Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

paytonageo · 02-09-2011, 04:28 PM

Hello,
I'm hoping to purchase a K5 in the very near future. I'm having some trouble deciding on lenses though. Help me out. If you had to pick 2-3 limited series lenses (and you have no other lenses at all), which ones would you choose? What would provide the most wide array of shooting options? I know this is a generalized question, but I'm curious to hear what people have to say. Looking at the lens reviews, all of the limited series lenses receive very high ratings. Most of my shooting is travel/landscape related and I do want something on the lighter side, but I'm just looking for suggestions for 2 or 3 "must haves". Any thoughts? I'm banging my head against the wall trying to narrow it down...

RonHendriks1966 · 02-09-2011, 04:33 PM

You are just born under a happy moon.

You will be good to go on this set. K-5 and 21mm/40mm/70mm Ltd series in Silver!

heasley · 02-09-2011, 04:35 PM

If price is of no concern get the 3 FA Limiteds.

Eagle_Friends · 02-09-2011, 04:35 PM

If you want the most practical, probably the DA40mm or the DA21mm would be best

Most versatile would be DA 35mm Macro

Best overall according to many here is the DA 70mm

But the most magical one is the DA 15mm

So many good choices!!!

drugal · 02-09-2011, 05:46 PM

Based on what I shoot with my kit lens, the DA 21 and DA 40 are the two I need most.

Just got the 40, waiting a bit to get the 21.

Of course your mileage may vary and I hear excellent things about the FA 43

**rparmar** · 02-09-2011, 06:23 PM

FA77

FA43

FA31

in that order

heasley · 02-09-2011, 07:11 PM

Originally posted by rparmar

FA77

FA43

FA31

in that order

That is exactly what I have done.

I purchased the FA77 several months ago and the FA43 a few weeks ago.

I am plotting and scheming with my wife to get the FA31 now.

Great lenses!

**Michaelina2** · 02-09-2011, 07:55 PM

D FA 100/2.8 MACRO WR (not designated as 'Limited', but should be)

FA 43/1.9 Limited

DA 15/4 Limited

In your order of subject preference...

Cheers... M

twitch · 02-09-2011, 07:59 PM

DA15, FA31, FA77 if price no object
DA15, DA35, DA70 or FA77 if you want macro and cheaper than above
DA15 or 21, DA40, DA70 is about as cheap as limiteds come

The problem with having only the 31/43/77 set is the lack of wide angle on APS-C.

If it was only pick 2 and careful of costs I'd look at the 21 & 70

SpecialK · 02-09-2011, 08:17 PM

Need wide, so 15. (Want a 12.)
Need short tele/portrait, so 70.
Oops - not so wide, need 21.
Need something normalish, so 40 (I have the Tamron 90 macro, otherwise perhaps 35 macro.)

So yeah, it's 4 lenses, not 3. The FA 31/43/77 option does not make quite as much focal length sense, though you could add the 12-24 and be done. Except for something long...

pxpaulx · 02-09-2011, 08:55 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Michaelina2

D FA 100/2.8 MACRO (not designated as 'Limited', but should be)

FA 43/1.9 Limited

DA 15/4 Limited

In your order of subject preference...

Cheers... M

This is a great recommendation. Must haves are the 15 and 43; adding the 100 macro makes all killer no filler.

paperbag846 · 02-09-2011, 08:59 PM

On a bit of a budget, I'd get (primes):

15 - 40 - 70 (you can do a whole lot with those 3).

Zooms:

DA 21 - DA* 50-135.

Ultimate:

15 - 43 - 77 (big money).

trojancast · 02-09-2011, 09:00 PM

15, 43, and 100 sure cover the bases. I agree.

**rparmar** · 02-10-2011, 01:19 PM

Originally posted by twitch

The problem with having only the 31/43/77 set is the lack of wide angle on APS-C.

True enough. So I have the DA12-24. DA15 would not satisfy me as that's hardly wider than the kit. And I use the 24mm end of the zoom as much as any other focal length on it -- insanely versatile lens and the only zoom I care to use. The build does not approach the Limiteds unfortunately.

Still, when all is said and done I can live without wide, but I cannot do without the FA77.

joakimfors · 02-10-2011, 01:49 PM

The DA 15 is a must, then just pick two others.

