[RioRico]

Super-Takumar 35/3.5, 55/1.8, 135/3.5; Tele-Takumar 200/5.6.

This man knows. Can't beat the Taks for cost to performance value.

Thanks. I got most of those a couple years ago and prices have risen but not to painful levels. The S-M-C-Tak 135/3.5 was recent and not uncomfortable. The TeleTak 200 is still undervalued. Together this quartet cost me about US$100 and I could probably grab them now for well under US$200. Pay attention: THESE ARE SOME OF THE SHARPEST LENSES EVER MADE BY ANYONE ANYWHERE ANYTIME! And they cost less than a fancy Dim Sum lunch in San Francisco, total. (Good thing the kids treat when we visit!)

[civiletti]

k2m/3.5
k35/3.5
a50/2 [or a50/1.7 or a50/1.4 if you find a good price]
a50/2.8
da18-55wr
da35/2.4

[Eagle_Friends]

Sub 100 = used DA 50-200mm

100-300 = 16-45mm f4

Ultimate Bargain: DA 40mm f2.8

[paulh]

For me, the lens with the best optic qualities (sharpness, bokeh, color & contrast) for the least amount of money would be the Pentax M 50/1.7.

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Last edited by paulh; 10-10-2011 at 07:19 PM.

[Nick Siebers]

Best value lenses:

MF: M 50mm/1.7
AF: F 35-70mm/3.5-4.5

[RioRico]

Best value lenses:

MF: M 50mm/1.7
AF: F 35-70mm/3.5-4.5

For PK mount, those ARE the winners!

[abacus07]

The answer to this all depends on what inconveniences you are willing to put up with. But overall you'll find cheap 28's, 35's, 50's and 135's because there are a lot of them. And if it has the pentax name on it then it is still an excellent lens.

screwmount, MF, manual aperture but Pentax = tak 28/35/55/135/150/200 = 50ish each (55 is the cheapest and if you are persistent you can score these for 30-40)
PK mount, MF, manual aperture = various slow 28's, 35's, M50/1.7, K55/1.8, 135's = 50ish each
PK, MF, Auto aperture, same list as above but $80-100/each
fully auto prime = DA35/2.4. DA40 and FA50/1.4 (also 1.7 used)
the kit lens is also pretty good

And if you're willing to use Sears/JCPenney/Focal/etc then you can score some nice lenses for $10-20/each. Also I'll make an obligatory Helios 58/2 mention ($30-40 shipped from the former USSR).

[jopenmx]

On account of my experience up to the present , they have been K 28 f/3,5 and A 50 f/1,7 ( value/money ).

Regds.

[Ikarus]

I agree with most of what has been said, especially about the Takumars. One of the most amazing deals that can be had on a new lens has to be the DAL 55-300 in a kit with the camera.

[Laurentiu Cristofor]

What are your opinions on the BEST value for money Pentax lens?

Easy. Rokinon 85/1.4.

[robbiec]

I'd go with the K55 f/1.8 as being a Best value champion. Good at protraits, bokeh is buttery wide open, rich colours, beautifuly made with a nicely weighted focus ring. It is also a steal @ $50 or so. An example of what the 55 can do.

[opfor]

A 35-105 - 3.5. If you can find one, very nice lens that can be found for a nice price.

[RioRico]

Easy. Rokinon 85/1.4.

BLASPHEMY!!

[/me searches for tar and feathers]

[yeatzee]

M 50mm F/1.7.

period.

All of the lenses in my signature are FANTASTIC value for what I paid though.

$220 for the DA 55-300mm cant be beat.
$222 for the best 50mm around, and easily the most fun lens you'll ever shoot with.... you betcha! (F/1.2)
I overpaid @ $200 for my takumar 300mm, yet that lens is astoundingly good and worth much more than that IMO
etc. etc.

[mika.]

M50/1.7 ($40)
Tak 35/3.5 ($20)
M28/3.5 ($40)
K55/1.8 ($20)
DA35/2.4 ($170)