Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro

**Des** · 06-03-2019, 04:30 PM

Originally posted by K2 to K50

1: Did you use any tele-converter or magnifier for those bee (wasp??) shots, or just the 100mm Macro?

No just the lens.

Originally posted by K2 to K50

2: With the 100mm Macro, how close would you have to get to get that kind of shot ( and is what we see here the original, or cropped?)

I can't remember exactly. The minimum focus distance (MFD) is 30cm. I was probably close to that for the first two, but further for the third (you can see the difference in the DOF, even though the first two were f11 and f10 and the third f8). Each is cropped from the original 20mp (taken with the K-S2), but not massively: the first to 16.3mp, the second to 17.8mp and the third to 10mp.

Originally posted by K2 to K50

I ... am wondering for instance, how close the100mm Macro needs to get compared, say, to my old Pentax M 50mm Macro

I gather the M50 macro has a maximum magnification of about 1:2. So even at its MFD of 23cm you would only get half the magnification of the DFA 100. And it could be challenging at times to get as close as 23cm to an insect in the field. I've got the FA 50 f2.8 macro (which is a 1:1 lens) but I rarely use it for true macro. To get 1:1 reproduction you need to be at 19cm from the subject and that isn't easy for insects. One of the 1:1 macros in the 90mm - 105mm range is going to be easier for shooting things that move.

Originally posted by K2 to K50

The only working flash I have at the moment is the built-in flash on my K50: probably not that useful for close-ups.

This is a topic for another thread, but people have shown a lot of ingenuity in using their popup flash for macro. Here's just one example: Macro with pop-up flash & snoot - PentaxForums.com Plenty of threads on PF about cheap flash/diffuser setups for macro.

Last edited by Des; 06-07-2019 at 01:53 PM.

**K2 to K50** · 06-03-2019, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by Des

No just the lens.

This is a topic for another thread, but people have shown a lot of ingenuity in using their popup flash for macro. Here's just one example: Macro with pop-up flash & snoot - PentaxForums.com Plenty of threads on PF about cheap flash/diffuser setups for macro.

Thanks for your info, Des. I followed that link: that "snoot" contraption was fascinating, and the two bug shots amazing.

Again, thank you!

**K2 to K50** · 06-07-2019, 01:29 AM

Well guys, just ordered the F2.8 100mm macro lens from DCxpert through eBay during the big EOFY discount for $559.00

**Des** · 06-07-2019, 01:57 PM - **9 Likes**

Originally posted by K2 to K50

Well guys, just ordered the F2.8 100mm macro lens from DCxpert through eBay during the big EOFY discount for $559.00

Congratulations. It's a fine lens.

Some of our resident birds. Lewin's Honeyeater.

Little Wattlebird

Eastern Yellow Robin

Olive Whistler

Grey Shrike-thrush family. In order, mum (Romola), dad (Orlando) and chick. The photo of Orlando was with my Kenko 1.5xTC mounted as well.

Last edited by Des; 06-30-2019 at 09:12 PM.

**K2 to K50** · 06-07-2019, 06:08 PM

Thanks Des.

Great shots of small birds - sharp detail of all the tiny bristles and patterns. Beautiful.

**Des** · 06-07-2019, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by K2 to K50

Great shots of small birds - sharp detail of all the tiny bristles and patterns. Beautiful.

Thanks. Yes the detail with this lens is second to none. The bokeh can be very pleasant too. But you need very tame birds too. ;-)

**K2 to K50** · 06-21-2019, 12:17 AM - **2 Likes**

Here are 3 shots I am not too unhappy with taken on the K50 with my new 100mm Macro in a friend's garden:

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Last edited by K2 to K50; 06-30-2019 at 03:15 AM. Reason: Correct links

**Des** · 06-21-2019, 04:54 PM

Originally posted by K2 to K50

Here are 3 shots I am not too unhappy with taken on the K50 with my new 100mm Macro in a friend's garden:

Nice colours, nice bokeh. You immediately see the difficulty in getting enough DOF (when you are not trying to isolate one particular point on the subject).

