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Irix 150mm F2.8 Macro 1:1 Review RSS Feed

Irix 150mm F2.8 Macro 1:1

Sharpness 
 9.9
Aberrations 
 9.9
Bokeh 
 9.5
Handling 
 9.2
Focusing 
 9.7
Value 
 10.0
Reviews Views Date of last review
12 25,187 Tue February 6, 2024
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $549.55 9.73
Irix 150mm F2.8 Macro 1:1

Irix 150mm F2.8 Macro 1:1
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Irix 150mm F2.8 Macro 1:1
supersize
Irix 150mm F2.8 Macro 1:1
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Description:

The Irix 150 mm F2.8 Macro lens was introduced in 2018 and allows for life size (1:1) reproduction. The lens is manual focus with a focus lock, and comes with a detachable tripod mount and lens hood. A case is also included. The lens covers the 24x36 mm full-frame format and is weather sealed.


Irix 150mm F2.8 Macro 1:1
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
Full-frame / 35mm film
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
No
Diaphragm
Automatic, 11 blades (rounded)
Optics
12 elements, 9 groups
Mount Variant
KA
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F2.8
Min. Aperture
F32
Focusing
Manual
Min. Focus
34 cm
Max. Magnification
1x
Filter Size
77 mm
Internal Focus
Yes
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 11 ° / 9 °
Full frame: 16 ° / 14 °
Hood
Included
Case
Included
Lens Cap
Included
Coating
Nano Coated
Weather Sealing
Yes
Other Features
Focus Clamp,Tripod Mount
Diam x Length
87 x 135 mm (3.4 x 5.3 in.)
Weight
840 g (29.8 oz.)
Production Years
2018 to present (in production)
Pricing
$594 USD current price
$595 USD at launch
Reviews
User reviews
In-depth review

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Site Supporter

Registered: December, 2015
Location: Leipzig
Posts: 1,942
Review Date: February 6, 2024 Recommended | Price: $440.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: CA correction, WR, bright viewfinder image at high magnification
Cons: bulky, hood design, lack of aperture simulator groove
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 7    Handling: 8    Focusing: 10    Camera Used: K-1    Value: 10   

The lens provides very nice looking images and is highly corrected for aberrations - distortion is minimal and chromatic aberrations are well corrected in both transversal and longitudinal direction at any distance. Stars are nicely round even wide open - coma is mostly absent. The lens is not as flare resistant as the DFA 100 AW (or even WR), but overall fairly robust, without unpleasant ghosting and better than the classic 3rd party lenses or the current Laowa 100m/2.8. Rendering in generally pleasant, with a bit of an rough transition zone (outline) at 1:1, stopped-down. The internal focus shortens the focal length, as usual, towards higher magnification/closer distances. At 1:1, it is 93mm. But as the physical aperture is retained, the lens is very bright, similar to an f/2.0 90mm classic unit-focusing lens.This means the lens needs to be stopped down further for the same depth of field as others, e.g. to f/11 for similar results as the DFA 100 AW at f/8.

Handling-wise, other than being rather bulky, it is a very nice lens with a terrible hood. The barrel is considerably wider than the lens element diameters, the usual Pentax construction would likely be much more compact for the same optical elements. Adding the hard to mount and unmount flexing hood shortens the working distance considerably. The progressively less protruding DFA 100 AW/WR hood towards closer distances is a much more practical design in comparison. The large diameter of the hood additionally makes potential light positions more restricted.

The provided tripod collar is robust, handles well and fits into an Arca-Swiss compatible clamp, so you don't need an extra plate.

The scales are large and well designed, but there is no DoF indication.


The lens mount is sturdy but flat, without any groves. It therefore interferes with the classic mechanical aperture ring coupler, which slightly protrudes from the K-mount. This e.g. is an issue with the Pentax-F 1.7x TC which otherwise works very well with this lens. Also classic extension rings with contracts (e.g. Jessops, Danubia) don't work because of the missing slit in the mount. The slight pressure from mounting the lens on the aperture ring coupler tilts the ring that it sits on slightly off axis, causing it to block the aperture lever of the ring or TC, which in turn may damage the camera. This can be solved by removing the mechanical aperture coupler from the TC or extension ring, which is of no use on the digital cameras ("crippled" K-mount).

