Irix Dragonfly 150mm Macro

Ishpuini · 10-01-2018, 06:28 AM - **4 Likes**

I visited the Irix booth at Photokina on Saturday and chatted to one of the guys there. The 150 is one nicely build piece of kit!! There's a few reasons I might add it to my bag.

It seems the sealing is pretty tight and Irix are very confident it should protect the lens against most elements.

Compared to my Sigma EX180/3.5: It's not that different in terms of FoV and the difference in working distance is much less than the nominative 46cm closest focus distance of the Sigma compared to the 35cm of the Irix. The Irix having a considerably shorter body and a shorter hood makes up for a lot of the 11cm difference. And of course its smaller size makes the Irix easier to put in a bag along with other stuff. The tripod mount on the Irix will be Arca Swiss, whereas the Sigma's tripod mount requires an additional plate so extra bulk and an extra screw that might come loose.

Compared to my DFA100/2.8: Without the hood, unexpectedly both lenses are about equal length when focused at 1:1. With the hood the DFA100 is noticeably shorter since its hood attaches to the fixed part of the lens body. The 50mm difference does make for a more important difference in FoV, esp when using for non macro subjects.

In short, I feel the Irix 150mm can complement the DFA100/2.8 whereas it is much more of a competitor to the 180mm.

Of course the Irix 150 is MF, but for that purpose the lens has a beautiful focusing ring! Contrary to most other MF offerings (I'm thinking Samyang and Laowa specifically), Irix lenses are chipped and they provide focal length information to the camera. At least the 11mm and 15mm do. The pre-production copy of the 150mm I tried at Photokina didn't yet, but I was assured that the final production copies will. To me that's a clear advantage to the Samyang 100/2.8 macro or the Laowa macros that I tried so far. I forget to adjust the focal length on start-up of my camera all too often, which is a problem on shoots where I use more than one MF that doesn't pass the info to the body.

Another advantage to me is the filter size, which is 77mm. This happens to be the filter size of most of my filters, the main lenses I use filters on being my DA*16-50/2.8 and the Samyangs that all share the same filter size.

I wasn't counting on it, but I might be persuaded to put my Sigma EX180/3.5 into the retirement home and start a new relationship with this Irix instead.

Wim

Last edited by Ishpuini; 10-01-2018 at 08:09 AM.

awscreo · 10-01-2018, 08:39 AM

Originally posted by bdery

That is correct. The question is whether these gaskets make the lens truly WR or just "better than nothing".

Probably the latter. But, wouldn't using in a filter (for the 15mm 2.4) prevent moisture as well? Then even the cheaper lens becomes somewhat weather resistant.

bdery · 10-01-2018, 12:58 PM

Originally posted by awscreo

Probably the latter. But, wouldn't using in a filter (for the 15mm 2.4) prevent moisture as well? Then even the cheaper lens becomes somewhat weather resistant.

A filter will help, and with an internal focus prime might be enough. With an external focus zoom it's another story...

Doundounba · 10-02-2018, 09:19 AM

I wonder how much focus breathing there is and what is the effective FL at 1:1...

Mistral75 · 10-02-2018, 09:47 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Doundounba

I wonder how much focus breathing there is and what is the effective FL at 1:1...

At 1:1 the distance between the subject and the sensor (a.k.a. the focusing distance) is equal to four times the focal length. Hence the focal length of the Irix Dragonfly at 1:1 is equal to 350 ÷ 4 = 87.5mm.

The focal length of the smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro WR at 1:1 is equal to 303 ÷ 4 = 75.8mm.

That of the smc Pentax-FA★ 200mm f/4 Macro ED [IF] was equal to 510 ÷ 4 = 127.5mm.

Doundounba · 10-09-2018, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by Mistral75

At 1:1 the distance between the subject and the sensor (a.k.a. the focusing distance) is equal to four times the focal length. Hence the focal length of the Irix Dragonfly at 1:1 is equal to 350 ÷ 4 = 87.5mm.

The focal length of the smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro WR at 1:1 is equal to 303 ÷ 4 = 75.8mm.

That of the smc Pentax-FA★ 200mm f/4 Macro ED [IF] was equal to 510 ÷ 4 = 127.5mm.

Thanks for the info! That's a lot of breathing - though I guess it just might be par for the course for internal focus macros...? The lens has 50% more FL than the D-FA 100mm, but that difference shrinks to just 15% more at MFD. The breathing will limit the usefulness of this lens with a diopter. (I.E. at MFD, adding a diopter won't give that much more magnification than what you get with the same diopter on the D-FA 100mm, since the effectiveness of a diopter relates directly to focal length...)

stevebrot · 10-09-2018, 05:56 PM

Originally posted by Mistral75

Right. Irix lenses are KA lenses, not KAF. So far (but I don't think their first autofocus lens would be a macro lens).

