macro lens

Sobricho · 08-15-2012, 09:11 AM

Dear colleagues,

I have a k-5 body,
Can you recommend a good macro to photograph insects details in laboratory?

thanks for your help

**jatrax** · 08-15-2012, 09:21 AM

Best current lens is the DFA 100mm f/2.8
There are also a bunch of Pentax 100mm macro lenses from M42 to k-mount M, A, F & FA any of those will work fine. If cost is an issue and manual operation is acceptable the M42 or early K-mount are fine. If cost is not an issue there is currently a Pentax-A * 200mm for sale, I think they are asking $2,500

There is also a number of third party Macro lenses in the 90 to 105mm range.

Really lots of options. And if 100mm is to long, then there are lots of 50mm ones same as the 100mm

mxlinn · 08-15-2012, 09:29 AM

Pick one from the list below and you can't go wrong with any -

1. Pentax D-AF 100mm f2.8 WR
2. Tamrom 90mm f2.8 Di SP
3. Tamron 60mm f2.0 SP Di (not sure if has in PK mount)

Personally own a D-AF 100mm, amazing color and contrast, a very sharp lens not only for macro but everything in between. I primary use it for portraits.

JohnX · 08-15-2012, 10:10 AM

Subjects alive or dead?

If dead, 35, 50 or 100 macros. If alive, 100.

Longer the lens the greater the lens to subject working distance.

**bjdavey** · 08-15-2012, 10:47 AM

You cant go wrong with the Pentax DFA 100 WR - its a wonderful lens, with IQ often compared to the Limited range. And on the K5 it produces amazingly good flash results just using the on-board flash (you can search for other posts and examples on this topic). The 100 mm length gives you reasonable distance from the subject, and also provides an excellent medium telephoto capability.

Bramela · 08-15-2012, 01:06 PM

Yep, the DFA 100mm WR, is worth very serious consideration.

**fs999** · 08-15-2012, 01:54 PM

DA* 50-135 with tube or closeup lens

cali92rs · 08-15-2012, 02:00 PM

DFA 100mm is a wonderful lens...I have one myself and its great.
HOWEVER, if you want to get more magnification than 1:1 by using extension tubes, you may be stuck because it does not have an aperture ring

Philoslothical · 08-15-2012, 02:06 PM

Everyone seems to forget the Sigma 70mm f./2.8 macro, which is scary sharp, perhaps a bit sharper than the 105mm even. Slightly less working distance than the 105mm, but a nice focal length for a lot of purposes outside of macro, too.

jimr-pdx · 08-15-2012, 02:13 PM

I let go of Tamron's 90mm to take the Sigma 50/2.8. I seldom shoot live things at 1:1 so the 50mm is ideal for me, smaller than most so I'm more likely to carry it. It's also an admirable though not-so-fast 50, a place I had filled several times but was never happy about the others. Pentax' DA35 macro looks like a wonderful lens but 50mm was a better fit for me - and oh yeah easier on the wallet as well.

fotogaffer · 08-15-2012, 02:22 PM

Another vote for the DFA 100 mm WR macro lens. Superb build and optical quality. In a lab situation the 35 macro also merits consideration although your working distance will be a lot shorter than with the 100 mm.

Verglace · 08-16-2012, 01:40 AM

another DFA100mm WR vote, if thats too expensive then maybe the Tamron 90mm.

SKwan · 08-16-2012, 05:04 AM

I have got a DFA 100 WR. Some photos are taken with it at below link.

DFA 100 WR

audiobomber · 08-16-2012, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by fotogaffer

Another vote for the DFA 100 mm WR macro lens. Superb build and optical quality. In a lab situation the 35 macro also merits consideration although your working distance will be a lot shorter than with the 100 mm.

For 1:1 macro, the DA 35 will almost be touching the insect, which is a problem if the bug is mobile and an added difficulty for lighting. I recommend a D FA 100mm for a reasonable working distance.

**TER-OR** · 08-16-2012, 08:44 AM

If dead/immoble(cold) you could consider a reversed-lens setup. That is nearly a microscope.
If in the field, the 90-100mm range is the way to go.

