advice needed on repairing -tamron sp af 90mm f/2.8 di macro

LadyGoodman · 01-29-2019, 12:40 PM

I’m pretty bent out of shape right now, due to an unfortunate event involving my mischievous feline friend(not currently my friend) my tamron sp af 90mm f/2.8 di macro got damaged. I took it to the local camera shop, they sent it to the manufacturer and quoted me $400 to repair it. I bought it used on here a few years back and can’t remember what I paid, I wanna say it was around 200. I take photos of jewelry for an Instagram account and mostly use my Pentax 50 macro, but liked having the Tamron. My dilemma is the store took a non-refundable $50 deposit, which I can apply to anything else in store if I decide not to go ahead with the lens repair. Should I bite the bullet and fix the damaged tamron? Look for another used tamron? Consider a different macro lens? Someone who has more camera knowledge than me please help me sort out this dilemma. Thanks for your time!

Last edited by LadyGoodman; 01-29-2019 at 12:46 PM.

Adam · 01-29-2019, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by LadyGoodman

I’m pretty bent out of shape right now, due to an unfortunate event involving my mischievous feline friend(not currently my friend) my tamron sp af 90mm f/2.8 di macro got damaged. I took it to the local camera shop, they sent it to the manufacturer and quoted me $400 to repair it. I bought it used on here a few years back and can’t remember what I paid, I wanna say it was around 200. I take photos of jewelry for an Instagram account and mostly use my Pentax 50 macro, but liked having the Tamron. My dilemma is the store took a non-refundable $50 deposit, which I can apply to anything else in store if I decide not to go ahead with the lens repair. Should I bite the bullet and fix the damaged tamron? Look for another used tamron? Consider a different macro lens? Someone who has more camera knowledge than me please help me sort out this dilemma. Thanks for your time!

That's a bummer. Plus, 2 weeks ago the 90mm was only $329 on Amazon, but it's since gone back up to $499. I'd expect you to be able to find a used copy for less than the repair cost.

**aslyfox** · 01-29-2019, 12:54 PM

if I were you, I would see what the store may have to offer with the discount, look under " lenses " above at the lens reviews and also be checking out what you might find in the Market Place

you can sort the market place by country

The Pentax Marketplace | Buy & Sell Pentax Cameras and Lenses (United States) - PentaxForums.com

__________________________

I am very happy with my SMC Pentax-D FA 100 F2.8 Macro ( non WR )

be sure to ask for opinions and answers to any questions you may have

some of us love to give advice on how you should spend your $

**RobA_Oz** · 01-29-2019, 01:19 PM

I picked up my D-FA100/2.8 macro for about $450AUD, secondhand (and in excellent condition) – that’s about $300USD. Up until that lens came on the market, I had been considering the Tamron 90. The Pentax lens should be wearing the Limited tag, IMO, and it’s WR. Its only downside for me is that it doesn’t have a focus limiter, but Quick-shift allows you to get close without having to suffer the inevitable long-throw focus hunting. The lack of an aperture ring doesn’t bother me.

With used prices for both lenses being what they are, I wouldn’t be paying $400USD to repair the Tamron.

LadyGoodman · 01-29-2019, 03:40 PM

Thank you everyone for the responses and advice. I think I’m going to forgo repairing it, put the 50 bucks towards something and be in the lookout for a used D-FA 100/2.8 macro. Thank you!!!!

**yucatanPentax** · 01-30-2019, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by LadyGoodman

Thank you everyone for the responses and advice. I think I’m going to forgo repairing it, put the 50 bucks towards something and be in the lookout for a used D-FA 100/2.8 macro. Thank you!!!!

I think you'll find the Pentax DFA 100 macro to be a wonderful addition. I'm certainly very happy with mine.

If your camera store has or can order it, maybe apply the credit there?

**RobA_Oz** · 01-30-2019, 11:15 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by LadyGoodman

Thank you everyone for the responses and advice. I think I’m going to forgo repairing it, put the 50 bucks towards something and be in the lookout for a used D-FA 100/2.8 macro. Thank you!!!!

Also bear in mind that your Tamron might be worth a little to someone, for spare parts.

**aslyfox** · 01-31-2019, 04:21 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by LadyGoodman

Thank you everyone for the responses and advice. I think I’m going to forgo repairing it, put the 50 bucks towards something and be in the lookout for a used D-FA 100/2.8 macro. Thank you!!!!

when looking for your D FA 100mm F2.8 macro

be aware that there are several versions with common optical design but other differences between them and different prices levels:

Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Review
Specifications
The lens covers the full 24x36mm format, not just APS-C. The aperture blades are rounded, delivering a smoother bokeh which is important for a macro lens. However, unlike its predecessor, it has no aperture ring.

The optical design is the tried-and-proven formula of the previous generation D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro lens, which in turn had inherited the optical design from the well-respected FA 100mm F2.8 and F 100mm F2.8 macro lenses introduced in 1991 and 1987, respectively. None of these earlier lenses had rounded aperture blades.

