The best Pentax lens for Flower Photography!

[johnny_rico]

Hi All,

In my opinion, for what it's worth(not alot), the 35mm Limited has to be the best Pentax lens for shooting flowers. It's light, small, can focus close to give a great perspective of the subject. It's contrasty and when exposed correctly it doesn't blow out whites/yellows. What's your view on this?

 

[narddogg81]

It certainly is great when you want to get close but still maintain some context. I dont know if it is the very best, but I love it.





--
My PPG

http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/home#section=ARTIST&subSection=7472316&subSubSection=0&language=EN

 

[Gerry Winterbourne]

In my opinion, for what it's worth (not alot), the 35mm Limited has to be the best Pentax lens for shooting flowers. It's light, small, can focus close to give a great perspective of the subject. It's contrasty and when exposed correctly it doesn't blow out whites/yellows. What's your view on this?

The DA35 is my go-to lens in many situations, so don't get me wrong, but as often as not I want to stand a bit further back for flowers. At present I use the Sigma 105 for this but looking at shots from Dominique and Leopold, to name but two, I think the new DFA100WR must be the supreme tool for this job.

With a bit of cropping or using extension tubes I also get great results from the DA70 and DA*200. So I can't really say that any of my Pentax lenses is the best; they are all just great: but LBA suggests that the one I haven't got may beat the rest.

--
Gerry


First camera 1953, first Pentax 1983, first DSLR 2006
http://www.pbase.com/gerrywinterbourne

 

[Leo James Mitchell]

I have to go along with Gerry here, the DA35. the DA*200 and the Sigma 105mm are all excellent lenses which each give their own perspective on the flower you are shooting. I would add here that the DA*55 with the 1.7 TC is also great in my books.

Cheers Johnny
Leo

In my opinion, for what it's worth (not alot), the 35mm Limited has to be the best Pentax lens for shooting flowers. It's light, small, can focus close to give a great perspective of the subject. It's contrasty and when exposed correctly it doesn't blow out whites/yellows. What's your view on this?

The DA35 is my go-to lens in many situations, so don't get me wrong, but as often as not I want to stand a bit further back for flowers. At present I use the Sigma 105 for this but looking at shots from Dominique and Leopold, to name but two, I think the new DFA100WR must be the supreme tool for this job.

With a bit of cropping or using extension tubes I also get great results from the DA70 and DA*200. So I can't really say that any of my Pentax lenses is the best; they are all just great: but LBA suggests that the one I haven't got may beat the rest.

--
Gerry


First camera 1953, first Pentax 1983, first DSLR 2006
http://www.pbase.com/gerrywinterbourne

--

K-7: Pentax DA* 200mm f2.8, Pentax DA* 55mm f1.4, Pentax DA 35mmm f2.8 Limited, Pentax DA14mm f2.8, Sigma 17-70mm Zoom, Sigma EX DG f2.8 70mm Macro, Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX DG Macro lens, Pentax 1.7 lens adapter, Cokin Pro Z Filter System. Benro B-4 Ball-Head, Benro C297-M8 Carbon Fiber Flexpod, Benro Precision 3-Way Pan-Head
Shooting photographs since 1948
mitch

 

[johnny_rico]

Hi Gerry,

I'd be interested to see a sample shot from the DA* 200mm if you have any. Whats its minimum focal distance? As far as using extension tubes well thats a different matter I think and my 43mm Ltd would probably beat my 35mm in those conditions.

Johnny

 

[johnny_rico]

Et tu, Leo!

Ok I concede this time. but I'll never give up trying to prove i'm right! ;-)

Johnny

 

[halai]

Here is my flower/plant shot recently with my 35mm ltd. I really like this lens. Can't wait to attach this baby on the K7 next Tuesday.

It's funny how I just noticed all my dates on my photos are wrong. I just took this shot roughly 2 weeks ago, but here it displayed May 1st. Guess I have to go back and adjust the date on my camera.