08-15-2012, 09:11 AM	#1
Sobricho New Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 2	macro lens Dear colleagues, I have a k-5 body, Can you recommend a good macro to photograph insects details in laboratory? thanks for your help

08-15-2012, 09:21 AM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Best current lens is the DFA 100mm f/2.8 There are also a bunch of Pentax 100mm macro lenses from M42 to k-mount M, A, F & FA any of those will work fine. If cost is an issue and manual operation is acceptable the M42 or early K-mount are fine. If cost is not an issue there is currently a Pentax-A * 200mm for sale, I think they are asking $2,500 There is also a number of third party Macro lenses in the 90 to 105mm range. Really lots of options. And if 100mm is to long, then there are lots of 50mm ones same as the 100mm Last edited by jatrax; 08-15-2012 at 09:48 AM.

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08-15-2012, 09:29 AM	#3
mxlinn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NORTHEAST USA Posts: 193	Pick one from the list below and you can't go wrong with any - 1. Pentax D-AF 100mm f2.8 WR 2. Tamrom 90mm f2.8 Di SP 3. Tamron 60mm f2.0 SP Di (not sure if has in PK mount) Personally own a D-AF 100mm, amazing color and contrast, a very sharp lens not only for macro but everything in between. I primary use it for portraits.

08-15-2012, 10:10 AM	#4
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	Subjects alive or dead? If dead, 35, 50 or 100 macros. If alive, 100. Longer the lens the greater the lens to subject working distance.

08-15-2012, 10:47 AM	#5
bjdavey Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Alexandria, VA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 162	You cant go wrong with the Pentax DFA 100 WR - its a wonderful lens, with IQ often compared to the Limited range. And on the K5 it produces amazingly good flash results just using the on-board flash (you can search for other posts and examples on this topic). The 100 mm length gives you reasonable distance from the subject, and also provides an excellent medium telephoto capability.

08-15-2012, 01:06 PM	#6
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284	Yep, the DFA 100mm WR, is worth very serious consideration.

08-15-2012, 01:54 PM	#7
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,636	DA* 50-135 with tube or closeup lens

08-15-2012, 02:00 PM	#8
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	DFA 100mm is a wonderful lens...I have one myself and its great. HOWEVER, if you want to get more magnification than 1:1 by using extension tubes, you may be stuck because it does not have an aperture ring

08-15-2012, 02:06 PM	#9
Philoslothical Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,889	Everyone seems to forget the Sigma 70mm f./2.8 macro, which is scary sharp, perhaps a bit sharper than the 105mm even. Slightly less working distance than the 105mm, but a nice focal length for a lot of purposes outside of macro, too.

08-15-2012, 02:13 PM	#10
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	I let go of Tamron's 90mm to take the Sigma 50/2.8. I seldom shoot live things at 1:1 so the 50mm is ideal for me, smaller than most so I'm more likely to carry it. It's also an admirable though not-so-fast 50, a place I had filled several times but was never happy about the others. Pentax' DA35 macro looks like a wonderful lens but 50mm was a better fit for me - and oh yeah easier on the wallet as well.

08-15-2012, 02:22 PM	#11
fotogaffer Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 716	Another vote for the DFA 100 mm WR macro lens. Superb build and optical quality. In a lab situation the 35 macro also merits consideration although your working distance will be a lot shorter than with the 100 mm.

08-16-2012, 01:40 AM	#12
Verglace Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 468	another DFA100mm WR vote, if thats too expensive then maybe the Tamron 90mm.

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08-16-2012, 05:04 AM	#13
SKwan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hong Kong Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 95	I have got a DFA 100 WR. Some photos are taken with it at below link. DFA 100 WR

08-16-2012, 05:20 AM	#14
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by fotogaffer Another vote for the DFA 100 mm WR macro lens. Superb build and optical quality. In a lab situation the 35 macro also merits consideration although your working distance will be a lot shorter than with the 100 mm. For 1:1 macro, the DA 35 will almost be touching the insect, which is a problem if the bug is mobile and an added difficulty for lighting. I recommend a D FA 100mm for a reasonable working distance.

08-16-2012, 08:44 AM	#15
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	If dead/immoble(cold) you could consider a reversed-lens setup. That is nearly a microscope. If in the field, the 90-100mm range is the way to go.