Macro Suggested Macro lens?

**csa** · 01-16-2015, 11:22 AM

This Spring I will be getting a macro lens for bugs, flowers, etc. I'm shooting with a K10D. What would be your suggestions for a good all around macro. Usually I can get pretty close to my subjects. Also, other brand lens suggestions welcome, as well as Pentax!

I don't know whether a 100mm or say a 50mm (macro) would be the best solution for my needs.

Rimfiredude · 01-16-2015, 11:44 AM

Hi Carol. Would you be interested in a Vivitar 105 Series 1? I might be able to get my brother to part with his. He is the original owner and used it once since he bought it.

JohnX · 01-16-2015, 11:58 AM

Longer the fl the greater the working distance between you and your targets. Although you say you can get pretty close, the longer fl will give you more scope.

Eagle_Friends · 01-16-2015, 12:03 PM

The best option for Pentax is still the 100mm f2.8 WR Macro.

Tamron 90mm is a steal at the price however, but it's not as well built as the Pentax WR nor does it have weather sealing.

If you're really in budget, I would grab a used A or M 50mm f1.7 or f2.0 and get some extension tubes. You'll need a tripod for Macro shooting and you need to shoot above f5.6 (f8 would be better) to get everything in focus.

**csa** · 01-16-2015, 12:39 PM

Originally posted by Rimfiredude

Hi Carol. Would you be interested in a Vivitar 105 Series 1? I might be able to get my brother to part with his. He is the original owner and used it once since he bought it.

Looking at the reviews, this looks like a great lens for my needs. PM me if he wants to sell, and the price.

**csa** · 01-16-2015, 12:40 PM

Thanks John!

**csa** · 01-16-2015, 12:42 PM

Eagle, I'd rather get a macro lens, rather than having to use extension tubes with manual lenses. I've not used any manual lens to date, one is due in today so I can practice with it.

For my macro needs WR really isn't a necessity.

**TER-OR** · 01-16-2015, 01:09 PM

I use an FA100 macro on my K5. I do field macro and it gets a workout handheld. I like the idea of having the aperture ring but honestly have not used it beyond early experimentation. I likely would get the DA WR version now, since I'm treading through the prairies etc.

You can't go wrong with that focal length for insects, though. The Tamron 90 is supposed to be a good performer too.

**csa** · 01-16-2015, 01:13 PM

My macro shots are done here in the yard, or close vicinity; so that's why WR isn't that crucial in my case.

**sholtzma** · 01-16-2015, 01:28 PM

Well, I'll go ahead and ask the crucial question: How much are you willing to spend? Is a Sigma 180mm f3.5 macro or a Sigma 150mm macro even an option? I wouldn't do without my 180, but then again I often shoot things that I can't easily get close to.

Do you need autofocus? (Some macro shooters recoil at the very idea of autofocus and insist that macro needs manual focus.) If you want a 100mm macro lens without WR and without AF, that gives you some different options and even less cost.

**csa** · 01-16-2015, 01:47 PM

Oh my! That pricing is waaaay out of my league!!

Yes, I want autofocus. I'm looking at around $250. Sorry if that leaves me out of the big leagues; but I'm on a very tight income.

Hogdriver · 01-16-2015, 01:59 PM

Suggest a D FA 50 or 100mm WR. Have both, but tend to use 100mm more (flowers/portraits) in all kinds of weather. Our Forum site provides great lens review information. Having either, will give you options to use either lens with APS-C, 35mm Film, or Full Frame format cameras. Much success in your decision.

esrandall · 01-16-2015, 02:03 PM

There have been at least a couple Tamron 90's in the Marketplace over the past couple of weeks, in the under $300 range. I love mine, and would never part with it. $300 is usually the starting point for used 100mm AF macro lenses. Sometimes a little less.If you didn't need the AF, there's an SMC Pentax M 100m f/4 in the Marketplace for $120. A great lens that a lot of macro shooters around here swear by. Just a few ideas. If you can afford that Vivitar Series 1, that will be a heckuva lens to add to your bag

**TER-OR** · 01-16-2015, 02:14 PM

Yes, for an FA100 or newer (the f2.8 version) you will need to budget around $350 used.
This is absolutely worth the money.

Put FA100 DA100 and 90mm as watch words in the Marketplace (if you want autofocus, which is handy). Then keep your eyes peeled and your budget ready. Occasionally these lenses dip down below $350.

THe FA100 f2.8 was one of the first lenses I bought, and it's been among my most valued pieces of kit.

**csa** · 01-16-2015, 02:14 PM

" If you can afford that Vivitar Series 1, that will be a heckuva lens to add to your bag

"

I'm hoping that this will indeed work out & I can get it.