**K2 to K50** · 06-22-2019, 02:07 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Des

Nice colours, nice bokeh. You immediately see the difficulty in getting enough DOF (when you are not trying to isolate one particular point on the subject).

Thanks Des.

Yeh, could have done with a little more DOF in the second picture - would have got more of the ants in sharper focus. shot at F7 - should have gone up to F16 maybe.

Was having intermittent probs with the shutter locking up - was using a Vello pistol grip with cable as below

May have been occasionally knocking the Lock button with my fingers!!

And the last shot definitely need a higher F stop than the F5.

Need to train myself to pay more attention to these issues for each photograph - maybe even take multiple shots with different F stops to give myself a better chance of ending up with the result I want.

Will be going back to this friend's garden with that in mind.

**K2 to K50** · 06-28-2019, 01:27 AM - **2 Likes**

It all happened 3 days ago:

New Pentax KP (black body); new Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Lens; new Pentax HD DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens
Christmas came early!

So paired up the (3 weeks new) 100 F2.8 Macro with the new KP for a quick and dirty road test: some of these are crops from the original: to view the original DNG raw files, go here:

Microsoft OneDrive - Access files anywhere. Create docs with free Office Online.

**pepperberry farm** · 06-29-2019, 04:53 AM - **3 Likes**

recently arrived, only a couple of outings with it so far:

normhead · 06-29-2019, 06:21 AM - **3 Likes**

From a few days ago, I forgot to post.
K-1 and DFA 100 2.8 macro WR

**DW58** · 06-29-2019, 08:38 AM - **2 Likes**

Posted elsewhere as well. Was shooting for bokeh so was using f/3.2. Didn't like it so I cropped the image big time and ended up with this. K-1 II.

normhead · 06-29-2019, 06:10 PM - **5 Likes**

A few from today.
K-1 and DFA 100 MACRO.

northcoastgreg · 07-01-2019, 06:52 PM - **2 Likes**

Coast of Crescent City, CA, with the K-1:

06-21-2019, 12:17 AM - 2 Likes	#97
K2 to K50 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Ipswich QLD Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,794	Bob's Flowers Here are 3 shots I am not too unhappy with taken on the K50 with my new 100mm Macro in a friend's garden: Last edited by K2 to K50; 06-30-2019 at 03:15 AM. Reason: Correct links

06-29-2019, 06:21 AM - 3 Likes	#102
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	From a few days ago, I forgot to post. K-1 and DFA 100 2.8 macro WR Last edited by normhead; 06-29-2019 at 06:28 AM.

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06-03-2019, 04:30 PM	#91
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by K2 to K50 1: Did you use any tele-converter or magnifier for those bee (wasp??) shots, or just the 100mm Macro? No just the lens. Originally posted by K2 to K50 2: With the 100mm Macro, how close would you have to get to get that kind of shot ( and is what we see here the original, or cropped?) I can't remember exactly. The minimum focus distance (MFD) is 30cm. I was probably close to that for the first two, but further for the third (you can see the difference in the DOF, even though the first two were f11 and f10 and the third f8). Each is cropped from the original 20mp (taken with the K-S2), but not massively: the first to 16.3mp, the second to 17.8mp and the third to 10mp. Originally posted by K2 to K50 I ... am wondering for instance, how close the100mm Macro needs to get compared, say, to my old Pentax M 50mm Macro I gather the M50 macro has a maximum magnification of about 1:2. So even at its MFD of 23cm you would only get half the magnification of the DFA 100. And it could be challenging at times to get as close as 23cm to an insect in the field. I've got the FA 50 f2.8 macro (which is a 1:1 lens) but I rarely use it for true macro. To get 1:1 reproduction you need to be at 19cm from the subject and that isn't easy for insects. One of the 1:1 macros in the 90mm - 105mm range is going to be easier for shooting things that move. Originally posted by K2 to K50 The only working flash I have at the moment is the built-in flash on my K50: probably not that useful for close-ups. This is a topic for another thread, but people have shown a lot of ingenuity in using their popup flash for macro. Here's just one example: Macro with pop-up flash & snoot - PentaxForums.com Plenty of threads on PF about cheap flash/diffuser setups for macro. Last edited by Des; 06-07-2019 at 01:53 PM.

