I've committed to buying a 1x1 mag. macro lens... at some point. That point in time will be determined by the price of what I decide to buy. I'm considering these three:


SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F2.8 Macro - I could do this in a month or two. Less that $200. Don't like the pics I've seen taken with this as much.
SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro - I could do this in a month or two, but no AF. Less than $200. I've seen very nice images taken with this one.
SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro - I couldn't do this for a few months to a year. Around $300 on ebay. I love the IQ of images taken with this one.

Side note: Is there a significant difference between SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro and HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro?

Okay what do you all suggest? I really like that DA 35mm but its going to be tough on the budget... gotta find some stuff to sell in a spring yardsale or something.

Thanks for your advice!


Edit: Hey everyone thank you for your replies. After rethinking things, I realize that as much as I love the DA 35mm IQ, I want a better working distance for bugs, etc.

Can you suggest any 1:1 macro lenses that can match or come close to the DA 35mm macro IQ?

[baro-nite]

This is what I have:

Thanks -- not sure any of these is an especially good candidate for use with a close-up lens. You're correct that the FA100/3.5 is 1:2 only.

Have a look at some of the third-party 90mm macro lenses, as suggested above by starjedi:

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 (model 172E) Lens Reviews - Tamron Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Tokina 90mm f2.5 AT-X Macro Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

[clackers]

I have the Tamron f2.8 and it's a great lens at a great price. The Voigtlander 125mm and 180mm photos in the Lens Club look good, too, if you're that way inclined.

[Digitalis]

The Voigtlander 125mm and 180mm photos in the Kens Club look good, too, if you're that way inclined.

Both of these lenses are manual focus ( not much of an issue for macro work) and are expensive and rather rare in Pentax K mount.

[jamarley]

Isn't that lens .5x mag, not 1x?

You are correct, but it is listed as Macro in our database. Perhaps technically not macro, but often used as such.

[BrianR]

If you're set on the 2.8 aperture there are often DFA 100 (non WR) from Japan on eBay for a little under $300.

+1 for this, it's been turning up used in the marketplace for around that price. It's a decent savings over the newer WR version. It also has quick shift auto-focus, a big plus over the FA macros for when you are making use of AF. The dfa100 is also great for 'normal' use, not just close-ups, so AF does come in handy.