| Author: | | Junior Member Registered: December, 2011 Posts: 43 | | Review Date: May 7, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build quality, image quality | | Cons: | focus | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Kr
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I just took this lens out for shooting twice, but I can say this the best lens I had (out of DA40, DA35 2.4, 16-45, 55-300). sharpness and bokeh gains most of my complements, also build quality is a plus.
The only thing that may give this lens a minus is the auto focus, because it is not easy to shoot some moving bugs, those creatures usually give very short moment with steady shape, and and when you find these precious moment, and ready to take the shot, your lens begins to hunting....
| | | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: July, 2011 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 1
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 2, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $620.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Mechanical quality, optical quality, versatility | | Cons: | Live View autofocus, purple fringing | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 10
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-x, K-5
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After using this lens for the past 6 months, I’m comfortable in saying that it is the first lens I’d recommend to a Pentax shooter looking to expand his or her arsenal. It is simply a joy to use and produces fantastic results in a wide variety of situations.
The build quality is excellent with a metal barrel, weather sealing, and a fabulous focusing ring with 290 degrees of throw. Once you take advantage of Quick Shift on this lens, you’ll cringe when you have to go without (I’m talking to you, DA 35 F2.4...). Using this lens makes taking pictures fun, and if you’re an amateur like me, that’s about the highest praise a lens can ask for.
But it doesn’t stop there. The optical quality is excellent as well, with lovely bokeh thanks to 8 rounded aperture blades (circular through F5.6). Contrast and sharpness are high, and the fast max aperture makes manual focusing a breeze while really letting your subject pop. The only complaint I have optically is its susceptibility to purple fringing, but Lightroom 4.1 should make that an issue of the past.
The main reason I recommend this lens so highly, though, its its versatility. Able to focus on subjects less than a foot away, you can use this lens for anything. It’s my first choice when it comes to portraits, and when flowers are blooming in Spring, your pictures of them are guaranteed to be beautiful. Nature or product photography? No problem! In general, whenever you need your subject to pop, this lens will do the job. In fact, if you’re a beginning photographer, I’d go so far as to claim that this lens alone will help improve your compositions. With a long focal length and close min focus, you’ll be forced to get in tight with your subject, cropping out distracting elements.
So what’s wrong with this lens? Well, using a polarizer is certainly a pain (since the inner barrel extends, a window in the hood won’t do the job), but otherwise the only major problem is Live View autofocus. Unless you’re very lucky, contrast-detection AF will scan the whole macro range, a process that takes 10 whole seconds even on a K-5. Without a focus limiter, you’re better off doing it manually.
Now I’m generally opposed to grade inflation and feel a bit hypocritical giving this a 10/10, but of the 8 Pentax lenses I own, this is the one that stays on my camera. What else is there to say?
 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: January, 2012 Posts: 216 | | Review Date: April 13, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $630.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | color,bokeh,sharp, WR | | Cons: | no limiter | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: PENTAX K-5
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FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!
very sharp, good AF!!
very VERY VERY good lens!!!!
all mast have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i realy agree pay 850$ for lens like this in future...........!!!!
make lens with SDM motor and bad AF no good idea for PENTAX - and 830$ for idiot SDM is too match( 55mmSDM)
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: June, 2009 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 242
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 11, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Sharp, compact, metal "limited" build, bokeh, true macro | | Cons: | No focus limiter. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K7
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Can't say anything bad about this lens really. The only think I wish it had was a focus limiter to speed up the focus when it misses the subject and has to go through the full focus range and back.
Sharp, 1:1 macro, and the bokeh is sooo buttery smooth. It has a wonderful build quality and it has that 'limited' feel. Did I mention it's also WR!? I also love the quick-shift.
I can't really go on without repeating everything everyone else has already posted so I will just throw out a couple of my favorite pictures.
 | | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Posts: 18,076
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 10, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, WR, build, small & light | | Cons: | No apeture ring, some hunting, hood | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-5, K-7, K-r
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Edit:
If I could give a "10+", I would here after using this lens as my Single Challenges lens for the month of May 2017 on the K-1. This lens is my best overall prime. Better in a few ways the the FA 77/1.8.
