HD Pentax‐D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW

Paul the Sunman · 11-19-2022, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by thibs

No but two 50/1.4 in the range is a bit weird. For now there's the old one and the new one. Revamping the old 1.4 would be VERY weird IMO.
The 1.7 would be a different proposition.

Btw the kit lens rather was the 50/2 wasn't it ?

For most brands it was an f/1.8 I think.

Mistral75 · 11-19-2022, 04:54 PM

Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm f/1.8 with a Spotmatic II.

smc Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 with an ME Super.

**JensE** · 11-20-2022, 03:06 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by thibs

The 1.7 would be a different proposition.

The DA50/1.8 is basically that - not much of an optical formula change, mainly a nicer aperture, but then it doesn't need one urgently either (more or less a random page from the lens club). Unfortunately from the Pentax APS-C-only period. That also applies to the DA*55, which is optically quite a step up from the classic nifty fifties. I'd also throw in the HD DA 43 Ltd. - susceptible to PF, but has its own qualities. Together with the DFA*50 and the DFA50 macro, there is no shortage of 50ish lenses in the Pentax range that would justify an FA50/1.7 makeover - the FF-but-compact needs seem to be sufficiently covered by the HD FA 43mm. The macro should in my option be the next one to overhaul (mechanically and in terms of PF/LoCA), but I'm afraid that will not happen anytime soon, 50mm macros seem to have fallen out of fashion with the reduced need for 'copy' work. I like to use mine as a versatile lens for documentary work with a single camera/lens setup.

**Rondec** · 11-20-2022, 03:42 AM

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

But that would step on the toes of the DFA* 50 f/1.4, so is unlikely.

If it kept the f2.8 aperture, screw drive motor, and just improved PF, I don't see that it would affect DFA *50 sales that much. It would just bump the cost of the 50 macro by 100 or 150.

That said, I haven't heard many people complaining about PF with the 50 macro, although I'm sure they are out there.

house · 11-20-2022, 04:07 AM

This talk of clearly different lenses somehow competing within the lineup has become way to common and overstated.

If any of size, aperture, mfd, build, af method is different it's not an issue. On the contrary it's how brand segment the market and ensure sales. I will never buy the DFA*50 but would probably buy a new 50 that is better than the FA1.4/50 in some key areas buy maintain a modest size.

Reed · 11-20-2022, 04:15 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

If it kept the f2.8 aperture, screw drive motor, and just improved PF, I don't see that it would affect DFA *50 sales that much. It would just bump the cost of the 50 macro by 100 or 150.

That said, I haven't heard many people complaining about PF with the 50 macro, although I'm sure they are out there.

DFA 50/2.8 was in my opinion better optically than both older versions of DFA 100/2.8 in that matter. The area it suffers the most is very bad chassis material/build quality- one I had almost broke in two parts from mild daily use. I would buy a revamped one with housing re-designed like new DFA 100 HD and new coatings applied.

tregubovav · 11-20-2022, 01:02 PM - **1 Like**

Off-topic for last 1.5 pages.

Wheatfield · 11-20-2022, 01:32 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by tregubovav

Off-topic for last 1.5 pages.

It happens. In this case, no harm done, but point taken.
Folks, could we bring it back to the thread topic?
If not, let's presume this thread has run it's course.
Start a new thread for other topics of interest. It will get more views.

bladerunner6 · 11-20-2022, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

It happens. In this case, no harm done, but point taken.
Folks, could we bring it back to the thread topic?
If not, let's presume this thread has run it's course.
Start a new thread for other topics of interest. It will get more views.

I would lie, to see some more user reports, please.

Wheatfield · 11-20-2022, 06:49 PM - **7 Likes**

Originally posted by bladerunner6

I would li(k)e, to see some more user reports, please.

I'm expecting mine to be arriving in the near future. I also have the fortune to be able to compare it to the previous version. Macro is kind of my thing, so I expect I will be doing a comparative user report not long after I get my copy.

**Ron Boggs** · 11-21-2022, 10:08 AM

Can't wait to see the comparison Wheatfield. I'm also a bit touched on the macro thing...
My new 100 Macro is delayed. Instead of today, arrival is now Wednesday. I also have the previous WR version but won't have time to do a decent comparison. I'll just sell off the old and move on with the new...

**pres589** · 11-21-2022, 10:25 AM

Wonder if the silver version of this lens matches the chassis of my Super Program...

garywakeling · 11-21-2022, 01:01 PM

I have a silver version on order, like Sandy, I guess December isn't too far away. Encouraging to see the side by side comparison photos and it does seem like a definite improvement over what was already a pretty nice macro lens. I succumbed to the black Friday deals here in Australia and ordered the HD DA 35mm in silver as well, that should just about finish my macro desires for this month and then I will get the new one next month

reh321 · 11-21-2022, 01:18 PM

Originally posted by pres589

Wonder if the silver version of this lens matches the chassis of my Super Program...

I have always felt that black lenses look better on silver/black bodies and have always used silver lenses on bodies without any silver {like my all-blue K-30} on them - but that is just my preference.

Unregistered User · 11-24-2022, 05:46 AM

My HD DFA Macro arived today.
I still have the old one so i can take pictures for comparison.
Serial No. 0000014 :-)

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11-19-2022, 03:09 PM	#166
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,388	Originally posted by thibs No but two 50/1.4 in the range is a bit weird. For now there's the old one and the new one. Revamping the old 1.4 would be VERY weird IMO. The 1.7 would be a different proposition. Btw the kit lens rather was the 50/2 wasn't it ? For most brands it was an f/1.8 I think.

