Good prime tele/macro lens, for K-r? Old glass or new?

**Deimos** · 10-23-2010, 07:20 AM

Hi All,

I have a Pentax K-r on the way and a Tamron 17-50 f2.8

This should likely cover me for most of my range, but in addition, I was hoping to get a not-too-expensive but preferably high image quality (the holy grail

) telephoto prime lens preferably with macro ability, as well as the ability to AF, meter and all that good stuff with a K-r.

What focal length, not quite sure, it doesn't have to be crazy i'm not a birder or anything just want an extended reach option. I would love to test out some older glass (I also got my wife an old k1000, if anything could work with that as well manual of course that would be even cooler). I could also look at a zoom if that would be better.

Thanks for your advice!

deimos

pxpaulx · 10-23-2010, 07:36 AM

Narrowing it to AF lenses (and macro), you'd be looking at either the Pentax 100mm FA, D-FA or D-FA WR lenses (listed oldest to newest - FA is from the film era, prices will run $400-700), a tamron 90mm (just under $400) or sigma 105mm (just under $500) - prices taken from ebay listings. All are well reviewed by users, as macro lenses generally provide pretty high image quality. Some of these might be better for all-around use, for that info you'll have to get digging!

**Deimos** · 10-23-2010, 07:40 AM

Originally posted by pxpaulx

Narrowing it to AF lenses (and macro), you'd be looking at either the Pentax 100mm FA, D-FA or D-FA WR lenses (listed oldest to newest - FA is from the film era, prices will run $400-700), a tamron 90mm (just under $400) or sigma 105mm (just under $500) - prices taken from ebay listings. All are well reviewed by users, as macro lenses generally provide pretty high image quality. Some of these might be better for all-around use, for that info you'll have to get digging!

Thanks for the quick response! Would the FA lens work for MF on an old K1000 for example or is that too old?

Also are the focal length ratings (for all those lenses) in APS-C format terms? Or would some be 1.5x or whatnot on a K-r?

Cheers

d

tentacles · 10-23-2010, 09:45 AM

All the lenses he listed there will work with a K1000, and all will be 1.5x crop, so 100 is effectively 150 etc. Not to toot my own horn too loudly but I am selling a tamron 90 in the FS area if you're interested the price (and glass) is good. The DFA100 is also a very nice lens.

**Lowell Goudge** · 10-23-2010, 10:38 AM

If you don't mind Mf maybe look at the vivitar series 1 70-210 F3.5 ( version 1). It is one of the sharpest zooms in this range has constant aperture and can do 1:2.2 macro

**Deimos** · 10-23-2010, 11:05 AM

Originally posted by tentacles

All the lenses he listed there will work with a K1000, and all will be 1.5x crop, so 100 is effectively 150 etc. Not to toot my own horn too loudly but I am selling a tamron 90 in the FS area if you're interested the price (and glass) is good. The DFA100 is also a very nice lens.

Thanks but I want the Di though...

jolepp · 10-23-2010, 11:35 AM

The good ones around 100mm seem to have been mentioned already. There is the 180mm Sigma 1:3.5 1:1 macro in case 90/100 mm is not long enough:

Sigma APO MACRO 180mm F3.5 EX DG IF (AF Lens) Lens Reviews - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database

And actually, for a cheapo with plenty of IQ for the price there is the Cosina/Phoenix/Promaster/Vivitar 100mm 1:3.5 AF:

Cosina 100mm F1:3,5 MC Makro Lens Reviews - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database

**Deimos** · 10-23-2010, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by jolepp

The good ones around 100mm seem to have been mentioned already. There is the 180mm Sigma 1:3.5 1:1 macro in case 90/100 mm is not long enough:

Sigma APO MACRO 180mm F3.5 EX DG IF (AF Lens) Lens Reviews - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database

And actually, for a cheapo with plenty of IQ for the price there is the Cosina/Phoenix/Promaster/Vivitar 100mm 1:3.5 AF:

Cosina 100mm F1:3,5 MC Makro Lens Reviews - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database

thanks, wow that cosina/etc is quite the bargain hmmm

jolepp · 10-23-2010, 12:42 PM

A further review with lab results: Cosina AF 100mm f/3.5 macro (Pentax) - Review / Lab Test Report

Laurentiu Cristofor · 10-23-2010, 02:21 PM

Do you want macro or close-up?

