I agree with Tom C. I don't shoot macro a lot so I chose the 100 f2.8 for a couple of reasons. It's a decent lens, of course, but the 100mm focal length on the crop sensor body lets me have a decent working distance between the camera and the subject. If you're going to do anything with supplemental lighting you need a bit of space that you won't have with a shorter focal length.
It's also a good lens for general shooting when you want to use a longer focal length. I grew up with photography in the years when zooms were not so good, and the combination of a 35mm, 50mm, and 135mm lens was fairly common. The 100mm macro on the crop body has an angle of view that is just slightly tighter, but similar to my old 135mm lens. Here's an old post of a shot made with the 100 f/2.8. <http://georges.posterous.com/blooming-at-sunrise#!/> gs George Sinos -------------------- [email protected] www.georgesphotos.net plus.georgesinos.com On Sat, Dec 1, 2012 at 10:27 AM, Tom C <[email protected]> wrote: > I've experience with only the FA 100/2.8 macro. > > It's not a pretty beast, but I've always thought it delivered great results. > Used they seem to be going for $350 -$500. > > In my mind, the advantages of a 100mm is you can be twice as far from your > subject and still get the desired framing. Also the relatively large aperture > is nice. It doubles as a sharp mid-range telephoto or portrait lens. > > There's one described as like new on eBay. Bidding is currently at $264. > Several others also. I found my copy at a used lens counter. > > Few shots: > > http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=13295397 > > http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6502297 > > http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6502298 > > http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6502295 > > http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6502293 > > http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6468680 > > http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4042765 > > http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5092852 > > http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4912137 > > Tom C. > > > >> >>I want a versatile macro lens for my K-r, that would be suitable when >>eventually I upgrade to a K-5 series or whatever comes along. Without >>getting too exotic or pricey, I would like fairly wide max aperture >>and good bokeh. I would use it mostly to shoot flowers, butterflies >>and the like. If it could take decent images outside the macro range >>as well, that would be a plus. >> >>What are others using? What moderately price lens would you recommend> >> >>TIA, Dan >> >>Dan Matyola > > -- > Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity. > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
