| Latest Review Posted | SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR
As a free-lance writer and photographer, I do a lot of product shots. From a tripod, photographing smaller inanimate objects, the SMC-DA 35mm Macro Limited has been my go-to lens for some time. It's only limiting factor is that one has to get pretty close to the subject for macro shots.
The SMC-D FA 100mm WR permits being at a bit of a distance to do macro work. This is an advantage in photographing such things as birds, insects, flowers in the wind, etc. To make this review short, I will say that hands down, this is absolutely the sharpest lens in my Pentax lineup (I have a total of 7 Pentax lenses for my K-3). In autofocus mode, the lens may take some time and hunt a bit over its wide range, which is from infinity to about 12 inches away from the subject. My solution is just to go manual, and move back and forward just a bit to get things in proper focus when in the field.
I love the bokeh the lens provides in the out-of-focus areas, and the fact that I can use it in inclement weather, since it's weather resistant. It's also full-frame compatible, so if I decide to opt for the coming Pentax full-frame camera, it will be usable for it, also.
I give the lens very high marks, and were it not for the focus hunting, I'd give it a "10" overall. But mark my words - you will have to look far and wide to find a sharper lens for macro work. Here are a few examples.
John
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/paladin http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t222/... |
