| Author: | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2008 Location: montreal Posts: 136 | | Review Date: January 7, 2010 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Metal,WR,light weight and small | | Cons: | none yet | |
This is my first impressions after 1 week of owning that lens.I think that all comments done for the older DFA100 Macro version will apply for IQ.The only thing that should be better will be the Bokeh,i did some shots of my decoration in my christmas tree and Bokeh looks very good,will see in the field how it end up.
The construction looks very good also,like DA Ltd almost!I already tested the WR in snowy condition a couple of times and it's up to the job in winter,will have to see how it perform in the rain next spring.
The focusing ring designand action is very good also , like my DA35Ltd.
Some will find that lens price too high but for me the metal construction and WR are worth it.It should stand many years in the field of Macro shooting in every condition.
Here is a link to a gallery of photos taken with that lens:
http://smarcoux.zenfolio.com/p306835876 | | | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: May, 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 69
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 7, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | usual feel and quality of the fine Limited Lenses.... | | Cons: | none yet... | | New or Used: New
| |
One Day ago, I received my new "Pentax smc D-FA 100 / 2.8 Macro WR" Lens.
It is really the lightest 100mm Macro lens I ever held in my hands.
And it is a very lovely lens, in the usual feel and quality of Limited Lenses.
Produced in the best finest optical and mechanical quality.
Enclosed the first shots from today, with the Pentax K-7 and the
very fine "Pentax smc D-FA 100 / 2.8 Macro WR" Lens
in the botanical Garden in Berlin / Germany.
Shots freehand without a tripod, JPG only resized.
There are very many pictures, please do not scare.....
(Non working link deleted)
(Non working link deleted)
LG
Hartmut
| | | | | | | | Review Date: February 13, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $585.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Versatility, build quality, FF compatible, WR | | Cons: | Center of gravity | |
This is a very capable lens, even as a medium telephoto. The build quality very much like that of limiteds. Compared to other macro lens, I think that this is a easier lens to get a hang of. Even for those who have never tried macro before, I think this is a fine choice. Compared to DA 35 ltd, for example, I felt that the center of gravity of the lens itself was a bit too close to the camera. I wish it was close to the head of the lens, because at least for me it helps steady my frame, so to speak. But I understand that they also had to design like a tele too. A very small point nonetheless.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: August, 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 7,484 | | Review Date: June 16, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $599.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Color rendition, Size, Build, Bokeh, Quick Shift Focus | | Cons: | NA | |
Instead of posting photos that may disappear I'll give a link to the set taken with the lens.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13300089@N08/sets/72157623765848759/
Even though this is an AF lens I tend to use it more in Manual focus. It does have quick shift but the AF seems to override it when doing 1:1 closeups. I won't call that a con because anybody who shoots Macro will tell that MF tends to be better and have more control. I think that's just the nature of doing 1:1 macro and will always be. I'd love for it to have an an aperture ring but I guess that's part of having the D FA lens. Haven't had a chance to test the WR aspect of it (and won't).
As far as 100mm range macros go, this lens is tiny and built like a brick house. Focus is silky smooth and can quickly be turned from 1:1 to telephoto. Those who desire ultra quiet AF may find fault with this lens. The screw drive focus does give a nice satisfying wrrrrrr sound. Again, the nature of the beast and it doesn't bother me to hear it.
For 1:1 focus, the distance is actually much closer than I imagined it would be. It's nearly 12 inches but for most of what I shoot, that's still very close. Compared to my DA35 however, it's quite a bit (12 vs 5.5). I've added the Pentax AF160 flash to this lens and the combo is an absolute joy to use.
Bottom line, if you have $600-$700 to toss on a 100mm Macro, you'd be hard pressed to find better. I don't know if the price will decrease (but it usually does) much but I feel it was money well spent. The lens when first released was $800.
Oh, what the H.... Here's one from the set linked above. 
 | | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2010 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 509 | | Review Date: June 29, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $679.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | excellent IQ, superb build quality, light and small | | Cons: | | |
Being new to macro shooting, I was hesitant to spend so much on a lens not knowing if I would really be able to use it well. This lens is so good it's almost impossible to take a bad photo with it! The increased working distance (over that of the DA35) makes it really nice. I'm getting much better shots with much less effort than is required with the DAL50-200 and the Raynox DCR150. Quickshift is especially helpful in focusing.
