Pentax has just announced a weather resistant 100mm F2.8 Macro lens, which works with both digital and film SLRs. The smc PENTAX-D FA MACRO 100mm F2.8 WR features weather-resistant construction to match the company’s environmentally-sealed K-7 mid-level DSLR. It also features an aluminium body in the style of the company’s ‘Limited’ prime lenses and offers full-time manual focus override.
Main features of the smc Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 WR:
1. Quality exterior finish with high-grade aluminium barrel – This macro lens features a high-grade aluminium barrel, and its exterior design has been greatly refined from that of the existing D FA-series lenses, offering a more sophisticated, quality appearance. The entire mechanism of the focus ring has been reviewed and upgraded to enable flawless manual-focus operation.
2. Simplified weather-resistant construction for greater reliability outdoors – The lens features a simplified weather-resistant construction, protecting the lens barrel from moisture. By mounting the lens on a Pentax weather-resistant digital SLR camera body, it offers greater durability and reliability when shooting in conditions such as rain or mist. The lens also features the Pentax-original SP (Super Protect) coating on its front surface to repel dust, water and grease and to minimise fingerprints and cosmetic spots.
3. Rounded diaphragm blade to produce a beautiful bokeh – The Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 WR is the first Pentax interchangeable macro lens featuring a completely rounded diaphragm blade. This creates a natural, beautiful bokeh, while minimising the streaking effect of point light sources.
4. High-quality image description – The lens offers a focal length equivalent to 153mm in the 35mm format. Inheriting the high-performance optics of the renowned smc Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 lens, it delivers high-quality, true-to-life images, while minimising flare and ghost images. Its maximum magnification of life size allows the photographer to capture dramatic close-up images with great ease.
Other features:
1. A working distance of 13cm (in life-size applications) to facilitate the shooting of difficult subjects, such as insects.
2. The Pentax-developed Quick-Shift Focus System for instant switching to manual-focus operation after the subject is captured in focus by the camera’s AF system.
3. An image circle accommodating the image size of 35mm film-format cameras.
4. Compatibility with the macro adapter included in the Pentax AF160FC Dedicated Auto Macro Flash.
Specifications:
Focal length: 100mm
Diagonal Angle of view:
16.0º (Pentax APS-C DSLR)
24.5º (35mm film SLR)
Maximum aperture:F2.8
Lens Construction: 9 elements/8 groups
Number of diaphragm blades: 8
Minimum focus: 30 cm
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:1
Filter thread: 49mm
Supplied accessories:
• Front and rear caps
• Bayonet-type Lens Hood PH-RBE49
Weight: 340g (12 oz)
Dimensions: 65mm diameter x 81mm length
(2.6 x 3.2 inches)