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View Poll Results: Which lens would you get next if you only had a 43mm Ltd
FA 77mm Ltd f1.8 2147.73%
D FA 100mm f2.8 Macro 1738.64%
DA 70mm Ltd. f2.4 12.27%
Other - please list below! 511.36%
Voters: 44. You may not vote on this poll

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03-20-2011, 01:41 PM   #1
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My next lens purchase should be?

Looking for my next lens, I'm absolutely loving my 43mm LTD for its IQ, but there are lots of times I'm looking for more range the 18-135mm I'm sending in for servicing but it still never will touch the IQ of a good prime. SOO.. I'm wondering if it was up to the general well informed populous of these forums what would you look to for your next prime? Please don't take $$ as a factor, if I need to save up a bit extra for the FA 77 Ltd, so be it.


Last edited by Chex; 03-20-2011 at 01:46 PM.
03-20-2011, 02:02 PM   #2
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I think a macro would do you good.

My vote is for the D FA 100mm f2.8 Macro WR. The latest lenstip review is quite impressive. Besides, it doubles as an excellent portrait lens!

If you liked the 43mm Ltd, you'd likely love the 77 Ltd as well, it just doesn't currently buy you as much with you're lineup (imho ).

Feel free to expound on what your photography interests are, otherwise we can't fine-tune our suggestions for you.
03-20-2011, 02:07 PM   #3
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If macro is something you want to get into, the D-FA 100WR will pull double duty for you as a moderate telephoto lens with a decent reputation for portraiture as well as macro function. I think that might be a practical choice over the 77 (for now...), given you already have your 43, which gives you a fast lens adept at portraits and general use.

If macro isn't important to you, and it's a toss up between the 70 and 77... I would recommend the 70... again because you already have your pixie-dusted 43, and the 70 is way cheaper (and seemingly more practical for general use).
03-20-2011, 02:33 PM   #4
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Well I like shooting scenery (lots of mountains around here. BUT Wide angle lenses will be next after this one). Having 2 kids and lots of friends with kids, most of the shots will most likely be of kids/families between candids and portraits. I personally am leaning towards the FA77 because of its rendering and aperture.. but those extra 23mm of the 100 (and I do love macro shooting!) would probably do the job just fine(and be affordable right now as opposed to saving for the 77). Other than shooting Kids/Families/Portraits etc.. Even my wife enjoyed going out doing some light birding.. or at least trying to with the 18-135. Maybe a 2X TC down the road too?
As far as Scenic shots and a wider angle lens, I'm pretty sure I'm looking at getting the DA 15mm(maybe the 21mm) Ltd down the road.


BTW the 100mm Macro probably won't end up saving me money.. I KNOW I'll end up getting more stuff like a macro ring flash!


Last edited by Chex; 03-20-2011 at 02:41 PM.
03-20-2011, 02:50 PM   #5
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RE: landscapes -- I find my favorite scenic shots (both those I have done and those from others I have seen) were done between 35 and 100mm... Creates a more intimate landscape, and potential for isolating smaller parts of a larger scene dramatically.

You mentioned kids though -- the 70 is supposed to be a lightning fast autofocuser, which could come in handy.
03-20-2011, 02:52 PM   #6
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Well, seeing as how you love your 43, and you therefore "get" the FA Ltd. magic, I think you already know you want the 77. The 70 is a fine lens and some people even prefer it over the 77, but I don't think you're going to be one of those people. Just a hunch.
03-20-2011, 03:48 PM   #7
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I wish there were more Pentax users locally! I really want to try some of these lenses out! It's kind of funny, when I ordered my camera locally is when I found out the only other Pentax users the store owner knows of locally is my uncle and my cousin! At least it shouldn't be a problem borrowing long lenses (since they are both birders). I know I personally want the 77 Ltd, but I can be swayed by reason! The 100mm Macro is seeming to be the one I "should" be getting for dual use (since I live Macro photography) and need the range.. having another WR never hurts either. At this rate I will end up with far too many lenses.. than I should be affording!

03-20-2011, 03:52 PM   #8
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I would take a really wide lens like a 14-15 mm to go with the 43

It is much more useable as a walk around
03-20-2011, 03:55 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by Chex Quote
At this rate I will end up with far too many lenses.. than I should be affording!
There is definitely such a thing as having too many lenses.... there is no hard upper limit of course, that applies to everyone. My philosophy now though is, if I'm not using a lens, I probably shouldn't have it. Right?
03-20-2011, 04:28 PM   #10
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exactly, not that I would ever get rid of a good prime even if I had it covered by an "ok" zoom to me it's about getting a good bag or backpack to carry the gear, and the small size of great pentax primes allows a LOT of lenses in small size gear bag. I really like the "odd" focal lengths of 43/77 and even 31mm the FA Ltd have and their "pixie dust" rendering is hard to match. The DA Ltd's have amazing resolution and clarity and better coatings, but they don't have that extra unique rendering the FA's have. Too bad the pricing for them is also "unique" because I want the other 2 eventually!
03-20-2011, 04:31 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by Lowell Goudge Quote
I would take a really wide lens like a 14-15 mm to go with the 43

It is much more useable as a walk around
I agree, but not so for portraits and kids.. I need more range, with the 43mm my wife and I both are constantly moving closer to get the shot we are looking for.. so getting a wider angle and cropping it would do less for me than my 43mm.
03-20-2011, 05:24 PM   #12
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Ok. Now that I see your needs I can understand. Something inthe short tele range is more
Suitable

Perhaps also something like a 28-75 zoom would be useful also
03-20-2011, 05:37 PM   #13
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I agree, but I am fairly set on the IQ of primes. But as far as zooms go, I've already went as far as having my local shop price me out a 28-75 and 70-200 tamron f2.8's and they do look temping
03-20-2011, 05:49 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Chex Quote
I agree, but I am fairly set on the IQ of primes. But as far as zooms go, I've already went as far as having my local shop price me out a 28-75 and 70-200 tamron f2.8's and they do look temping
I think a lot of people here would argue that the IQ of the DA* 50-135 rivals/surpasses that of the three primes in the poll, and would fit right into the range you're looking at. However, where size, weight and speed are a consideration...
03-20-2011, 06:56 PM   #15
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I voted for the 100 macro, but the 70 would be a good choice as well. Or the 77, for that matter. Once you get your zoom back you could leave it at one of those lengths for a while, to see if it works for what you want.
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