You're not going to get a lens that will do all right - both macro and good reach.

For close-up opportunities, I would go with a 300mm that can get close. The DA* 300 can give 1:4 magnification which is not bad. At the lower end, you can get the Tamron 70-300 with 1:2 magnification at 300mm and a problem with PF occasionally. The Pentax DA 55-300 is another option with 1:3.5 magnification and better resistance to PF. If you want a real macro, a 100/105mm macro is a great tool. Options are: Pentax's own, the Sigma 105, or the old Vivitar Series 1/Kiron/Lester A Dine. More exotic macro options are Voigtlander 125 and Sigma 180 - neither of which is still being produced, so you have to look on the used market.

creampuff · 10-23-2010, 05:35 PM

You want longer reach, start with the DA 50-200mm WR or DA/DAL 55-300mm. Or just get any 100mm macro lens.

RioRico · 10-23-2010, 06:36 PM

Many DA lenses will vignette (cut-off corners) on that K1000; older glass won't. For assured interchangeability between the K1000 and your new Kr, avoid DA's. Also avoid FAJ lenses, which lack an aperture ring and won't work on the K1000. Any F, FA, or DFA lens (all autofocus) will work on both cameras, as will older screwmount, K, M and A lenses (all manual focus). Any lens on the K1000 will only focus manually.

A lens' focal length doesn't change just because you put it on a different camera. A 100mm lens is 100mm, no matter if it's on a 645D, K1000, Kr, or some M4/3 cam. I was fooled the first time I put a 400mm lens on a half-frame film camera, whose frame size is about the same as your APS-C-sensor Kr. OH WOW, IT'S A 600MM LENS NOW!!! Not. The projected image circle remains the same size. It's just that smaller formats see less of the image. The formatfaktor refers to field-of-view, not focal length.

Almost all "macro-zooms" do NOT go macro, often defined as being at least 1:2 magnification. I happen to own a weird exception, a heavy Schneider Betavaron 50-125mm enlarger zoom, but that's another story. For macro, you need a macro lens (often costly), or a lens on cheap extensions (tube and/or bellows). There are several active threads here on cheap macro setups. Many manual zooms can be USED for macros if put on extensions, but they're not really designed to give the best results. Enlaarger lenses on extensions, that's the way to go!

Pentaxor · 10-23-2010, 06:36 PM

Sigma 150/2.8. too bad it's not available for the K-mount. I would vouch for the old FA100/2.8.

jolepp · 10-24-2010, 05:29 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

A lens' focal length doesn't change just because you put it on a different camera. A 100mm lens is 100mm, no matter if it's on a 645D, K1000, Kr, or some M4/3 cam. I was fooled the first time I put a 400mm lens on a half-frame film camera, whose frame size is about the same as your APS-C-sensor Kr. OH WOW, IT'S A 600MM LENS NOW!!! Not. The projected image circle remains the same size. It's just that smaller formats see less of the image. The formatfaktor refers to field-of-view, not focal length.

Indeed. In other words: the 1.5x is a crop-factor, *not* a zoom factor, it is an optical, centered crop to the smaller sensor size, nothing more, nothing less.

**Deimos** · 10-24-2010, 10:26 AM

Originally posted by jolepp

Indeed. In other words: the 1.5x is a crop-factor, *not* a zoom factor, it is an optical, centered crop to the smaller sensor size, nothing more, nothing less.

Yeah that I understand. I was trying to figure out is there a focal length "standard" used for lenses that is always the same (for example 100mm is 100mm) regardless whether a lens is made specifically for FF or for APS-C, understanding that the "equivalent" field of view will be different but the focal length rating is the same on the lenses no?

Clear as mud?

