Lenses for K70

scottish_explorer · 11-06-2019, 07:47 PM

Interested to get peoples thoughts on the best macro lens for the the K-70. I've only had the camera a day. I have a 14mm on the way as well as the 50mm but i love a bit of macro work too.

**sergysergy** · 11-06-2019, 08:03 PM

There is no bad macro

Pentax F/FA 50 2.8, F/FA/DFA 100 2.8, Sigma 105 2.8, Tamron 90 2.8, Vivitar 105 2.5 and a long etc.

**mlt** · 11-06-2019, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by sergysergy

There is no bad macro

Pentax F/FA 50 2.8, F/FA/DFA 100 2.8, Sigma 105 2.8, Tamron 90 2.8, Vivitar 105 2.5 and a long etc.

Plus 1 to that, just have to decide what kind of working distance you want. You might also consider the 35mm limited macro, outstanding on the APSC body.

Adam · 11-06-2019, 09:11 PM

Here's a list to get you started:

Macro Lenses | PentaxForums.com

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

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Greg1956 · 11-06-2019, 09:13 PM

I'm using a old Tamron adaptall 2 90mm f2.5 macro. It is great, heavy but very sharp

aaacb · 11-06-2019, 10:08 PM

You can save some money and get a manual focus (older) macro lens if this will be for mostly macro work, there are quite a few 50 and 100mm options. I have the 100 wr and use it as a general tele lens as well, but for macro I almost never use af, the camera's on a tripod and I focus manually.

disconnekt · 11-06-2019, 10:10 PM

If you got the money to spend, there's also the IRIX 150mm f2.8 1:1 Macro (currently $495 on B&H)

HoutHans · 11-07-2019, 12:08 AM

I can vouch for the M100/4 Macro. Cheap, sharp and very manageable in the field and in a studio environment.

Benz3ne · 11-07-2019, 01:36 AM

I'm fortunate to have the D-FA 100mm WR Macro and the film-era SMC-A 50mm f/2.8 Macro. Though the former is 1:1 and latter is 'only' 1:2, they're both great on my K-70.

As mentioned above, the 35mm f/2.8 Limited Macro is also worth considering - I'm certainly considering getting one in future!

Gary H Perth · 11-07-2019, 07:37 AM

Originally posted by sergysergy

There is no bad macro

Pentax F/FA 50 2.8, F/FA/DFA 100 2.8, Sigma 105 2.8, Tamron 90 2.8, Vivitar 105 2.5 and a long etc.

I agree with this, and for my K-70 I have a Sigma Ex DG 105mm (1:1) and the two Tamron Adaptall 2 90mm (52B and 52BB, both 1:2). All are great to use, giving fantastically sharp images, the best is probably the Sigma. The Tamrons are accompanied by an extension tube and a converter, either of which give me 1:1.

Surely that is enough, but I also have the Tamron Adaptall 2 SP 55-300mm which has a very good quality almost-macro (1:1.55) and a Sigma EX 50mm (1:1).

I do not necessarily rely on AF, so the older Adaptalls are very reliable.

**catman6** · 11-07-2019, 08:07 AM - **1 Like**

Good choice D-FA 100mm WR Macro is very good. You can use film lenses with reverse rings to get good results also.

Tewhano · 11-09-2019, 06:21 AM

I shoot most of my macro shots with an extension tube. I do have the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom that I use on my K-70 but it is not a true macro lens (1:2 I think). For the most part I use a M42 adapter and two fully manual lenses: the Soligor F:2.8 28mm or Asahi F:1.8 55mm, on my K-50. One day I hope to be able to afford a proper macro lens but in the meantime my current setup is working beautifully for me.

**UncleVanya** · 11-09-2019, 06:28 AM

A deglassed teleconverter added to your 50mm will give good results... But the dedicated macro lenses are more flexible and probably have flatter focus planes and higher sharpness. The manual focus 50 and 100mm lenses are cheap and give good results. The af f and fa versions as well as the dfa versions are all excellent.

kypfer · 11-13-2019, 04:18 PM

Originally posted by Greg1956

I'm using a old Tamron adaptall 2 90mm f2.5 macro. It is great, heavy but very sharp

Exactly what I was going to write!! My Tamron Adaptall-2 90mm has been with me since the '80's ... bought second-hand then and still in my bag 30+ years later

Gary H Perth · 11-14-2019, 05:35 AM

Originally posted by Greg1956

I'm using a old Tamron adaptall 2 90mm f2.5 macro. It is great, heavy but very sharp

I expect yours is the 52B Greg. Mine is still magical after 40 years. I do not find it heavy for macro work, just weighty enough to be a stabilising influence on handheld pics, or to sit steadily on a firm base.

It's a bit heavy for a fixed length tele though, compared to my A-100mm (for when I do not expect to need macro).