Here's the flckr album using the K-1 exclusively : https://www.flickr.com/photos/139020494@N02/albums/72157680632249672/with/34409771395/
Here are a few images that I like. Cheers, J
 Shades of violet by Jean Poitiers, on Flickr
 Crumble by Jean Poitiers, on Flickr
 Four by Jean Poitiers, on Flickr
 One sideways by Jean Poitiers, on Flickr
 "basta" by Jean Poitiers, on Flickr
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Previous review using APS-C DSLR's
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Bonjour,
The previous reviews have said about all ... so, I won't echo too much here. This is my favorite lens: using it for macro and/or "proxiphoto" as we say in France, using it as a portrait lens for the kids, using it as short telephoto and sleath-type street shots ... more versital than one would think at first.
Super build quality and worth the additional expense for this calibre of performance. As previously mentioned, "limited" should be affixed to this lens ... highest ratings by the PF review and the members of PF, too. Very time I see this lens cited in the French photo press, their reviews are glowing, etc.
As jackassp wrote above, the D FA 100 WR is better than the Tamron 90, and he's right. I had a Tamron 90 which is a great lens, but sold it for the Pentax. It was a good move for me.
Pentax's positive aspects - IQ, sharpness, build, fast, focus blur, WR, smallish, 49mm, Quickshift ...
Pentax's less positive aspects - no focus limiter, no ap ring, hood and plastic inner barrel, can minor PF in certain conditions
To conclude, I gave the Tamron a well deserved "8" and it's a great value budget wise ... but the Pentax is so much better. When I go back and look at my archived photos, I can see the difference. The Pentax is the winner and worth the additional investment. A "10" for me without any second thoughts.
Allez, cette optique ... elle est superbe! - J Frog
Edit - Check out the head-to-head comparison of PF - https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/tamron-90mm-macro-vs-pentax-100mm-wr/introduction.html
Additional edit : Below is a review of the lens by Déclic Photo in April 2011
Taken with K-r using on-board flash & daylight ... SOOC; no PP ...
| | | | | Closed Account Registered: March, 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 415 | | Review Date: January 29, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | One of the better lenses I have owned | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
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Got this lens through a sponsor who paid for it for a still life fashion job and copying of documents. Out of the box the AF is bang on and at f8.0 sharpness is close to perfect. AF is noisy but fast as long as good contrast is found - the quick focus works well when that is not the case. I'll certainly try and keep this lens.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Posts: 6,871
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 15, 2011 | Recommended
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | A lens many fall in love with | | Cons: | Its resolution may not be as spectacular as many think | | Sharpness: 9
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I post this review to make a reference to an interesting comparison review between:
- A DFA 100 /2.8 WR on K-5
- Nikkor AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED on D7000
Both lenses are similiar in spec (and price) and both cameras share the same sensor to make such a comparison interesting (the D7000's AA filter may be a tad weaker though).
DxO finds the Nikkor to be significantly sharper though.
-> http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Compare-Camera-Lenses/Compare-lenses/(lens1)/379/(lens2)/261/(brand2)/Nikkor/(camera2)/680
I thought I'd shared this comparison info.
The DFA100WR deserves a 9 for sharpness. But no 10.
| | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2010 Location: Friedrichshafen Posts: 15 | | Review Date: August 18, 2011 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Extremely sharp, bokeh, build quality | | Cons: | Slow autofocus (from far to near) | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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It looks and feels like a limited and the image quality is stunning. There are some aberrations on edges with extreme contrast when shooting at f2.8, but at f4 or higher, the aberrations disappear. Because of the rounded aperture blades, the lens has a very smooth bokeh.