10-23-2010, 07:20 AM	#1
Deimos Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kingdom of Wonder Posts: 1,777	Good prime tele/macro lens, for K-r? Old glass or new? Hi All, I have a Pentax K-r on the way and a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 This should likely cover me for most of my range, but in addition, I was hoping to get a not-too-expensive but preferably high image quality (the holy grail ) telephoto prime lens preferably with macro ability, as well as the ability to AF, meter and all that good stuff with a K-r. What focal length, not quite sure, it doesn't have to be crazy i'm not a birder or anything just want an extended reach option. I would love to test out some older glass (I also got my wife an old k1000, if anything could work with that as well manual of course that would be even cooler). I could also look at a zoom if that would be better. Thanks for your advice! deimos

10-23-2010, 06:36 PM	#12
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Reality Check Many DA lenses will vignette (cut-off corners) on that K1000; older glass won't. For assured interchangeability between the K1000 and your new Kr, avoid DA's. Also avoid FAJ lenses, which lack an aperture ring and won't work on the K1000. Any F, FA, or DFA lens (all autofocus) will work on both cameras, as will older screwmount, K, M and A lenses (all manual focus). Any lens on the K1000 will only focus manually. A lens' focal length doesn't change just because you put it on a different camera. A 100mm lens is 100mm, no matter if it's on a 645D, K1000, Kr, or some M4/3 cam. I was fooled the first time I put a 400mm lens on a half-frame film camera, whose frame size is about the same as your APS-C-sensor Kr. OH WOW, IT'S A 600MM LENS NOW!!! Not. The projected image circle remains the same size. It's just that smaller formats see less of the image. The formatfaktor refers to field-of-view, not focal length. Almost all "macro-zooms" do NOT go macro, often defined as being at least 1:2 magnification. I happen to own a weird exception, a heavy Schneider Betavaron 50-125mm enlarger zoom, but that's another story. For macro, you need a macro lens (often costly), or a lens on cheap extensions (tube and/or bellows). There are several active threads here on cheap macro setups. Many manual zooms can be USED for macros if put on extensions, but they're not really designed to give the best results. Enlaarger lenses on extensions, that's the way to go!

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10-23-2010, 07:36 AM	#2
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	Narrowing it to AF lenses (and macro), you'd be looking at either the Pentax 100mm FA, D-FA or D-FA WR lenses (listed oldest to newest - FA is from the film era, prices will run $400-700), a tamron 90mm (just under $400) or sigma 105mm (just under $500) - prices taken from ebay listings. All are well reviewed by users, as macro lenses generally provide pretty high image quality. Some of these might be better for all-around use, for that info you'll have to get digging!

10-23-2010, 07:40 AM	#3
Deimos Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kingdom of Wonder Posts: 1,777 Original Poster	Originally posted by pxpaulx Narrowing it to AF lenses (and macro), you'd be looking at either the Pentax 100mm FA, D-FA or D-FA WR lenses (listed oldest to newest - FA is from the film era, prices will run $400-700), a tamron 90mm (just under $400) or sigma 105mm (just under $500) - prices taken from ebay listings. All are well reviewed by users, as macro lenses generally provide pretty high image quality. Some of these might be better for all-around use, for that info you'll have to get digging! Thanks for the quick response! Would the FA lens work for MF on an old K1000 for example or is that too old? Also are the focal length ratings (for all those lenses) in APS-C format terms? Or would some be 1.5x or whatnot on a K-r? Cheers d

10-23-2010, 09:45 AM	#4
tentacles Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB Photos: Albums Posts: 48	All the lenses he listed there will work with a K1000, and all will be 1.5x crop, so 100 is effectively 150 etc. Not to toot my own horn too loudly but I am selling a tamron 90 in the FS area if you're interested the price (and glass) is good. The DFA100 is also a very nice lens.

10-23-2010, 10:38 AM	#5
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	If you don't mind Mf maybe look at the vivitar series 1 70-210 F3.5 ( version 1). It is one of the sharpest zooms in this range has constant aperture and can do 1:2.2 macro

10-23-2010, 11:05 AM	#6
Deimos Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kingdom of Wonder Posts: 1,777 Original Poster	Originally posted by tentacles All the lenses he listed there will work with a K1000, and all will be 1.5x crop, so 100 is effectively 150 etc. Not to toot my own horn too loudly but I am selling a tamron 90 in the FS area if you're interested the price (and glass) is good. The DFA100 is also a very nice lens. Thanks but I want the Di though...

