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

Mistral75 · 10-18-2022, 04:23 AM - **11 Likes**

Latest leaks concerning the 100mm f/2.8 macro briefly shown on 31 July during the videoconference dedicated to the Pentax Clubhouse and later added to the roadmap:

Name is HD Pentax‐D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW
Latest optical design significantly improves descriptive performance
First Pentax macro lens with dustproof and drip-proof construction (AW instead of WR)
Scheduled for release on 18 November 2022.

「HD PENTAX‐D FA MACRO 100mmF2.8ED AW」の発売日は11月18日？ - デジカメinfo

The original source is the person who used to manage Nokishita Camera.

There was no ED lens element in the smc Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 WR, therefore the optical scheme is indeed new.

thibs · 10-18-2022, 04:47 AM

Very good. AW is nice.

Sandy Hancock · 10-18-2022, 04:53 AM - **2 Likes**

So, if that name is correct, it will still be screw drive. I find that a little surprising.

bladerunner6 · 10-18-2022, 05:34 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

So, if that name is correct, it will still be screw drive. I find that a little surprising.

Given the earlier photo of the lens I am not surprised. But I am disappointed in the long run. If it had a modern drive system I would be buying it.

But now unless something happens to my Tamron 90 I almost certainly won’t.

**Rondec** · 10-18-2022, 05:41 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

So, if that name is correct, it will still be screw drive. I find that a little surprising.

I think it was bound to be screw driven. The lens itself looks almost exactly the same and weighs almost exactly the same. It is basically a tweaking of an existing optical formula. Putting in a DC motor would require a lot more redesign and would be a little bigger.

**Madaboutpix** · 10-18-2022, 05:55 AM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

So, if that name is correct, it will still be screw drive. I find that a little surprising.

Given the similarity of the form factor between old and new version, I don't find that surprising at all. Does screw drive feel a bit dated in 2022? Yes, maybe. But if retaining the compact design while improving the optical performance was the goal, a bulk-adding focus motor was probably out of the question. And while blazing-fast AF is certainly nice in such a lens, it is not a must for macro work (where you often focus with your whole body anyway). Screw drive does create some noise, and may not be so elegant, but it works in many circumstances, and it has proven pretty durable too. Full AW sealing is a nice bonus, as it gives you another layer of protection for outdoor use.

bladerunner6 · 10-18-2022, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by Madaboutpix

Given the similarity of the form factor between old and new version, I don't find that surprising at all. Does screw drive feel a bit dated in 2022? Yes, maybe. But if retaining the compact design while improving the optical performance was the goal, a bulk-adding focus motor was probably out of the question. And while blazing-fast AF is certainly nice in such a lens, it is not a must for macro work (where you often focus with your whole body anyway). Screw drive does create some noise, and may not be so elegant, but it works in many circumstances, and it has proven pretty durable too. Full AW sealing is a nice bonus, as it gives you another layer of protection for outdoor use.

I agree with a lot of your comments but macro is not the only use of this lens.

100mm is also excellent for headshots.

A quiet lens for that and not disturbing tiny critters would be nice.

thibs · 10-18-2022, 07:47 AM

Originally posted by bladerunner6

I agree with a lot of your comments but macro is not the only use of this lens.

100mm is also excellent for headshots.

A quiet lens for that and not disturbing tiny critters would be nice.

Yep, used for portraits or alike (I certainly use my Tamron 90 a lot for this), silence would be nice.

**MossyRocks** · 10-18-2022, 08:40 AM

I am super tempted by this since it is suppose to be much better in the purple fringing area or at least that was the speculation/leaks. I already generally like the old 100 macro but being able to use it for astro would be a dream

Belnan · 10-18-2022, 03:14 PM - **1 Like**

I feel like perhaps a focus limiter would of been nice... And doable. Optically I'm sure it will be great.

Wheatfield · 10-18-2022, 03:23 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by bladerunner6

I agree with a lot of your comments but macro is not the only use of this lens.

100mm is also excellent for headshots.

A quiet lens for that and not disturbing tiny critters would be nice.

I've never had critters disturbed by noisy AF, it's usually my clumsy buffalo staggering that scares them off.
As for head shots, 100mm is nice, but I expect Pentax would rather you bought an 85/1.4.
My wallet is already crying in pain.

**RobA_Oz** · 10-18-2022, 03:30 PM - **6 Likes**

On the positive side, maintaining in-body AF drive in a new/revised/refurbished lens should help allay fears of future bodies totally abandoning backwards compatibility, at least for some time.

Sandy Hancock · 10-18-2022, 06:24 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

So, if that name is correct, it will still be screw drive. I find that a little surprising.

To qualify the above, if the notorious purple fringing of the old lens is fixed, this will be a definite purchase for me.

But I don't think I'll be in the first wave of buyers.

**Rondec** · 10-19-2022, 02:51 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

To qualify the above, if the notorious purple fringing of the old lens is fixed, this will be a definite purchase for me.

But I don't think I'll be in the first wave of buyers.

I think it is going to be a pretty reasonably priced lens. Seemed like there wasn't going to be a big price bump over the older version. If you sell your old 100 macro (there wouldn't be much reason to keep both), you could probably upgrade for 200 USD -- maybe a bit less.

Certainly there should be less wallet pain than with the DFA f2.8 zooms, or the DFA *primes.

texandrews · 10-19-2022, 07:53 AM

Not all macro work is for the animate. Just sayin'. So noise is no problem here, and neither is speed.

