Quoting William Robb <[email protected]>:
On 01/12/2012 8:18 AM, Daniel J. Matyola wrote:
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>
It used to be that any macro lens was a good lens, and to a great
extent this still holds. The only caveat I would make is to stay
away from the older Pentax macros that employ the FREE lens system
(fixed rear element extension). My A100/2.8 macro is a gorgeous
lens, but tends to get reflections off the flat rear element onto
the sensor.
I don't have experience with any of the third party macros at this
point. I would bet that they are all very good lenses, I ended up
buying a Pentax DFA100/2.8 Macro, and I am very happy with it,
though interestingly, it must be only from looking through the
viewfinder, because I Lightroom didn't pull up a single image taken
with that lens.
This is the curse I live under.
For years (decades, actually) I used the old Tamron 90mm f2.5
(adaptall lens), mainly for wildflower photography and it was my
favourite lens.
I recently upgraded to the current version (Tamron 90mm f2.8) mainly
for autofocus as my eyesight isn't what it was. I haven't used it
much to date but I expect it to be as good as the old version.
Like Bill's experience with the Pentax A100/2.8, the old Tamron also
suffered from reflections off the rear element but, interestingly, I
never noticed until earlier this year (there was a thread about it on
PDML back in April or thereabouts). The problem only occurred under
specific light conditions and I never saw any evidence of it with my
wildflower photography.
I also have an old Takumar 50mm macro and a Konica Hexanon 55mm macro
(which surprising can be used on Pentax DSLRs via a short extension
tube) but I've found I prefer the greater working distance that the
90mm lens provides.
--
Cheers
Brian
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Brian Walters
Western Sydney Australia
http://lyons-ryan.org/southernlight/
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