Macro The old 100 f4 macro

bluestringer · 07-10-2015, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by tim60

Is this lens similar in design to the earlier SMC Takumar 100/4? That has impressed me similarly to some of the flower and plant pictures in this thread.

I think it's the same. It's gets good reviews.

Super-Multi-Coated MACRO-TAKUMAR 100mm F4 Macro Reviews - M42 Screwmount Telephoto Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

tim60 · 07-11-2015, 01:44 PM

Yesterday while cleaning out my house to move I found a brochure for accessories that came with my MX in 1981. Included the 100/4.

Dewman · 07-12-2015, 05:21 AM

Originally posted by Aaron28

thanks y'al for the pricing deal.....the pics and price make it very appealing.....as I play with close up filters on a few 'macro' lens I got....a sears 135 and a qii 70-210 both which can be clicked into 'macro' mode......very tempted to get a dedicated one though and this one looks nice at a good price

Aaron, I was much like you.... "I play with close up filters on a few 'macro' lens I got....a sears 135 and a qii 70-210 both which can be clicked into 'macro' mode," then I FINALLY decided to just cut to the chase and bought a SMC Pentax-FA 100mm f:2.8 macro. I've never looked back. A lens of that caliber will absolutely put you in a whole 'nother world! It's 1:1, build like a bank vault and is TOP DRAWER! I found mine on eBay (out of Osaka, Japan) for $229.00. It was like new!
Only problem? Now, I have a cabinet full of close-focus lenses - most of which will only go to 1:4 - and a big box full of close-up filters, extension tubes, a bellows and reversing rings! I have NO use for them now!

Just a thought from and old, feeble mind!

I don't mean to hijack this thread by posting MY photos, but here's a sample of what the lens will do, even with a LOT of cropping!

Aaron28 · 07-12-2015, 08:21 AM

Originally posted by Dewman

Only problem? Now, I have a cabinet full of close-focus lenses

thanks dewman.......I will have some filters like that but likely I will still use the lenses with the o-gps.....got lucky and caught the comet lovejoy using the 135! but I am certainly getting sucked into the whirlpool of the macro world!

Last edited by Aaron28; 07-12-2015 at 07:29 PM.

jcdoss · 07-12-2015, 02:29 PM - **2 Likes**

Here's one of my latest with the M100.

Dinnertime taken with Pentax K-x and Pentax-M 100mm f/4.0 Macro by Jason Doss, on Flickr

**arnold** · 07-12-2015, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by jcdoss

Here's one of my latest with the M100.

Good, lets you ask the question, is the auto focus on modern lenses worth paying ten time the price of this lens.

jcdoss · 07-12-2015, 03:50 PM

I'm probably not the right person to ask, since all my lenses are manual focus. However, even during my Nikon days, I didn't have much use for autofocus for shots like this one, especially when shooting handheld. As soon as AF locked, slight camera movement will mess everything up. Live view and focus magnification have been far more valuable to me.

Venom3300 · 07-12-2015, 07:23 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by arnold

Good, lets you ask the question, is the auto focus on modern lenses worth paying ten time the price of this lens.

IMO its not worth paying huge money to get AF on a macro lens or landscape lens.... wildlife is another story.

---------- Post added 07-12-15 at 07:24 PM ----------

Not the original purpose of this lens, but it double as a pretty good portrait lens as well.

taken at f/5.6 on a tripod and self timer (I am the guy in the photo)

Aaron28 · 07-12-2015, 07:31 PM

very nice!

**arnold** · 07-12-2015, 10:20 PM

Originally posted by Venom3300

Not the original purpose of this lens, but it double as a pretty good portrait lens as well.

Your picture came out very well. I used it as my prime portrait lens, however, if you want softer more forgiving pictures, another lens may be more suitable.

Venom3300 · 07-13-2015, 06:13 AM

Originally posted by arnold

Your picture came out very well. I used it as my prime portrait lens, however, if you want softer more forgiving pictures, another lens may be more suitable.

oh I'm not saying its ideal. but it can be used if thats all you have (like me). I reduces the clarity on the skin except for eyes and lips in order so soften things up a bit.

micromacro · 07-13-2015, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by jcdoss

Live view and focus magnification have been far more valuable to me.

How can you use LV under bright light? Mission is impossible for me.

