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10-10-2011, 03:37 AM   #1
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Best Value Pentax Lens

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

10-10-2011, 03:55 AM   #2
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It's hard to say. Strongly depends on what you are looking for. If you're looking for manual prime lenses, I'd recommend the Pentax M lenses. They're well build, most of them are at least decent performers and you can get them cheap (< 50 $). So far I own the M 28 and M 35 and I'm very satisfied with both. When it comes to cheap autofocus primes my experience is limited. I only own the Pentax-F 28 mm 1:2.8 which is a great lens and definitely worth the 200 $ I paid.
If you want to buy a new lens the price/value of the DA 35 mm 2.4 seems unbeatable.
I don't own any zoom lenses, so I can't help you here.
10-10-2011, 04:40 AM   #3
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DA 35 f2.4.
10-10-2011, 04:42 AM   #4
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The kit lens of course. Everything has compromises, but the kit lens covers most of the "normal" focal lengths with minimal cost.

(not sure what you are really looking for here)

10-10-2011, 05:02 AM   #5
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Pentax-M 50mm f1.7 and f2 by far imo.
10-10-2011, 06:12 AM   #6
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Super-Takumar 35/3.5, 55/1.8, 135/3.5; Tele-Takumar 200/5.6.
10-10-2011, 07:01 AM   #7
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Retro lens? Yes, an M series lens.
Modern lens? DA 35mm f/2.4.

10-10-2011, 08:06 AM   #8
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The best value will be the one that you use and that's likely to be different for everybody. The DA 35/2.4 is a very good lens at a great price but if ends up spending most of it's time in the bag, the value becomes a little questionable. A lot of Pentax lenses have great IQ and are available for very good prices. The 18-55 kit is probably the best kit lens out there and the 55-300 is a great lower priced telephoto zoom. From my experience, the DA 10-17 has been a great value lens. When I bought it, prices were just slightly over $300. The IQ is excellent. It's always with me and gets used a lot. Prices took a big jump a couple of years ago. The FA 50/1.4 was under $200 and I passed it up because I had some MF primes in that size. Also, the DA 40 Limited was in the $250 neighborhood. I ended up with a used one this spring for $300. All my refrerences are new lenses. You can buy a good lens collection for very little if you like older MF glass.
10-10-2011, 08:14 AM   #9
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I think FA*85mm/f1.4 is the winner. It takes great pictures in my mind and it beats every cheaper lens that I don't use.

The best value lens is the one you use and take great pictures with I think. If your looking for a great lens to take picures on a budget then DA35mm/f2.4 is a very good deal.
10-10-2011, 08:24 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by Zav Quote
DA 35 f2.4.
I ordered one of these, along with a DA Limited 70mm over the weekend. Can't wait to get them!
10-10-2011, 08:32 AM   #11
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Similar to RioRico’s list, but in k-mount:

K28/3.5
K35/3.5
K55/1.8
K135/3.5

Phil.
10-10-2011, 08:40 AM   #12
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If you like manual lenses, and don't mind a screw mount, I can also suggest the Super Takumar 200mm f/4. Very good long telephoto for very cheap if you can find one.
10-10-2011, 09:08 AM   #13
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The M135/3.5 is a non-expensive gem too, mine was GBP39 in original box.

Seb.
10-10-2011, 09:10 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by RonHendriks1966 Quote
I think FA*85mm/f1.4 is the winner. It takes great pictures in my mind and it beats every cheaper lens that I don't use. The best value lens is the one you use and take great pictures with I think. If your looking for a great lens to take picures on a budget then DA35mm/f2.4 is a very good deal.
I agree, the FA* 85 is a truly great lens, but I don't think that it beats every other lens (maybe better than every other 85er). And unless you have unlimited funds, you have to make compromises between price and quality. There are sooo many other great lenses that are much cheaper and more versatile than the 85.
In this point I can only speak for me: In most (almost every) case the quality of pics I take is not limited by the lens but by my photographic skills.
10-10-2011, 11:09 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by RioRico Quote
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.
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