Updated Roadmap: New 100mm Macro Coming

Kunzite · 08-06-2022, 07:26 AM

Originally posted by Serkevan

Again, the point is that the DFA 100 has to move the *entire* lens, half the barrel included, to focus.

Yes. Not an issue.

**Serkevan** · 08-06-2022, 07:27 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Yes. Not an issue.

Then the DFA*85 could have used the DC motor instead of needing a ring-type SDM. It's a very simple matter of weight.

Kunzite · 08-06-2022, 07:44 AM

Originally posted by Serkevan

Then the DFA*85 could have used the DC motor instead of needing a ring-type SDM. It's a very simple matter of weight.

The D FA* 85mm has an unusually large focus group, and it's a different lens.

Look, I'm not saying it would be fast; but DC lens on a 100mm macro is definitely possible. DC is not PLM; it was even used in lenses like the DA 560mm.
The Tokina 100 macro used a similar motor for the Canon mount.

thibs · 08-06-2022, 07:52 AM

Well our very nice DFA* 70-200/2.8 has a DC motor, so...

**Serkevan** · 08-06-2022, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

The D FA* 85mm has an unusually large focus group, and it's a different lens.

Look, I'm not saying it would be fast; but DC lens on a 100mm macro is definitely possible. DC is not PLM; it was even used in lenses like the DA 560mm.
The Tokina 100 macro used a similar motor for the Canon mount.

Certainly possible! What I said earlier was that I doubted that anything outside Ring-Type SDM would be suitably fast. I wouldn't be surprised if DC was every bit as slow as the current screwdrive.

bladerunner6 · 08-06-2022, 08:36 AM

Originally posted by Serkevan

Certainly possible! What I said earlier was that I doubted that anything outside Ring-Type SDM would be suitably fast. I wouldn't be surprised if DC was every bit as slow as the current screwdrive.

But even if DC was not a huge speed improvement there would be other benefits.

Kunzite · 08-06-2022, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by Serkevan

Certainly possible! What I said earlier was that I doubted that anything outside Ring-Type SDM would be suitably fast. I wouldn't be surprised if DC was every bit as slow as the current screwdrive.

Ah, OK. I'd still prefer it, due to the lower noise.

**ffking** · 08-06-2022, 08:41 AM

I'd certainly want an improved AF system in a new macro - I don't know if it's in the system or just because the lenses are older, but the screw-drive lenses I've had are much more prone to rack all the way out and back hunting for focus - and focus accuracy is especially critical with macro, so the lenses ideally need a long focus throw, which means a lot more motor activity. I would expect them to have 'leaked' if if there was a new drive though (admittedly i haven't been keeping up with this, however

)

**Serkevan** · 08-06-2022, 09:27 AM

To be clear, I'd prefer to have a quieter motor as well. But fixing the slow AF speed (at least entirely) is probably be out of the scope of the refresh.

Wheatfield · 08-06-2022, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by Serkevan

To be clear, I'd prefer to have a quieter motor as well. But fixing the slow AF speed (at least entirely) is probably be out of the scope of the refresh.

Macro lenses are always going to AF a bit slowly because of the length of focus throw. They should be good from 1:10 to infinity but will get progressive slower the closer to 1:1 they get.

MossFrog · 08-06-2022, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by Serkevan

To be clear, I'd prefer to have a quieter motor as well. But fixing the slow AF speed (at least entirely) is probably be out of the scope of the refresh.

The 100 mm DFA WR is almost permanently on my K1, and one of my two FA 50 mm's quite regularly (my FA 100 mm has been retired now). Time to gaining focus is critical with small moving (some fast) animals and the screw drives can drive me nuts sometimes. Well if the Pentax engineers are paying attention then let this be another request to replace the screw drive with a faster, better and quieter focusing system - it will make a big difference to my photographic enjoyment. Fixing the purple fringing is a plus, not a big issue in macro photos with flash, but does become quite obvious in use as a std 100 mm lens but that alone is not going to get me to buy a new Pentax macro lens.

house · 08-06-2022, 04:59 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Apas

Well, they might replace just one element with identical one but made with some special glass, like FLD or SLD and that's it, fringing may be reduced.

I've been told by people on this forum that it's impossible to do such a thing because the whole formula would have to change. For me it would be interesting if Pentax did this "impossible"thing.

OoKU · 08-06-2022, 05:51 PM - **1 Like**

This picture says it all about having a motor or not...

bladerunner6 · 08-06-2022, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by OoKU

This picture says it all about having a motor or not...

No motor- no motivation to buy.

Kunzite · 08-07-2022, 12:56 AM

Originally posted by OoKU

This picture says it all about having a motor or not...

It's unlikely, but is it impossible? After all, they did put a DC motor in the DA 20-40...

I would not like at all if they kept the screw drive AF; that tells me they chose to do the least possible with this new lens.

