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Pentax SMCP-FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro 35mm Primes

4.71/5 (7 Reviews)

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Product Description

  • 1:1 macro telephoto autofocus lens
  • Aperture range: f/2.8-32
  • Fully automatic diaphragm


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    Reviews 1 - 5 (7 Reviews Total) | Next 15

    User Reviews

    Overall Rating:4
    Value Rating:4
    Submitted by stemked a Expert

    Date Reviewed: March 31, 2005

    Strengths:    Excellent optic stopped down.
    Limitor for closeup work
    Reasonable price used

    Weaknesses:    Heavy.
    Ok, but not great manual focus feel.
    Very expensive new.

    Bottom Line:   
    A nice lens (FA version). Said to not be as good as other brands at f2.8 but I rarely use the lens at anything other than f11-f22 where it shines. Very heavy for a Pentax lens and doesn't balance well on many smaller bodies.The wider ring makes this a better manual lens than the very similar F version. I think the Sigma 105 f2.8 and Tamron f2.8 are in many ways nicer manual focus lenses and are cheaper new.

    Expand full review >>

    Duration Product Used:   21+ years

    Price Paid:    $375.00

    Purchased At:   Ebay auction

    Similar Products Used:   Most K mount macros

    Type of photography:   Outdoor

    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by Stan M a Professional from PA

    Date Reviewed: May 9, 2003

    Strengths:    Absulute top quality - everything.

    Weaknesses:    None

    Bottom Line:   
    I own Pentax 645N, Bronica GS 1, Eos 3 and L lenses. I use also Pentax MZs (as good as anything from Canon) and this 100mm macro.

    In short, it is a perfect lens. The quality is wonderful. I use it for tight portraits, and nature close-ups. Instead of using heavy MF cameras, I use my Pentax set up for head and shoulders portratits. When used with 100 ASA Reala, I print 11x14 and I see single m hair on ladies' faces. Talk about sharpness. Absolutely no grain in this combination. It looks just like my MF prints. Never tried beyond 11x14, but feel that 16X20 would be excellent as well.

    Expand full review >>

    Duration Product Used:   21+ years

    Purchased At:   KEH

    Similar Products Used:   Too many to mention

    Type of photography:   People

    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by Don Sivori a Professional from Louisville, Ky.

    Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001

    Strengths:    fast 2.8 fstop, very sharp optics, 1 to 1 without any extension tubes, clamp on lens for copy stand work

    Weaknesses:    Pentax should have kept exterior construction same as KA macro lens

    Bottom Line:   
    A nice lens for all around macro work. Used mine for both closeups in nature as well as a portraiture lens. I think the plastic barrel made it a little more bulky than the older 100 Ka mount that I owned. Traded that for this one. New one seemed slightly sharper than older version.

    Expand full review >>

    Duration Product Used:   21+ years

    Price Paid:    $400.00

    Purchased At:   Used @ camera swap

    Similar Products Used:   none

    Type of photography:   Other

    Overall Rating:4
    Value Rating:4
    Submitted by Alan Chan a Intermediate from Canada

    Date Reviewed: June 20, 2001

    Strengths:    Solid built, nice bokeh, nice optics

    Weaknesses:    Aperture ring is a bit difficult to access, focus ring could be made smoother. Not particular sharp at wide open.

    Bottom Line:   
    Still an excellent buy if you use Pentax.

    Expand full review >>

    Duration Product Used:   11-20 years

    Similar Products Used:   SMC PENTAX 100 f4

    Type of photography:   Other

    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by Wilson Chow a Casual from Hong Kong

    Date Reviewed: April 6, 2001

    Strengths:    Good optics, Very solid structure and metallic handheld feeling. Focusing ring is rotating smoothly.

    Weaknesses:    Slow AF speed, but most non-USM marco lens has this problem.

    Bottom Line:   
    Very good optics, good colour reproduction and sharpness. Friction control of focusing is useful to ensure accurate focus point. Surface finishing give very good handheld feeling.

    Expand full review >>

    Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

    Similar Products Used:   Sigma EX AF105/2.8Marco, Nikon AF200/4Marco. Pentax FA50/2.8Marco.

    Type of photography:   Outdoor


    Reviews 1 - 5 (7 Reviews Total) | Next 15

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