 

[leopold]

Hi there,

you can't go wrong with the DA35Ltd,i own it as well as the DFA100mm Macro WR.The new DFA certainly gives beautiful Bokeh!!!

I prefer using a 100mm lens because you have more control of the backgrounds,but sometimes the DA35Ltd is the only one that will do.

Nice shot BTW!
--
Leopold
Pentax forever
http://smarcoux.zenfolio.com/

 

[Gerry Winterbourne]

I'd be interested to see a sample shot from the DA* 200mm if you have any. Whats its minimum focal distance? As far as using extension tubes well thats a different matter I think and my 43mm Ltd would probably beat my 35mm in those conditions.

Hi Johnny. The DA*200 focuses to 1.2m where it's magnification is 0.2; nothing near true macro but still OK for flowers (as opposed to bits of flowers).









--
Gerry


First camera 1953, first Pentax 1983, first DSLR 2006
http://www.pbase.com/gerrywinterbourne

 

[Gerry Winterbourne]

Leo - you said the other day you were waiting for my photos from France. They're here http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=35551013

I hope you like them, old pal. I may not get a chance to respond if you look at them because we're packing now for a second week in a different part of France.

--
Gerry


First camera 1953, first Pentax 1983, first DSLR 2006
http://www.pbase.com/gerrywinterbourne

 

[LKeithR]

Like some of the others, I think "any" lens can be good for flower shots. In the real world there's no such thing as "perfect" or "best"; only good compromises. Different lenses will present different fields of view and different contexts but that's more a matter of different tastes than anything else. Your photo, for example, doesn't do anything for me because, as far as I can see, there's no part of it that's in focus--well, perhaps a a few of the yellow stamens in the front. For a flower shot I would much prefer to see something that has as much of the subject as possible in sharp focus...
--
Keith...

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

 

[Leo James Mitchell]

LOL! Good one!

I love the DA35mm Macro limited, don't get me wrong but here's the story. I find especially with the DA*200mm lens, that I can consistently shoot good shots without having to get up from where I sit (arthritis and COPD) and I still get fantastic shots, so in a sense it is just plain easier with a longer lens(not better). Also it seems to me that the 200mm glass is every bit as sharp as the 35mm lens for this kind of work. I think too that the 200 has slightly better/smoother OOF plane then the 35.
That's my story. ;-) exemplia gratia

Et tu, Leo!

Ok I concede this time. but I'll never give up trying to prove i'm right! ;-)

Johnny

--

K-7: Pentax DA* 200mm f2.8, Pentax DA* 55mm f1.4, Pentax DA 35mmm f2.8 Limited, Pentax DA14mm f2.8, Sigma 17-70mm Zoom, Sigma EX DG f2.8 70mm Macro, Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX DG Macro lens, Pentax 1.7 lens adapter, Cokin Pro Z Filter System. Benro B-4 Ball-Head, Benro C297-M8 Carbon Fiber Flexpod, Benro Precision 3-Way Pan-Head
Shooting photographs since 1948
mitch

 

[richard64]

SMC-A 50/1.7 with a polariser.

 

[Col K10d]

Oh I like those DA*200 a lot. Not that I can afford to add that lens to my arsenal so let me stir the pot up and add the DA*300 into the mix





Useful for separation of object from background when out in the wild, even at f14.









and extension tubes are an option to reduce focus distance





We're not really helping you much, are we?
--

 

[johnny_rico]

Hi Gerry,

they are great shots!

Johnny

 

[Donald B]

I find the lighting is more important than the lens, off camera flash
will give more advantage over the lens i regulary use tammy 70 300 for
flower shots it alows you to light the frame with no unwanted shadows you can
get down nice and low for different angles, nice blurred bacgrounds
at 300 f8. also use vivitar 105 macro

don

 

[johnny_rico]

Hi LKeithR,

I'm glad you commented on my photo with a honest critique.

Best regards,

Johnny