Re: 100mm macro
Derby Chang asked: What is this I see? The old FA100/2.8 macro is now relegated to special order, and replace in the standard line by a boxy looking 100mm f3.5? And it only does 1:2 magnification? This is progress??? Who knows what evil lurks in the conference room of Pentax Inc? Is Pentax dropping their premium lenses as supplies run out and replacing them with lower quality ones that are priced to sell? Is Pentax dropping their premium film body as supplies run out? Is the fact that some of their best lenses are now backordered or (worse) completely dropped from retailers websites an omen? Stay tuned for the next episode of Business the Pentax Way - how to torture your customer base. Tom Reese
Re: 100mm macro
Derby, we have been discussing this on the list for several months now. Pentax has largely stopped manufacturing lenses. Even the new DA lenses are being produced in restricted quantities. They produce cameras but not lenses. None of us knows what it means. Joe
Re: 100mm macro
Could mean almost anything Derby, but I don't like seeing all these nice lenses disappearing from shop shelves and product catalogues. It could mean Pentax has ceased manufacturing the FA range of lenses (remember they are over a decade old in the most part) all together. It could also mean that Pentax intend to get out of 35mm FA lenses completely, or that they are clearing inventory, or that they are going to replace the whole FA lens line with DA lenses! Maybe some IS lenses as well...who knows. I think we know Pentax is committed to DSLR production., but we have no idea of their commitment to giving us decent lenses to put on those DSLR's. Cheers Shaun Derby Chang wrote: What is this I see? The old FA100/2.8 macro is now relegated to special order, and replace in the standard line by a boxy looking 100mm f3.5? And it only does 1:2 magnification? This is progress??? (Obviously I'm a bit grumpy tonight. I apologies in advance. But really, why is Pentax going backwards in their special lenses?) -- _ Dr. Shaun Canning P.O. Box 21, Dampier, WA, 6714, Australia. m: 0414 967644 http://www.heritageservices.com.au [EMAIL PROTECTED] _
Re: 100mm macro
Hi, How good is the FA 100mm f3.5 macro Pentax has out? Optically it has excelled in a recent test of German magazine Color Foto, it was found to be almost as good as the FA100/f2.8 (83 points for the 3.5, 86 for the 2.8). However, mechanically the FA100/f3.5 is the cheapest plastic Pentax lens I have ever held in my hands. It really made me shudder. Well, actually it is not really a Pentax lens but is produced by someone else. Go for the F or FA100/f2.8 Macro or for Sigma, if you need an auto focus Macro lens. Go for the K or M100/f4 Macro if you do not need auto focus. Arnold - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: 100mm macro
The 3.5 is a Vivitar lens, repackaged with Pentax electronics and SMC coatings. Optically it is said to be good. It does 1:2 while the genuine Pentax FA 100 f2.8 does 1:1. If price is a consideration, the 3.5 is a pretty good lens for the price. Joe - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: 100mm Macro Lenses
Hi Rob the 100mm 3.5 is made by cosina, you can also buy it with the name soligor or vivitar on it it goes to 2:1it is alright at 8~11. but the build quality is no were near the other lenses. I have experiance with the SMC-M 100mm 4.0 manual focus lens. If you intend is to use this lens only for macro it is the best choice. you can use the focus-trap on your camera. this lens is build to last and costs about 200 dollars used. I recently bought the SMC F 100mm 2,8. Yes I like the extra speed and the AF for normal distance pictures, but the focus trap does not work since you can not put the lens to manual focusing! I should have bought the SMC FA 100mm 2,8 which does has an extra switch on the lens to put it in manual focusing mode. But in the end, macro lenses are used around aperture 11 and every macro lens is optical OK by than! Gert Jan Bollen Design Engineer Automotive BL Nijmegen Gerstweg 2, Building BX4 6534 AE Nijmegen The Netherlands Tel : 31- 243534772 Fax : 31- 243534100 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Rob Brigham [EMAIL PROTECTED]@pdml.net on 08/10/2001 12:06:20 PM Please respond to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent by: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] cc: (bcc: Gert Jan Bollen/NYM/SC/PHILIPS) Subject: 100mm Macro Lenses Classification: Anyone compare the FA 100mm macros? I see there is a big price difference between the F3.5 and F2.8 versions. How do they compare for sharpness? Also, how do they compare to third party lenses eg Sigma 105 EX? Flare resistance is not really an issue for this lens as it will not generally be used in condidions where this is a factor. Rob - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
