Any macro lens longer than 125mm for Pentax?

[hjbyeo]

Guys, I have been searching around the internet for Macro lens that's longer than our Pentax regular setups like A / F / FA / DFA 100mm, Tamron 90, Sigma 105.

The only ones I found are Pentax very own FA*200 macro, A*200 macro, or the Sigma 180mm macro. And of course there's the Voigtlander 125mm which we can no longer get at 950 SGD.

Any others I have missed? Too bad the Tamron's 180 macro is not available in Pentax mount (again).

But really wanted something closer to 200mm ... it'll be really nice setup for the bugs or even some wildlife (that'll you not want to get close).

Best if you can indicate your experience with any of the above-mentioned macros. Better still include the pictures you've taken!!

[otc]

Bernard,

You have said it all on lenses for macro lens longer than 125mm in your thread here.

Sigma 180 macro, A200 f4 macro, FA 200 f4 macro. Tamron has that macro 180 but not in pentax mt and sigma has 150 macro but not in pentax mt.

If you are able to get hold on voigtlander macro, that will suffice. A very great lens and provides some distance from the subject on crawlies and flies. When you take wide open, at f2.4, the subject is still sharp and depth of field is shallow and allows nice bokeh and hence isolating this subject. When you stopped down, most of the background will be captured like f5.6, or f8.
took this wide open of dragon fly. no PP done to the image.

Housefly shot no PP./ original. I like the sharpness but the background is not too nice.

A200 f4 macro is also a great lens in my opinion. A longer working distance and still at f9, f11, the depth of field is still shallow and background is creamy when there is sufficient light.
This lens works great when you need the additional distance approximately 11 inches as the minnmum working distance for 1:1. Great for sensitive insects that the working distance could provide. The downside of this great lens is the weight together with the tripod collar.
To compare this lens to voigtlander, you probably need 1/200 as the shutter speed to compensate the camera shake for the 200mm focal length, as a general rule. Tripod use/monopod use is advisable or flashlights for higher shutter speed for A200.

shot with A200 f4 with flash lights -image cropped-spider was awaiting for its meal

I have not use sigma 180. I read it was also a performer too.

FA 200 f4 was just sold in ebay US 2999/- just a week ago and one bidder.

You may want to take a look at the images by different macro lens here specially pentax mt and I have participated too
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...150+macro&qf=m

marcus

[ishou80]

I've been wondering..wat if you use a teleconvertor to the macro lens..will that serve the purpose?

[hjbyeo]

Originally Posted by otc Bernard, You have said it all on lenses for macro lens longer than 125mm in your thread here. Sigma 180 macro, A200 f4 macro, FA 200 f4 macro. Tamron has that macro 180 but not in pentax mt and sigma has 150 macro but not in pentax mt. If you are able to get hold on voigtlander macro, that will suffice. A very great lens and provides some distance from the subject on crawlies and flies. When you take wide open, at f2.4, the subject is still sharp and depth of field is shallow and allows nice bokeh and hence isolating this subject. When you stopped down, most of the background will be captured like f5.6, or f8. took this wide open of dragon fly. no PP done to the image. Housefly shot no PP./ original. I like the sharpness but the background is not too nice. A200 f4 macro is also a great lens in my opinion. A longer working distance and still at f9, f11, the depth of field is still shallow and background is creamy when there is sufficient light. This lens works great when you need the additional distance approximately 11 inches as the minnmum working distance for 1:1. Great for sensitive insects that the working distance could provide. The downside of this great lens is the weight together with the tripod collar. To compare this lens to voigtlander, you probably need 1/200 as the shutter speed to compensate the camera shake for the 200mm focal length, as a general rule. Tripod use/monopod use is advisable or flashlights for higher shutter speed for A200. shot with A200 f4 with flash lights -image cropped-spider was awaiting for its meal I have not use sigma 180. I read it was also a performer too. FA 200 f4 was just sold in ebay US 2999/- just a week ago and one bidder. You may want to take a look at the images by different macro lens here specially pentax mt and I have participated too http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...150+macro&qf=m marcus

Thank you marcus... I know for sure, there's probably that handful of pentaxians that will actually reply to this thread, and 1 of them is definitely you.

