[KC0PET]

I would like to seek out a "near 10" lens that will not break the bank. For a couple things, 1) those times when I just want to pull out a sharp lens for that special shot and 2) for a sort of a benchmark for other lenses. I mostly shoot normal to wide angle, so probably in the 28mm to 50mm range. I currently only have only manual focus lenses so auto focus is not necessary (my primary interest here is IQ, not concerned about AF performance). I am OK with manual aperture lenses, I might look at M42 mount if something really stands out, but will probably lean to K mount. Affordable is probably around $100 or less, less is better of course.

I have been studying the reviews and some lenses that are looking like candidates are the Pentax-M 50 f1.7, SMC 35 f3.5. Another lens that I will buy if/when I can find one at a reasonable price is the Vivitar/Komine 28mm F2.0. I have also noticed that several of the Pentax 50 Macro lenses rate well and a good macro lens is on my list.

Anyway just wanting to get thoughts/experiences from folks. Thanks.

[mgvh]

My sharpest/best/"near 10" lenses that were around $100 or less:

• SMC PENTAX-DA L 35mm F2.4 AL now around $100 new
• SMC Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 XS now around $100 new
• SMC PENTAX 50mm F4 Macro this one is a 10 in the database - I found one under $100
• SMC PENTAX-M 50mm 1:1.7
• SMC PENTAX-A 50mm 1:1.7
• SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8 now under $100 new
• SUPER-TAKUMAR 55mm F1.8 really a nice lens often for very cheap
• Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm if you're patient, you can get one well under $100
• TOKINA SZ-X 80-200mm f4.5-5.6 this one is a bit of a surprise, but I like it even better than the Vivitar 70-210
• SUPER TAKUMAR 150mm F4

In the big picture of things, there are doubtless lenses that are much better (and much more expensive), so 'value' does weigh in a bit here. Still, these are all really sharp lenses that are a pleasure to use, and produce overall excellent renderings. I doubt you can get too much sharper than any of the 50mm or 55mm lenses can do.

[UncleVanya]

DA 35 f2.4 and DA 50 f1.8 both fit the bill. They won't be as good at manual focus however due the reduced dampening and focus throw, but the coatings are stellar and they are sharp, sharper than any $100 less should be. The M series 50 f1.7 is also very good.

[boraclicks]

You should also consider A 50/1.7. I have been using it since sometime now and couldn't be happier. It gives the freedom of A setting on my K50. It cost me around 40$.

[UncleVanya]

The 80-200 m f4.5 is fantastic as well.

[pinholecam]

A50/1.7 is very good for the money.
In fact, its only weakness is the hex shaped oof highlights.
If the DA50/1.8 is indeed the same lens with circular aperture blades, then it might really be the best 50mm that's out there.

The Takumar 55/1.8 is very nice as well.
Less sharp wide open vs the 50/1.7, but nicer bokeh.


I leave some impressions from my M42 and K mount lenses here :
[pinholecam] A week with ...... (random ramblings of a lens junkie) - 2015
It does contain info on other lenses, which is why I don't leave a copy of the postings here on PF.

[stevebrot]

Affordable is probably around $100 or less, less is better of course.

Pentax-M 50/1.7
Pentax-K 55/1.8

Pentax DA 50/1.8, though a notch lower than the two above. I own all three and that is just my opinion.

The Pentax-A 50/1.7 would be on the list except for the tendency to frozen aperture ring. (Own this one too.)


Steve

[pinholecam]

Pentax-M 50/1.7
Pentax-K 55/1.8

Pentax DA 50/1.8, though a notch lower than the two above. I own all three and that is just my opinion.

The Pentax-A 50/1.7 would be on the list except for the tendency to frozen aperture ring. (Own this one too.)


Steve

Can you elaborate on the DA50/1.8 vs the M50/1.7?
What is weaker for the DA?
I've ever hear that it seemed softer, but that was only thru a casual conversation.

