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SMC Pentax-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro Review RSS Feed

SMC Pentax-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro

Sharpness 
 9.6
Aberrations 
 9.2
Bokeh 
 9.5
Autofocus 
 8.7
Handling 
 8.7
Value 
 9.7
Reviews Views Date of last review
29 196,187 Thu September 22, 2022
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
97% of reviewers $334.80 9.52
SMC Pentax-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro
supersize


Description:
The SMC Pentax-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro is a high-quality macro lens designed to be well above the SMC Pentax-FA 100mm F3.5 macro in image quality. It features a clamp and a focus limiter. The optics are seated that far from the front that no separate lens hood is required.

Optically this lens is identical to its F-series predecessor and the D FA-series successors.



SMC Pentax-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
Full-frame / 35mm film
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
Yes (A setting)
Diaphragm
Automatic, 8 blades
Optics
9 elements, 8 groups
Mount Variant
KAF
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F2.8
Min. Aperture
F32
Focusing
AF (screwdrive)
Quick-shift
No
Min. Focus
31 cm
Max. Magnification
1x
Filter Size
58 mm
Internal Focus
No
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 16 ° / 14 °
Full frame: 24 ° / 20 °
Hood
Not needed
Case
S80-160
Lens Cap
Plastic clip-on
Coating
SMC
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Focus Clamp,Focus Range Limiter
Diam x Length
74 x 104 mm (2.9 x 4.1 in.)
Weight
600 g (21.1 oz.)
Production Years
1991 to 2004
Engraved Name
smc PENTAX-FA 1:2.8 100mm MACRO
Product Code
28930
Reviews
User reviews
Features:
Screwdrive AutofocusAperture RingAutomatic ApertureFull-Frame SupportDiscontinued
Sample Photos: View Sample Photos
Price History:



Add Review of SMC Pentax-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro
Author:
Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-15 of 29
Senior Member

Registered: February, 2011
Posts: 118

6 users found this helpful
Review Date: November 7, 2011 Recommended | Price: $525.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: tact sharp, contrasty, bokeh, 1:1 macro, excellent build-quality
Cons: none
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used   

Older pentax 100mm f2.8 macro lenses generally have better optical reputation than DFA versions.
This lens certainly didn't disappoint.

Tact sharp at f2.8, gets even sharper stopped down. Bokeh is amazingly good.

I like to use my 50/2.8 macro for product shots, and this for field shots when working distance is needed.
Best to be mounted on a mini-tripod, get down and dirty on the ground.

Compared to my F100/2.8, I don't see much difference between. They both have the same spec's, so it may have been sample variation that caused other owners to prefer one over the other. There should be more FA 100/2.8's in circulation than F100s, due to its popularity.

For the money and excellent performance, this lens can't be beat. At some point I had all four 100 macro's (F, FA, DFA, DFA WR), but I eventually sold both DFA lenses to keep the better optical F and FA.

Get DFA WR if you absolutely need the WR capability. I would not recommend DFA non-WR version because it is of a plastic barrell similar to DAL lenses, not exactly what you would want to use in the field but perhaps in a studio.

Both F and FA 100's are made of metal barrell , built like tanks , great for field work. Love the feel in my hands.
   
New Member

Registered: November, 2017
Location: Lake Worth, Florida USA
Posts: 3

5 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 9, 2018 Recommended | Price: $255.76 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharpness - Built like a tank - Bokeh - Aperture Ring
Cons: None that I am aware of
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: Pentax K1   

I plan on using bellows and this lens has a dedicated aperture ring which is a huge plus. The housing is also metal and is quite heavy which if anything is a bonus because it's easier to steady your shot if you are shooting with the aid of a tripod.

I was hoping it would make my K1 shine and it most certainly does. Photos look amazing both wide open and stopped down. It's evident this lens is perfectly suited for the 36MP sensor.

The focus is not the quickest, but they never are on a macro lens. Anyone who is a serious macro shooter doesn't use auto-focus anyways.

I am very happy I purchased this over the latest WR lens which would have been double the price and as far as I can tell does not take superior photos.

   
New Member

Registered: May, 2017
Location: Kiev
Posts: 12

5 users found this helpful
Review Date: September 11, 2017 Not Recommended | Price: $200.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Beautiful bokeh, good sharpness of the lens. Beautifully takes pictures of the macro. Beautifully photographs portraits. Durable, iron casing. Deeply is the front lens (not so much soiled).
Cons: Heavy weight. Loud buzzes when auto focus. Narrow and uncomfortable ring on the lens housing, which is intended for manual focusing. This lens does not take pictures of objects that are far away, but it takes very good pictures of portraits and close-ups.
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 8    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: К-5   

This lens is very strong and sturdy, in an iron casing. But because of this he has a rather heavy weight. If you take pictures with this lens for a long time, then the weight is not particularly noticeable. Conversely, it helps to avoid camera shake when photographing. But, if you take pictures for a long time, then the weight of the lens begins to be felt in the form of discomfort.
This lens perfectly removes portraits, subject photos, macro photos.
But the landscape and objects are in the distance, he shoots badly. There is not enough contrast and detail. Although, it's possible that I just got such a copy ..
If you consider the low cost, then I consider the lens to be good and advise it to be acquired by those who intend to shoot beautiful portraits and subject photos and macro photos using the same lens.

