Good Lens for a ME Super

burla8 · 04-29-2011, 08:21 AM

Hi all
I'm looking for some advice on a good lens for my ME Super.
I've been out of the game for about 8 years now but with an OS trip coming up I though I'd get the old SLR out and see if there's any skills left. Unfortunately I'd forgotten about busted lens.

Adam · 04-29-2011, 08:24 AM

The A-series 35-105 is one of my favorite walkaround manual lenses- that's what I'd recommend if you only want a single lens (see our lens reviews for details on it).

rbryant · 04-29-2011, 08:35 AM

Personally, I love a 28mm f/2.8 on film -- lots of good choices there. Check out the marketplace here on the forum, but definitely do as Adam suggests: refer to the lens review database. It's a great resource.

stevbike · 04-29-2011, 09:36 AM

I always liked the 100mm f2.8 lens M series lens. It is a great light weight lens that gives a nice field of view. I like it for portraits of people and building details.

Kaufeetime · 04-29-2011, 02:17 PM - **1 Like**

Hello Burla8, and Welcome to Pentax Forums.

I would first check out this site, dig around awhile you may find your answers. Your ME Super was designed to use a ‘M’ lens, but I would purchase an ‘A’ lens. I make this recommendation because if you happen to purchase a newer film SLR the ‘A’ lens will allow you to utilize the automated features. If you purchase a Digital SLR (DSLR) the ‘A’ lens will make using a film lens easier. I have to put my ditto on what Adam suggested ‘A’ 35-105 an excellent do all vacation lens. The following web sites may help with your decision.

Third Party Lenses Resource Megasite Home Page

Pentax K-Mount Lenses Explained: The differences between various Pentax lens series

The Pentax Camera Lens Compatibility Chart

JeffJS · 04-29-2011, 03:30 PM

Welcome aboard.

Second the suggestion on the 35-105.

wombat2go · 04-29-2011, 03:37 PM

Hi Burla,
I tried everything and I travel "carry on' now. The M 1:2.8 40mm pancake on or separated from ME, or IstDs is pocket-able. I just went to France with it on an ist Ds and next time to Australia, I am thinking I will take it with an MX . The reason I don't take zooms is not only the size and weight, but for photos in the evening after work, when the 2.8 is useful. Have a good trip.

pickles · 04-29-2011, 03:44 PM

35-105 is a ripper...no doubt.
BUT, if you want the ultimate (IMHO) Pentax Zoom in that range, have you looked at the Pentax "A" 28-135 constant F4....a really brilliant lens.....if you don't mind a bit of weight.
I had a 35-105, then went to the 28/135.....I loved it....it was almost permenantly fixed to the front of my LX!
Cheers, Pickles.

**Just1MoreDave** · 04-29-2011, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by pickles

35-105 is a ripper...no doubt.
BUT, if you want the ultimate (IMHO) Pentax Zoom in that range, have you looked at the Pentax "A" 28-135 constant F4....a really brilliant lens.....if you don't mind a bit of weight.
I had a 35-105, then went to the 28/135.....I loved it....it was almost permenantly fixed to the front of my LX!
Cheers, Pickles.

But not quite as pocketable as the Pentax-M 40mm f2.8:

Cheating a little, it's an MX and zoomed to 135mm.

ddhytz · 04-29-2011, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by pickles

...I had a 35-105, then went to the 28/135....

Someone said 28-135 was slightly softer wide open than 35-105. What are you comments except for extra reach? Any comparison shots of these two?

wombat2go · 04-29-2011, 04:11 PM

The smallest zoom I found for travel is the Rikenon P 1:3.4~4.5 35~70mm. About same size as a Pentax 50mm and only 210 gm. OK on the ME but (!!) the ricoh pin has to be removed before use on a dslr.

burla8 · 04-29-2011, 05:18 PM

Awesome
Thanks all. Ill start having a dig around

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 04-30-2011, 08:07 AM

If you wan't to apprechiate how small the ME Super is, go for some of the compact M lenses.
M28/2.8 + M50/1.7 + M135/3.5, one on the camera, one in each pocket.
M40/2.8 and M80/2 is also nice choises.
M24-35/3.5 (constant) is another gem if you wan't a 24mm, a 28mm and a 35mm in one package.

pickles · 05-01-2011, 05:24 AM

Originally posted by ddhytz

Someone said 28-135 was slightly softer wide open than 35-105. What are you comments except for extra reach? Any comparison shots of these two?

I used the 28/135 for several years, & I did not see any difference in image quality, but the extra range of the 28/135 was invaluable.....I used to do a lot of M/Sport stuff....I could do close up stuff in the pits, & a fair amount on the track with just this lens.
Ya don't hear a lot about the 28/135, but it is a SENSATIONAL lens....VERY expensive in its day, and very reasonable now.
Cheers, Pickles.

calicojack · 05-01-2011, 05:57 AM

Originally posted by Adam

The A-series 35-105 is one of my favorite walkaround manual lenses- that's what I'd recommend if you only want a single lens (see our lens reviews for details on it).

The "A"35-105 is probably the best Pentax choice if you can live with the range. I chose to use a Vivitar Series 1 28-105 2.8-3.8. It was (and still is) a stellar performer.

