Pentax Announces 100mm All-Weather Macro Lens

2022.10.22

This week Ricoh announced a new 100mm F/2.8 macro lens to its lineup of Pentax K-mount lenses. There were already two similarly specified lenses in the lineup with Full-Frame coverage, the original Pentax D-FA 100mm F/2.8 Macro and its weatherproof follow-up the Pentax D-FA 100mm F/2.9 WR Macro. There nearly identical pair offered a similar optical formula and specifications except for the refined barrel of the WR version.

The new Pentax HD D FA 100mm F/2.8 Macro AW lens looks extremely similar to the WR sersion yet boasts improvements in all areas. The headline change from WR to AW, which stands for All Weather, is that this lens is much more weatherproof. Officially this lens is more air-tight against dust, air, rain, mist and splashing water. The other hint in the same is the HD label which refers to Pentax lens coatings designed to minimize flare.

This macro lens is built from a sturdy aluminium barrel which is sealed along 6 interlocking parts. It weighs 350g which is average for this class. The barrel is only 65mm across with a quick-shift autofocus ring. Focus is driven by the body allowing the lens to save on an AF motor. The front of the lens accepts standard 49mm filters and a hood that is included with the lens. This is less useful on a macro lens that focuses 13cm from its surface since it is highly likely to cast a shadow on the subject being photographed.

In terms of specifications, the number are extremely similar to its predecessor. With a focal-length of 100mm on a Full-Frame camera, this lens captures a 24° angle-of-view. It achieves a true 1X macro magnification at a focus-distance of 30cm from the focal-plane or 13cm from the lens. The maximum F/2.8 aperture can close down to F/32 using an 8-blade rounded iris which is controlled electronically.

Ricoh expects to ship this new lens soon but a date has not be announced yet and so no one expect Ricoh is taking pre-orders at this time.

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