If you could only have one lens

twitch · 03-18-2012, 09:46 PM

My FA31, or my DA*50-135, or I'd buy a 18-135. I can't decide which. Probably the DA*50-135 and I'd get good at stitching panos.

lightbulb · 03-18-2012, 10:33 PM

18-135. WR and good range that matches well with k5. Sometimes you get good IQ out of it.

kyteflyer · 03-18-2012, 10:42 PM

A point for those being dismissive about the question, and making comments about it being pointless having an interchangeable lens camera if you only use one lens. WRONG! For some of us, its about the sensor. (and the CanonG1X does go a long way to address that issue but its still not "there" yet)

For me, it would be the 18-135mm WR. Covers most of what I want to do except bird shots. I don't own it and probably never will but that would be the one. That or one of the 18-250s.

Jools · 03-18-2012, 11:15 PM

Originally posted by jackassp

Everyone who has posted in this thread should come and have a look at the "Single in xxx(month)" challenges going on.

I dare you all to join us and use JUST ONE lens for a whole month, posting a picture each day.

Some of us have been doing this for a whole year now, you'd certainly learn a lot about your chosen lens, then you could come back here and adjust your choice!

You can find the Single in ... under Mini challenges in the forum section.

Me? I'd be very happy to just have the DA21 Limited lens, it can do it all.

Cheers, and see you on the challenge soon...

As another longtime participant of the Single in... challenges, I gotta agree with John.
Take a month and see what your lens of choice and camera body have to offer.
I certainly have learned a lot and have enjoyed the images that others have taken with their lens of choice.

I really don't have a large stable of lenses but I have yet to replicate a lens in over 2 years of being in the challenge (of and on).
Out of all them, my favorite (because I favor manual lenses) has got to be the Sears (Tomioka) 55mm f1.4.

This is one my faves with the Sears from "Single in August 2011". A simple square crop.

TOUGEFC · 03-18-2012, 11:32 PM

DA*55 f/1.4 or FA 77 Limited

RioRico · 03-18-2012, 11:40 PM

Originally posted by bpv_UW

Like many who've already posted, the FA 43 would probably be my current "desert island" lens.

And what would be your "desert island" shoe?

Boris · 03-19-2012, 02:55 AM

SMCP A 50/1.2 mounted on a camera that allows accurate focusing (e.g. K-5 with shimmed Katz Eye screen)

Bestzoom · 03-19-2012, 04:36 AM

FA 31 Ltd.

bossa · 03-19-2012, 05:07 AM

My absolute best shots have been taken with the 31LTD but I also have a DA* 50-135 which has done almost as well for me but over a greater number of shots. I'd have to think long and hard about his before making a decision.

sterretje · 03-19-2012, 07:36 AM

FA31Ltd; not too long, not too short.

amorificus · 03-19-2012, 10:34 AM

A lens is more like a pair of shoes isn't it? You put them on and they work! I only wear one pair if I go somewhere even though i have many.

I asked the question from an artistic point of view (like if you could only use one brush, which would you use?) and not a practical point of view. Of course most of us have more than one lens, but do we take ALL of them with us everywhere we go? Besides, all lenses are different. They're not just mere focal lengths. Some are big, others are small. Some are ugly, some pretty. And some, even have a character! but you get my point: all of them have something unique about them that appeal to everyone differently.

The reason chose the fa 43 is because it has a distinct personality (takes moody photos). Wide open, it turns an ordinary snapshot into a drama. A mysterious scene, with a hidden story behind it. Sometimes I'm completely in love with it, but sometimes I hate it. Stopped down however, it's as good and sharp as any of the modern primes (which lack the 'pixie dust' of the film era lenses imo). Oh and the 43 is the most compact AF lens i have! lol

Reportage · 03-19-2012, 11:01 AM

If i had to choose one lens, would be something like a 17-70mm f/2.8 if it existed as the 20mm extra on tele really helps when doing events.

ddharriman · 03-19-2012, 11:42 AM

Hello

For me the answer is simple: tamron 28-75 2.8.

Impartial · 03-19-2012, 11:45 AM

I think probably a DA 24 XS for my K-02 (w EVF).

:-)

**Ex Finn.** · 03-19-2012, 01:50 PM

Until a DA* 12-24 comes along, it would be the DA* 16-50.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Keep K-x buy premium lens, get K-r and get good lens, get the K-7 w/ lens or K-5?	crossover37	Pentax DSLR Discussion	19	02-06-2011 10:38 PM

03-18-2012, 09:46 PM	#31
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	My FA31, or my DA50-135, or I'd buy a 18-135. I can't decide which. Probably the DA50-135 and I'd get good at stitching panos.

