{"id":1152,"date":"2015-09-28T10:17:29","date_gmt":"2015-09-28T09:17:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=1152"},"modified":"2026-01-14T10:03:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T09:03:29","slug":"review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: smc Pentax-M Macro 1:4 100mm"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <strong>Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro<\/strong> is a small and affordable macro lens from the 70&#8217;s. In this review I check if it can still deliver on \u00a0today&#8217;s 24 Megapixel Sony a7.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a title=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro Review\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21076235414\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5773\/21076235414_5f7f35124b_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro Review\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pentax 4\/100 Macro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><b><\/b><\/h1>\n<h1>Sample Images<\/h1>\n<p><a title=\"Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro | f\/4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21249437426\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5753\/21249437426_be5c7293d8_c.jpg\" alt=\"Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro | f\/4\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><\/a> f\/5.6<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a title=\"Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro | f\/5.6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21087614898\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm1.staticflickr.com\/765\/21087614898_5647d1a0a8_c.jpg\" alt=\"Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro | f\/8\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">f\/8 cropped quite a lot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a title=\"Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro | f\/8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21283588021\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5635\/21283588021_4fecf420c1_c.jpg\" alt=\"Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro | f\/8\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">f\/8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h1>Specifications<\/h1>\n<address>\n<table id=\"tablepress-4\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-4\">\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Diameter<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">63 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Length<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">56\u00a0mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Filter\u00a0Diameter<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">49\u00a0mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Weight<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">357g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Max. Magnification<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">0.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6 even\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Close Focusing Distance from the sensor<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">45 cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7 odd\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Number of aperture blades<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8 even\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Elements\/ Groups<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">5\/\u00a03<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/address>\n<p>The Pentax 4\/100 Macro\u00a0at <a href=\"http:\/\/rover.ebay.com\/rover\/1\/707-53477-19255-0\/1?icep_ff3=9&amp;pub=5575076376&amp;toolid=10001&amp;campid=5337755977&amp;customid=&amp;icep_uq=pentax+100+4+macro&amp;icep_sellerId=&amp;icep_ex_kw=&amp;icep_sortBy=12&amp;icep_catId=3323&amp;icep_minPrice=&amp;icep_maxPrice=&amp;ipn=psmain&amp;icep_vectorid=229487&amp;kwid=902099&amp;mtid=824&amp;kw=lg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ebay.de <\/a>| <a href=\"http:\/\/rover.ebay.com\/rover\/1\/711-53200-19255-0\/1?icep_ff3=9&amp;pub=5575076376&amp;toolid=10001&amp;campid=5337755977&amp;customid=&amp;icep_uq=pentax+100+4+macro&amp;icep_sellerId=&amp;icep_ex_kw=&amp;icep_sortBy=12&amp;icep_catId=3323&amp;icep_minPrice=&amp;icep_maxPrice=&amp;ipn=psmain&amp;icep_vectorid=229466&amp;kwid=902099&amp;mtid=824&amp;kw=lg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ebay.com <\/a>|<a href=\"http:\/\/rover.ebay.com\/rover\/1\/710-53481-19255-0\/1?icep_ff3=9&amp;pub=5575076376&amp;toolid=10001&amp;campid=5337755977&amp;customid=&amp;icep_uq=pentax+100+4+macro&amp;icep_sellerId=&amp;icep_ex_kw=&amp;icep_sortBy=12&amp;icep_catId=3323&amp;icep_minPrice=&amp;icep_maxPrice=&amp;ipn=psmain&amp;icep_vectorid=229508&amp;kwid=902099&amp;mtid=824&amp;kw=lg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> ebay.co.uk\u00a0<\/a>(affiliate links)<\/p>\n<h1>What is it good for?<\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today 100mm Macro lenses are very popular because they are so versatile. You can use them for a very wide many applications ranging from macro over portraits to landscapes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>The rather slow speed of the Pentax 4\/100 limits it&#8217;s usefulness as a portrait lens but it is very light and not that big which make it a good choice for a small and versatile tele lens.<\/p>\n<h1>Built Quality<\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pentax Macro is built very well, everything is made from metal or glass and markings are engraved. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both aperture- and focus ring move precisely. <\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Size and Weight<\/span><\/h1>\n<figure style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a title=\"nahfern\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21512265569\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm1.staticflickr.com\/738\/21512265569_97988126db_b.jpg\" alt=\"nahfern\" width=\"800\" height=\"785\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Pentax 4\/100 Macro focused at infinity and 45cm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pentax 4\/100 Macro is of average size, typical for 100mm lenses, my <a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/tokina-x-macro-90mm-12-5-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tokina 2.5\/90<\/a> Macro and Minolta <a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/minolta-mc-tele-rokkor-100mm-12-5-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MC 2.5\/100<\/a> are similar in size. If you consider that both lenses are more than a stop faster you wonder what Pentax\u00a0needed all that space for. One ncie aspect is that the front lens is so far recessed that you can throw the lens into your bag without having to worry about getting it scratched.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">he lens is well balanced on the Sony a7 but adding a<a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/useful-accessory-sony-alpha-7-l-bracket\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> L-bracket<\/a>\u00a0improves the balance further. <\/span><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a title=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro Review\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21698929155\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5636\/21698929155_6c085f58f7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro Review\" width=\"800\" height=\"532\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pentax 4\/100 on Sony Alpha 7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><b>Handling<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have to turn the focus ring clockwise to focus further away, Nikon and Pentax users are used to this focus direction but for me who is used to Minolta SR and Canon FD lenses it was harder than expected to adopt to it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The focus ring turns about 80 degress from infinity to 1m and a further 250 degress to the dshort focusing distance of 45cm. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is quite good for macro work but the focus throw is a bit short for portrait and landscape work.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The focus ring is harder to turn than I like it, my <a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/tokina-x-macro-90mm-12-5-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tokina 2.5\/90<\/a>\u00a0feels much smoother. My copy is in excellent condition so it is unlikely that it is just my copy.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a title=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro Review\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21076235354\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm1.staticflickr.com\/614\/21076235354_3fc4cd63d0_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro Review\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The focusing window<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The aperture ring feels very solid and precise. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are full stops from f\/4 to f\/5.6 and f\/22 to f\/32 and half stops in between. The aperture has 6 straight blades which are clearly visible around defocused highlights.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><b>Optical performance<\/b><\/h1>\n<h3><b>Flare resistance<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Typical for a lens of that era the Pentax 4\/100 Macro loses contrast if you point it towards a brighter light source.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a title=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro | f\/4 | flare test\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21510787188\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm1.staticflickr.com\/763\/21510787188_9c78afa71a_c.jpg\" alt=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro | f\/4 | flare test\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shaded: good\u00a0contrast<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a title=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro | f\/4 | flare test\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21687154642\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5787\/21687154642_587ac9edf9_c.jpg\" alt=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro | f\/4 | flare test\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">not shaded: very low contrast<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><b>Bokeh<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>I think bokeh is quite smooth but the hexagonal structure of the aperture is a bit distracting when you stop down.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a title=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro | f\/4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21687149272\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5715\/21687149272_228ac98078_c.jpg\" alt=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro | f\/4\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sony a7 | f\/4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a title=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro | f\/8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21510780218\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm1.staticflickr.com\/765\/21510780218_4a6432a215_c.jpg\" alt=\"Pentax 4\/100 Macro | f\/8\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sony a7 | f\/8<\/p>\n<h3><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>Sharpness<\/h3>\n<p>At infinity the performance is quite unremarkable. <a title=\"Pentax_SMC_100mmf4Macro\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21511269900\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm1.staticflickr.com\/594\/21511269900_5355ff044e_o.jpg\" alt=\"Pentax_SMC_100mmf4Macro\" width=\"800\" height=\"1712\" \/><\/a> <strong>f\/4:<\/strong> The center shows very good resolution with lower contrast, towards the corners sharpness drops to okay levels.