11-06-2019, 07:47 PM	#1
scottish_explorer Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 48	Lenses for K70 Interested to get peoples thoughts on the best macro lens for the the K-70. I've only had the camera a day. I have a 14mm on the way as well as the 50mm but i love a bit of macro work too.

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11-06-2019, 08:03 PM	#2
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	There is no bad macro Pentax F/FA 50 2.8, F/FA/DFA 100 2.8, Sigma 105 2.8, Tamron 90 2.8, Vivitar 105 2.5 and a long etc.

11-06-2019, 09:07 PM	#3
mlt Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,159	Originally posted by sergysergy There is no bad macro Pentax F/FA 50 2.8, F/FA/DFA 100 2.8, Sigma 105 2.8, Tamron 90 2.8, Vivitar 105 2.5 and a long etc. Plus 1 to that, just have to decide what kind of working distance you want. You might also consider the 35mm limited macro, outstanding on the APSC body.

11-06-2019, 09:11 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Here's a list to get you started: Macro Lenses \| PentaxForums.com Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

11-06-2019, 09:13 PM	#5
Greg1956 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 76	I'm using a old Tamron adaptall 2 90mm f2.5 macro. It is great, heavy but very sharp

11-06-2019, 10:08 PM	#6
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,724	You can save some money and get a manual focus (older) macro lens if this will be for mostly macro work, there are quite a few 50 and 100mm options. I have the 100 wr and use it as a general tele lens as well, but for macro I almost never use af, the camera's on a tripod and I focus manually.

11-06-2019, 10:10 PM	#7
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	If you got the money to spend, there's also the IRIX 150mm f2.8 1:1 Macro (currently $495 on B&H)

11-07-2019, 12:08 AM	#8
HoutHans Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Appingedam Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,117	I can vouch for the M100/4 Macro. Cheap, sharp and very manageable in the field and in a studio environment.

11-07-2019, 01:36 AM	#9
Benz3ne Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Cymru Posts: 2,356	I'm fortunate to have the D-FA 100mm WR Macro and the film-era SMC-A 50mm f/2.8 Macro. Though the former is 1:1 and latter is 'only' 1:2, they're both great on my K-70. As mentioned above, the 35mm f/2.8 Limited Macro is also worth considering - I'm certainly considering getting one in future!

11-07-2019, 07:37 AM	#10
Gary H Perth Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Floreat Posts: 623	Originally posted by sergysergy There is no bad macro Pentax F/FA 50 2.8, F/FA/DFA 100 2.8, Sigma 105 2.8, Tamron 90 2.8, Vivitar 105 2.5 and a long etc. I agree with this, and for my K-70 I have a Sigma Ex DG 105mm (1:1) and the two Tamron Adaptall 2 90mm (52B and 52BB, both 1:2). All are great to use, giving fantastically sharp images, the best is probably the Sigma. The Tamrons are accompanied by an extension tube and a converter, either of which give me 1:1. Surely that is enough, but I also have the Tamron Adaptall 2 SP 55-300mm which has a very good quality almost-macro (1:1.55) and a Sigma EX 50mm (1:1). I do not necessarily rely on AF, so the older Adaptalls are very reliable.

11-07-2019, 08:07 AM - 1 Like	#11
catman6 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2019 Posts: 84	Good choice D-FA 100mm WR Macro is very good. You can use film lenses with reverse rings to get good results also.

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11-09-2019, 06:21 AM	#12
Tewhano Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: North Carolina Posts: 45	I shoot most of my macro shots with an extension tube. I do have the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom that I use on my K-70 but it is not a true macro lens (1:2 I think). For the most part I use a M42 adapter and two fully manual lenses: the Soligor F:2.8 28mm or Asahi F:1.8 55mm, on my K-50. One day I hope to be able to afford a proper macro lens but in the meantime my current setup is working beautifully for me.

11-09-2019, 06:28 AM	#13
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,400	A deglassed teleconverter added to your 50mm will give good results... But the dedicated macro lenses are more flexible and probably have flatter focus planes and higher sharpness. The manual focus 50 and 100mm lenses are cheap and give good results. The af f and fa versions as well as the dfa versions are all excellent.

11-13-2019, 04:18 PM	#14
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,592	Originally posted by Greg1956 I'm using a old Tamron adaptall 2 90mm f2.5 macro. It is great, heavy but very sharp Exactly what I was going to write!! My Tamron Adaptall-2 90mm has been with me since the '80's ... bought second-hand then and still in my bag 30+ years later

11-14-2019, 05:35 AM	#15
Gary H Perth Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Floreat Posts: 623	Originally posted by Greg1956 I'm using a old Tamron adaptall 2 90mm f2.5 macro. It is great, heavy but very sharp I expect yours is the 52B Greg. Mine is still magical after 40 years. I do not find it heavy for macro work, just weighty enough to be a stabilising influence on handheld pics, or to sit steadily on a firm base. It's a bit heavy for a fixed length tele though, compared to my A-100mm (for when I do not expect to need macro).