03-18-2012, 10:33 PM	#32
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691	18-135. WR and good range that matches well with k5. Sometimes you get good IQ out of it.

03-18-2012, 10:42 PM	#33
kyteflyer Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Newcastle, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,444	A point for those being dismissive about the question, and making comments about it being pointless having an interchangeable lens camera if you only use one lens. WRONG! For some of us, its about the sensor. (and the CanonG1X does go a long way to address that issue but its still not "there" yet) For me, it would be the 18-135mm WR. Covers most of what I want to do except bird shots. I don't own it and probably never will but that would be the one. That or one of the 18-250s.

03-18-2012, 11:15 PM	#34
Jools Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SW Wisconsin by way of Venezuela Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,398	Originally posted by jackassp Everyone who has posted in this thread should come and have a look at the "Single in xxx(month)" challenges going on. I dare you all to join us and use JUST ONE lens for a whole month, posting a picture each day. Some of us have been doing this for a whole year now, you'd certainly learn a lot about your chosen lens, then you could come back here and adjust your choice! You can find the Single in ... under Mini challenges in the forum section. Me? I'd be very happy to just have the DA21 Limited lens, it can do it all. Cheers, and see you on the challenge soon... As another longtime participant of the Single in... challenges, I gotta agree with John. Take a month and see what your lens of choice and camera body have to offer. I certainly have learned a lot and have enjoyed the images that others have taken with their lens of choice. I really don't have a large stable of lenses but I have yet to replicate a lens in over 2 years of being in the challenge (of and on). Out of all them, my favorite (because I favor manual lenses) has got to be the Sears (Tomioka) 55mm f1.4. This is one my faves with the Sears from "Single in August 2011". A simple square crop.

03-18-2012, 11:32 PM	#35
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	DA*55 f/1.4 or FA 77 Limited

03-18-2012, 11:40 PM	#36
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by bpv_UW Like many who've already posted, the FA 43 would probably be my current "desert island" lens. And what would be your "desert island" shoe?

03-19-2012, 02:55 AM	#37
Boris Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Israel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 932	SMCP A 50/1.2 mounted on a camera that allows accurate focusing (e.g. K-5 with shimmed Katz Eye screen)

03-19-2012, 04:36 AM	#38
Bestzoom Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 232	FA 31 Ltd.

03-19-2012, 05:07 AM	#39
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546	My absolute best shots have been taken with the 31LTD but I also have a DA* 50-135 which has done almost as well for me but over a greater number of shots. I'd have to think long and hard about his before making a decision.

03-19-2012, 07:36 AM	#40
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	FA31Ltd; not too long, not too short.

03-19-2012, 10:34 AM	#41
amorificus Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 69 Original Poster	A lens is more like a pair of shoes isn't it? You put them on and they work! I only wear one pair if I go somewhere even though i have many. I asked the question from an artistic point of view (like if you could only use one brush, which would you use?) and not a practical point of view. Of course most of us have more than one lens, but do we take ALL of them with us everywhere we go? Besides, all lenses are different. They're not just mere focal lengths. Some are big, others are small. Some are ugly, some pretty. And some, even have a character! but you get my point: all of them have something unique about them that appeal to everyone differently. The reason chose the fa 43 is because it has a distinct personality (takes moody photos). Wide open, it turns an ordinary snapshot into a drama. A mysterious scene, with a hidden story behind it. Sometimes I'm completely in love with it, but sometimes I hate it. Stopped down however, it's as good and sharp as any of the modern primes (which lack the 'pixie dust' of the film era lenses imo). Oh and the 43 is the most compact AF lens i have! lol

03-19-2012, 11:01 AM	#42
Reportage Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 739	If i had to choose one lens, would be something like a 17-70mm f/2.8 if it existed as the 20mm extra on tele really helps when doing events.

03-19-2012, 11:42 AM	#43
ddharriman Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 345	Hello For me the answer is simple: tamron 28-75 2.8.

03-19-2012, 11:45 AM	#44
Impartial Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 208	I think probably a DA 24 XS for my K-02 (w EVF). :-)

03-19-2012, 01:50 PM	#45
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Until a DA* 12-24 comes along, it would be the DA* 16-50.