<br \/>\n<strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">f\/5.6:\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Very sharp in the center, sharp in the midframe and corner regions.<br \/>\n<\/span><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">f\/8: <\/strong><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Very sharp across the frame. <\/span><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 670px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a style=\"line-height: 1.5;\" title=\"macrocrop\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21078206003\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5809\/21078206003_d96e69d123_b.jpg\" alt=\"macrocrop\" width=\"670\" height=\"544\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">f\/5.6 vs f\/4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">At closer distances it is a bit better but I would advise to stop down to f\/5.6 to make the contrast reducing spherical aberration go away.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h1>\n<h1><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h1>\n<p>I bought the Pentax 1:4 100 Macro because I was looking \u00a0for a small and light weight macro lens because my current macro the <a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/tokina-x-macro-90mm-12-5-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tokina 2.5\/90<\/a>\u00a0 felt a bit too large and heavy at times and I was looking for a replacement for those times when size and weight are essential.<\/p>\n<p>The Pentax is a <strong>solid performer<\/strong> but it didn\u2019t meet all of my expectations. Yes it\u2019s nearly 200g lighter than my Tokina but not any smaller. I could have learned that from the specifications but because several people wrote about how small it is so I didn\u2019t bother. The <strong>mechanics are all right<\/strong> but the <strong>focus ring is not as nice<\/strong> of that my Tokina and this subtracts from my ecperience.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Optically the Pentax is again a \u00a0good performer<\/strong> but neither has it the great bokeh of my Tokina nor can it match it\u2019s \u00a0exceptional sharpness and it shows more axial chromatic aberations.<\/p>\n<p>If I consider the rather affordable price of the Pentax I have to conclude that it offers <strong>pretty good value.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The only reason my conclusion is a bit negative is that I compared it to the truly exellent Tokina 2.5\/90 Macro which bests it in several aspects so the weight reduction isn\u2019t worth the many tradeoffs I would have to accept if I live with.<\/p>\n<p><strong>All in all the Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro is a good lens without any serious weakness and a solid performance for a good price.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<br \/>\nYou can buy thePentax 4\/100 Macro\u00a0at <a href=\"http:\/\/rover.ebay.com\/rover\/1\/707-53477-19255-0\/1?icep_ff3=9&amp;pub=5575076376&amp;toolid=10001&amp;campid=5337755977&amp;customid=&amp;icep_uq=pentax+100+4+macro&amp;icep_sellerId=&amp;icep_ex_kw=&amp;icep_sortBy=12&amp;icep_catId=3323&amp;icep_minPrice=&amp;icep_maxPrice=&amp;ipn=psmain&amp;icep_vectorid=229487&amp;kwid=902099&amp;mtid=824&amp;kw=lg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ebay.de <\/a>| <a href=\"http:\/\/rover.ebay.com\/rover\/1\/711-53200-19255-0\/1?icep_ff3=9&amp;pub=5575076376&amp;toolid=10001&amp;campid=5337755977&amp;customid=&amp;icep_uq=pentax+100+4+macro&amp;icep_sellerId=&amp;icep_ex_kw=&amp;icep_sortBy=12&amp;icep_catId=3323&amp;icep_minPrice=&amp;icep_maxPrice=&amp;ipn=psmain&amp;icep_vectorid=229466&amp;kwid=902099&amp;mtid=824&amp;kw=lg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ebay.com <\/a>|<a href=\"http:\/\/rover.ebay.com\/rover\/1\/710-53481-19255-0\/1?icep_ff3=9&amp;pub=5575076376&amp;toolid=10001&amp;campid=5337755977&amp;customid=&amp;icep_uq=pentax+100+4+macro&amp;icep_sellerId=&amp;icep_ex_kw=&amp;icep_sortBy=12&amp;icep_catId=3323&amp;icep_minPrice=&amp;icep_maxPrice=&amp;ipn=psmain&amp;icep_vectorid=229508&amp;kwid=902099&amp;mtid=824&amp;kw=lg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> ebay.co.uk\u00a0<\/a>(affiliate links). For tips on how to get a good copy read my article\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/defects-manual-lenses-lens-buing-advice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lens defects and buying advice<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The right adapter\u00a0to use this lens on a Alpha 7 series camera can be found on <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/1WsNh59\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amazon.com<\/a>|<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.de\/s\/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;camp=1638&amp;creative=19454&amp;field-keywords=pentax%20sony%20adapter%20nex&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Apentax%20sony%20adapter%20nex&amp;site-redirect=de&amp;tag=phillipreeven-21&amp;url=search-alias%3Daps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amazon.de<\/a> (affiliate links).