FA 200 F4 macro is really a collectors' item for Pentaxians. And I am pretty sure it's legendary.

Looks like I've to go find that elusive Voigtlander ... but at 1 - 1.3k USD -

[flowerpot]

The VT125 is hard to come by lah... have to wait patiently... u never noe somewhere out there suddenly there will be 1...last time u go Japan they dun have ?... i though the best chance of getting is from there...

but seriously... the VT is really amazing for its price when available back then... up till now i have not seen a negative review... all reviews i saw is almost a perfect score...

the canon mount seems to be more easier to get...maybe u can just get a cheapo canon body to go with the lens...

[hjbyeo]

Originally Posted by flowerpot The VT125 is hard to come by lah... have to wait patiently... u never noe somewhere out there suddenly there will be 1...last time u go Japan they dun have ?... i though the best chance of getting is from there... but seriously... the VT is really amazing for its price when available back then... up till now i have not seen a negative review... all reviews i saw is almost a perfect score... the canon mount seems to be more easier to get...maybe u can just get a cheapo canon body to go with the lens...

I'll be as patient as possible. But prices hard to come down. ;-)

I think there's 1 in Pentaxforum (Marcus sounded me out), but I just could bring myself to pay that price. Would you?

Canon Mount? Like that just go for Nikon mount and get the 200mm f4 macro from them? But of course, price is incredible as well!

[night86mare]

sigma 150mm macro?

i am looking at that one.. for butterfly shooting if i ever decide to return to it..

i agree with you, it is a sad thing that tamron 180mm is not available in k mount. i have no idea why either

[otc]

Originally Posted by ishou80 I've been wondering..wat if you use a teleconvertor to the macro lens..will that serve the purpose?

I have a 1.4 rear converter with macro A200. There is some degradation on image qualities taken with this converter even mounted onto tripod. The subject was fruit fly, about 2 to 3mm in length. Best to take without teleconverter. I do have vivitar macro converter and panagormacro converter too.

Originally Posted by hjbyeo Thank you marcus... I know for sure, there's probably that handful of pentaxians that will actually reply to this thread, and 1 of them is definitely you. FA 200 F4 macro is really a collectors' item for Pentaxians. And I am pretty sure it's legendary. Looks like I've to go find that elusive Voigtlander ... but at 1 - 1.3k USD -

For Tele lens A200 f4 is still an f4 aperture. Your f300 f4.5 I suppose will perform better

Originally Posted by flowerpot The VT125 is hard to come by lah... have to wait patiently... u never noe somewhere out there suddenly there will be 1...last time u go Japan they dun have ?... i though the best chance of getting is from there... but seriously... the VT is really amazing for its price when available back then... up till now i have not seen a negative review... all reviews i saw is almost a perfect score... the canon mount seems to be more easier to get...maybe u can just get a cheapo canon body to go with the lens...

flowerpot, you are right, voigtlander lens is amazing, light weight compare to A200. Most maco lenses provides sharp images as far as the subject is concerned. The OOF area differs from one lens to another. That is where the difference counts, ofcourse the minimum working distance. you will likely find one in pentaxforum for voigtlander.

marcus

[hjbyeo]

Originally Posted by ishou80 I've been wondering..wat if you use a teleconvertor to the macro lens..will that serve the purpose?

It'll just be different ...

Originally Posted by night86mare sigma 150mm macro? i am looking at that one.. for butterfly shooting if i ever decide to return to it.. i agree with you, it is a sad thing that tamron 180mm is not available in k mount. i have no idea why either

i would love to get a Sigma 150 but unfortunately not available in PK mount!

Really find these decision to omit certain mounts ...

To OTC, when are you selling me yours ... ... you are holding onto 2 of the best macro lenses in PK mount!!

