[RKKS08]

A Helios 44K-4 (2.0/58, with PK Bajonet!). It came with a broken Zenit AM2 for € 10 (€ 15 shipped), and looked as if it was never used. I seldom do pixel peeping, but after a couple of real life shots it seems to me to be sharper than my SMC-A 1.4/50. Pictures do have this kind of "3D" look.

[Dobbe]

Without any doubt:

Pentax K 28/3.5: 20 Eur.
Pentax A 50/2.8 Macro: 60 Eur.
Pentax K 55/1.8: 20 Eur.
Pentax K 135/2.5: 80 Eur.

I love the build quality of the old K-series and hope I can find some more (18, 20, 50/1.2, 85 and 200/2.5) for reasonable prizes. (You can always contact me!)

[jopenmx]

No doubt at all : K 28 f/3,5 : 36 eur

Also in the late two years : A 50 f/1,7 : 72 eur

[abacus07]

All of my MF lenses except my K24/2.8 were <100. The supertak 105 and K35/3.5 were barely under $100 though. The key is to look at 1000's of auction listings and find the mislabeled ones. My cheapest is an F35-70 for $17 and I used my $6 ebay bucks to pay for the shipping. I also got a SMC tak 55/1.8 for $25ish with both caps.

My favorite lens are my standard travel kit - I own more expensive lenses but these are the ones that constantly find themselves in my backpack (along with the DA15).
M28/2.8 and M135/3.5 together for $80-85 including shipping
A50/1.7 for $82.50

[doggy1972]

Pentax-F 35-70 - Very Sharp for a zoom,great contrast and very fast focussing £30
Pentax-A 50 1.7 - Little beauty and got it pretty cheap £30
Helios 44m- Customised with glass from a broken 44m-5 £10 for 44m, £2 for 44m-5 (now multicoated but 8 blade aperture)
Optomax 35 2.8 - Sharp little MF normal surprisingly good for a no name cheapy £8

My favourite is the F 35-70. Really up there for shaprness, build not stellar but, a really small little package to put in front of my K200d (£50 Ebay!!!)

[DaveHolmes]

Pentax-F 35-70 - Very Sharp for a zoom,great contrast and very fast focussing £30

Agreed... For the price it's a great peice of kit and cheap as chips here in the UK

[doggy1972]

Dave, I think there's some magic in the short zoom range. Its much better than any other zoom Ive tried (not tried top dollar zooms though) The flare resistance is also very good. I think this is probably a great street zoom as it has a handy range on digital

[DaveHolmes]

Dave, I think there's some magic in the short zoom range. Its much better than any other zoom Ive tried (not tried top dollar zooms though) The flare resistance is also very good. I think this is probably a great street zoom as it has a handy range on digital

It is good but not a patch on my Tamron 17-50mm... That said, for street shooting it's preferable simply because of size (roughly half the size of the Tamron...).

It's got extra reach on the Tamron though so it remains in my bag... If I had a prime between 70mm and 90mm the situation would most probably alter though tbh...

[abacus07]

I think I'll probably do a single challenge with my F35-70 sometime to fully explore it. It would be nice to have AF and the zoom but I'm not sure how much I'll use it since I have a fast MF fifty (2.5 stops faster).

[doggy1972]

It is good but not a patch on my Tamron 17-50mm... That said, for street shooting it's preferable simply because of size (roughly half the size of the Tamron...).

It's got extra reach on the Tamron though so it remains in my bag... If I had a prime between 70mm and 90mm the situation would most probably alter though tbh...

Ive not tried the Tamron as, I dont get into Sheffield much to try different lenses but, Im sure it is clearly superior. I think the F 35-70 is great if youre poor like me though Just waiting for the weather to improve and they may take at trip to the coast or maybe York to try it on some walkabout shooting.
One of the reasons for me choosing Pentax about a year ago was the great selection of legacy glass available. The choice is quite mind boggling but, the reviews on this site are VERY helpfull.
Where abouts in Yorkshire are you BTW Dave?

[doggy1972]

I think I'll probably do a single challenge with my F35-70 sometime to fully explore it. It would be nice to have AF and the zoom but I'm not sure how much I'll use it since I have a fast MF fifty (2.5 stops faster).

That would be great

[DaveHolmes]

I think the F 35-70 is great if youre poor like me though

I agree completely, my tamron and AF primes have only come because I get student loans and have been working 2 jobs as well while at uni...

[ripit]

I agree completely, my tamron and AF primes have only come because I get student loans and have been working 2 jobs as well while at uni...

You have to be careful with those student loans. I can not buy a nice AF lens or two with my tax returns because student loan garnishment takes my tax returns, lol.

[MegaPower]

Pentax M 100mm f4 Macro.........100.00..........sharpest lens I own
Vivitar 28-85 f2.8 "stovepipe".......20.00
Sears 80-200 f4............................10.00
Sigma 28-80 AF..................................15.00
Tamron 28-200 AF..............................70.00
Pentax A 50 f1.7............................25.00...............purchased with a program plus back in the late 80's.

I got my A50 /1.7 and a program plus for the same price. lol
It definitely is the best under $100 for me.

I had A135/2.8, M135/3.5, M50/1.7, M50/2, A50/1.7, TKM50/1.4, A28/2.8, A*300/4(with a chip on the element ) all for under $100.

[MegaPower]

oh, you guys are right.
I forget to mention F35-70 and it is the second best right behind the A50/1.7