Pentax smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens USA

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

Best Marco I own even better than my canon marco, better build, better bokeh and weather sealed. What more could you ask for.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

I have been wanting a dedicated Macro lens that went closer than 1:2 for awhile, I finally was able to afford this lens and all I can say is "WOW!" It is small, reasonably light, and incredibly sharp. My biggest problem is holding it steady enough at closest focus, well that and having things move in the wind! A solid tripod is a MUST at the closer focusing distances, and a subject that is not moving!

What it works well for: Isolating objects from their background. Getting REALLY close for high magnification while keeping a certain distance from skittish things... like bugs. Candid photos. Anything where you need a soft creamy background, the bokeh is incredible.... really!

Things that bug me: It hunts a little bit at times.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

I have tried all macro lenses from Canon and Nikon. This is my second macro lens from Pentax and I love it. I use it both for macro and portraiture. Great sharpness and bokeh, amazing casing.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

The lens is exceedingly well made. DOF control is extremely sharp. This implies two things: first you will almost always need to step down the lens to get the desired DOF for macro work. Second, with such sharp DOF and focus, unless the light is anything less than completely bright, you will need a tripod to use this lens because your shutter speed will have to drop significantly to obtain the right exposure. Also, I found that in practice this lens is best used in manual focus mode, but that is generally true for all good macro photography, anyway. The lens' short size and light weight are very helpful.

Highly recommended for full-length portraiture, and quality macro photography. Recommend you buy a decent UV and IR filter for this lens.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

I couldn't be happier with this lens - I got it for macro work (which it's great at, naturally) but it's also great for portraiture - headshots are a breeze with this lens.

It took me a little while to get used to not having a zoom (I got spoiled by my Pentax K-5's kit lens and my previous camera) but once I remembered what it was like to have a prime lens (like in the film days) I was able to start taking some really nice photos.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

Is what a macro should be: sharp, close focusing (1:1), sharp, contrasty, did I say sharp, weather -resistant to boot. Also very useful as a general purpose telephoto (35mm equivalent is 150mm). Perhaps a bit long for portraits (you can always add diffusion later if it is too sharp). Got some very nice flower closeups with it on K-5. Autofocus is accurate although not the fastest. Manual focus is very usable.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

I use this lens for macro photography and portraits. The moderate size of the lens is a great feature. It produces crisp photos with a wonderful bokeh. The only draw back I can think of is that a pol filter is difficult to turn since you don´t reach it with your fingers inside the lens hood.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

Easy to use
great photos
nice images produced
lens hood is nice size
light and easy to handle - took it to New York Botenical Gardens, this lens lived up to its name.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

Great lens! It brings you nice and close to the subject exposing the minutest details. I chose this over the Tamron 90mm macro because of the WR features. When you're doing macro in nature you're often exposing your camera to dirt and water and it's nice to have one less thing to worry about.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

Not just a great macro lens, but a beautifully sharp 100mm lens. I can get close enough to see the pollen on the hairs of an ant leg. There's a fairly limited depth of field the closer you get, but that's to be expected. The images are so crisp that I've used it as a general purpose lens. Also amazing at shooting plates of food and other products.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

I'm in Canada and I was looking for this lens here. Best deal was at BH[...] The lens makes high quality photos. With a little practice, this will become my "secret weapon" in photography.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

My favorite lens for close up to midrange shooting. The bokeh is excellent for both macro work and for portraits.
The focus is good, though autofocus is not optimal with any lens for good macro-work, and especially with the soft beautiful bokeh this lens gives, I use auto to get close then I use either manual focus or just move the camera slightly further or closer to get the exact plane of interest before I snap.
I LOVE THIS LENS!!!

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

I bought this for close-ups of flowers, bugs, etc.
It it very sharp, not too heavy, but yet seems to be well made. I originally purchased a 70mm Sigma lens, but you had to be too close to the object, and in the case of bugs, butterflies or other lifeforms, they would get spooked. I returned that lens and paid more to get this one. It was worth it. Also good for portraits.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

The clarity of this lens is outstanding and the shots I get with it has opened up a new creative path to my photography.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

For sure will buy more form B&H again.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

Since I got my hands on this lens I have used it for both macro shots and as a standard telephoto. On my K20D it behaves like a 150mm so I don't have to get up too close to bugs as I had to with the 50mm mcaro I had before. It produces sharp images with crisp edges and exceptional brightness. The almost circular aperture dosplays a beautiful bokeh and makes for spectacular backgrounds when used for non-macro shots. I love the way the supplied hood bayonets on the front of the lens but stays on the main barrel whilst focussing takes place, the front element and inner barrel extending INSIDE the hood - an excellent arrangement. I would recommentd this lens to anyone, for macro AND non-macro use - well done Pentax.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

Nice fast lens thats weather sealed. Autofocus is quick and has a good depth of field for macro photography. Manual focusing is very smooth. I'm very happy I purchased this lens. The 100mm focal length allows you to take great shots of skittish subjects without getting too close. The included lens hood is nice and deep.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

This is a superb lens made to Pentax's usual high standards that should give me many years of excellent service. It's a very sharp lens with excellent bokeh. I mainly use it for photographing wildflowers and fungi, and it gives excellent results.

At the macro level focusing is critical and I cannot recommend strongly enough using manual focus and a geared head for best results.

Until I purchased this lens I had been using a twenty year old Pentax F4 100mm manual focus macro lens (a left over from my film days) which weighed a ton. I am more than happy with my upgrade to this smaller,lighter, weather sealed lens that is a pleasure to use and I highly recommend it.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

I use the lens for macro and short telephoto work. I am impressed with the sharpness as a telephoto lens and really enjoy not having to get my lens on top of my subject for macro photos as I do with my 35mm macro ltd.

Comments about smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro Lens:

Haven't had a chance to use it in earnest yet but a quick snapshot of my dog blew me away for the detail it contained and the smooth out-of-focus areas. Macro tested ok with the occasional hunt for focus. Fortunately it has quick-shift manual focus if needed.