01-16-2015, 11:22 AM	#1
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Suggested Macro lens? This Spring I will be getting a macro lens for bugs, flowers, etc. I'm shooting with a K10D. What would be your suggestions for a good all around macro. Usually I can get pretty close to my subjects. Also, other brand lens suggestions welcome, as well as Pentax! I don't know whether a 100mm or say a 50mm (macro) would be the best solution for my needs.

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01-16-2015, 11:44 AM	#2
Rimfiredude Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Washington Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,176	Hi Carol. Would you be interested in a Vivitar 105 Series 1? I might be able to get my brother to part with his. He is the original owner and used it once since he bought it.

01-16-2015, 11:58 AM	#3
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	Longer the fl the greater the working distance between you and your targets. Although you say you can get pretty close, the longer fl will give you more scope.

01-16-2015, 12:03 PM	#4
Eagle_Friends Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	The best option for Pentax is still the 100mm f2.8 WR Macro. Tamron 90mm is a steal at the price however, but it's not as well built as the Pentax WR nor does it have weather sealing. If you're really in budget, I would grab a used A or M 50mm f1.7 or f2.0 and get some extension tubes. You'll need a tripod for Macro shooting and you need to shoot above f5.6 (f8 would be better) to get everything in focus.

01-16-2015, 12:39 PM	#5
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by Rimfiredude Hi Carol. Would you be interested in a Vivitar 105 Series 1? I might be able to get my brother to part with his. He is the original owner and used it once since he bought it. Looking at the reviews, this looks like a great lens for my needs. PM me if he wants to sell, and the price.

01-16-2015, 12:40 PM	#6
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Thanks John!

01-16-2015, 12:42 PM	#7
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Eagle, I'd rather get a macro lens, rather than having to use extension tubes with manual lenses. I've not used any manual lens to date, one is due in today so I can practice with it. For my macro needs WR really isn't a necessity.

01-16-2015, 01:09 PM	#8
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	I use an FA100 macro on my K5. I do field macro and it gets a workout handheld. I like the idea of having the aperture ring but honestly have not used it beyond early experimentation. I likely would get the DA WR version now, since I'm treading through the prairies etc. You can't go wrong with that focal length for insects, though. The Tamron 90 is supposed to be a good performer too.

01-16-2015, 01:13 PM	#9
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	My macro shots are done here in the yard, or close vicinity; so that's why WR isn't that crucial in my case.

01-16-2015, 01:28 PM	#10
sholtzma Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Salisbury, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,043	Well, I'll go ahead and ask the crucial question: How much are you willing to spend? Is a Sigma 180mm f3.5 macro or a Sigma 150mm macro even an option? I wouldn't do without my 180, but then again I often shoot things that I can't easily get close to. Do you need autofocus? (Some macro shooters recoil at the very idea of autofocus and insist that macro needs manual focus.) If you want a 100mm macro lens without WR and without AF, that gives you some different options and even less cost.

01-16-2015, 01:47 PM	#11
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Oh my! That pricing is waaaay out of my league!! Yes, I want autofocus. I'm looking at around $250. Sorry if that leaves me out of the big leagues; but I'm on a very tight income.

01-16-2015, 01:59 PM	#12
Hogdriver Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: USA...Freedom Isn't Free Posts: 103	Suggest a D FA 50 or 100mm WR. Have both, but tend to use 100mm more (flowers/portraits) in all kinds of weather. Our Forum site provides great lens review information. Having either, will give you options to use either lens with APS-C, 35mm Film, or Full Frame format cameras. Much success in your decision.

01-16-2015, 02:03 PM	#13
esrandall Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Sumner, WA Photos: Albums Posts: 965	There have been at least a couple Tamron 90's in the Marketplace over the past couple of weeks, in the under $300 range. I love mine, and would never part with it. $300 is usually the starting point for used 100mm AF macro lenses. Sometimes a little less.If you didn't need the AF, there's an SMC Pentax M 100m f/4 in the Marketplace for $120. A great lens that a lot of macro shooters around here swear by. Just a few ideas. If you can afford that Vivitar Series 1, that will be a heckuva lens to add to your bag

01-16-2015, 02:14 PM	#14
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Yes, for an FA100 or newer (the f2.8 version) you will need to budget around $350 used. This is absolutely worth the money. Put FA100 DA100 and 90mm as watch words in the Marketplace (if you want autofocus, which is handy). Then keep your eyes peeled and your budget ready. Occasionally these lenses dip down below $350. THe FA100 f2.8 was one of the first lenses I bought, and it's been among my most valued pieces of kit.

01-16-2015, 02:14 PM	#15
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	" If you can afford that Vivitar Series 1, that will be a heckuva lens to add to your bag " I'm hoping that this will indeed work out & I can get it.