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07-07-2010, 11:14 AM   #1
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Next Prime lens?

Hi All:

A while back I made the decision to move over to just using prime lenses. I feel I am taking better photographs and enjoying myself more! So, right now I own:

DA 15
DA 35 Macro
FA 50 1.4
DA 70

What do you think my next lens should be? My thoughts are running three ways:

1.) Add a DA 21
2.) Add a 100mm macro
3.) Replace the 50 with a 43 limt.

What do you think?

07-07-2010, 11:25 AM   #2
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If you don't like 50, get 43, you won't regret.
If, however you are OK with 50 than go for 100. I think gap between 35 and 15 is not worth getting lens. But on the other hand, 21 + 43 would make great combo....
07-07-2010, 11:26 AM   #3
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A lot really depends on which direction your photography will take you.

Your lenses currently give you a good spread across the range, I would be tempted to wait until you really need a particular lens for something.

You will then know which one to get, be in control of your LBA, not your LBA control you.
07-07-2010, 11:34 AM   #4
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why not replacing the 50 for the DA*55.

I have the DA14 (would love to trade for the DA15) DA21, M35, DA40, DA*55 and the FA*85mm. Still have the DA*50-135 as a zoom and a Nikkor 300mm.

I would maybe choose for the longend. An older 135mm lens would also be a great idea.

07-07-2010, 12:00 PM   #5
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Does shooting macro with the 35mm leave anything to be desired? If so get the 100mm macro.
07-07-2010, 12:00 PM   #6
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I would probably replace FA50 with DA21, or both DA35 & FA50 with DA21 & DA40. I feel 35/50/70 are sitting a little too close to each other practically. I have learn that you don't try to plug every hole when shooting primes. Just pick the most useful few and live with them.
07-07-2010, 03:51 PM   #7
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I have the FA 50 1.4 and the 43 1.9. I like having the extra speed with the FA 50 1.4. I have the 100 2.8 WR and love it. Great portrait lens and great macro lens.

07-07-2010, 04:14 PM   #8
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I would add the DA*200 f2.8. I think 100 is too close to 70, and the 15 to 70 range is covered enough. Ideally Pentax would have a 135mm limited and I’d have suggested that.

Last edited by twitch; 07-07-2010 at 05:24 PM.
07-07-2010, 05:18 PM   #9
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easy, you should get the DFA 100mm WR.

Next up, the DA 200 or DA 300
07-07-2010, 07:54 PM   #10
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I have a similar set-up (I have the Sigma 10-20 instead of your DA15 and the FA77 instead of your DA70, and skipped the FA50).

I also have the DA200, and I'm pretty happy with this set-up (although the DA15 occasionally haunts my thoughts). I don't miss the 70-200 range very much, largely because of how I use these lenses; when I've got the 200, I'm picking-off candids, shooting sports (well, minor soccer anyway) and often cropping down to finalize my framing. I'm also pretty comfortable prioritizing what I want in the frame. For example, I recently had the 200 mounted and was shooting a friends wedding (as a guest - I'm like to keep photography as a hobby, not a job). When the bride and groom walked towards me down the aisle after the ceremony, I couldn't zoom out to fit them both in. So, I just focussed on the bride and got some great shots.

That all said, the DA200 doesn't find its way onto my K10D very often - perhaps 10% of the time - way behind my DA35, FA77 and Sigma 10-20. However, the DA200 is solid, compact (for what it is) and has impressive ergonomics. Optically, it is consistently very good across all available apertures. Shooting at F3.5 or larger is where I've noticed somewhat lower (but still good) contrast and purple fringing visible at the pixel level. Neither of these has been particularly troublesome in my experience. Frankly, getting my subjects in sharp focus is the bigger challenge, but I blame the AF algorithms in my K10D, rather than the performance of the lens.

Overall, I think that your existing lenses will comfortably accommodate at least 90% of your shooting needs and that your next step in expanding your creative options is probably somewhere the long telephoto neighbourhood.

I hope this helps!
07-07-2010, 08:45 PM   #11
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What format/s? Just digital?

I'd say, something 20-28ish, or something longer. Maybe a 135.
07-07-2010, 10:17 PM   #12
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I think only you can decide what focal lengths best fit your own shooting needs - do you still have any zooms to hep with this? I can say if it were me, I'd be more concerned about the long end than anything else. So I'd use a zoom for a while to get an idea of whether 100 is enough longer to be useful, or if you're better off with a 135 or 200.
07-07-2010, 10:31 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by kpfeifle Quote
Hi All:

A while back I made the decision to move over to just using prime lenses. I feel I am taking better photographs and enjoying myself more! So, right now I own:

DA 15
DA 35 Macro
FA 50 1.4
DA 70

What do you think my next lens should be? My thoughts are running three ways:

1.) Add a DA 21
2.) Add a 100mm macro
3.) Replace the 50 with a 43 limt.

What do you think?
Are you confused yet? Since the only one you suggested replacing, is the 50mm with the 43mm, what is it you think will improve with that option (I did several years ago and didn't regret it one bit)?

I don't think the 21 is going to add much to your versatility.

It really depends on what you photograph but a 100mm macro (Love mine) is a somewhat limited use lens. It does make a killer portrait lens though and the macros, well, what can I say, nothing short of stellar.

Yes, I know, not much help...

07-08-2010, 12:42 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Eagle_Friends Quote
easy, you should get the DFA 100mm WR.
+1 for a 100mm macro.

The Pentax DFA100mm, the Tamron SP90mm or the Sigma 105mm are all great lenses. The Tamron and Sigma are highly recommended by www.photozone.de and the Pentax 100mm is praised in this forum.

A easy choice for 100mm, and a difficult choice between 3 great lenses...

Last edited by hcc; 07-11-2010 at 06:56 PM. Reason: Typos
07-08-2010, 03:35 AM   #15
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+1 for the 100 Macro WR.
That's the one that will open up new possibilities.

DA21 -> you can crop from DA15...
43 Ltd -> maybe better than the FA, but it won't bring anything new to you...

My own set is DA15/DA21/Viv 28/DA35/FA50/DA70/Viv 105/M200
FWIW, the FA50 & 70 are really close, I use one or the other (50: inside; 70: outside). 15 & 21: I just bought the 15, so I still need to see how I'll handle both of them. Vivi 28 f2: I'm barely using this one...
So in the end, it's really 15 &/or 21 + 35 + 50 OR 70 + 105 + 200
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