Irix lenses so far are KA2, meaning that they are manual focus, but also have the data contact. This is cool because at the very least, the lens provides focal length and an id code to the camera. Potentially, they might also provide focus distance information useful for P-TTL flash.

Steve

Mistral75 · 10-13-2018, 06:18 AM

Around $/€600? That would be nice if true.

First Look: Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro Lens (Photokina 2018) - LensVid.com

sculptor666 · 11-05-2018, 04:53 PM

available for pre-order at $595
IRIX 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Lens for Pentax K B&H Photo Video

**WillWeaverRVA** · 11-06-2018, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by sculptor666

available for pre-order at $595
IRIX 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Lens for Pentax K B&H Photo Video

That is a really, really good price for a lens like this. Hmm...

starjedi · 11-06-2018, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by Mistral75

Around $/€600? That would be nice if true.

First Look: Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro Lens (Photokina 2018) - LensVid.com

It is reasonably priced! Should be in my year end radar!

Wasp · 11-08-2018, 02:11 AM

Here is the official announcement for pre-orders:

Irix Lens 150mm Macro 1:1 f/2,8 Dragonfly for Pentax

One of these would look very good under my Christmas tree.

Class A · 11-08-2018, 03:18 AM

Originally posted by Ishpuini

I wasn't counting on it, but I might be persuaded to put my Sigma EX180/3.5 into the retirement home and start a new relationship with this Irix instead.

Let me know if you are looking for a buyer.

Mike.P® · 11-08-2018, 04:59 AM

Originally posted by Class A

Let me know if you are looking for a buyer.

I am selling mine (I have it advertised on UK Pentax forum) but postage costs to New Zeland would be very high.

RonHendriks1966 · 11-08-2018, 07:48 AM

Originally posted by Wasp

Here is the official announcement for pre-orders:

Irix Lens 150mm Macro 1:1 f/2,8 Dragonfly for Pentax

One of these would look very good under my Christmas tree.

Write a Letter to Santa online and get an instant reply!

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10-01-2018, 06:28 AM - 4 Likes	#91
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	I visited the Irix booth at Photokina on Saturday and chatted to one of the guys there. The 150 is one nicely build piece of kit!! There's a few reasons I might add it to my bag. It seems the sealing is pretty tight and Irix are very confident it should protect the lens against most elements. Compared to my Sigma EX180/3.5: It's not that different in terms of FoV and the difference in working distance is much less than the nominative 46cm closest focus distance of the Sigma compared to the 35cm of the Irix. The Irix having a considerably shorter body and a shorter hood makes up for a lot of the 11cm difference. And of course its smaller size makes the Irix easier to put in a bag along with other stuff. The tripod mount on the Irix will be Arca Swiss, whereas the Sigma's tripod mount requires an additional plate so extra bulk and an extra screw that might come loose. Compared to my DFA100/2.8: Without the hood, unexpectedly both lenses are about equal length when focused at 1:1. With the hood the DFA100 is noticeably shorter since its hood attaches to the fixed part of the lens body. The 50mm difference does make for a more important difference in FoV, esp when using for non macro subjects. In short, I feel the Irix 150mm can complement the DFA100/2.8 whereas it is much more of a competitor to the 180mm. Of course the Irix 150 is MF, but for that purpose the lens has a beautiful focusing ring! Contrary to most other MF offerings (I'm thinking Samyang and Laowa specifically), Irix lenses are chipped and they provide focal length information to the camera. At least the 11mm and 15mm do. The pre-production copy of the 150mm I tried at Photokina didn't yet, but I was assured that the final production copies will. To me that's a clear advantage to the Samyang 100/2.8 macro or the Laowa macros that I tried so far. I forget to adjust the focal length on start-up of my camera all too often, which is a problem on shoots where I use more than one MF that doesn't pass the info to the body. Another advantage to me is the filter size, which is 77mm. This happens to be the filter size of most of my filters, the main lenses I use filters on being my DA16-50/2.8 and the Samyangs that all share the same filter size. I wasn't counting on it, but I might be persuaded to put my Sigma EX180/3.5 into the retirement home and start a new relationship with this Irix instead. Wim Last edited by Ishpuini; 10-01-2018 at 08:09 AM.*

10-01-2018, 08:39 AM	#92
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722	Originally posted by bdery That is correct. The question is whether these gaskets make the lens truly WR or just "better than nothing". Probably the latter. But, wouldn't using in a filter (for the 15mm 2.4) prevent moisture as well? Then even the cheaper lens becomes somewhat weather resistant.