07-12-2015, 05:21 AM	#33
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492	Originally posted by Aaron28 thanks y'al for the pricing deal.....the pics and price make it very appealing.....as I play with close up filters on a few 'macro' lens I got....a sears 135 and a qii 70-210 both which can be clicked into 'macro' mode......very tempted to get a dedicated one though and this one looks nice at a good price Aaron, I was much like you.... "I play with close up filters on a few 'macro' lens I got....a sears 135 and a qii 70-210 both which can be clicked into 'macro' mode," then I FINALLY decided to just cut to the chase and bought a SMC Pentax-FA 100mm f:2.8 macro. I've never looked back. A lens of that caliber will absolutely put you in a whole 'nother world! It's 1:1, build like a bank vault and is TOP DRAWER! I found mine on eBay (out of Osaka, Japan) for $229.00. It was like new! Only problem? Now, I have a cabinet full of close-focus lenses - most of which will only go to 1:4 - and a big box full of close-up filters, extension tubes, a bellows and reversing rings! I have NO use for them now! Just a thought from and old, feeble mind! I don't mean to hijack this thread by posting MY photos, but here's a sample of what the lens will do, even with a LOT of cropping! Last edited by Dewman; 02-11-2016 at 02:14 AM.

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07-10-2015, 03:47 PM	#31
bluestringer Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cotton fields of South Georgia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,748 Original Poster	Originally posted by tim60 Is this lens similar in design to the earlier SMC Takumar 100/4? That has impressed me similarly to some of the flower and plant pictures in this thread. I think it's the same. It's gets good reviews. Super-Multi-Coated MACRO-TAKUMAR 100mm F4 Macro Reviews - M42 Screwmount Telephoto Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

07-11-2015, 01:44 PM	#32
tim60 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 8,755	Yesterday while cleaning out my house to move I found a brochure for accessories that came with my MX in 1981. Included the 100/4.

07-12-2015, 08:21 AM	#34
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	Originally posted by Dewman Only problem? Now, I have a cabinet full of close-focus lenses thanks dewman.......I will have some filters like that but likely I will still use the lenses with the o-gps.....got lucky and caught the comet lovejoy using the 135! but I am certainly getting sucked into the whirlpool of the macro world! Last edited by Aaron28; 07-12-2015 at 07:29 PM.

07-12-2015, 02:29 PM - 2 Likes	#35
jcdoss Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,794	Here's one of my latest with the M100. Dinnertime taken with Pentax K-x and Pentax-M 100mm f/4.0 Macro by Jason Doss, on Flickr

07-12-2015, 03:45 PM	#36
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,295	Originally posted by jcdoss Here's one of my latest with the M100. Good, lets you ask the question, is the auto focus on modern lenses worth paying ten time the price of this lens.

07-12-2015, 03:50 PM	#37
jcdoss Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,794	I'm probably not the right person to ask, since all my lenses are manual focus. However, even during my Nikon days, I didn't have much use for autofocus for shots like this one, especially when shooting handheld. As soon as AF locked, slight camera movement will mess everything up. Live view and focus magnification have been far more valuable to me.

07-12-2015, 07:23 PM - 2 Likes	#38
Venom3300 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 714	Originally posted by arnold Good, lets you ask the question, is the auto focus on modern lenses worth paying ten time the price of this lens. IMO its not worth paying huge money to get AF on a macro lens or landscape lens.... wildlife is another story. ---------- Post added 07-12-15 at 07:24 PM ---------- Not the original purpose of this lens, but it double as a pretty good portrait lens as well. taken at f/5.6 on a tripod and self timer (I am the guy in the photo)

07-12-2015, 07:31 PM	#39
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	very nice!

07-12-2015, 10:20 PM	#40
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,295	Originally posted by Venom3300 Not the original purpose of this lens, but it double as a pretty good portrait lens as well. Your picture came out very well. I used it as my prime portrait lens, however, if you want softer more forgiving pictures, another lens may be more suitable.

07-13-2015, 06:13 AM	#41
Venom3300 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 714	Originally posted by arnold Your picture came out very well. I used it as my prime portrait lens, however, if you want softer more forgiving pictures, another lens may be more suitable. oh I'm not saying its ideal. but it can be used if thats all you have (like me). I reduces the clarity on the skin except for eyes and lips in order so soften things up a bit.

07-13-2015, 08:48 AM	#42
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	Originally posted by jcdoss Live view and focus magnification have been far more valuable to me. How can you use LV under bright light? Mission is impossible for me.