P.S. I advise this lens to purchase! But when I save this message on the site, it automatically appears "no" instead of "yes." I do not know why this is happening. I just can't fix it.

Untitled by Vitaliy Potapchikov, on Flickr

IMGP7909 by Vitaliy Potapchikov, on Flickr

Untitled by Vitaliy Potapchikov, on Flickr

IMGP6744 by Vitaliy Potapchikov, on Flickr

Untitled by Vitaliy Potapchikov, on Flickr

IMGP9789 by Vitaliy Potapchikov, on Flickr
   
Senior Member

Registered: March, 2010
Location: Svealand
Posts: 172

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 24, 2014 Recommended | Price: $625.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp, IQ, colour rendition, compact, bokeh, well built
Cons: None
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: Pentax K-5   

Great macrolens but be aware that it's a rather heavy lens.

[IMG]Chevy Chase - SMC Pentax-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro by siamthai3, on Flickr[/IMG]
   
Veteran Member

Registered: March, 2007
Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia
Posts: 7,183

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: July 27, 2010 Recommended | Price: $470.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: IQ, sharpness, color rendition
Cons: weight, clamp too loose
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 9    Value: 10   

This is the best lens in the range I have tried.
I compare it to Sigma 105/2.8 EX DG Macro, DA*50-135, M85/2, Tamron 70-300 Di LD, FA135.
Out of all above mentioned lenses I like this one the best. The AF is fast (as fast as FA135 if limiter is on and way faster than Sigma 105) and precise. The limiter is at 70cm which means you are getting fast short tele prime, if you limit the focus, with good AF range. Colors are great. OOF is smooth and buttery, sharpness right there from f2.8. IQ wise I can't fault this lens. But I wish it was f2 or f2.4. I don't use it as a macro so I won't comment on that aspect.
The only negatives on this lens are the weight (I don't mind the size as I have large hands). 600g is quite a bit to lug around (especially if accompanied by 50/1.2 and 31ltd ). And the clamp is bit loose, especially when in "on" position...
all in all, not a clear 10 but closer to 10 than to 9.
If you want AF prime in this range and 135 is bit too long (it was for me), I highly recommend you get this one. I don't think you'll regret...
   
New Member

Registered: March, 2016
Location: Kruishoutem
Posts: 11

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: August 21, 2018 Recommended | Price: $200.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp,fast, limitswitch,build,AF
Cons: Heavy
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K70   

The limit switch on this lens is very usefull , you can limit the focusrange in 2 very different ways : *1 Limited from 70 cm to infinite with a short run so the AFis pretty snappy for normal use as a telelens *2 Limited from 30cm to 70cm for macro use.


I really like the way this lens renders colours and it's very sharp , even wide open, and it only gets better stopped down .

If your looking for a excellent macrolens that's also very useable for other stuff this snap this one up.
As a bonus it's also very affordable. It is very heavy tough.

   
New Member

Registered: December, 2017
Posts: 2

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: December 27, 2017 Recommended | Price: $220.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: very sharp, excellent build quality, fast focusing
Cons: heavy, front element 35mm inside, 35mm less from lighting subject
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 7    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: Kp, K5, K-01   

It's a wonderfull piece of glass BUT...
- 600g are too many for free hand macrophoto.
- The recessed front element steals important space to illuminate well the subject with the flash.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: July, 2014
Location: Nagoya
Posts: 577

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: January 5, 2017 Recommended | Price: $120.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Solid, sharp, good focus limiter
Cons: Heavy, haze issue, CA
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 8    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-S2, MZ-6   

I got mine cheaply used with the common haze problem on the inner elements. This actually affects the image quality very little, with a little halo wide open that disappears by f4. Sharp enough at f4, excellent by f5.6 with a real 3D pop. Still very sharp for macro from f11-f22, and capable of great bokeh once you get close.
Focusing is noisy with the screwdrive, but pretty fast for a macro lens. The limiter is useful and the clamp on my copy doesn't work. AF is accurate on both the K-S2 and the film MZ-6.
This lens really suffers with fringing on high contrast edges, especially at wider apertures, but these are easy to remove in post-processing so it's not too bad.