08-06-2022, 05:51 PM - 1 Like	#223
OoKU Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 740	This picture says it all about having a motor or not... Attached Images

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08-06-2022, 07:26 AM	#211
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by Serkevan Again, the point is that the DFA 100 has to move the entire lens, half the barrel included, to focus. Yes. Not an issue.

08-06-2022, 07:27 AM	#212
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by Kunzite Yes. Not an issue. Then the DFA*85 could have used the DC motor instead of needing a ring-type SDM. It's a very simple matter of weight.

08-06-2022, 07:44 AM	#213
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by Serkevan Then the DFA85 could have used the DC motor instead of needing a ring-type SDM. It's a very simple matter of weight. The D FA 85mm has an unusually large focus group, and it's a different lens. Look, I'm not saying it would be fast; but DC lens on a 100mm macro is definitely possible. DC is not PLM; it was even used in lenses like the DA 560mm. The Tokina 100 macro used a similar motor for the Canon mount.

08-06-2022, 07:52 AM	#214
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Well our very nice DFA* 70-200/2.8 has a DC motor, so...

08-06-2022, 08:23 AM	#215
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by Kunzite The D FA* 85mm has an unusually large focus group, and it's a different lens. Look, I'm not saying it would be fast; but DC lens on a 100mm macro is definitely possible. DC is not PLM; it was even used in lenses like the DA 560mm. The Tokina 100 macro used a similar motor for the Canon mount. Certainly possible! What I said earlier was that I doubted that anything outside Ring-Type SDM would be suitably fast. I wouldn't be surprised if DC was every bit as slow as the current screwdrive.

08-06-2022, 08:36 AM	#216
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080	Originally posted by Serkevan Certainly possible! What I said earlier was that I doubted that anything outside Ring-Type SDM would be suitably fast. I wouldn't be surprised if DC was every bit as slow as the current screwdrive. But even if DC was not a huge speed improvement there would be other benefits.

08-06-2022, 08:37 AM	#217
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by Serkevan Certainly possible! What I said earlier was that I doubted that anything outside Ring-Type SDM would be suitably fast. I wouldn't be surprised if DC was every bit as slow as the current screwdrive. Ah, OK. I'd still prefer it, due to the lower noise.

08-06-2022, 08:41 AM	#218
ffking Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 6,038	I'd certainly want an improved AF system in a new macro - I don't know if it's in the system or just because the lenses are older, but the screw-drive lenses I've had are much more prone to rack all the way out and back hunting for focus - and focus accuracy is especially critical with macro, so the lenses ideally need a long focus throw, which means a lot more motor activity. I would expect them to have 'leaked' if if there was a new drive though (admittedly i haven't been keeping up with this, however )

08-06-2022, 09:27 AM	#219
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	To be clear, I'd prefer to have a quieter motor as well. But fixing the slow AF speed (at least entirely) is probably be out of the scope of the refresh.

08-06-2022, 11:16 AM	#220
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by Serkevan To be clear, I'd prefer to have a quieter motor as well. But fixing the slow AF speed (at least entirely) is probably be out of the scope of the refresh. Macro lenses are always going to AF a bit slowly because of the length of focus throw. They should be good from 1:10 to infinity but will get progressive slower the closer to 1:1 they get.

08-06-2022, 11:43 AM	#221
MossFrog New Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 16	Originally posted by Serkevan To be clear, I'd prefer to have a quieter motor as well. But fixing the slow AF speed (at least entirely) is probably be out of the scope of the refresh. The 100 mm DFA WR is almost permanently on my K1, and one of my two FA 50 mm's quite regularly (my FA 100 mm has been retired now). Time to gaining focus is critical with small moving (some fast) animals and the screw drives can drive me nuts sometimes. Well if the Pentax engineers are paying attention then let this be another request to replace the screw drive with a faster, better and quieter focusing system - it will make a big difference to my photographic enjoyment. Fixing the purple fringing is a plus, not a big issue in macro photos with flash, but does become quite obvious in use as a std 100 mm lens but that alone is not going to get me to buy a new Pentax macro lens.

08-06-2022, 04:59 PM - 1 Like	#222
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by Apas Well, they might replace just one element with identical one but made with some special glass, like FLD or SLD and that's it, fringing may be reduced. I've been told by people on this forum that it's impossible to do such a thing because the whole formula would have to change. For me it would be interesting if Pentax did this "impossible"thing.

08-06-2022, 06:09 PM	#224
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080	Originally posted by OoKU This picture says it all about having a motor or not... No motor- no motivation to buy.

08-07-2022, 12:56 AM	#225
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by OoKU This picture says it all about having a motor or not... It's unlikely, but is it impossible? After all, they did put a DC motor in the DA 20-40... I would not like at all if they kept the screw drive AF; that tells me they chose to do the least possible with this new lens.