Colors are vibrant, the lens is very sharp, bokeh iis beautiful, especially with the lens' rounded aperture blades. Build quality is superb, and the lens is compact yet solid. The metal housing is very nice. The lens has a quality feel that matches my DA35. The plastic lens cap is almost an insult to the DFA100WR. I replaced it with a metal screw-on cap that dresses it up. I love this lens and look forward to working with it a lot. | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: January, 2008 Location: Sørumsand, Norway Posts: 59 | | Review Date: August 9, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $850.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Image quality, build quality, quick shift, weather resistance | | Cons: | Not IF | | New or Used: New
| |
Beeing an owner of Sigmas 105mm macro lens for some years, I have been doubtful about buying a Pentax macro lens. This is due to image quality and build quality. With this new wr lens and metal housing the build quality is very good. Seeing very good reviews on image quality (especially sharpness), I finally took a chance of replacing my Sigma macro lens for this one.
The image quality is at least as good as the Sigma 105mm, with a bokeh looking more pleasing because of the rounded aperture blades. AF on these two lenses is in my opinion equally good/bad. They both make some noise and hunt in the same manner. The quick shift on this lens is really handy, either if you prefer using AF or manual. To avoid hunting I can pre-focus without switching to MF and back to AF again.
The only thing that my Sigma was better at is a built in hood. It makes it a bit larger, but that does not matter for me. This Pentax macro will at the shortest working ranges (when really close) have it front element rather close to the front of the lens hood, actually making it susceptible to flare when shooting in sunlight. I also think it is a bit fiddly to attach and remove the lens hood all the time, but I hope that is just a habit. Nonetheless it is not an important negative aspect.
Here are some links to pictures from this lens to show the image quality:
http://www.digit.no/wip4/m-hoene/uid.epl?pid=102491&s=new&uiid=131658
http://www.digit.no/wip4/duggfrisk/uid.epl?pid=102491&s=new&uiid=131698
http://www.digit.no/wip4/marihoene/uid.epl?pid=102491&s=new&uiid=131799
http://www.digit.no/wip4/sett-iro-for-f-n/uid.epl?pid=102491&s=new&uiid=132172
(Non working link deleted)
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: June, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 639 | | Review Date: August 15, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $679.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Creamy bokeh | | Cons: | none | |
This lens is smaller than the average 100 or 105 macro. The filter diameter is only 49mm.
Sharpness of this lens isn't an issue for me. I can see some fine details on subjects when I zoom in on photos with my software. The depth of field isn't shallow like another manual focus third party macro lens I have but, I have to pay attention and keep the focus just right so my subjects come out sharp.
There are only eight blades but their rounded design seems to produce a nice creamy bokeh. The weather resistent design is also and added bonus here in Florida.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: March, 2009 Location: Trier Posts: 80 | | Review Date: August 18, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | light, sharp, sharp, sharp, small | | Cons: | none | |
I only have this wonderful lens for now 3 weeks and only tetsted it little.
It´s performance in Macro is incredible. Pictures are as sharp as can be. It is a wonderful lens for medium Telephotograhpy and imho it is also pretty fast.
I like the idea of getting out in the rain to take Macro pictures then ;-)
There is only one (negative ;-[ ) remark: Pentax has forgotten to put the
LIMITED remark on the barrel ;-)
Regards from Germany
Georg
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2010 Location: Upper Thomson Posts: 5 | | Review Date: August 28, 2010 | Recommended
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Smallish, Great bokeh (portrait), Light | | Cons: | Search under autofocus | |
I have used the two previous versions of the 100mm f2.8; and what impresses me is the bokeh it could give, as I was talking portraits of some models (see Kallang folder in my Photobucket). Since then, I bought this lens and used it frequently either macro or just for events. Its sharpness is very appreciated.
However, to ensure it doesn't search like crazy under auto-focus with all the sound; do a manual focus first, and then put back into AF mode, if you desire. On macro, I will use manual.
Very happy with this lens. I am based in Singapore.
http://s148.photobucket.com/home/ysleong_album/allalbums | | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2009 Location: Hobart, TAS Posts: 10 | | Review Date: September 2, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $615.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Fun to use, scary sharp from f/2.8, small, nice bokeh, standard 49mm filter | | Cons: | AF hunts a bit, loud. | |
Great image quality. Amazingly sharp from wide open. Beautiful bokeh in macro. Maybe slightly busy in longer shots. Colour rendition and contrast are the usual Pentax minor miracle.
This lens feels awesome to use. The build is outstanding, like a Limited lens. The focusing ring is the best I have used, beautifully dampened yet not at all stiff, and easy to use accurately. While the IQ of alternatives is close, its build quality and looks makes this one hard to beat for value.
Lens weight sits mostly near the base so the camera is not front heavy on a tripod. It also uses 49mm filters like most other Pentax lenses, so if you need a filter (which I don't often for macro work), you'll likely have it in the right size already.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2009 Posts: 1,235 | | Review Date: November 30, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Extremely sharp, weather resistant, excellent bokeh. | | Cons: | Extending inner barrel, plastic inner barrel and hood mount. | | New or Used: New
| |
What I like about the lens:
- Full frame lens (the FA specifier in DFA). Even with only APS-C available, it gives those cameras the “sweet spot” effect.
- Extremely sharp lens.
- Extremely good background blur (bokeh).
- Very nice contrast-y color rendering.
- Weather resistance.
- Solid aluminum casing and focus ring.
- Macro ability.
- Image quality is still good with a decent teleconverter.
- Quality related aspects of a DA* or Limited without a premium price (casing, lens details and serial number on the focus ring, solid feel).
- Aperture of f2.8 is nice to have.
- Relatively compact size.
- Images are nice and bright through the whole frame even at f2.8.
What I’m not that fond of:
- The interior barrel and hood mount are plastic, but it’s a welcome trade-off for a lower price.
- The interior barrel extends a lot. I’m just not personally fond of lenses that have any type of extending barrel because it won’t ever be as water resistant as ones that don’t. However it’s really unlikely a lens like this would be made that doesn’t have an extending barrel due to the large amount of travel the front lens element makes (fully extended, the lens is almost twice as long).
- Chromatic aberrations, specifically purple/green fringing, is visible in extreme lighting conditions.
Conclusion:
I think Pentax really needs to release more D-FA WR lenses. This lens is an excellent combination of performance, build quality, and price. It also is a future relevant lens as it can support a full frame 35mm imaging sensor (assuming Pentax eventually joins the FF party someday). This lens is well worth the price of admission, which as of this review is around $610 from popular online retailers such as B&H and Adorama. It’s a very versatile lens and can be used for pretty much anything such as it’s intended macro purposes to portraiture and event photography. Just keep in mind focusing speed with macro lenses in general isn’t the fastest or is screw-drive focusing the quietest out there.
My blog article with pictures and such.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: January, 2008 Location: 514 Posts: 123 | | Review Date: December 3, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $629.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | beautiful build, weather sealing. | | Cons: | haven't found any yet | |
I am not such a technical photographer yet, and will limit this review to how I felt using it. All the previous reviews describe the lens quite precisely on build, feel and focus accuracy.
I got the lens a few days before a recent trip to China and one of its lesser known villages near Whenzhou city. In other words, my experience with a true macro has been limited only to the DA 35Ltd. I bought the lens since I was so pleased with the 35's ability to close focus which is usually my all rounder go to lens. I thought, for travel, it would be great to have a medium telephoto that would close focus as well if needed. It certainly did not disappoint. So, I've used it mostly as a med telephoto with some close ups on subjects.
It was hard at first to get used to the focal length, but found that the distance needed for my style of photography made me less of an intrusion, or at least attract less attention to myself from the subject. I found it useful to prefocus manually if you are changing subject with a large distance difference. If you let the camera do it, it will travel throughout the focus range which is quite long for this lens. It may miss the mark completely or go the wrong way all the way to the end before coming back in the right distance, in which case you may lose the moment.
Being caught in some rainy weather, I was not worried about the lens while shooting. After returning to a dry place, I found some moisture still stuck in the distance scale window after rotating the focus ring. So, I would advise to check it if you ever shoot in rainy/wet conditions. Wouldn't want fungus to develop because of trapped moisture.
The images it renders on my k-7 are true to Pentax form, beautifully contrasted, tack sharp, and a joy to manual focus when needed.
Here are a few examples.
     | | | | | Forum Member Registered: March, 2010 Location: Sydney Posts: 58 | | Review Date: December 5, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $680.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | rounded aperture blades, metal build, quick shift, light weight, weather resistant | | Cons: | long focus travel if AF misses the spot. Plastic filter thread | |
Love this lens! It's barely come off the camera in the 5 months that I have owned it.
