What's a good Macro/Indoor Lens for K100d

[katman]

Hi, Im a new user of k100d and would like to know what good lens to buy for macro and Indoor lens and also which flash for parties and indoor events as well. Thanks in advance


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K100d + Sigma 18-700 3.5-6.7

 

[longko]

If you need swirl & tilt, there's only Pentax AF540FGZ & Sigma EF500 Super. Sigma is good for it's price. Seems to works well with K100D over K10D

Macro lens will depend on your budget. I'm a happy Tamron 90mm Di user, if you want to pay more, there's Pentax FA 100mm f2.8. If you are not into insect macro, there's the Sigma 70mm EX. Pentax FA 100mm f2.8 is about $780, Tamron 90mm Di about $580.

 

[katman]

Thanks longko, will check out the lenses you have suggested, Will go to OP this weekend and check it out, hopefully they wont tire of me testing out lenses.

 

[longko]

IMHO, go op for Sigma lenses (cause they give really good deals.), Pentax if possible get from overseas (even JB is cheaper than Singapore) as they can give International warranty. Tamron gets it from local shop for local warranty.

 

[roentarre]

If you need swirl & tilt, there's only Pentax AF540FGZ

I have been looking hard at Voiglander 125mm f2.5 macro which does appear on ebay once in a while. I am not sure how it would compare with all the macro lenses you have mentioned?

I am in the process of acquiring AF 540 FGZ... It seems that this is the best buy out of the pentax lots

 

[longko]

I have been looking hard at Voiglander 125mm f2.5 macro which does appear on ebay once in a while. I am not sure how it would compare with all the macro lenses you have mentioned?

I am in the process of acquiring AF 540 FGZ... It seems that this is the best buy out of the pentax lots

Voiglander is a good investment lens, with collecter's value. Limited pieces with good sharpnes, bokeh & color.:thumbsup: Problem is finding it. Try contacting chiif or visit http://www.chiifcameras.com/ see if he can help get you a K mount copy:think:

 

[fengwei]

I have been looking hard at Voiglander 125mm f2.5 macro which does appear on ebay once in a while. I am not sure how it would compare with all the macro lenses you have mentioned?

I am in the process of acquiring AF 540 FGZ... It seems that this is the best buy out of the pentax lots

You've got a good DFA100/2.8, and a wonderful A*200/4 macro, you don't need any other macro lens lah Stick w/ the Pentax if you can.

The Vioglander 125/2.5 is a good macro lens. But it's huge comparing w/ the DFA100. Better put the money into something else I think.

You know those DA* zoom and prime lenses are coming soon

 

[roentarre]

Thanks for your help. Really prompt and fast reply

Is there a k mount for this lens though? I only see M42 mount so far ...

 

[fengwei]

Hi, Im a new user of k100d and would like to know what good lens to buy for macro and Indoor lens and also which flash for parties and indoor events as well. Thanks in advance


=============================
K100d + Sigma 18-700 3.5-6.7

For macro, there are some good ones like longko suggested above. Go with whichever you can afford. Virtually there is no bad macro lens, just choose the focal length you prefer, and the ones you can afford

As to indoor lens, FA35/2 (or 31/1.8 LE), 50/1.4 (or 43/1.9) are all good choices. For party, probably you need a wider one. Go w/ the DA21?


BTW, where did you get the Sigma 18-700/3.5-6.7 lens :dunno: I'd love to have one too :bsmilie:

 

[fengwei]

Thanks for your help. Really prompt and fast reply

Is there a k mount for this lens though? I only see M42 mount so far ...

Yes, there is a PK/A mount (just like a Pentax A lens) for this lens. Chiif can help you to get one I think. I ordered one from him already, not for myself but for a good friend Should be here by the end of this month or early next month.

 

[katman]

Sorry Type, I got the Sigma 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 lens, got it from Orient Photo at S$520
Will check out the lenses you mentioned, I am really interested in taking macro shots of Miniature model cars, planes, etc....

For indoor events specially if you have moving subjects like children's party, is it better to invest on fast lens or a good flash?

 

[fengwei]

Sorry Type, I got the Sigma 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 lens, got it from Orient Photo at S$520
Will check out the lenses you mentioned, I am really interested in taking macro shots of Miniature model cars, planes, etc....

For indoor events specially if you have moving subjects like children's party, is it better to invest on fast lens or a good flash?

That's what I figured

A good flash will be more useful than a fast lens for indoor kids parties. It's really hard to capture kids in motion indoor, no matter how fast your lens is.

Good luck.

 

[roentarre]

You've got a good DFA100/2.8, and a wonderful A*200/4 macro, you don't need any other macro lens lah Stick w/ the Pentax if you can.

The Vioglander 125/2.5 is a good macro lens. But it's huge comparing w/ the DFA100. Better put the money into something else I think.

You know those DA* zoom and prime lenses are coming soon

Hi Frank. Sorry that I did not see your thread before my last reply.

You are definitely right about this. I am a fan of Leica since my teenage years. Really fond of the brand... :embrass: - my guess is that it would probably be kept as a collector item ... (it cannot beat A*200mm f4 macro)


Speaking of Da* zooms, I will be getting Da* 16-50 f2.8. With Da* primes, I would go for 200mm. The waiting game is taking too long...

p.s. DFA 100 macro is seriously an amazing lens. The colour and contrast are just impeccable. :thumbsup: