[Frogfish]

I know everyone will have / need / want different parameters but for starters :

1. Under 30mm
2. 30mm to 50mm
3. 50mm to 70mm
4. 70mm to 105mm
5. 125mm to 135mm
6. 150mm to 200mm
7. Over 200mm

I have just started with MF lenses (on a K7) and have been delighted with the results I've obtained from some of them. This is my kit so far but I'd like to know what you have / think so I know what to look out for, upgrade to, in future !

1. 24mm Vivitar F2.8
2. Slot empty ! (I have the 43mm Ltd so guess I might not need anything here) ?
3. SMC Takumar 50/1.4
4. Slot Empty - Need something to compete with Tamron Di 90 macro for sharpness ?
5. CZJ Electric Sonnar 135/3.5
6. Slot Empty !
7. SMC Takumar 300/4

Just one per category please - thanks for your list !

Kevin

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Last edited by Frogfish; 06-07-2010 at 11:01 AM. Reason: Not S-M-C but SMC !

[Asahiflex]

1. K28/2
2. K35/3.5
3. Porst 55/1.2
4. 83mm f/1.9 Asahi-Kogaku Takumar
5. S-M-C Takumar 135mm f/2.5
6. S-M-C Takumar 200mm f/4
7. None

[Blue]

For K-mount
1. Tamron 24mm
2. Pentax A 28mm f2
3. A 50mm f1.2
4. Tamron 90mm f2.5 (52BB) or FA 77mm ltd
4. K 135mm f2,5
6. Tamron 180mm f2.5
7. A 400mm f5.6

For M42:

1. Tamron 21mm
2. Auto-Tak 35mm f2.3
3. S-M-C Tak 50mm f1.4
4. Auto Tak 85mm f1.8 or S-m-c Tak 85mm f1.8
5. Takumar 105mm f2.8
6. Tamron 180mm f2.5
7. 500mm Takumar f4.5

[8540tomg]

Perfect set of manual focus lenses eh? A lot of great Pentax lenses to choose from here. I assume you were limiting us to Pentax glass. I assume as well price is no object as this is a dream sort of list.

For my purposes I would go with the following:

A 15/3.5
K 28/2
A 50/1.2
A* 85/1.4
A 100/2.8 macro - I own this one
A* 135/1.8
K 200/2.5 - I own this one
A* 200/4 macro
A*300/2.8
A* 400/2.8
A* 600/5.6

This group would suit me just fine. I actually have two of them.

Tom G

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Last edited by 8540tomg; 06-07-2010 at 03:08 PM. Reason: typo

[yeatzee]

My culmination of what I have, used to have, or want

1. M 28mm F/3.5 + Vivitar 28mm F/2.8 CF
2. K 35mm F/2
3. K/A 50mm F/1.2
4. M 85mm F/2
5. K 135mm F/2.5
6. K 200mm F/2.5
7. A 400mm F/5.6

[tuco]

4. Slot Empty - Need something to compete with Tamron Di 90 macro for sharpness ?

Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 100mm f2.0 ZK

[Frogfish]

Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 100mm f2.0 ZK

Thanks ! I love my CZJ 135 so would love to add to my Zeiss collection !

[farfisa]

Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 100mm f2.0 ZK

Thanks ! I love my CZJ 135 so would love to add to my Zeiss collection !

Good choice if you have $1500-2000!

If not, maybe the Vivitar S1 105/2.5--still a macro, too--or the Tokina 90mm/2.5 "Bokina."

[JohnBee]

As a proud cheapskate and purist, I take pride in the low road to riches

Vivitar CF 28/2.8
SMC K 35 35/3.5
SMC-A 50/1.4
HELIOS 44-3 58/2
JUPITER-9 85/2
JUPITER 37AM 135/3.5

These pretty much mark my MF bag wich is geared mostly for portrait photo. For what it's worth, I've dabbled in higher end glass(zeiss, Voit) only to conclude the benefits didn't justify the means and so I settle on this kit instead.

My two cents of course.

[axl]

Well if I did have the money than my "perfect set of MF lenses would be:
under 30: A15/3.5 + A24/2.8, if we apply one lens rule only I'd go for A15 or A20/2.8
30-50: A50/1.2
55-70: K55/1.8
70-105: A*85/1.4 if unavailable then K85/1.8
105-135: K120/2.8 or if possible A*135/1.8

personally I don't think I would use anything longer
Now I just have to save a bit

[Frogfish]

Good choice if you have $1500-2000!

If not, maybe the Vivitar S1 105/2.5--still a macro, too--or the Tokina 90mm/2.5 "Bokina."

Ouch ! Well maybe not.

That Viv S1 gets rave reviews.

[Frogfish]

As a proud cheapskate and purist, I take pride in the low road to riches

Vivitar CF 28/2.8
SMC K 35 35/3.5
SMC-A 50/1.4
HELIOS 44-3 58/2
JUPITER-9 85/2
JUPITER 37AM 135/3.5

These pretty much mark my MF bag wich is geared mostly for portrait photo. For what it's worth, I've dabbled in higher end glass(zeiss, Voit) only to conclude the benefits didn't justify the means and so I settle on this kit instead.

My two cents of course.

... but that's a highly rated kit even if not the most expensive.

[Frogfish]

Well if I did have the money than my "perfect set of MF lenses would be:
under 30: A15/3.5 + A24/2.8, if we apply one lens rule only I'd go for A15 or A20/2.8
30-50: A50/1.2
55-70: K55/1.8
70-105: A*85/1.4 if unavailable then K85/1.8
105-135: K120/2.8 or if possible A*135/1.8

personally I don't think I would use anything longer
Now I just have to save a bit

I would like to see some $ values next to some of those lenses !

[Lowell Goudge]

I know everyone will have / need / want different parameters but for starters :

1. Under 30mm

PKA mount, 8 mm Prooptic fisheye, , 28mm Sigma F2.8 mini wide II
PK mount 24mm Vivitar F2.0, 28mm Kiron F2.0
M42 Mount 24mm Tamron Adaptall II F2.5, 28mm Vivitar F2.5

2. 30mm to 50mm

35mm SMC Takumar F2

3. 50mm to 70mm

K mount 50mm SMC-Pentax F1.4
M42 50mm Super Tak F1.4, 50mm SMC Tak F4 macro mount 58 mm Helios M44 F2

4. 70mm to 105mm

KA Mount Vivitar 85mm F1.4
K mount SMC-Pentax 105mm F2.5 SMC-M 100mm F4 macro
M42 Mount Super Takumar F1.9

5. 125mm to 135mm

K mount SMC-Pentax 135 F2.5
M42 mount SMC Tak 135 F3.5, Tele lentar 135mm F2.8(preset) Rikenon 135mm F2.8

6. 150mm to 200mm

M42 mount 200mm Takumar F3.5 (preset)

7. Over 200mm

K mount SMC-Pentax 300mm F4, Vivitar MC 400 mm F5.6

I have just started with MF lenses (on a K7) and have been delighted with the results I've obtained from some of them. This is my kit so far but I'd like to know what you have / think so I know what to look out for, upgrade to, in future !

1. 24mm Vivitar F2.8
2. Slot empty ! (I have the 43mm Ltd so guess I might not need anything here) ?
3. SMC Takumar 50/1.4
4. Slot Empty - Need something to compete with Tamron Di 90 macro for sharpness ?
5. CZJ Electric Sonnar 135/3.5
6. Slot Empty !
7. SMC Takumar 300/4

Just one per category please - thanks for your list !

Kevin

Kevin, I gave what I have at each slot. Depending on preference M42, K or KA mount there are some differences. If you are looking atr M42, the 25mm F2 SMC Tak is a great lens.

Slot 4 I think you should go for a fast 85, the two I have are great, again a function of mount

slot 5 the best ever is the SMC Pentax 135 F2.5, fast but heavy.

Slot 6 I really like my preset Tak 200 F3.5 great lens

Slot 7 I can't comment, your SMC tak is probably very close to my SMC Pentax. great lenses but a little PF.

In my kit, and I consider really I have 2, an M42 kit and a K mount kit, I am looking for a 100 mm in the M42 kit, and a 200mm in the K mount kit, plus something WIDE 24 mm just doesn't get there on the ASP-C format, but ultra wides in K mount and M42 are not easy to come by (at least at my intended price) also the 8mm fisheye is a lot of fun, I am looking for both M42 and K moutn at about 16-17 mm.

[arpaagent]

Doesn't exactly fit your categories, this but is a well-spread group of MF primes that I have found work well for most things, with decent compromises between size/weight/performance.

A20/2.8 (I have FA20/2.8 which is the same optics I believe)
A28/2
A50/1.2
K85/1.8
K135/2.5

Add A100/2.8 Macro if you need a macro option.
Add A200/4 or A*300/4 if you need more reach (I usually don't unless I'm photographing wildlife)