Sep 1, 2015

Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR

Introduction

Macro is an important part of photography. Macro lenses enable the highest-quality close-ups and are often regarded as optically superior to other lenses, offering minimal distorsions, great sharpness and colors, as well as very consistent performance. Depending on their focal lengths, they also serve other purposes, including portrait or short telephoto lenses.

D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR with hood

As of September 2015, Pentax currently offers three true macro lenses. These lenses cover three different focal lengths:

• HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro (APS-C only)
• SMC Pentax-D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro (has aperture ring)
• SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR

Released in 2009, the SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm f2.8 macro WR was a welcome addition to the Pentax lineup. It replaced the SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro on which it is based, adding many features in line with the Pentax philosophy: small size, weather-resistant (WR), high build quality. It is the most recent macro from Pentax if you exclude the fact that the 35mm was recently updated to HD coatings. Being a D FA lens, it is usable both with APS-C and full frame.

With an average user rating of 9.6/10, the latest 100mm macro is a well-loved lens by all accounts. Is it enough to be considered a classic? Read on and find out!