02-09-2011, 04:28 PM	#1
paytonageo New Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CO Posts: 2	Limited Series Lenses for the K5 Hello, I'm hoping to purchase a K5 in the very near future. I'm having some trouble deciding on lenses though. Help me out. If you had to pick 2-3 limited series lenses (and you have no other lenses at all), which ones would you choose? What would provide the most wide array of shooting options? I know this is a generalized question, but I'm curious to hear what people have to say. Looking at the lens reviews, all of the limited series lenses receive very high ratings. Most of my shooting is travel/landscape related and I do want something on the lighter side, but I'm just looking for suggestions for 2 or 3 "must haves". Any thoughts? I'm banging my head against the wall trying to narrow it down...

02-09-2011, 07:55 PM	#8
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,302	D FA 100/2.8 MACRO WR (not designated as 'Limited', but should be) FA 43/1.9 Limited DA 15/4 Limited In your order of subject preference... Cheers... M Last edited by Michaelina2; 02-09-2011 at 09:45 PM. Reason: clarification: added 'WR" to 100 designation...

02-09-2011, 07:59 PM	#9
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	DA15, FA31, FA77 if price no object DA15, DA35, DA70 or FA77 if you want macro and cheaper than above DA15 or 21, DA40, DA70 is about as cheap as limiteds come The problem with having only the 31/43/77 set is the lack of wide angle on APS-C. If it was only pick 2 and careful of costs I'd look at the 21 & 70 Last edited by twitch; 02-09-2011 at 08:14 PM.

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02-09-2011, 04:33 PM	#2
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	You are just born under a happy moon. You will be good to go on this set. K-5 and 21mm/40mm/70mm Ltd series in Silver!

02-09-2011, 04:35 PM	#3
heasley Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brisbane Posts: 99	If price is of no concern get the 3 FA Limiteds.

02-09-2011, 04:35 PM	#4
Eagle_Friends Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	If you want the most practical, probably the DA40mm or the DA21mm would be best Most versatile would be DA 35mm Macro Best overall according to many here is the DA 70mm But the most magical one is the DA 15mm So many good choices!!!

02-09-2011, 05:46 PM	#5
drugal Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Detroit suburbs Photos: Gallery Posts: 259	Based on what I shoot with my kit lens, the DA 21 and DA 40 are the two I need most. Just got the 40, waiting a bit to get the 21. Of course your mileage may vary and I hear excellent things about the FA 43

02-09-2011, 06:23 PM	#6
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	FA77 FA43 FA31 in that order

02-09-2011, 07:11 PM	#7
heasley Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brisbane Posts: 99	Originally posted by rparmar FA77 FA43 FA31 in that order That is exactly what I have done. I purchased the FA77 several months ago and the FA43 a few weeks ago. I am plotting and scheming with my wife to get the FA31 now. Great lenses!

02-09-2011, 08:17 PM	#10
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Need wide, so 15. (Want a 12.) Need short tele/portrait, so 70. Oops - not so wide, need 21. Need something normalish, so 40 (I have the Tamron 90 macro, otherwise perhaps 35 macro.) So yeah, it's 4 lenses, not 3. The FA 31/43/77 option does not make quite as much focal length sense, though you could add the 12-24 and be done. Except for something long...

02-09-2011, 08:55 PM - 1 Like	#11
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	Originally posted by Michaelina2 D FA 100/2.8 MACRO (not designated as 'Limited', but should be) FA 43/1.9 Limited DA 15/4 Limited In your order of subject preference... Cheers... M This is a great recommendation. Must haves are the 15 and 43; adding the 100 macro makes all killer no filler.

02-09-2011, 08:59 PM	#12
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	On a bit of a budget, I'd get (primes): 15 - 40 - 70 (you can do a whole lot with those 3). Zooms: DA 21 - DA* 50-135. Ultimate: 15 - 43 - 77 (big money).

02-09-2011, 09:00 PM	#13
trojancast Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 34	15, 43, and 100 sure cover the bases. I agree.

02-10-2011, 01:19 PM	#14
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	Originally posted by twitch The problem with having only the 31/43/77 set is the lack of wide angle on APS-C. True enough. So I have the DA12-24. DA15 would not satisfy me as that's hardly wider than the kit. And I use the 24mm end of the zoom as much as any other focal length on it -- insanely versatile lens and the only zoom I care to use. The build does not approach the Limiteds unfortunately. Still, when all is said and done I can live without wide, but I cannot do without the FA77.

02-10-2011, 01:49 PM	#15
joakimfors Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lund, Sweden Posts: 237	The DA 15 is a must, then just pick two others.

Limited Series Lenses for the K5

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!