What is worth pointing out is that this is a properly heavy and fairly long lens - it feels unbalanced on the K-S2. It is nearly twice the weight of the modern DFA100WR, so if you want to walk about with this lens or take it travelling you may want to consider that. But as long as you can get one for a good price, the FA still represents great value.

A quick non-macro sample to give you an idea of this lens' rendering (K-S2, f8, ISO100)

   
Veteran Member

Registered: March, 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 422

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: November 26, 2015 Recommended | Price: $175.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharp, solid
Cons: AF isn't good enough to do justice to the thin DoF
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 6    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-3ii   

I bought this for using at work for forensic investigation work. It's extremely sharp and easy to use. Please note that the focus clamp doesn't work and isn't actually required anyway. The AF is pretty average, but the DoF is so thin you can hardly blame the lens. I use live view and manual focus and it gives excellent results. Some have criticized or noted that it is bulky and heavy, but I find it's an advantage as the length of the barrel helps maintain a steady grip.

When photographing bright objects there are some CA's to deal with but overall, nothing that bothers me.
   
New Member

Registered: February, 2013
Posts: 3

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: September 23, 2013 Recommended | Price: $500.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Excellent build quality, great bokeh
Cons: None
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K5   

Photos with this lens here.
   
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: December, 2009
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 2,437

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: March 9, 2012 Recommended | Price: $330.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Very sharp, focus limiter, nice feel to it, good bokeh
Cons: Spoils the others lenses.
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: k-x   

I was worried about the purchase at the time (you can never be sure of what you are going to get with online auctions) but now I realise I got a bit of a bargain.

The focus limiter is a very useful feature and I now would not like to be without it (pity DFA macros don't have one). Sharpness is impressive. Even at f2.8 it pretty sharp and at the other end f16 is very useful (and surprisingly sharp still) for macro work.
The only lens I have that comes even close in sharpness in my S.M.C 55 f1.8 (which is sharper than my A50f1.7 and Super Tak 50 f1.4) and even then the FA100 is sharper wide open than the 55 is wide open.

I find it quite hard to write negatives on this lens. Its a lovely piece of glass in a solid package and a useful feature set.
I don't mind the size / weight because, for me, its quite easy to steady it (I find weight can help) and not so heavy that you tire.

If I was going to fussy I would say that it would be nice if it was a bit faster for portrait work but given that it is a macro lens then f2.8 is respectable.

One thing for sure is that it spoils my other lenses because it makes their peformance look average in comparison!

This lens stays on my camera a lot
.
Samples:
Sunset over a damaged city - f11
Lone Tree - f5.6
Tim Beach - f9.5
Icicles - f3.5
   
Veteran Member

Registered: January, 2007
Location: Warsaw
Posts: 338

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: February 1, 2007 Recommended | Price: $400.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: solid, sharp, 3D effect, great bokeh
Cons: heavy
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K20D, K5   

Great lens. Great 3D effects, beautiful bokeh and colors.

Quite big and heavy, slow AF, but easy to use in manual mode.

Works with my Sigma TC1.4 and TC2 and AX1.7 without problems.

Very good performer from 2.8 till 32.
I always prefered it as maco lens than portrait lens.






More samples here
   
Junior Member

Registered: July, 2012
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 42

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: October 1, 2017 Recommended | Price: $150.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Sharp, ideal macro, f2.8
Cons: None
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 6    Handling: 7    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K5iis K3 K1   

I purchased a bundle of lenses and this is the pick of them.
Its a macro lens, so AF can hunt if your giving it confusing subjects to focus on and let's be real, its a macro lens therefore it's often going to be used as manual focus.
Solid, well built and although a film era lens it is pretty darn good.
Considering the cost, it's a no brainer and one iv'e been hoping to add for a long time.
Little bit of haze on the inner elements I think but doesnt affect quality.
In the world of new and expensive FF glass ....... it's an absolute peach.
   


1 user found this helpful
Review Date: August 11, 2011 Recommended | Price: $450.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Quality Sharpness
Cons: Heavy
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 5    Value: 9   

very good lens but also very heavy too
   
New Member

Registered: May, 2010
Posts: 5

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: March 22, 2011 Recommended | Price: $525.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Fast, Optics, Sharpness, AF
Cons: None

I happened to find a new version of this lens. After a couple of days of shooting, this is an absolutely must have lens. I would say this lens is equal to the tier 1 limiteds.

The best quality is the colour, slightly warm and very rich looking. Excellent sharpness and field of view on my K5. I'm simply amazed at how the K5 is truly bringing the older FAs to life.

Simply put, this is the type of lens that made Pentax famous for world class glass.
Add Review of SMC Pentax-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro



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