10-18-2022, 04:23 AM - 11 Likes	#1
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 6,961	HD Pentax‐D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW Latest leaks concerning the 100mm f/2.8 macro briefly shown on 31 July during the videoconference dedicated to the Pentax Clubhouse and later added to the roadmap: Name is HD Pentax‐D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW Latest optical design significantly improves descriptive performance First Pentax macro lens with dustproof and drip-proof construction (AW instead of WR) Scheduled for release on 18 November 2022. 「HD PENTAX‐D FA MACRO 100mmF2.8ED AW」の発売日は11月18日？ - デジカメinfo The original source is the person who used to manage Nokishita Camera. There was no ED lens element in the smc Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 WR, therefore the optical scheme is indeed new.

10-18-2022, 05:55 AM - 4 Likes	#6
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,247	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock So, if that name is correct, it will still be screw drive. I find that a little surprising. Given the similarity of the form factor between old and new version, I don't find that surprising at all. Does screw drive feel a bit dated in 2022? Yes, maybe. But if retaining the compact design while improving the optical performance was the goal, a bulk-adding focus motor was probably out of the question. And while blazing-fast AF is certainly nice in such a lens, it is not a must for macro work (where you often focus with your whole body anyway). Screw drive does create some noise, and may not be so elegant, but it works in many circumstances, and it has proven pretty durable too. Full AW sealing is a nice bonus, as it gives you another layer of protection for outdoor use. Last edited by Madaboutpix; 10-18-2022 at 06:08 AM.

10-18-2022, 03:23 PM - 1 Like	#11
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 14,839	Originally posted by bladerunner6 I agree with a lot of your comments but macro is not the only use of this lens. 100mm is also excellent for headshots. A quiet lens for that and not disturbing tiny critters would be nice. I've never had critters disturbed by noisy AF, it's usually my clumsy buffalo staggering that scares them off. As for head shots, 100mm is nice, but I expect Pentax would rather you bought an 85/1.4. My wallet is already crying in pain. Last edited by Wheatfield; 10-19-2022 at 07:56 AM.

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10-18-2022, 04:47 AM	#2
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 6,944	Very good. AW is nice.

10-18-2022, 04:53 AM - 2 Likes	#3
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,664	So, if that name is correct, it will still be screw drive. I find that a little surprising.

10-18-2022, 05:34 AM - 1 Like	#4
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,000	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock So, if that name is correct, it will still be screw drive. I find that a little surprising. Given the earlier photo of the lens I am not surprised. But I am disappointed in the long run. If it had a modern drive system I would be buying it. But now unless something happens to my Tamron 90 I almost certainly won’t.

10-18-2022, 05:41 AM - 2 Likes	#5
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,064	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock So, if that name is correct, it will still be screw drive. I find that a little surprising. I think it was bound to be screw driven. The lens itself looks almost exactly the same and weighs almost exactly the same. It is basically a tweaking of an existing optical formula. Putting in a DC motor would require a lot more redesign and would be a little bigger.

10-18-2022, 06:25 AM	#7
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,000	Originally posted by Madaboutpix Given the similarity of the form factor between old and new version, I don't find that surprising at all. Does screw drive feel a bit dated in 2022? Yes, maybe. But if retaining the compact design while improving the optical performance was the goal, a bulk-adding focus motor was probably out of the question. And while blazing-fast AF is certainly nice in such a lens, it is not a must for macro work (where you often focus with your whole body anyway). Screw drive does create some noise, and may not be so elegant, but it works in many circumstances, and it has proven pretty durable too. Full AW sealing is a nice bonus, as it gives you another layer of protection for outdoor use. I agree with a lot of your comments but macro is not the only use of this lens. 100mm is also excellent for headshots. A quiet lens for that and not disturbing tiny critters would be nice.

10-18-2022, 07:47 AM	#8
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 6,944	Originally posted by bladerunner6 I agree with a lot of your comments but macro is not the only use of this lens. 100mm is also excellent for headshots. A quiet lens for that and not disturbing tiny critters would be nice. Yep, used for portraits or alike (I certainly use my Tamron 90 a lot for this), silence would be nice.

10-18-2022, 08:40 AM	#9
MossyRocks Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,790	I am super tempted by this since it is suppose to be much better in the purple fringing area or at least that was the speculation/leaks. I already generally like the old 100 macro but being able to use it for astro would be a dream

10-18-2022, 03:14 PM - 1 Like	#10
Belnan Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nova Scotia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,062	I feel like perhaps a focus limiter would of been nice... And doable. Optically I'm sure it will be great.

10-18-2022, 03:30 PM - 6 Likes	#12
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 7,858	On the positive side, maintaining in-body AF drive in a new/revised/refurbished lens should help allay fears of future bodies totally abandoning backwards compatibility, at least for some time.

10-18-2022, 06:24 PM - 1 Like	#13
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,664	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock So, if that name is correct, it will still be screw drive. I find that a little surprising. To qualify the above, if the notorious purple fringing of the old lens is fixed, this will be a definite purchase for me. But I don't think I'll be in the first wave of buyers.

10-19-2022, 02:51 AM - 1 Like	#14
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,064	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock To qualify the above, if the notorious purple fringing of the old lens is fixed, this will be a definite purchase for me. But I don't think I'll be in the first wave of buyers. I think it is going to be a pretty reasonably priced lens. Seemed like there wasn't going to be a big price bump over the older version. If you sell your old 100 macro (there wouldn't be much reason to keep both), you could probably upgrade for 200 USD -- maybe a bit less. Certainly there should be less wallet pain than with the DFA f2.8 zooms, or the DFA *primes.

10-19-2022, 07:53 AM	#15
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,095	Not all macro work is for the animate. Just sayin'. So noise is no problem here, and neither is speed.

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