PhaseOne Digital MF 120mm f/4 Macro

Review Pentax-FA 120mm f 4.0--one great macro lens! I have both the A and FA version of this excellent Pentax 645 lens. I use the A version on the Pentax K-1 full frame camera, and the FA version on the Pentax 645D and 645N. This is the best macro lens I have ever used in any format, and gives fantastic images for my flower photography. Images are sharp with true-to-life color and rendering. Actually, I do not use auto focus with either lens when using the FA version for macro purposes. Auto focus is useful, however, for other work. The lens is also an excellent portrait lens though somewhat sharp for women's closeup faces, and you will probably want to soften the images in post processing. The sharpness is really handy for landscape use, however. The A version is often available for $100-350 on eBay, and used copies of the FA version for less than a thousand--great value for the money. I wish the lens were weather resistant and SDM focussing, but if you need those features it is going to cost you because they are available in the Pentax-D FA 645 90mm f 2.8 for around $3,500, and the macro is only 1:2, not 1:1, but still a sweet piece of kit! The 120mm in either version is a great substitute.Read full review

120mm fa - Get it . Very impressive lens, considering its age, and the fact the it outperforms the much newer d-fa 55mm that was made to work specifically with the high res sensors in the 645d and 645z, and at a fraction of the price. Even the older fa 75mm is better than the 55 dfa. Lens is very sharp closed down, soft edges opened up. Really happy with this purchased. The only other macro option is the 90mm dfa, which is slightly sharper, but is just 2 to 1 ratio and cost almost 5 grand. The 120 is 1 to 1, and can be found as low as $500 used, depending on condition. I was really surprised at the focusing speed, much faster than I expected. If you're thinking about getting this lens, go for it ! You will not be disappointed.

Excellent straight forward bread-n-butter lens Uses: Professional photography Camera body: Pentax 645Z I use this lens for mostly portrait work, partial body shots including very close (1:1) macros, and reproduction/art related work. I chose this lens over the 90mm f/2.8 macro (not without great contemplation), due to the cost/performance ratio being better with the 120mm f/4, even though I would've much rather had the silent focusing, f/2.8 (less hunting during AF in low light) and shake reduction of the newer lens. Refusing to give into impulse, I found it more prudent for me to pickup the DA 645 28-45mm instead, as it offers greater benefit and cost/performance ratio over the Pentax 35mm prime. The advantages of the 120mm lens compared to the newer offering are three-fold; True 1:1 macro capability, cost/performance ratio and image quality that isn't discernible from much newer lenses to clients. I was lucky to get a practically new lens at 1/7th the price of the 90mm macro, so the buy was a slam dunk for me. As with any f/4 lens compared to a faster 2.8 option- there are times, given the distance from the subject of course, where f/4 will not yield the same background separation as a faster lens. This isn't relevant if you're stopped down or close enough to your subject where the background is easily rendered nicely out-of-focus irrespective of aperture. As anticipated, this lens will 'hunt' and whir back and forth attempting to focus if you're shooting in very low light, such as moving action during a candle lit dinner scene where a tripod isn't practical, or indoor belly dancing promotion work in dim light; in cases like those, you're going to have to rely on, (or develop) your manual focusing skills. This is one of the prime focal lengths that need a leaf shutter option. Overall this lens is like a reliable truck. It's sharp and gets the job done well without fanfare or bells/whistles. I highly recommend this lens.Read full review