Read more at: Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Review - Specifications | PentaxForums.com Reviews

whether paying for the " difference " matters depends on you. I am very satisfied with my non WR D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro

01-29-2019, 12:40 PM	#1
LadyGoodman New Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 7	advice needed on repairing -tamron sp af 90mm f/2.8 di macro I’m pretty bent out of shape right now, due to an unfortunate event involving my mischievous feline friend(not currently my friend) my tamron sp af 90mm f/2.8 di macro got damaged. I took it to the local camera shop, they sent it to the manufacturer and quoted me $400 to repair it. I bought it used on here a few years back and can’t remember what I paid, I wanna say it was around 200. I take photos of jewelry for an Instagram account and mostly use my Pentax 50 macro, but liked having the Tamron. My dilemma is the store took a non-refundable $50 deposit, which I can apply to anything else in store if I decide not to go ahead with the lens repair. Should I bite the bullet and fix the damaged tamron? Look for another used tamron? Consider a different macro lens? Someone who has more camera knowledge than me please help me sort out this dilemma. Thanks for your time! Last edited by LadyGoodman; 01-29-2019 at 12:46 PM.

01-29-2019, 12:48 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by LadyGoodman I’m pretty bent out of shape right now, due to an unfortunate event involving my mischievous feline friend(not currently my friend) my tamron sp af 90mm f/2.8 di macro got damaged. I took it to the local camera shop, they sent it to the manufacturer and quoted me $400 to repair it. I bought it used on here a few years back and can’t remember what I paid, I wanna say it was around 200. I take photos of jewelry for an Instagram account and mostly use my Pentax 50 macro, but liked having the Tamron. My dilemma is the store took a non-refundable $50 deposit, which I can apply to anything else in store if I decide not to go ahead with the lens repair. Should I bite the bullet and fix the damaged tamron? Look for another used tamron? Consider a different macro lens? Someone who has more camera knowledge than me please help me sort out this dilemma. Thanks for your time! That's a bummer. Plus, 2 weeks ago the 90mm was only $329 on Amazon, but it's since gone back up to $499. I'd expect you to be able to find a used copy for less than the repair cost. 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:

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01-29-2019, 12:54 PM	#3
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	if I were you, I would see what the store may have to offer with the discount, look under " lenses " above at the lens reviews and also be checking out what you might find in the Market Place you can sort the market place by country The Pentax Marketplace \| Buy & Sell Pentax Cameras and Lenses (United States) - PentaxForums.com __________________________ I am very happy with my SMC Pentax-D FA 100 F2.8 Macro ( non WR ) be sure to ask for opinions and answers to any questions you may have some of us love to give advice on how you should spend your $

01-29-2019, 01:19 PM	#4
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	I picked up my D-FA100/2.8 macro for about $450AUD, secondhand (and in excellent condition) – that’s about $300USD. Up until that lens came on the market, I had been considering the Tamron 90. The Pentax lens should be wearing the Limited tag, IMO, and it’s WR. Its only downside for me is that it doesn’t have a focus limiter, but Quick-shift allows you to get close without having to suffer the inevitable long-throw focus hunting. The lack of an aperture ring doesn’t bother me. With used prices for both lenses being what they are, I wouldn’t be paying $400USD to repair the Tamron.

01-29-2019, 03:40 PM	#5
LadyGoodman New Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 7 Original Poster	Thank you everyone for the responses and advice. I think I’m going to forgo repairing it, put the 50 bucks towards something and be in the lookout for a used D-FA 100/2.8 macro. Thank you!!!!

01-30-2019, 05:20 PM	#6
yucatanPentax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas / Yucatan Posts: 1,840	Originally posted by LadyGoodman Thank you everyone for the responses and advice. I think I’m going to forgo repairing it, put the 50 bucks towards something and be in the lookout for a used D-FA 100/2.8 macro. Thank you!!!! I think you'll find the Pentax DFA 100 macro to be a wonderful addition. I'm certainly very happy with mine. If your camera store has or can order it, maybe apply the credit there?

01-30-2019, 11:15 PM - 1 Like	#7
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Originally posted by LadyGoodman Thank you everyone for the responses and advice. I think I’m going to forgo repairing it, put the 50 bucks towards something and be in the lookout for a used D-FA 100/2.8 macro. Thank you!!!! Also bear in mind that your Tamron might be worth a little to someone, for spare parts.

01-31-2019, 04:21 AM - 1 Like	#8
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by LadyGoodman Thank you everyone for the responses and advice. I think I’m going to forgo repairing it, put the 50 bucks towards something and be in the lookout for a used D-FA 100/2.8 macro. Thank you!!!! when looking for your D FA 100mm F2.8 macro be aware that there are several versions with common optical design but other differences between them and different prices levels: Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Review Specifications The lens covers the full 24x36mm format, not just APS-C. The aperture blades are rounded, delivering a smoother bokeh which is important for a macro lens. However, unlike its predecessor, it has no aperture ring. The optical design is the tried-and-proven formula of the previous generation D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro lens, which in turn had inherited the optical design from the well-respected FA 100mm F2.8 and F 100mm F2.8 macro lenses introduced in 1991 and 1987, respectively. None of these earlier lenses had rounded aperture blades. Read more at: Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Review - Specifications \| PentaxForums.com Reviews whether paying for the " difference " matters depends on you. I am very satisfied with my non WR D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro