[byrdieep]

My son says he wants a macro lens for his K200D. He doesn't know more than that. He likes to take close up pics of nature type stuff... like water flowing over a rock. I'm as a LOSS. Please give me some advice re what length, brand, etc... He has a telephoto and a regular lens. I don't have $600 to spend...
Thanks! Struggling Mom.

[Adam]

This lens is very popular:
Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro Autofocus Lens AF272P-700 B&H

If that's too expensive, the Pentax web store has the DFA 50mm on sale for $303:
smcP D-FA 50mm f2.8 Macro | Pentax Webstore

[Hogdriver]

Agree with Adam...
but there is a Pentax DFA 100mm f2.8 WR for $547.36 on Amazon
or
check our (PF) sale site or ebay for a used lens
Wish you well in finding a macro lens

[aoeu]

SMC Pentax-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro

I don't shoot in the rain. It lives on my K5. The three lens kit includes a fast 50 and a faster than kit short zoom.

[dms]

If You Don't Mind Used--Likely Best Bang for Buck is the 100mm f/3.5 as follows (all below are made by Cosina). I suggest either KEH or BHPhoto (B&H) as comes w/ warranty, can return, and often best price/best condition. KEH BGN and B&H condition 8, or above, are good.

Auto Focus:
Pentax FA 100mm f3.5
Vivitar, Cosina, Promaster, Phoenix (?), other(?)

Or Manual Focus:
Vivitar, Cosina, Promaster, Phoenix (?), other(?)

I prefer manual focus--actually handles pretty nice. All except possibly the Pentax version, should come w/ close up lens that allows you to go from 1:2 to 1:1 range. Possibly you may find old new stock. Anyway should be in $70-$150 range. BTW for close focus AF is usually said to not be useful.

I have about 1/2 dozen macros for my 3 camera systems and this is as useful as any and least expensive--used as a regular (short) telephoto resolution is OK, but not great.

The only other possibility to consider--as regards focal length-- is likely 50mm versus (about) 100mm. For copying books, larger flowers, etc. from above, the 100mm puts you too close and you may need a ladder. Other than this usually 100 mm is more convenient.

---------- Post added 12-01-14 at 12:51 PM ----------

I just looked and KEH has several of following used for about $150. If you check the reviews section here at PentaxForums it is well thought of.
I should point out this (M) lens will not use all the options on your son's camera (it has no A aperture setting). Whether this is important or not depends on him. It is inexpensive and available, and high quality, but the above 100mm f/3.5 lens will have the A aperture setting).
SMC Pentax-M 100mm F4 Macro (K mount) lenses

[6BQ5]

Be mindful of the working distance between the lens and the object being photographed. The D FA 50mm f/2.8 mentioned above is very sharp and helps produce excellent images. However, the short focal length of 50mm requires getting really close to the subject. Shadows may be cast from the lens. It may also scare away little insects that should be photographed from a distance. A longer focal length like 90mm or 100mm will increase the working distance.

I have the D FA 50mm f/2.8 and I use it to photograph film negatives with some back lighting. The lens is a perfect fit in my case.

[TER-OR]

If you want to get shots of insects, 100 or 90mm is great. If flowers, rocks etc, then 50mm might be better. 100mm is really tight.

[Dewman]

There are many used lenses that perform wonderfully that are far less expensive than those mentioned. One that comes to mind is the Sigma 28-80mm macro. It has a true 1:2 macro ability and pristine copies can be found on eBay for less than $50.00. Just my .02 cents.


Dewman
SW Idaho, USA

[Merts]

I picked up a second hand Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro lens (model 172E) recently on eBay for AU$200. It's the predecessor of the current version Adam suggested.
Even at brand new prices they are incredible value. It's very sharp and gives full 1:1 magnification.

It doubles as a nice portrait lens too, and with the maximum aperture of 2.8 it's quite useful in low light situations.

[old4570]

Hmmmm , unfortunately there is a very slight shortage of macro lenses out there ATM compared to say 12 months ago ..
A quick check of Ebay will return :


Check your PM's , there is not much out there ATM ... So hopefully competition wont be overly tough for whats currently available ...

[byrdieep]

What great information you have ALL shared. I've learned a lot. Looks like I would not want to pin him in with a 50, but would rather go a little higher. I'll look at all your great suggestions. Keep 'em coming. Thanks again.

[TER-OR]

set up some keywords in the Marketplace here. "macro" will get a lof of results you're not really after, but "90mm" and "100mm" will yield results. You'll get an idea of the used market.

[AquaDome]

The 100/f4 is my favorite (SMC PENTAX-M MACRO 1:4 100mm) inexpensive manual focus macro.
It usually sells for around $100. Don't be fooled by current ebay "buy it now" prices.

[normhead]

Hmmm.. I thought I posted in this thread.... I must have clicked off the page before I posted.

You didn't say how old your son is... but my guess is you want the Sigma 70-300. It does 1-2 macro...is a decent lens from 70-180mm, a little rough from 200-300 compared to my DA* 60-250 but at 1/10 the price, you can't complain. Further you won't even notice that until you get a DA* to compare to. If what you have is a kit lens. This is a great second lens.

It does macro....


You have to be 7 feet away to do macro, but on images like the one below, you're grateful for that.


it does wildlife






it does your dog




It does your graveyard art shots...


It does landscape...




It does birds... small birds




And big birds..




And today at B&H it's $144.
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Lens for Pentax AF 509109 B&H

To me, it's more bang for your buck than a barrel of monkeys, if you're on a limited budget, there is nothing else that does what this does for anywhere near the price. If you're starting out, there isn't a better lens to introduce you to what's possible. You will outgrow it, but by the time you're done with it, you'll know what you need to excel at what you want to do.

Personally, they used this lens to sell me my *ist, and I never looked back.

<Selected photos slideshow. Click here.>

[TER-OR]

I had a Tamron 70-300 Macro - with the macro switch - and yes, it also was quite useful zoomed out as a 300mm macro. A little tricky, but not too bad. I have that lens, and should sell it, I don't use it anymore. It did get some good insect shots from about 7 feet away or so...