§ 03 Head to head

HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW vs Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro

Pentax 100mm f/2.8 is 372 g lighter. Samyang 100mm f/2.8 has a physical aperture ring.

The HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW is a 100mm f/2.8 prime, and the Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro is a 100mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW better than the Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro?

  • 372 g lighter (348 g vs 720 g)
  • 43 mm shorter (80.5 mm vs 123 mm long)
  • Is weather sealed
  • Smaller filter thread (49 mm vs 67 mm)

Why is the Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro better than the HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW?

  • Has a physical aperture ring
  • More aperture blades (9 vs 8)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • macro For macro photography, the Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.3 m.
  • portrait For portrait photography, the HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW has the edge: it is 372 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

18 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationHD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AWSamyang 100mm F2.8 Macro
Focal length100mm 100mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8 f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/32 f/32
Lens typeMacro prime lens Macro telephoto manual focus lens
FormatFull Frame Full Frame
Weight348 g (12.3 oz) ◆720 g (1.58 lbs)
Dimensions65 mm (diameter) x 80.5 mm (length) 73 mm (diameter) x 123 mm (length)
Minimum focusing distance0.303 m (11.9 inches) 0.30 m (1.0 ft) ◆
Maximum magnification1.0x 1.0x (life-size)
Image stabilizationNo No
Weather sealingYes ◆No
Aperture ringNo Yes
Aperture blades8 (rounded) 9 (rounded) ◆
Optical construction10 elements in 8 groups (including 1 ED element and 2 anomalous dispersion elements) 15 elements in 12 groups (1 Extra Low Dispersion element)
Filter size49 mm ◆67 mm
Lens mountPentax K Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony A, Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Samsung NX, Sony E, Four Thirds, Micro Four Thirds
Released2022 —
Price$549.95 launch price —
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · HD
  • B · Samyang
  • 80.5 × 65 mm
  • 123 × 73 mm

The Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro is 42 mm longer and 372 g heavier than the HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW.

06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW review 1
Video thumbnail for HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW review 2
Video thumbnail for Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro review 1
Video thumbnail for Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW or the Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro?
The HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW weighs 348 g, 372 g less than the Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro (720 g).
Which focuses closer, the HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW or the Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro?
The Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro focuses down to 0.3 m, against 0.3 m for the HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW.
Do the HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW and the Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro have image stabilization?
No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
Is the HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW or the Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro better for macro photography?
For macro photography, the Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.3 m.
Is the HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW or the Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW has the edge: it is 372 g lighter to carry.
08

Other comparisons