What is your single most Favorite Pentax Lens ?

scgushue · Nov 29, 2009

Interesting that you even mention the A 70-200 4.0. It really was/is a fantastic lens. It is one of the best zoom lenses that Pentax has made. Interstingly enough, even though I rarely use the lens anymore, it can still hold it's own with any of the current lenses image-wise. It's only weakness in current terms is that it is not AF.

Stephen
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WRB · Nov 29, 2009

was FA 50/1.7, DA 12-24/4, DA* 16-50/2.8

scgushue · Nov 29, 2009

Aside from the fact that this lens is a marvel of lens construction and surely a piece of art, but the image output from the lens is absolutely top notch. Flare control is phenomenal, contrast is superb, and the color output is spot on. I also find CA controls to be near perfect.

On the smaller sensors it makes for a great walk about lens. I use it extensively in my pano work.

Stephen
--
http://www.pbase.com/scgushue

LKeithR · Nov 29, 2009

FA* 80-200/2.8. A lens I would probably not even go looking for today. It's big and heavy and certainly not the lens I use the most but every so often I get the urge to strap it on and I am always "wowed" by the results. One of those "special" Pentax experiences, I guess. Perhaps someday I'll sell it but for now I'm content knowing it's sitting there patiently waiting for me to call it into action once again...
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Jack Simpson · Nov 29, 2009

gwing wrote:
Hi G_W,

Firstly, welcome to the Da Forums

and,

gwing #557129 said:
Now the 200/2.5 is a very fine lens , I still have mine

secondly, you lucky barsteward

and it was my money lens when
shooting concerts back in the late 80's and early 90's

gwing #557129 said:
My favourite would perhaps be a toss up between this and the A70-200 f4 (which was stolen). Now I may have better lenses than the 70-200 f4 and there really good current alternatives at that focal length as well (some of which I have) but there was something special about that lens. It was simply a pleasure to hold and use, the trombone style zoom allowed DOF markings and old fashioned working styles centering around depth of field, and I simply liked the way it rendered images. I'm still not sure whether I want to replace it or not, they are available and cheap so thats not an issue but it would duplicate lenses I already have - and a replacement might not be as good as the old but mint copy I had.

I never owned the "trombone style" A-70-200/4 lens but I sold a lot of them

and

whilst I didn't like the "way too loose" push-pull zoom on the lens ...it was a very
sharp lens

Just too loose in the zooming

, IMHO.

Cheers and look forward (kind of) to seeing some pics from your 200/2.5 ...(sobbing emoticon)

Jack

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Richard Murdey · Nov 29, 2009

Sye68 said:
In fact thats a new question in it,s self , Would Pentax users be pentax users if it was,nt for the Fantastic prime lens choice ?

I'd still be with Nikon, for one.

Though the bodies have been consistently interesting since the K10D, it was the DA Limiteds that drove my switch.

AndrewPF · Nov 29, 2009

It's my go-to lens for just about everything. Of the few lenses I have, it's the only one which I have to bring with me when I'm out shooting.

Lance B · Nov 29, 2009

LKeithR said:
FA* 80-200/2.8. A lens I would probably not even go looking for today. It's big and heavy and certainly not the lens I use the most but every so often I get the urge to strap it on and I am always "wowed" by the results. One of those "special" Pentax experiences, I guess.

I agree wholeheartedly. Whilst it is not my every day lens, I love to use it and the results are stunning. If I were to lose it, I definitely would look for another.

LKeithR said:
Perhaps someday I'll sell it but for now I'm content knowing it's sitting there patiently waiting for me to call it into action once again...

I doubt I will ever sell it.

LKeithR said:
--
Look at the picture, not the pixels...
http://www.lkeithr.zenfolio.com

--
Lance B
http://www.pbase.com/lance_b

jasby · Nov 29, 2009

WOW !!!!! Beautiful...............do you want to get rid of the FA43??!!!
Congrats ........John

Bob Rapp · Nov 29, 2009

My most used lense.
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Pentax user - both MF, 35mm and Digital since 1968.

shane gerrish · Nov 29, 2009

i presume you guys are talking about the A70-210/4...

I bought one so i could slide zoom at the same time as manually focussing for action shots ...
was never really successful due to my lack of skill.

scgushue said:
Interesting that you even mention the A 70-200 4.0. It really was/is a fantastic lens. It is one of the best zoom lenses that Pentax has made. Interstingly enough, even though I rarely use the lens anymore, it can still hold it's own with any of the current lenses image-wise. It's only weakness in current terms is that it is not AF.

Stephen
--
http://www.pbase.com/scgushue

--
Shane,Gold Coast Aussie. Lens list in profile.
http://bigred4x4.blogspot.com/2008/01/welcome.html

cjo · Nov 30, 2009

The 15mm DA Limited probably isn't the lens I would choose if limited to one lens, but then if I were going to be limited to one lens I doubt I would be using an SLR at all. (I think I would go for a more compact camera is I wasn't going to allowed to changed the lens.)

But it is stll a lens I hate to leave the house without. For me it's the combination of wide (but not too wide!) angle of view plus absense of distortion that makes this lens such a favourite.

For a second favourite... err... I'll plump for my 50mm f1.4.

------------------------------------------------
Chris Osborne - Edinburgh
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Eurostar · Nov 30, 2009

What I have to say? It's the sharpest, three dimensional lens I have. Sometimes its just too long, but it's always magical.

sung nee · Nov 30, 2009

No trext

Kesha270057 · Nov 30, 2009

Hard to choice,
I will choice FA 50mm/F1.4.

But if I have all the lenses, I will choice DA* 50-135/F2.8

--
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my multiply : http://kesha.multiply.com

Wanganuilad · Nov 30, 2009

timo said:
Is this optically the same as the K105 2.8? How is it at 2.8?

not sure sorry
will put up a shot tomorrow

Pete

newpentaxfan · Nov 30, 2009

Mine is the FA43.

Interesting that there are so few votes for the FA50/1.4. It is generally regarded as on of the best 50mm AF lenses out there.

Stephen Merola · Nov 30, 2009

if it has to be Pentax branded then it would be the FA 50mm f1.4. I have the FA 645 120mm and the SMC 85mm f/1.8, but have not owned either long enough to decide if I like them more than the FA50
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mark dimo · Nov 30, 2009

I love the

FA 35 f2 for its speed and sharpness
DA 35mm macro f2.8 for the macro and sharpness
FA 31 f1.8 limited (this lens speaks for itself)

all of them nearly duplicate a "normal" field of view on a 1.5x APS-c body.

my most favorite style of shooting was from the standard 50 on a FF, so this workaround using a 30 something mm on a APS-C is a nice compromise.
--
life is too short, surf waves, own a convertible, and marry for love!

Gary Martin · Nov 30, 2009

Whichever DA Limited is on my camera at any given time is my favorite lens. Really.

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What is your single most Favorite Pentax Lens ?

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