06-03-2019, 05:10 PM	#92
K2 to K50 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Ipswich QLD Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,794	Originally posted by Des No just the lens. This is a topic for another thread, but people have shown a lot of ingenuity in using their popup flash for macro. Here's just one example: Macro with pop-up flash & snoot - PentaxForums.com Plenty of threads on PF about cheap flash/diffuser setups for macro. Thanks for your info, Des. I followed that link: that "snoot" contraption was fascinating, and the two bug shots amazing. Again, thank you!

06-07-2019, 01:29 AM	#93
K2 to K50 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Ipswich QLD Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,794	Well guys, just ordered the F2.8 100mm macro lens from DCxpert through eBay during the big EOFY discount for $559.00

06-07-2019, 01:57 PM - 9 Likes	#94
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by K2 to K50 Well guys, just ordered the F2.8 100mm macro lens from DCxpert through eBay during the big EOFY discount for $559.00 Congratulations. It's a fine lens. Some of our resident birds. Lewin's Honeyeater. Little Wattlebird Eastern Yellow Robin Olive Whistler Grey Shrike-thrush family. In order, mum (Romola), dad (Orlando) and chick. The photo of Orlando was with my Kenko 1.5xTC mounted as well. Last edited by Des; 06-30-2019 at 09:12 PM.

06-07-2019, 06:08 PM	#95
K2 to K50 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Ipswich QLD Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,794	Thanks Des. Great shots of small birds - sharp detail of all the tiny bristles and patterns. Beautiful.

06-07-2019, 09:28 PM	#96
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by K2 to K50 Great shots of small birds - sharp detail of all the tiny bristles and patterns. Beautiful. Thanks. Yes the detail with this lens is second to none. The bokeh can be very pleasant too. But you need very tame birds too. ;-)

06-21-2019, 04:54 PM	#98
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by K2 to K50 Here are 3 shots I am not too unhappy with taken on the K50 with my new 100mm Macro in a friend's garden: Nice colours, nice bokeh. You immediately see the difficulty in getting enough DOF (when you are not trying to isolate one particular point on the subject).

06-22-2019, 02:07 AM - 1 Like	#99
K2 to K50 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Ipswich QLD Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,794	Originally posted by Des Nice colours, nice bokeh. You immediately see the difficulty in getting enough DOF (when you are not trying to isolate one particular point on the subject). Thanks Des. Yeh, could have done with a little more DOF in the second picture - would have got more of the ants in sharper focus. shot at F7 - should have gone up to F16 maybe. Was having intermittent probs with the shutter locking up - was using a Vello pistol grip with cable as below May have been occasionally knocking the Lock button with my fingers!! And the last shot definitely need a higher F stop than the F5. Need to train myself to pay more attention to these issues for each photograph - maybe even take multiple shots with different F stops to give myself a better chance of ending up with the result I want. Will be going back to this friend's garden with that in mind.

06-29-2019, 04:53 AM - 3 Likes	#101
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	recently arrived, only a couple of outings with it so far:

06-29-2019, 08:38 AM - 2 Likes	#103
DW58 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Rural Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,064	Posted elsewhere as well. Was shooting for bokeh so was using f/3.2. Didn't like it so I cropped the image big time and ended up with this. K-1 II.

06-29-2019, 06:10 PM - 5 Likes	#104
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	A few from today. K-1 and DFA 100 MACRO.

07-01-2019, 06:52 PM - 2 Likes	#105
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	Coast of Crescent City, CA, with the K-1: