If you could only have one prime Pentax lens…

rams · 07-19-2009, 04:48 PM

…which one would it be? (only made by Pentax) This might have been asked before, but I am fairly new Pentaxian, switched from Olympus, and I though I’d ask. The twist I’d put on this question is that you could only have ONE lens, no zooms.
I know that choosing a lens is subjective to the photographer’s style, but if you had “a gun to your head” which one would you choose.

I have the DA* 55mm coming next week...

DAZ · 07-19-2009, 05:31 PM

31mm f1.8 Limited

Andi Lo · 07-19-2009, 06:12 PM

Depends on the body

K100D (or other K digital bodies) > 31mm ltd
ES II (or other Scremount body) > Tak 50/1.4
ME Super (or other MF film bodies) > A 50mm/1.2
ZX-7 (or other AF film bodies with Panorama mode) > FA 35mm / anything wider and AF
ZX-L (or other AF film bodies without Panorama mode) > FA 50mm

Ash · 07-19-2009, 06:13 PM

Look, there are lots of great Pentax primes - if it were up to me it would be the FA 77 ltd. But it's no macro, and I just love the ability of the 100/2.8 macro to capture small life in brilliant fashion.

Though I've never tried the 31 ltd, something tells me it would quickly become a fave....

nostatic · 07-19-2009, 06:15 PM

31 or 77. Hard to pick.

Mike Cash · 07-19-2009, 06:22 PM

If you could only have one "If you could only have one lens" thread, which "If you could only have one lens" thread would it be?

Taikonaut · 07-19-2009, 06:34 PM

21mm for aps-c, such as K20D
31mm for full frame, such as ZX-5N

rams · 07-19-2009, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

If you could only have one "If you could only have one lens" thread, which "If you could only have one lens" thread would it be?

I am about to commit hara-kiri now....

Pentaxor · 07-19-2009, 06:50 PM

I dunno but the FA 35 f/2 really made an impression on me.

ll_coffee_lP · 07-19-2009, 06:58 PM

77ltd...no question.

c[_]

kristoffon · 07-19-2009, 07:05 PM

Isn't this the 50th thread with the same question?

Anyway, 31ltd.

raymeedc · 07-19-2009, 07:12 PM

That's an especially tough question to answer, as the cropping factor affects the lens greatly, depending on whether you're shooting film or digital. But taking the question at face value, & realizing I'll be compromising on one end or the other whatever my choice is (as I shoot both film & digital), I'd pick a 50mm 1.4 or 1.7 "A".
If I was choosing a favorite, though, in spite of it's maximum versatility, I'd pick the "lowly" 55mm f:1.8 SMC M42 Takumar.

seacapt · 07-19-2009, 07:33 PM

Originally posted by rams

I am about to commit hara-kiri now....

Don't do it man!!!!!!
If your just switching to Pentax take a little time to figure what works for you.
Lens discussions tend to be a hot topic here and all the answers to your question don't mean athing if that lens doesn't fit your style of shooting.
To answer your question : SMC A 50/1.7 You should check some of the pictures in the "Traveling Nifty Fifty " Thread in the Mini Chalenges and Games section.

Andrew Faires · 07-19-2009, 07:45 PM

Beyond any shadow of a doubt it would be the FA 43mm f/1.8 Limited. That is the only lens I refuse to leave at home no matter what I'm going out to photograph.

Votesh · 07-19-2009, 08:16 PM

31mm Ltd or FA* 85mm

07-19-2009, 04:48 PM	#1
rams New Member	If you could only have one prime Pentax lens… …which one would it be? (only made by Pentax) This might have been asked before, but I am fairly new Pentaxian, switched from Olympus, and I though I’d ask. The twist I’d put on this question is that you could only have ONE lens, no zooms. I know that choosing a lens is subjective to the photographer’s style, but if you had “a gun to your head” which one would you choose. I have the DA* 55mm coming next week...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version E-mail to a Friend	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
My Pentax prime lens line-up.	pcarfan	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	63	01-25-2012 05:31 AM
For Sale - Withdrawn: Pentax F 28mm f/2.8 Prime Lens (US)	loveisageless	Expired Listings	2	09-11-2010 09:58 PM
Pentax Kx Prime Lens	legiman	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	11	04-08-2010 05:58 AM
First Prime Lens for new Pentax K-x User	birvie	Pentax Beginner's Corner Q&A	26	01-16-2010 04:32 PM
For Sale - Sold: Like New Pentax FA 50mm f1.4 Prime Lens	Youngster	Sold Items	1	10-01-2009 10:17 PM

07-19-2009, 06:12 PM	#3
Andi Lo Pentaxian	Depends on the body K100D (or other K digital bodies) > 31mm ltd ES II (or other Scremount body) > Tak 50/1.4 ME Super (or other MF film bodies) > A 50mm/1.2 ZX-7 (or other AF film bodies with Panorama mode) > FA 35mm / anything wider and AF ZX-L (or other AF film bodies without Panorama mode) > FA 50mm

07-19-2009, 06:13 PM	#4
Ash Community Manager Loyal Site Supporter	Look, there are lots of great Pentax primes - if it were up to me it would be the FA 77 ltd. But it's no macro, and I just love the ability of the 100/2.8 macro to capture small life in brilliant fashion. Though I've never tried the 31 ltd, something tells me it would quickly become a fave....

07-19-2009, 06:15 PM	#5
nostatic Veteran Member	31 or 77. Hard to pick.

07-19-2009, 06:22 PM	#6
Mike Cash Pentaxian	If you could only have one "If you could only have one lens" thread, which "If you could only have one lens" thread would it be?

07-19-2009, 06:34 PM	#7
Taikonaut Forum Member	21mm for aps-c, such as K20D 31mm for full frame, such as ZX-5N

07-19-2009, 06:48 PM	#8
rams New Member	Originally posted by Mike Cash If you could only have one "If you could only have one lens" thread, which "If you could only have one lens" thread would it be? I am about to commit hara-kiri now....

07-19-2009, 06:50 PM	#9
Pentaxor Pentaxian	I dunno but the FA 35 f/2 really made an impression on me.

07-19-2009, 06:58 PM	#10
ll_coffee_lP Pentaxian	77ltd...no question. c[_]

07-19-2009, 07:05 PM	#11
kristoffon Veteran Member	Isn't this the 50th thread with the same question? Anyway, 31ltd.

07-19-2009, 07:12 PM	#12
raymeedc Veteran Member	That's an especially tough question to answer, as the cropping factor affects the lens greatly, depending on whether you're shooting film or digital. But taking the question at face value, & realizing I'll be compromising on one end or the other whatever my choice is (as I shoot both film & digital), I'd pick a 50mm 1.4 or 1.7 "A". If I was choosing a favorite, though, in spite of it's maximum versatility, I'd pick the "lowly" 55mm f:1.8 SMC M42 Takumar.

07-19-2009, 07:33 PM	#13
seacapt Pentaxian	Originally posted by rams I am about to commit hara-kiri now.... Don't do it man!!!!!! If your just switching to Pentax take a little time to figure what works for you. Lens discussions tend to be a hot topic here and all the answers to your question don't mean athing if that lens doesn't fit your style of shooting. To answer your question : SMC A 50/1.7 You should check some of the pictures in the "Traveling Nifty Fifty " Thread in the Mini Chalenges and Games section.

07-19-2009, 07:45 PM	#14
Andrew Faires Veteran Member	Beyond any shadow of a doubt it would be the FA 43mm f/1.8 Limited. That is the only lens I refuse to leave at home no matter what I'm going out to photograph.

07-19-2009, 08:16 PM	#15
Votesh Veteran Member	31mm Ltd or FA* 85mm