[phoebus]

The F28mm f2.8 might stretch the budget, but the M28mm f2.8 is pretty much the same glass for less. I've used the F28 more than any other lens on my K5, it is a nice focal length for landscape/street and very sharp. My Sigma 18-35 will out-resolve it in the corners, but cost and weight are on another planet. I've also got M50 f1.7, F50 f1.7 and F50 f1.4, but while they are all sharp lens, the focal length limits the usefulness [until the FF arrives ;-)]

[clackers]

I leave some impressions from my M42 and K mount lenses here :
[pinholecam] A week with ...... (random ramblings of a lens junkie) - 2015
It does contain info on other lenses, which is why I don't leave a copy of the postings here on PF.

Wonderful blog of discovery that I've just read from start to finish, people! :-)

Pinholecam mixes theory and practice, and walking/cycling makes him appreciate quality smaller primes.

[pinholecam]

Wonderful blog of discovery that I've just read from start to finish, people! :-)

Pinholecam mixes theory and practice, and walking/cycling makes him appreciate quality smaller primes.

Glad that you like it.

[pepperberry farm]

DA 50mm f1.8
SMC A 50mm f1.7
SMC M 50mm f4 Macro


these are the lenses I own and use that match your criteria; I also have a Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm that I Singled with in October that is very nice...


I also have an SMC A 100mm f4 Macro that is an amazing lens for an all around lens, including close up work....

[baro-nite]

I have been studying the reviews and some lenses that are looking like candidates are the Pentax-M 50 f1.7, SMC 35 f3.5. Another lens that I will buy if/when I can find one at a reasonable price is the Vivitar/Komine 28mm F2.0. I have also noticed that several of the Pentax 50 Macro lenses rate well and a good macro lens is on my list.

The M50/1.7 hits a sweet spot on value for performance; can be had very cheaply but is a very good all-round performer, including reversed as a macro lens.

The K35/3.5 is a favorite of mine. As is the K28/3.5, usually in the same price range.

[marcusBMG]

Individual reviews here on PF should be treated with a certain scepticism, there are too many that say little more than that the reviewer is pleased with their latest acquisition, and the ratings scale tends to be used as a 7-10 scale of "pleasedness" not a 1-10 scale of quality. But in the aggregate, of the reviews of lenses I am familiar with there aren't any I would argue with particularly.

So?

1. smc-a 50mm 1.7 . My most used lens nuff said. Fabulous value at the sort of prices it is readily acquired for. Couldn't distinguish optically this and smc-m 50mm 1.7, don't really see the need for f1.4 - wasn't happy with the IQ at f1.4 of an smc-m I had for a while. Convenience of PKA mount tells eg when using flash. Really, every pentax user should have one IMO.
2. 90mm macro eg tamron adaptall 52B/BB. First acquaintance with a good macro always makes a bit of a wow impression. These lenses are also fab value, I have noticed several popping up on ebay uk last couple of months and selling for 50-60 quid ie less than a hundred bucks. Vivitars are good too but the tamrons are more common and tend to be cheaper. Yes also need to factor in cost of a mount but PKM mount isn't expensive.
3. Wide angles: the more w/a's I try and compare the more I am inclined to the view that modern, on average, is better. SMC 28mm f3.5 is one of the exceptions - my best MF 28mm. But eg tamron 02B 28mm, vivitar TX 28mm, sigma miniwide II and others all inferior to my sigma 18-125mm at 28mm (good iq middle of zoom range), and not really better than kit lens at 28mm either, if not worse. Sigma superwide II 24mm holds its own, that I would give a firm recommendation as a WA MF choice but they're not so easy to find specifically at a good price.
DA 35mm f2.4? yees but a lukewarmish recommend, my komine made MF vivitar 35mm is sharper once stopped down, IMO it's a bit overrated (maybe my copy is a bit off) - but certainly value at the price it can be acquired for even new.
4. Going a bit longer than you said but the range of quality legacy 135mm is too good to miss at the prices they can be acquired for. FSU ie Jupiter, Tair, Carl Zeiss Jena, are amongst the picks, but for dirt cheap try st less "known" like a Panagor - mine is really sharp.

[dms]

I agree the M 50 f/1.7 and 35 mm f/3.5 (super tak, etc.) are likely the sharpest and yet lowest cost lenses. Although a zoom--the FA 28-70 f/4 is also very good (closed down 2 stops) and very low price.

As regards 50 mm macro--the Pentax f/4 is very nice but as a regular lens not extremely sharp.