10-23-2010, 11:35 AM	#7
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	The good ones around 100mm seem to have been mentioned already. There is the 180mm Sigma 1:3.5 1:1 macro in case 90/100 mm is not long enough: Sigma APO MACRO 180mm F3.5 EX DG IF (AF Lens) Lens Reviews - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database And actually, for a cheapo with plenty of IQ for the price there is the Cosina/Phoenix/Promaster/Vivitar 100mm 1:3.5 AF: Cosina 100mm F1:3,5 MC Makro Lens Reviews - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database

10-23-2010, 12:23 PM	#8
Deimos Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kingdom of Wonder Posts: 1,777 Original Poster	Originally posted by jolepp The good ones around 100mm seem to have been mentioned already. There is the 180mm Sigma 1:3.5 1:1 macro in case 90/100 mm is not long enough: Sigma APO MACRO 180mm F3.5 EX DG IF (AF Lens) Lens Reviews - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database And actually, for a cheapo with plenty of IQ for the price there is the Cosina/Phoenix/Promaster/Vivitar 100mm 1:3.5 AF: Cosina 100mm F1:3,5 MC Makro Lens Reviews - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database thanks, wow that cosina/etc is quite the bargain hmmm

10-23-2010, 12:42 PM	#9
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	A further review with lab results: Cosina AF 100mm f/3.5 macro (Pentax) - Review / Lab Test Report

10-23-2010, 02:21 PM	#10
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Do you want macro or close-up? You're not going to get a lens that will do all right - both macro and good reach. For close-up opportunities, I would go with a 300mm that can get close. The DA* 300 can give 1:4 magnification which is not bad. At the lower end, you can get the Tamron 70-300 with 1:2 magnification at 300mm and a problem with PF occasionally. The Pentax DA 55-300 is another option with 1:3.5 magnification and better resistance to PF. If you want a real macro, a 100/105mm macro is a great tool. Options are: Pentax's own, the Sigma 105, or the old Vivitar Series 1/Kiron/Lester A Dine. More exotic macro options are Voigtlander 125 and Sigma 180 - neither of which is still being produced, so you have to look on the used market.

10-23-2010, 05:35 PM	#11
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	You want longer reach, start with the DA 50-200mm WR or DA/DAL 55-300mm. Or just get any 100mm macro lens.

10-23-2010, 06:36 PM	#13
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Sigma 150/2.8. too bad it's not available for the K-mount. I would vouch for the old FA100/2.8.

10-24-2010, 05:29 AM	#14
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	Originally posted by RioRico A lens' focal length doesn't change just because you put it on a different camera. A 100mm lens is 100mm, no matter if it's on a 645D, K1000, Kr, or some M4/3 cam. I was fooled the first time I put a 400mm lens on a half-frame film camera, whose frame size is about the same as your APS-C-sensor Kr. OH WOW, IT'S A 600MM LENS NOW!!! Not. The projected image circle remains the same size. It's just that smaller formats see less of the image. The formatfaktor refers to field-of-view, not focal length. Indeed. In other words: the 1.5x is a crop-factor, not a zoom factor, it is an optical, centered crop to the smaller sensor size, nothing more, nothing less.

10-24-2010, 10:26 AM	#15
Deimos Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kingdom of Wonder Posts: 1,777 Original Poster	Originally posted by jolepp Indeed. In other words: the 1.5x is a crop-factor, not a zoom factor, it is an optical, centered crop to the smaller sensor size, nothing more, nothing less. Yeah that I understand. I was trying to figure out is there a focal length "standard" used for lenses that is always the same (for example 100mm is 100mm) regardless whether a lens is made specifically for FF or for APS-C, understanding that the "equivalent" field of view will be different but the focal length rating is the same on the lenses no? Clear as mud?