Hi,
here in Estonia we have both FA and D-FA available at our Pentax rep's shop. I asked the same question month or so ago, but no-one could answer then.
Last saturday I had an opportunity to check both lenses head-to-head. Not to TEST, but to check. I just made some shots in small studio with my Z-1p. Honestly said, my (not old, not bad) eyes can not see the difference even in Imacon scans (at 6000dpi). So, optically I would consider 'em identically great. Mechanically , the new one feels a bit plasticky (on the other hand - you probably can not find an AF lens more "metal" than FA100) , but has a wide focus ring, that's very comfortable.
And yes, D-FA is cheaper than FA, 8490 estonian crowns versus 9750 (divide by 15.65 to get euros).
BR, Margus
David Wheatley wrote:
Hi Pentax-folk,
I'm new to the list (so hello ...) and will bore you to death with what
pentax gear I own/use/have owned/love/hate/dropped another time.
Meanwhile, has anybody got any information about the new SMC-D FA 100mm macro lens? I know all about the SMC-A and SMC-FA 100mm 2.8 (which are wonderful) but I like the look of the new one, especially that it's tiny compared with the FA. It also looks like Pentax are going to price it competitively, as I've seen it offered for $564 US already.
What I'd like to know - is it optically as good as the A and FA 100mm f2.8 macros? Has anybody seen/tried one? Heard reports? It *seems* to have the same optical formula and focus system, but to have been 'optimised for digital'.
I checked the archive, but expect there was a thread on this last year. If so, sorry ..
David Wheatley Southampton UK
