seen online, the new DFA 100mm macro is a great lens with nice IQ. But of course the DA70 has great imaging as well. I doubt there is much between them on that score. So it all depends. Do you want:

1. Weather-sealing. Macro capability. Longer reach.

2. Smaller size and weight. Wider field of view.

It seems from your post that the longer focal length is the real draw. So sell up then!

Though I will also suggest that if you want macro for a cheaper price, buy a Raynox adapter. I use a screw-in adapter with my FA77 and it rocks.

[montman]

I have both lenses. The only warning with the 100 WR is if you miss focused you have to wait for eternity for it to lock back on. So if you are shooting in somewhat low light this could be a huge pain. The focusing range on the 100 WR is very extreme because it is a macro. On another note, it is quite nice being able to shoot from 2.8 to 5.6 and still get perfect bokeh circles with the rounded aperture blades.

[GeneV]

Both lenses will cover full frame (with some caveats), but lack aperture rings, so both are not usable on some of the "classic" film bodies.

[aaronius]

I really love the DA70 especially its colour rendering and the fast AF. But I am not sure if I will be able to stomach the DFA 100mm WR financially if I do not sell the DA70 as it is quite expensive. I do not really need a macro lens at the moment.

What is pulling me towards the DFA 100mm WR more however is it's bokeh rendering, the longer reach for stage performances and the supposedly better IQ. I don't have a friend who owns the DFA now, so I can't do a comparison. Anyone who owns both lenses can comment on the IQ?

I am assuming the IQ is about the same and as the DA70mm's F2.4 is more akin to F2.8. That will make both lenses equal in speed as well. As what others said, the DFA will loses out in terms of AF I supposed..

[rustynail925]

Im not sure about the DFA 100 WR since i havent seen any reviews of the lens and since
money is an issue for you why not try the Tamron 90 Macro so you can keep your DA70