10-01-2018, 12:58 PM	#93
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by awscreo Probably the latter. But, wouldn't using in a filter (for the 15mm 2.4) prevent moisture as well? Then even the cheaper lens becomes somewhat weather resistant. A filter will help, and with an internal focus prime might be enough. With an external focus zoom it's another story...

10-02-2018, 09:19 AM	#94
Doundounba Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montréal QC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,351	I wonder how much focus breathing there is and what is the effective FL at 1:1...

10-02-2018, 09:47 AM - 1 Like	#95
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527 Original Poster	Originally posted by Doundounba I wonder how much focus breathing there is and what is the effective FL at 1:1... At 1:1 the distance between the subject and the sensor (a.k.a. the focusing distance) is equal to four times the focal length. Hence the focal length of the Irix Dragonfly at 1:1 is equal to 350 ÷ 4 = 87.5mm. The focal length of the smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro WR at 1:1 is equal to 303 ÷ 4 = 75.8mm. That of the smc Pentax-FA★ 200mm f/4 Macro ED [IF] was equal to 510 ÷ 4 = 127.5mm.

10-09-2018, 11:23 AM	#96
Doundounba Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montréal QC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,351	Originally posted by Mistral75 At 1:1 the distance between the subject and the sensor (a.k.a. the focusing distance) is equal to four times the focal length. Hence the focal length of the Irix Dragonfly at 1:1 is equal to 350 ÷ 4 = 87.5mm. The focal length of the smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro WR at 1:1 is equal to 303 ÷ 4 = 75.8mm. That of the smc Pentax-FA★ 200mm f/4 Macro ED [IF] was equal to 510 ÷ 4 = 127.5mm. Thanks for the info! That's a lot of breathing - though I guess it just might be par for the course for internal focus macros...? The lens has 50% more FL than the D-FA 100mm, but that difference shrinks to just 15% more at MFD. The breathing will limit the usefulness of this lens with a diopter. (I.E. at MFD, adding a diopter won't give that much more magnification than what you get with the same diopter on the D-FA 100mm, since the effectiveness of a diopter relates directly to focal length...)

10-09-2018, 05:56 PM	#97
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Mistral75 Right. Irix lenses are KA lenses, not KAF. So far (but I don't think their first autofocus lens would be a macro lens). Irix lenses so far are KA2, meaning that they are manual focus, but also have the data contact. This is cool because at the very least, the lens provides focal length and an id code to the camera. Potentially, they might also provide focus distance information useful for P-TTL flash. Steve

10-13-2018, 06:18 AM	#98
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527 Original Poster	Around $/€600? That would be nice if true. First Look: Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro Lens (Photokina 2018) - LensVid.com

11-05-2018, 04:53 PM	#99
sculptor666 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 675	available for pre-order at $595 IRIX 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Lens for Pentax K B&H Photo Video

11-06-2018, 01:14 PM	#100
WillWeaverRVA Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Richmond, VA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,071	Originally posted by sculptor666 available for pre-order at $595 IRIX 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Lens for Pentax K B&H Photo Video That is a really, really good price for a lens like this. Hmm...

11-06-2018, 02:04 PM	#101
starjedi Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 932	Originally posted by Mistral75 Around $/€600? That would be nice if true. First Look: Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro Lens (Photokina 2018) - LensVid.com It is reasonably priced! Should be in my year end radar!

11-08-2018, 02:11 AM	#102
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	Here is the official announcement for pre-orders: Irix Lens 150mm Macro 1:1 f/2,8 Dragonfly for Pentax One of these would look very good under my Christmas tree.

11-08-2018, 03:18 AM	#103
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by Ishpuini I wasn't counting on it, but I might be persuaded to put my Sigma EX180/3.5 into the retirement home and start a new relationship with this Irix instead. Let me know if you are looking for a buyer.

11-08-2018, 04:59 AM	#104
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Originally posted by Class A Let me know if you are looking for a buyer. I am selling mine (I have it advertised on UK Pentax forum) but postage costs to New Zeland would be very high.

11-08-2018, 07:48 AM	#105
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by Wasp Here is the official announcement for pre-orders: Irix Lens 150mm Macro 1:1 f/2,8 Dragonfly for Pentax One of these would look very good under my Christmas tree. Write a Letter to Santa online and get an instant reply!