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thanks for showing your support buy using one of the above links \u00a0\ud83d\ude42<\/strong><br \/>\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n<h1>Full resolution samples<\/h1>\n<p><a title=\"Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro | f\/5.6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/20652805124\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm1.staticflickr.com\/739\/20652805124_49a47710da_c.jpg\" alt=\"Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro | f\/5.6\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><\/a> f\/5.6 | I think the bokeh is a bit distracting here<script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a title=\"Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro | f\/8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/20652800604\/in\/dateposted\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/farm1.staticflickr.com\/699\/20652800604_f618d27b04_c.jpg\" alt=\"Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro | f\/8\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">f\/8 | very sharp across the frame at infinity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1>Other Articles<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/manual-lenses-sony-a7\/\">An introduction to manual lenses on the Sony a7<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/manual-minolta-lens-ratings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Minolta Lenses on the Sony a7 \u2013 ratings, impressions and sample images<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/lenses\/minolta-mcmd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Minolta MC\/MD Reviews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using any of the links marked as affiliate links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the creation of future content.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro is a small and affordable macro lens from the 70&#8217;s. In this review I check if it can still deliver on \u00a0today&#8217;s 24 Megapixel Sony a7. Sample Images f\/5.6<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[419],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vintage"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Review: smc Pentax-M Macro 1:4 100mm - phillipreeve.net<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Review: smc Pentax-M Macro 1:4 100mm - phillipreeve.net\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro is a small and affordable macro lens from the 70&#8217;s. In this review I check if it can still deliver on \u00a0today&#8217;s 24 Megapixel Sony a7. Sample Images f\/5.6\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"phillipreeve.net\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-09-28T09:17:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-14T09:03:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5773\/21076235414_5f7f35124b_b.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Phillip Reeve\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Phillip Reeve\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/\",\"name\":\"Review: smc Pentax-M Macro 1:4 100mm - phillipreeve.net\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5773\/21076235414_5f7f35124b_b.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2015-09-28T09:17:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-14T09:03:29+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d875e9fd60a43e24a1abc265963ed021\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5773\/21076235414_5f7f35124b_b.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5773\/21076235414_5f7f35124b_b.jpg\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Review: smc Pentax-M Macro 1:4 100mm\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"phillipreeve.net\",\"description\":\"Sony \u03b1 | Leica M | Nikon Z\/F New articles every week\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d875e9fd60a43e24a1abc265963ed021\",\"name\":\"Phillip Reeve\",\"description\":\"I have two hobbies: Photography and photographic gear. Both are related only to a small degree.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/www.phillipreeve.net\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/Phillip_Reeve\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/author\/phillipadmin\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Review: smc Pentax-M Macro 1:4 100mm - phillipreeve.net","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Review: smc Pentax-M Macro 1:4 100mm - phillipreeve.net","og_description":"The Pentax SMC 4\/100 Macro is a small and affordable macro lens from the 70&#8217;s. In this review I check if it can still deliver on \u00a0today&#8217;s 24 Megapixel Sony a7. Sample Images f\/5.6","og_url":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/","og_site_name":"phillipreeve.net","article_published_time":"2015-09-28T09:17:29+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-01-14T09:03:29+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5773\/21076235414_5f7f35124b_b.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Phillip Reeve","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Phillip Reeve","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/","url":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/","name":"Review: smc Pentax-M Macro 1:4 100mm - phillipreeve.net","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5773\/21076235414_5f7f35124b_b.jpg","datePublished":"2015-09-28T09:17:29+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-14T09:03:29+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d875e9fd60a43e24a1abc265963ed021"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5773\/21076235414_5f7f35124b_b.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5773\/21076235414_5f7f35124b_b.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-smc-pentax-m-macro-14-100mm\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Review: smc Pentax-M Macro 1:4 100mm"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/","name":"phillipreeve.net","description":"Sony \u03b1 | Leica M | Nikon Z\/F New articles every week","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d875e9fd60a43e24a1abc265963ed021","name":"Phillip Reeve","description":"I have two hobbies: Photography and photographic gear. Both are related only to a small degree.","sameAs":["http:\/\/www.phillipreeve.net","https:\/\/x.com\/Phillip_Reeve"],"url":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/author\/phillipadmin\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1152"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1152\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54841,"href":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1152\/revisions\/54841"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}