This lens produces wonderful images no matter how you use it! I must admit that prior to purchasing this lens I had very little experience with macro photography so can't compare directly against other similar macro lenses.
The outside of the lens is constructed entirely of metal and looks strikingly similar to the DA Limited series of lenses. Build quality is great, however it does feature some plastic on the inner barrel, lens hood and cap. This is obviously an effort to keep costs down, though at least they've cut the costs in the right places. It would have been nice if the filter thread wasn't plastic though. The inner barrel remains just inside the lens hood at closest focus and is quite well protected (if using the lens hood).
The rounded aperture blades are a nice addition and was one of the reasons I spent the extra money and went for the WR version over its predecessor. Backgrounds are smooth and natural looking, even when working with a busy background.
Focusing is very smooth and the quick shift is very handy when in auto focus mode. When working on extreme close up shots I tend to disable auto focus as it can miss the mark and focus the wrong way, potentially losing out on a shot.
Aside from working at macro distances I generally leave auto focus on. It works very well as a mid range telephoto or even for portrait shots as well.
The lens is weather resistant, though I have not yet tried it out in anything but a slight drizzle. It does extend when focusing and this could be its one weak point should you get the internal barrel wet then retract it. However with the lens hood fitted it covers the internal barrel completely so any rain that may fall would just run right off. I always use the lens hood anyway just as extra bump protection.
In summing up the lens has many great features and not a lot to quibble over. Go get yourself one!
An easy 9 out of 10.
Here are some example macro shots.
  | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2010 Posts: 586
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 10, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very sharp, beautifully built, great bokeh | | Cons: | if it doesn't lock right AF away, it'll hunt into the macro range | |
This was my first lens up from the kit lens, and it's probably my favorite lens. It's beautifully built, and unlike the Limiteds, it has some body length for you to admire and caress that build  (I think I revealed a bit too much of myself there). Unfortunately, my copy seems to have some backfocus unless in direct sunlight, but when it does nail focus, you know it - it's as sharp as I've ever seen, probably beyond 100% but I never care to pixel peep that far. Its many curved aperture blades do the job well and portraiture is great with this lens - very sharp (to the point of unflattering!) wide open and great bokeh, even stopped down - in macros, even stopping down to F11 maintains very smooth bokeh.
Contrary to some reports, I've found the AF to be quite fast to lock on - in fact, as long as it doesn't miss focus and go into the macro range and back again, I've found it useable for sports such as field hockey.
If this lens backfocuses (which as I've mentioned, mine seems to be prone to), then it'll exhibit a significant amount of PF in the OOF area. Initially, I thought this was a normal defect of the lens until I found that if the area is in focus, it basically will not have CA/PF, period. This and my DA40 are two lenses that, if all goes right, virtually no amount of high contrast will elicit fringing from.
Overall, a great buy and a versatile lens - a macro lens that does great portrait, a portrait lens with no effective minimum focus, a travel telephoto, whatever you want. If you're in the market for any lens in the ~100mm range, for any purpose, this one really ought to deserve some attention. Its WR (which I haven't extensively stressed) is just icing on the cake.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 6,168
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 15, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $640.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very sharp, beautiful color rendering, excellent build quality | | Cons: | none worth mentioning | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 10
Value: 8
New or Used: New
| |
A limited in all but name (as even Ned Bunnell has admitted), with its "solid aluminum housing and compact design." The lens' rounded aperture blades and WR seals puts it a notch above the DA limiteds. Wide open, the lens works well as a portrait lens, with commendable sharpness and excellent separation. But stopped down to f5.6, it becomes too sharp for portrait work -- indeed, it may be the sharpest lens I own, sharper even than the K50/1.2 or the M 50/1.7. Sharpness begins to slowly diminish from f11 onwards, until at f32, the lens is a mere shadow of its former self. The lens produces bright, vibrant, stunning color, much like the DA* and limited lenses. Bokeh is superb -- to be sure, not as good K50/1.2 (but then what lens is?), but better than my other fast 50s. Its compact size and light weight make using it for macro work a joy. Build quality is the best I've seen in a Pentax lens this side of the K series glass. Focus is remarkably dampened for an AF lens: just as good as the old manual focus M series glass.
f16:
(Non working links deleted)
@ 1:1 magnification:
(Non working link deleted)
| | |
;)
;)