Sometimes the autofocus does not find the right focus and turns completely from far to near and backwards, which takes a few seconds.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 813
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 16, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | WR, construction, shade, IQ, IQ, IQ and IQ | | Cons: | No aperture ring | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
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I have the :
DA 35 Limited macro
Vivitar 55mm 2.8 1:1 macro
Tamron 90 2.8 1:1 DI macro
Pentax A 50 2.8 1:2 macro
lenses, and this tops them all easily, and consistently, in IQ, colour, handling, usability, ease of focus and water resistance.
If you want only one macro lens (that is freely available) then this is it.
If you want a great lens, and want super close-ups with extension tubes, get either the Tamron, or Pentax-A or vivitar...
psst: It's great for weddings and portraits, and stealth street shots.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: July, 2011 Posts: 2,385 | | Review Date: August 9, 2011 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Optically and mechanically a very good performer | | Cons: | Lens not not build in | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
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The lens hood is made from plastic and should be build in (metal). A larger filter thread would make sense - reduce vignetting, etc. Filter thread of my lens is not precisely made. A B+W filter does not screw in correctly and it is not the filter!
A focus imiter would make sense although the quick shift focusing allows for quick presetting/correction of the focus.
No aperture ring is OK, but if you do not support old cameras why build a full frame lens?
First FA prime with weather sealing and quick shift AF - upgrade 31/43/77, ...
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2011 Posts: 8 | | Review Date: July 26, 2011 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build quality / feel, round bekeh, size, IQ | | Cons: | slow AF close by, hood | |
The images from this lens are simply superb. Not only in the macro range, but also for portraits, they are great. This alone is enough reason to buy this lens - and indeed to be classified "limited". The bokeh is nice round, because of the rounded aperture blades, and the lens opens to 2.8. The focus distance makes it (in my view) much better to make macro pictures of insects than the 35mm limited macro.
Having said that, I have to admit that the hood AF is not always doing its job accurately and quickly, especially in the close range. Quick shift is useful, but then the hood needs to be extended, whereas it is impossible to add or turn filters with the hood out.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 215 | | Review Date: July 22, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build guality, image guality | | Cons: | none | |
I really like this small lens with excellent build and image quality. Very sharp, good color rendition and excellent bokeh.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: March, 2010 Posts: 114 | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest, USA Posts: 20 | | Review Date: June 5, 2011 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Stunning image quality | | Cons: | I wish the lens hood had the removable tab for a polarizer, lens AF has a tendency to hunt at times. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
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I was originally considering the FA 100/2.8 Macro, but a good friend told me about this lens. I ended up buying it and I'm really glad I did. Excellent build quality, light weight, and exceptional image quality whether stopped down or wide open, and wonderful bokeh . Add in the WR and it's a great value. The only thing I wish it had was a lens hood that has the removable tab so you can adjust the polarizer if you use one while shooting macros. It also is good landscape lens, and has great balance with the K5 . It's a 10!
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2007 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: March 13, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $456.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, solid build, bokeh, WR | | Cons: | No aperture ring | |
I have a 50/2.8A macro that I've really enjoyed on my K10D, but with 50mm I practically had to rub noses with the subject or crawl on the ground for close macro shots. 100mm makes more sense, and now that I traded my trusty K10D for a K-5 (love it -- finally the first Pentax really worth trading up for since K10D, IMO), I really wanted this 100WR as its perfect WR companion for nature photos.
Although the retail price of the 100WR is very reasonable, I couldn't swing it after shelling out $1450 for the K-5 (OUCH). Behold, a like-new 100WR showed up on eBay and I snatched it.
Wow what a lens. Tack sharp, pleasant to hold and very smooth manual focus. I've been a Pentaxian since my H3v in 1967 and this is one of the best lenses I've ever owned, and I've owned a few. I've been saddened by the featherweight-cheap plastic build of most Pentax lenses through the 80s and 90s and 00s, but this is a really nice lens -- not overbuilt like a tank of the olden days but high quality modern build and components for a reasonable price. Its bokeh is to die for -- it's what a macro SHOULD be.
I'd prefer an aperture ring over setting aperture on the camera, but that's a minor point.
Thanks Pentax. You guys aren't dead yet.
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