Popular Photography (May 2010) Lab test of 100/2.8 Macro WR

**jhaji** · 04-12-2010, 08:15 AM

SQF results held on to an Excellent rating all the way to 16x20 - better than the Canon 100mm f/2.8 IS, which only held this rating to 11x14. Our DxO 3.2 tests found practically no distortion, nor light falloff, in the normal and macro focusing ranges. Both distortion and vignetting were superb optical performances, nearly perfect.

krypticide · 04-12-2010, 11:07 AM

I need a (relatively) small telephoto prime. This just might be it!

johnmflores · 04-12-2010, 02:08 PM

This may be our next lens. I've favored wides up to now, but I'm really growing to appreciate the way longer glass compresses the field of view...

Tuner571 · 04-12-2010, 03:00 PM

This is great, I have heard great things about this lens and this only makes things better. So not only is it a great lens its a beautiful lens as well.

**Rondec** · 04-13-2010, 04:07 AM

Frank had an amazing thread going on this lens (here). It does seem like an amazing lens -- a step above the older DFA 100mm macro. I particularly like the rounded bokeh. Just beautiful.

frank · 04-13-2010, 05:25 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Frank had an amazing thread going on this lens (here). It does seem like an amazing lens -- a step above the older DFA 100mm macro. I particularly like the rounded bokeh. Just beautiful.

Not just the round bokah. It looks and feels much better, and the manual focusing is smooooth. Other than the plastic hood, I really don't think there is anything I don't like about this lens.

**felixkh** · 04-13-2010, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by frank

Not just the round bokah. It looks and feels much better, and the manual focusing is smooooth. Other than the plastic hood, I really don't think there is anything I don't like about this lens.

Man LBA poison oozzzzziiiing

vandamro · 04-13-2010, 03:15 PM

What's really amazing is that this lens is so small for a 100mm lens! May be I'm used to telephotos in this range being a lot bigger and heavier. This lens is just a pleasure to use because of its small size and weight.

UnknownVT · 04-13-2010, 05:07 PM

Found this link on PopPhoto.com:

Lens Test: Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro
Sturdy and superb close-up glass.
Posted Apr 13, 2010

It only shows the SQF chart no review text -

but this happened for me on the Pentax K-x review
where I first found a link to 5 images only without any review text -
then later found the actual text for the review on a same-named but different link
(strangely the full review lacked the all important test results panel which was in the earlier images only link I found)

UnknownVT · 04-15-2010, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by UnknownVT

Found this link on PopPhoto.com:
Lens Test: Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro
Sturdy and superb close-up glass.
Posted Apr 13, 2010

It only shows the SQF chart no review text

FWIW here's the link to the full review:

Lens Test: Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro
Sturdy and superb close-up glass.

Posted Apr 13, 3:52 pm

Note despite the same title
this is a different link from the one above.....

04-12-2010, 08:15 AM	#1
jhaji Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,141	Popular Photography (May 2010) Lab test of 100/2.8 Macro WR SQF results held on to an Excellent rating all the way to 16x20 - better than the Canon 100mm f/2.8 IS, which only held this rating to 11x14. Our DxO 3.2 tests found practically no distortion, nor light falloff, in the normal and macro focusing ranges. Both distortion and vignetting were superb optical performances, nearly perfect.

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04-12-2010, 11:07 AM	#2
krypticide Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,079	I need a (relatively) small telephoto prime. This just might be it!

04-12-2010, 02:08 PM	#3
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	This may be our next lens. I've favored wides up to now, but I'm really growing to appreciate the way longer glass compresses the field of view...

04-12-2010, 03:00 PM	#4
Tuner571 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,549	This is great, I have heard great things about this lens and this only makes things better. So not only is it a great lens its a beautiful lens as well.

04-13-2010, 04:07 AM	#5
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,662	Frank had an amazing thread going on this lens (here). It does seem like an amazing lens -- a step above the older DFA 100mm macro. I particularly like the rounded bokeh. Just beautiful.

04-13-2010, 05:25 AM	#6
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Originally posted by Rondec Frank had an amazing thread going on this lens (here). It does seem like an amazing lens -- a step above the older DFA 100mm macro. I particularly like the rounded bokeh. Just beautiful. Not just the round bokah. It looks and feels much better, and the manual focusing is smooooth. Other than the plastic hood, I really don't think there is anything I don't like about this lens.

04-13-2010, 06:47 AM	#7
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	Originally posted by frank Not just the round bokah. It looks and feels much better, and the manual focusing is smooooth. Other than the plastic hood, I really don't think there is anything I don't like about this lens. Man LBA poison oozzzzziiiing

04-13-2010, 03:15 PM	#8
vandamro Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 84	What's really amazing is that this lens is so small for a 100mm lens! May be I'm used to telephotos in this range being a lot bigger and heavier. This lens is just a pleasure to use because of its small size and weight.

04-13-2010, 05:07 PM	#9
UnknownVT Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,812	Found this link on PopPhoto.com: Lens Test: Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Sturdy and superb close-up glass. Posted Apr 13, 2010 It only shows the SQF chart no review text - but this happened for me on the Pentax K-x review where I first found a link to 5 images only without any review text - then later found the actual text for the review on a same-named but different link (strangely the full review lacked the all important test results panel which was in the earlier images only link I found)

04-15-2010, 09:10 AM	#10
UnknownVT Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,812	Originally posted by UnknownVT Found this link on PopPhoto.com: Lens Test: Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Sturdy and superb close-up glass. Posted Apr 13, 2010 It only shows the SQF chart no review text FWIW here's the link to the full review: Lens Test: Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Sturdy and superb close-up glass. Posted Apr 13, 3:52 pm Note despite the same title this is a different link from the one above.....