04-29-2011, 08:21 AM	#1
burla8 New Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2	Good Lens for a ME Super Hi all I'm looking for some advice on a good lens for my ME Super. I've been out of the game for about 8 years now but with an OS trip coming up I though I'd get the old SLR out and see if there's any skills left. Unfortunately I'd forgotten about busted lens.

04-29-2011, 05:18 PM	#12
burla8 New Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Awesome Thanks all. Ill start having a dig around Last edited by burla8; 04-29-2011 at 05:33 PM.

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04-29-2011, 08:24 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	The A-series 35-105 is one of my favorite walkaround manual lenses- that's what I'd recommend if you only want a single lens (see our lens reviews for details on it).

04-29-2011, 08:35 AM	#3
rbryant Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hanford, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 81	Personally, I love a 28mm f/2.8 on film -- lots of good choices there. Check out the marketplace here on the forum, but definitely do as Adam suggests: refer to the lens review database. It's a great resource.

04-29-2011, 09:36 AM	#4
stevbike Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Newbury, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 268	I always liked the 100mm f2.8 lens M series lens. It is a great light weight lens that gives a nice field of view. I like it for portraits of people and building details.

04-29-2011, 02:17 PM - 1 Like	#5
Kaufeetime Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kansas City,Mo. Photos: Albums Posts: 206	Hello Burla8, and Welcome to Pentax Forums. I would first check out this site, dig around awhile you may find your answers. Your ME Super was designed to use a ‘M’ lens, but I would purchase an ‘A’ lens. I make this recommendation because if you happen to purchase a newer film SLR the ‘A’ lens will allow you to utilize the automated features. If you purchase a Digital SLR (DSLR) the ‘A’ lens will make using a film lens easier. I have to put my ditto on what Adam suggested ‘A’ 35-105 an excellent do all vacation lens. The following web sites may help with your decision. Third Party Lenses Resource Megasite Home Page Pentax K-Mount Lenses Explained: The differences between various Pentax lens series The Pentax Camera Lens Compatibility Chart

04-29-2011, 03:30 PM	#6
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Welcome aboard. Second the suggestion on the 35-105.

04-29-2011, 03:37 PM	#7
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Hi Burla, I tried everything and I travel "carry on' now. The M 1:2.8 40mm pancake on or separated from ME, or IstDs is pocket-able. I just went to France with it on an ist Ds and next time to Australia, I am thinking I will take it with an MX . The reason I don't take zooms is not only the size and weight, but for photos in the evening after work, when the 2.8 is useful. Have a good trip.

04-29-2011, 03:44 PM	#8
pickles Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: melbourne Posts: 937	35-105 is a ripper...no doubt. BUT, if you want the ultimate (IMHO) Pentax Zoom in that range, have you looked at the Pentax "A" 28-135 constant F4....a really brilliant lens.....if you don't mind a bit of weight. I had a 35-105, then went to the 28/135.....I loved it....it was almost permenantly fixed to the front of my LX! Cheers, Pickles.

04-29-2011, 03:58 PM	#9
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by pickles 35-105 is a ripper...no doubt. BUT, if you want the ultimate (IMHO) Pentax Zoom in that range, have you looked at the Pentax "A" 28-135 constant F4....a really brilliant lens.....if you don't mind a bit of weight. I had a 35-105, then went to the 28/135.....I loved it....it was almost permenantly fixed to the front of my LX! Cheers, Pickles. But not quite as pocketable as the Pentax-M 40mm f2.8: Cheating a little, it's an MX and zoomed to 135mm.

04-29-2011, 04:00 PM	#10
ddhytz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 602	Originally posted by pickles ...I had a 35-105, then went to the 28/135.... Someone said 28-135 was slightly softer wide open than 35-105. What are you comments except for extra reach? Any comparison shots of these two?

04-29-2011, 04:11 PM	#11
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	The smallest zoom I found for travel is the Rikenon P 1:3.4~4.5 35~70mm. About same size as a Pentax 50mm and only 210 gm. OK on the ME but (!!) the ricoh pin has to be removed before use on a dslr.

04-30-2011, 08:07 AM	#13
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	If you wan't to apprechiate how small the ME Super is, go for some of the compact M lenses. M28/2.8 + M50/1.7 + M135/3.5, one on the camera, one in each pocket. M40/2.8 and M80/2 is also nice choises. M24-35/3.5 (constant) is another gem if you wan't a 24mm, a 28mm and a 35mm in one package.

05-01-2011, 05:24 AM	#14
pickles Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: melbourne Posts: 937	Originally posted by ddhytz Someone said 28-135 was slightly softer wide open than 35-105. What are you comments except for extra reach? Any comparison shots of these two? I used the 28/135 for several years, & I did not see any difference in image quality, but the extra range of the 28/135 was invaluable.....I used to do a lot of M/Sport stuff....I could do close up stuff in the pits, & a fair amount on the track with just this lens. Ya don't hear a lot about the 28/135, but it is a SENSATIONAL lens....VERY expensive in its day, and very reasonable now. Cheers, Pickles.

05-01-2011, 05:57 AM	#15
calicojack Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,124	Originally posted by Adam The A-series 35-105 is one of my favorite walkaround manual lenses- that's what I'd recommend if you only want a single lens (see our lens reviews for details on it). The "A"35-105 is probably the best Pentax choice if you can live with the range. I chose to use a Vivitar Series 1 28-105 2.8-3.8. It was (and still is) a stellar performer.