Which Pentax K-mount macro lens is best for outdoor use: 90–105mm or 50mm?
Asked 10/21/2010
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I use a Pentax K20D and want my first macro lens for outdoor activities like backpacking and mountaineering. Weight and durability matter, and weather resistance is a strong plus.
I’m mainly choosing between macro lenses around 90–105mm, such as the Pentax 100mm Macro / 100mm WR, Sigma 105mm, and Tamron 90mm, though I also considered 50mm macros at first.
My main concern is focal length: is a 90–105mm macro a better choice than 50mm for outdoor macro work, especially if I sometimes shoot handheld and would also like the lens to double as a short telephoto/portrait lens? Also, are there any practical drawbacks to the Pentax 100mm WR versus the older non-WR version, or to the Tamron 90mm?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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Not having used any of these lenses, I can't offer much. I did read up on the two 100mm lenses, though. Outside of the weather sealing on the WR version, the non-WR version has one thing REALLY going for it: the size of the focus ring. Prime lenses don't have any zoom, and the only thing you really do with them is focus. Particularly for macro photography, where getting focus within millimeters (or quite possibly less, if you use extension tubes) is critical, having a nice, wide, rubbery focus ring that is easy to find and grip is a huge bonus.
From what I could tell, the non-WR 100mm macro has a beautiful, big focus ring with a rubbery grip. The newer WR version, while sporting a more durable metal body and metal focus ring, has about 1/3rd of the area dedicated to the focus ring. It may be a personal taste thing, but metal focus rings always feel a bit rough to me, and the smoother metal surface sometimes makes it difficult to get a light grip for fine-tuning your focus. Personal taste aside, the considerably smaller focus ring on the WR version is not really the most ideal feature for a macro lens.
Originally by user124. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user124
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For outdoor macro, a lens around 90–105mm is generally the better fit than 50mm. The main advantage is greater working distance: you can stay farther from insects and other small subjects, and you’ll have more room for lighting. A 50mm macro can be excellent and very sharp, but the short working distance can make lighting harder and may disturb subjects.
For your use, the Pentax 100mm WR stands out because weather sealing matches your outdoor priorities, especially on a weather-sealed Pentax body. That gives you more freedom in variable conditions.
The older non-WR Pentax 100mm has one practical advantage: a larger, easier-to-grip focus ring, which can matter for precise manual focus in macro work.
The Tamron 90mm and Sigma 105mm are also strong alternatives; macro lenses in this class are generally very sharp. The Tamron 90mm is widely regarded as a very good option, but unlike some Pentax lenses it may lack Pentax’s Quick-Shift-style full-time manual override, so you need to be careful when switching between AF and manual focus.
Handholding a 90–105mm macro is feasible with good technique, reasonable shutter speeds, and camera shake reduction.
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