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PentaxForums-User · 07-16-2010, 10:46 PM

DFA 100mm WR vs. FA 100mm vs. Sigma 105mm - All 2.8...
(NOTE: The 100mm DFA I'm talking about here and in the POLL is the new WR! Not the regular, 1st version.)

I own all 3! Why? I can't decide which to keep! I got all 3 on PF MP here.

I can't tell the difference between image quality... and was wondering what other owners thought. I have to sell 2, and keep 1... but I don't know which.

I know... sounds silly... the problem is all 3 are excellent lenses. This is what happens when you have LBA.

What do other owners suggest? They all take excellent images, and the handling is great in each, but different.

I'm not able to tell the finer differences... yet. Only had them a month.

Maybe this thread will also help others decides which 100mm to buy!

(NOTE: The 100mm DFA I'm talking about here and in the POLL is the WR! Not the regular, 1st version.)

(FYI - if you want one of mine... let me know... all in perfect condition with most or all accessories and boxes. Asking the going rate in the MP.)

Last edited by PentaxForums-User; 07-16-2010 at 11:41 PM.

creampuff · 07-16-2010, 11:15 PM

Sell all and get the DFA 100mm f/2.8 Macro WR

axl · 07-17-2010, 12:08 AM

my vote went to FA100. I used to have Sigma 105 and toyed around with DFA100. Why to I think FA is best? Well as you said, IQ is practically same on all of them, unless you don't shoot in scenarios where the rounded diaphragm of DFA WR gives you advantage. Build quality is just about the same. DFA doesn't have focus limiter, which may make things unnecessarely slow when using the lens as tele. FA and Sigma both have focus limiter. FA has focus limiter and clamp. FA has faster AF than Sigma and DFA.
So FA is the best

wlachan · 07-17-2010, 01:29 AM

Sell the Sigma, send me the DFA, and keep the FA which I already have. Did I answer you question?

hcc · 07-17-2010, 08:14 AM

In your case, you have two WR bodies (K-7 and K-20D). I would keep the WR lens to have a complete WR system (body + lens).

It is interesting that there are so many good prime lenses ~100mm: the Pentax DFA 100mm WR, Pentax FA 100mm, Sigma 105mm, Tamron SP90mm - All with f2.8 and all with excellent reviews (*). That is excellent news for all and gives us a choice of brands, prices and specs.

(*) See:
Sigma 105mm and Tamron 90mm are both Higly Recommended by www.photozone.de,
Pentax FA 100mm was rated 4.5 stars by www.photozone.de,
Pentax DFA 100mm WR has users' review ratings of 10/10 (Pentax Lens Review Database - smc PENTAX-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR Lens Reviews).

Pentaxor · 07-17-2010, 09:20 AM

I'll choose the FA due to it's tank body alone. also I don't find the necessity to use a hood for it.

SpecialK · 07-17-2010, 07:04 PM

If you can't see the difference, then there is no difference.

I'd keep the WR as suggested earlier.

GeneV · 07-17-2010, 07:18 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

I'll choose the FA due to it's tank body alone. also I don't find the necessity to use a hood for it.

And it has a aperture ring for film bodies.

frank · 07-17-2010, 10:12 PM

Originally posted by GeneV

And it has a aperture ring for film bodies.

Some film bodies can use a lens w/o aperture ring just fine

BTW, I'd go w/ the DFA100WR anytime.

olenl · 08-22-2010, 05:25 PM

according to some internet tests, sigma 105 has less CA than both DFA100WR and Tamron 90 so i am choosing it.

View Poll Results: DFA 100mm vs. FA 100mm vs. Sigma 105mm 2.8 Macro - Which is the CHAMP? (Best Lens)
DFA 100mm	9	39.13%
FA 100mm	7	30.43%
Sigma 105mm	7	30.43%
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll

07-16-2010, 10:46 PM	#1
PentaxForums-User Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 263	DFA 100mm vs. FA 100mm vs. Sigma 105mm DFA 100mm WR vs. FA 100mm vs. Sigma 105mm - All 2.8... (NOTE: The 100mm DFA I'm talking about here and in the POLL is the new WR! Not the regular, 1st version.) I own all 3! Why? I can't decide which to keep! I got all 3 on PF MP here. I can't tell the difference between image quality... and was wondering what other owners thought. I have to sell 2, and keep 1... but I don't know which. I know... sounds silly... the problem is all 3 are excellent lenses. This is what happens when you have LBA. What do other owners suggest? They all take excellent images, and the handling is great in each, but different. I'm not able to tell the finer differences... yet. Only had them a month. Maybe this thread will also help others decides which 100mm to buy! (NOTE: The 100mm DFA I'm talking about here and in the POLL is the WR! Not the regular, 1st version.) (FYI - if you want one of mine... let me know... all in perfect condition with most or all accessories and boxes. Asking the going rate in the MP.) Last edited by PentaxForums-User; 07-16-2010 at 11:41 PM.

07-17-2010, 08:14 AM	#5
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	In your case, you have two WR bodies (K-7 and K-20D). I would keep the WR lens to have a complete WR system (body + lens). It is interesting that there are so many good prime lenses ~100mm: the Pentax DFA 100mm WR, Pentax FA 100mm, Sigma 105mm, Tamron SP90mm - All with f2.8 and all with excellent reviews (). That is excellent news for all and gives us a choice of brands, prices and specs. () See: Sigma 105mm and Tamron 90mm are both Higly Recommended by www.photozone.de, Pentax FA 100mm was rated 4.5 stars by www.photozone.de, Pentax DFA 100mm WR has users' review ratings of 10/10 (Pentax Lens Review Database - smc PENTAX-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR Lens Reviews). Last edited by hcc; 07-17-2010 at 03:15 PM. Reason: Typos

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07-16-2010, 11:15 PM	#2
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Sell all and get the DFA 100mm f/2.8 Macro WR

07-17-2010, 12:08 AM	#3
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	my vote went to FA100. I used to have Sigma 105 and toyed around with DFA100. Why to I think FA is best? Well as you said, IQ is practically same on all of them, unless you don't shoot in scenarios where the rounded diaphragm of DFA WR gives you advantage. Build quality is just about the same. DFA doesn't have focus limiter, which may make things unnecessarely slow when using the lens as tele. FA and Sigma both have focus limiter. FA has focus limiter and clamp. FA has faster AF than Sigma and DFA. So FA is the best

07-17-2010, 01:29 AM	#4
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Sell the Sigma, send me the DFA, and keep the FA which I already have. Did I answer you question?

07-17-2010, 09:20 AM	#6
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	I'll choose the FA due to it's tank body alone. also I don't find the necessity to use a hood for it.

07-17-2010, 07:04 PM	#7
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	If you can't see the difference, then there is no difference. I'd keep the WR as suggested earlier.

07-17-2010, 07:18 PM	#8
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by Pentaxor I'll choose the FA due to it's tank body alone. also I don't find the necessity to use a hood for it. And it has a aperture ring for film bodies.

07-17-2010, 10:12 PM	#9
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Originally posted by GeneV And it has a aperture ring for film bodies. Some film bodies can use a lens w/o aperture ring just fine BTW, I'd go w/ the DFA100WR anytime.

08-22-2010, 05:25 PM	#10
olenl Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 113	according to some internet tests, sigma 105 has less CA than both DFA100WR and Tamron 90 so i am choosing it.

DFA 100mm vs. FA 100mm vs. Sigma 105mm

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