With Pentax-F 1.7x TC, wide open:


Wide open on extension rings, deep crop (ants are about 2.5mm long):


Fine wide open for astro too:


And the more typical use 1:1, cropped from horizontal to vertical format (K-1) at f/11:
   
Site Supporter

Registered: September, 2014
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 22

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 17, 2021 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: IQ , build quality - second to none.
Cons: sometimes I miss autofocus, but then I move back and forth.
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Focusing: 10    Camera Used: K1 i    Value: 10   

One of the best and most satisfying lenses I have used by far.
IQ is is Excellent.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: May, 2007
Posts: 2,280

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 5, 2021 Recommended | Price: $725.00 | Rating: N/A 

 
Pros: Sharp as a knife, easy to focus, bokeh, WR, good hood, tripod mount
Cons: Heavy, looks slightly out of place on a KP (but who cares?)
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 8    Focusing: 10    Camera Used: Pentax KP    Value: 10   

Coming from a Tamron 90mm/f2.8 (version 172E) which is no slouch, I wanted a step up in macro capabilities. I doubted long and hard between the Irix and the Laowa 100mm/f2.8

What eventually caused me to decide against the Laowa and for the Irix were the fact I can take the Irix out in any weather, even to the beach or sandy dunes whereas the Laowa's construction with the sliding inner parts and the makeshift front filter seemed a bit flimsy to me.

Now, 2:1 macro seems enticing at first but I often used the Tammy beyond 1:1 using both the HD-DA1.4 converter as well as a 25mm extension tube but I found it too finicky and subjects hard to find if one does not take a particular liking to insects. A full 90% of my shots were with the "naked" Tamron so a bit more distance to subject, improved sharpness and less aberrations were really my ticket.

The Irix has not disappointed so far. I've had it for less than a week but it was really easy to get used to. The focusring is so precise and has such a long throw that even stacking using focus-peaking is possible without a rail. The contrast and color is up there with the best of the best (really fairly similar to my DA*50-135) and the bokeh is soft and very smooth (unlike my Sigma 85mm/f1.4 which is very "nervous").

The sharpnes and microcontrast is nothing short of spectacular. The amount of detail when focused correctly at f5.6-f8.0 is truly amazing. Even when closing the aperture to diffraction-inducing levels the lens still leaves sufficient sharpness for an occasional hand-held insect shot at f22 or f32 - amazing!

All in all, I wish it were not as massive, heavy and looked a bit more at home on my KP (I'm sure it looks better on the K-1) but there's no arguing with the results. A few samples (also one at non-macro distance) below.











   
amateur dirt farmer

Registered: December, 2014
Location: probably out in a field somewhere...
Posts: 41,257

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: February 1, 2021 Recommended | Price: $495.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: clarity, bokeh, color rendition, sharpness, build quality
Cons: bulk & weight
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 8    Focusing: 9    Camera Used: K-3, K-5 IIs   

end of the month review, Irix 150mm f2.8 Macro:

what a hugely-capable lens, this 150mm monstrosity....

other than its size/weight, there is absolutely no downside to this lens - even the manual focus is a plus, given the huge focus ring grip with its distinctive ridge (you'll never lose this grip)....

let's get the elephant out of the room right off - this lens is big and heavy:

Irix 150mm f2.8 Macro (Dragonfly) by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

that's the D FA 100/2.8 WR Macro next to it....


so - if you can live with that, there's no reason to not have one...

everything you can think of: color, clarity, bokeh, sharpness.... it is all here in spades...

it's even WR for those days in the snow or rain....

how about some shots:

mockingbird by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

water lily by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

butterfly and zinnia by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

Laney by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

eggs by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

diced for dinner by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr coffee beans... by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

put simply - if you don't mind carrying it, it is a great & versatile lens

the rest of my flickr album for this lens:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157712433108477/page1
   
Site Supporter

Registered: December, 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 79

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: January 30, 2021 Recommended | Price: $500.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp, Fast
Cons: Big, Heavy
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 9    Focusing: 9    Camera Used: K-1   

Most days, this is my favorite lens to take out to nature. The macro allows me to shoot all the cool little things I see on the trail, but its length and sharpness allow me to shoot and crop to get great images of distant wildlife. The only down side is that you can't hike around too far with it around your neck because it's too heavy. If you carry your kit in a backpack, this is a great choice for multiple uses.
   
Forum Member

Registered: July, 2017
Posts: 92

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: August 17, 2020 Recommended | Price: $600.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Excellent sharpness
Cons: relatively heavy
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Focusing: 10    Camera Used: Pentax K1 - Pentax K5-II   

After a couple of months of testing, I found it to be a very sharp lens, with a nice bokeh and that has an aluminum body, is weather resistant, a tripod tripod foot and is weather sealed, speaks of care they have had in the design.
As a "negative point" the weight, but it is not to worry, the arms do not fall, to carry it for a while.

Regards : lol:

I have marked the box to recommend the lens with a YES, but it turns out that I do not recommend it, the box must not work well or something, I am not doing well.
   
New Member

Registered: October, 2009
Location: Millersville, MD
Posts: 7

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: May 29, 2020 Recommended | Price: $495.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: superbly sharp, well built, smooth mechanism
Cons: relatively heavy
Sharpness: 10    Handling: 10    Focusing: 10    Camera Used: Pentax K5   

Can capture a 6mm spider with surprising sharpness from over 1 meter away. The focusing mechanism is superbly smooth and pleasant to operate - an important quality, in addition to sharpness, when capturing live insects outdoors.

Minimum focusing distance for 1:1 magnification is about 6.5 in, or 16-17cm, beyond the front element. The internal focusing mechanism is associated with a static front element position very close to the front rim of the lens. For this reason, keeping the hood on is important for lens protection, the hood extending out about 2.5 inches beyond the front rim.

The lens is built like a tank, the downside of this being its weight. Regardless, this is an optically and operationally superb lens, and very reasonably priced for such a well made product.

Images: see recent bug photos in https://www.flickr.com/photos/allart1/
   
Site Supporter

Registered: January, 2020
Location: Virginia
Posts: 54

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: March 13, 2020 Recommended | Price: $495.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharp, smooth focus, sturdy build
Cons: heavy

I really like this lens. It is a solid build with a smooth focusing aspect. The main downside is the weight however to be expected with this type of lens. As other's mentioned, the hood is nice but covers the focusing ring when not in use which is a nuisance. I do like the tripod mount and supplied case which are nice. Overall given my interest in macro photography, this one's a keeper.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: September, 2017
Location: Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 806

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: February 20, 2020 Recommended | Price: $495.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Aluminum Housing, Weather Resistant, Tripod Mount,Storage Case, Weather Sealed.
Cons: Heavy,Lens hood needs slot to adjust CP filter, Hood hard to remove, covers focus ring when in stored position
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 8    Focusing: 9    Camera Used: Pentax K-70   




Although the above photos claim Copyright Photodirector they are my photos, just tagged wrong when uploaded!
   
Senior Member

Registered: April, 2011
Location: Drome, France
Posts: 298

6 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 15, 2019 Recommended | Price: $600.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp, long working distance, bokeh
Cons: Weight, impossible to add a TC
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Focusing: 10    Camera Used: K-1, K-3   

This is currently my favourite macro lens. It "only" goes to 1:1 but I mainly shoot between 1:4 and 1:1.
Why do I prefer it to my Venus/Bresser/Oshiro 60mm? Because of the very comfortable working distance of the 150mm, and it acts a "A" lens, not as a "K/M" so the green button is useless.

The bokeh is very pleasant, thanks to the narrow field of view, the lens is very sharp wide open across the entire frame.
Working distance (wd) could be greater: it is a 150mm when focused to infinity but 130mm at 1:4 (wd=65cm), 115mm at 1:2 (wd=33.7cm), 90mm at 1:1 (wd=17.2cm). The focusing is internal so the focal length logically decreases when enlargement increases. However, wd remains very useful.

Are there some negatives points?
I must pinpoint the fact that it is very difficult to focus precisely at medium distances (e.g. 10m), the subject is often in the bokeh. So you must close the aperture in order to improve the depth of field.




   
Site Supporter

Registered: March, 2007
Location: Tucson
Posts: 292

10 users found this helpful
Review Date: January 11, 2019 Recommended | Price: $600.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp, close focusing, tripod mount
Cons: Weight, large diameter
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Focusing: 10    Camera Used: K-3, K-5IIs, *istD, K10D, K-1   

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite hummingbird lenses. It's my first Irix, but it probably won't be my last. It's well constructed, operates smoothly, and works well with all my K mount bodies. The only drawback I've really noticed is the large diameter of the barrel can interfere with my quick-release plates. The included tripod mount alleviated that problem. I'm now using this lens daily for my hummingbird shooting. Please see sample image below. It was shot with a K-5IIs, 1/2000s, f13, ISO 2500. A keeper.
   
New Member

Registered: January, 2015
Posts: 15

8 users found this helpful
Review Date: December 12, 2018 Recommended | Price: $600.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Excellent handling, excellent sharpness between f5,6 and f 11
Cons: No significant negatives, but a few minor reservations: extension tubes and 1,7 x converter not usable, diameter (87mm!)
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 10    Focusing: 10    Camera Used: K-1   

  1. Handling: Handles very well on a K-1 and feels perfectly balanced. Manual focussing is a pleasure, very smooth and precise.
  2. Sharpness: Excellent sharpness from f 5,6 to f 11 in the whole range from infinity to 1:1 (Sharpness is comparable to DFA 100). Sharpness at f 2,8 is acceptable near infinity, but not between 1:2 and 1:1.
  3. Distance focal plane - object is not so much different compared to the DFA 100 mm at the 1:1 magnification ratio (34 cm vs. 30 cm), but the difference increases with weaker maginfications (1:3: 65cm vs 47 cm, 1:5: 97cm vs. 67 cm). A typical behavior of macro lenses with internal focus.
  4. The original pentax extension tubes and the 1,7x AF-converter can not be used -mounting is not possible!
  5. Excellent price / quality ratio, closes a gap in the Pentax lens lineup!!
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