[ishou80]

I'm dreaming abt the VT 125 too~ maybe I found a bag of money on the floor then can get it....haha

[otc]

Originally Posted by night86mare sigma 150mm macro? i am looking at that one.. for butterfly shooting if i ever decide to return to it.. Butterfly, the subject is quite huge and you may have to move further away to capture it in full-frame. My tot, 105 or 100 mm and maybe 1:2. I took this shot further away, maybe 3 ft. A200 macro i agree with you, it is a sad thing that tamron 180mm is not available in k mount. i have no idea why either

Not enuf volume for pentax users.

Originally Posted by hjbyeo It'll just be different ... i would love to get a Sigma 150 but unfortunately not available in PK mount! Really find these decision to omit certain mounts ... To OTC, when are you selling me yours ... ... you are holding onto 2 of the best macro lenses in PK mount!!

I have about 8 macro lenses, one each. If I have duplicates, I will let go. So far pay only and have not sell yet.

Originally Posted by ishou80 I'm dreaming abt the VT 125 too~ maybe I found a bag of money on the floor then can get it....haha

Recession, and price will go down. FA 200 f4, only one bidder. Voigtlander price will come down cos a lot will need money when got retrench. See pentaxforum, no takers on number of lenses and prices has actually come down on certain lenses. Take it easy, not just lenses but most things expecially collector items.

marcus

[night86mare]

i used to use 70-300 sigma (longko's).. and it was fine, for smaller butts have to crop a little though..

maybe get a TC or something.. i like the range i get with a 70-300, since butts are really.. quite flighty

bernard : aiyo.. then which one is available? sigma 180mm?

[hjbyeo]

Originally Posted by night86mare i used to use 70-300 sigma (longko's).. and it was fine, for smaller butts have to crop a little though.. maybe get a TC or something.. i like the range i get with a 70-300, since butts are really.. quite flighty bernard : aiyo.. then which one is available? sigma 180mm?

Yes, only the Sigma 180...

Actually I was thinking of getting the 70-300 for the range and 1:2, and be done with it. But I am pretty sure I'll sell and come back for something extra. kekeke...

The 70-300 shots from yourself, zac, and longko tells me that it's already a pretty good performer, and can also take good butts pictures and the occasional insects.

Love to capture those lady birds though.. I remember seeing them in Hort Park, and unfortunately, I had to do the shot handheld (cos' tripod's back home).

Have you guys look at what bro Leong23 did with his 200 f4 macro? Eyes will pop out man!

Ok.. as Marcus said, just be patient. Surely 1 of these good lenses will turn up in BnS (Pentaxforum or ClubSnap) at a good price.

[creampuff]

Aha, just got my Tamron 70-300mm too. Must find time to go out and use it, especially for close-ups.

Another workaround is to get something like a 200mm tele and use extension tubes to get closer. Anyway I still got my Pentax bellows..

[fengwei]

Actually if you have the patience, you don't need a 200mm macro lens to shoot most bugs. A 100mm one will do as long as you have the patience As Marcus said above, a shorter focal lengh would have the advantage of handheld shooting. A 100mm lens would have about 300mm working distance from the target at 1:1 (which you don't need most time anyway), should be far enough for most bugs.

After using most of macro lenses in PK mount (Pentax, Tamron, Sigma, Vivitar, Voigtlander ...), my favorite macro lenses so far are the Pentax A50/2.8 macro and A100/2.8 macro.

[hjbyeo]

Originally Posted by fengwei Actually if you have the patience, you don't need a 200mm macro lens to shoot most bugs. A 100mm one will do as long as you have the patience As Marcus said above, a shorter focal lengh would have the advantage of handheld shooting. A 100mm lens would have about 300mm working distance from the target at 1:1 (which you don't need most time anyway), should be far enough for most bugs. After using most of macro lenses in PK mount (Pentax, Tamron, Sigma, Vivitar, Voigtlander ...), my favorite macro lenses so far are the Pentax A50/2.8 macro and A100/2.8 macro.

I know that's going to come from someone. I'll listen to advise from some of you, determine if i really into macro so much that I could afford to invest in something like the Voigtlander / 200 macro.