Pentax SMC-D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro

Pentax SMC D-FA Macro 50mm F2.8 Review

The Pentax SMC D-FA Macro 50mm F2.8 lens delivers strong image quality and full-size macro magnification. Pentax's foray into full-frame digital is relatively recent, but it kept a few lenses from the film era in production to match with the digital K-1. One of those is the Pentax SMC D-FA Macro 50mm F2.8 ($299.95), which delivers strong optical performance, even if its fit and finish aren't on the same level as more modern lenses. It doesn't have the weather sealing, focus limiter, or internal motor that we're used to seeing on newer glass. But you can't argue with its image quality or its price, so we recommend it to Pentax shooters searching for a macro lens. Design The Macro 50mm ($316.95 at B&H Photo Video) is small and light, coming in at just 2.6 by 2.6 inches (HD) and 9.3 ounces. Its front element is also small, offering support for the 49mm filter size. The lens does telescope as it focuses close, however, which is a departure from modern macros with internal focus designs. The extension makes it feel a bit more fragile than it should, but using the included lens hood will pr...

Versatile and SHARP

The best lens I own. I never knew how many photos I was missing out on until I got a decent macro. It's also a great street lens (on full frame) and portrait lens (on APS-C or cropped).

I am quite amazed by its sharpness. It took me some time to get used to the macro feature. I feel that 100mm would be lot easy if you are shooting insects. I find it very difficult to focus on the moving subjects with macro feature. Here is a shot that i am satisfied