11-19-2022, 04:54 PM	#167
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 6,962 Original Poster	Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm f/1.8 with a Spotmatic II. smc Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 with an ME Super.

11-20-2022, 03:06 AM - 3 Likes	#168
JensE Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Leipzig Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,733	Originally posted by thibs The 1.7 would be a different proposition. The DA50/1.8 is basically that - not much of an optical formula change, mainly a nicer aperture, but then it doesn't need one urgently either (more or less a random page from the lens club). Unfortunately from the Pentax APS-C-only period. That also applies to the DA55, which is optically quite a step up from the classic nifty fifties. I'd also throw in the HD DA 43 Ltd. - susceptible to PF, but has its own qualities. Together with the DFA50 and the DFA50 macro, there is no shortage of 50ish lenses in the Pentax range that would justify an FA50/1.7 makeover - the FF-but-compact needs seem to be sufficiently covered by the HD FA 43mm. The macro should in my option be the next one to overhaul (mechanically and in terms of PF/LoCA), but I'm afraid that will not happen anytime soon, 50mm macros seem to have fallen out of fashion with the reduced need for 'copy' work. I like to use mine as a versatile lens for documentary work with a single camera/lens setup.

11-20-2022, 03:42 AM	#169
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,084	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman But that would step on the toes of the DFA* 50 f/1.4, so is unlikely. If it kept the f2.8 aperture, screw drive motor, and just improved PF, I don't see that it would affect DFA *50 sales that much. It would just bump the cost of the 50 macro by 100 or 150. That said, I haven't heard many people complaining about PF with the 50 macro, although I'm sure they are out there.

11-20-2022, 04:07 AM	#170
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,998	This talk of clearly different lenses somehow competing within the lineup has become way to common and overstated. If any of size, aperture, mfd, build, af method is different it's not an issue. On the contrary it's how brand segment the market and ensure sales. I will never buy the DFA*50 but would probably buy a new 50 that is better than the FA1.4/50 in some key areas buy maintain a modest size.

11-20-2022, 04:15 AM	#171
Reed Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Warsaw Photos: Gallery Posts: 618	Originally posted by Rondec If it kept the f2.8 aperture, screw drive motor, and just improved PF, I don't see that it would affect DFA *50 sales that much. It would just bump the cost of the 50 macro by 100 or 150. That said, I haven't heard many people complaining about PF with the 50 macro, although I'm sure they are out there. DFA 50/2.8 was in my opinion better optically than both older versions of DFA 100/2.8 in that matter. The area it suffers the most is very bad chassis material/build quality- one I had almost broke in two parts from mild daily use. I would buy a revamped one with housing re-designed like new DFA 100 HD and new coatings applied.

11-20-2022, 01:02 PM - 1 Like	#172
tregubovav Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Photos: Albums Posts: 41	Off-topic for last 1.5 pages.

11-20-2022, 01:32 PM - 3 Likes	#173
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 14,852	Originally posted by tregubovav Off-topic for last 1.5 pages. It happens. In this case, no harm done, but point taken. Folks, could we bring it back to the thread topic? If not, let's presume this thread has run it's course. Start a new thread for other topics of interest. It will get more views.

11-20-2022, 06:05 PM	#174
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,000	Originally posted by Wheatfield It happens. In this case, no harm done, but point taken. Folks, could we bring it back to the thread topic? If not, let's presume this thread has run it's course. Start a new thread for other topics of interest. It will get more views. I would lie, to see some more user reports, please.

11-20-2022, 06:49 PM - 7 Likes	#175
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 14,852	Originally posted by bladerunner6 I would li(k)e, to see some more user reports, please. I'm expecting mine to be arriving in the near future. I also have the fortune to be able to compare it to the previous version. Macro is kind of my thing, so I expect I will be doing a comparative user report not long after I get my copy.

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11-21-2022, 10:08 AM	#176
Ron Boggs Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MT Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,333	Can't wait to see the comparison Wheatfield. I'm also a bit touched on the macro thing... My new 100 Macro is delayed. Instead of today, arrival is now Wednesday. I also have the previous WR version but won't have time to do a decent comparison. I'll just sell off the old and move on with the new...

11-21-2022, 10:25 AM	#177
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,147	Wonder if the silver version of this lens matches the chassis of my Super Program...

11-21-2022, 01:01 PM	#178
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,270	I have a silver version on order, like Sandy, I guess December isn't too far away. Encouraging to see the side by side comparison photos and it does seem like a definite improvement over what was already a pretty nice macro lens. I succumbed to the black Friday deals here in Australia and ordered the HD DA 35mm in silver as well, that should just about finish my macro desires for this month and then I will get the new one next month

11-21-2022, 01:18 PM	#179
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 22,153	Originally posted by pres589 Wonder if the silver version of this lens matches the chassis of my Super Program... I have always felt that black lenses look better on silver/black bodies and have always used silver lenses on bodies without any silver {like my all-blue K-30} on them - but that is just my preference.

11-24-2022, 05:46 AM	#180
Unregistered User Guest	My HD DFA Macro arived today. I still have the old one so i can take pictures for comparison. Serial No. 0000014 :-)