[RioRico]

OK, it's time for another fave-lenses thread. This started on another forum (ManualFocusLenses). I might as well see how it flies here. DO YOU HAVE LENSES YOU WOULD NEVER PART WITH? Here is the answer I posted there:
___________________________________________

If I tell the truth, will I be excommunicated?

If necessary, everything goes. All the photo gear that I have bought or inherited or been given. All my musical instruments. My museum-quality collection of ethnic arts and crafts. In a dire emergency, all of it can go -- ALL of it. Regretfully, yes indeed, but this is all just STUFF. Some things really are more important than STUFF. None of this STUFF is worth killing or dying for.

I could list many lenses that I would prefer to keep, that I would not sacrifice except in an emergency. Such a time may come too soon. My eyes are deteriorating seriously. I don't know if they will last another decade. And while I have some nice lenses, I don't think any are unique jewels. Some might cost a bit to replace. Even the 'best' could be replaced with something better.

With all that said, the lenses I treasure the most (for use on my K20D) are:

Vivitar-Komine 28/2 CFWA
Super-Takumar 35/3.5
Meyer Helioplan 40/4.5
Pentax SMC (K) 50/1.2
Macro-Takumar 50/4 (1:1)
Super-Takumar 55/1.8
Jupiter-9 85/2
Meyer Trioplan 100/2.8
S-M-C Takumar 135/2.5
Schneider Betavaron 50-125

These aren't necessarily what I *use* the most -- those are AF zooms, all quite replaceable. These are what I would *miss* the most. None are rare. None are best-of-breed. None are terribly valuable. Selling any two of them would not raise enough money to buy one SMC-Limited. Had I the money, I'd buy all the Pentax Limiteds -- which are readily replaceable. Just more STUFF.

So I won't go into a frenzy about this STUFF. None of these need to be brutally torn from my cold, dead fingers -- not soon, anyway. These lenses and my K20D do allow me to shoot more detailed images than I can capture with my old Sony DSC-V1. As long as I can still see, I'll continue to use this STUFF. And when I'm blind, I'll dispose of them all and move on to something else.

[jimr-pdx]

I know what you mean - I have owned several lenses I thought I'd never sell (and a k-x) but medical bills said otherwise. In several cases I bought them again when a good price came along, and in a couple of cases (DAs16-45 and 55-300) further bills claimed them again. Such things hurt but we get through it - and I know they're out there when funding is more certain.

The one old favorite that I'd miss is the Rikenon 70-150/4 XR - as you say, specs do not amaze nor was it a best-choice poll winner. It just fits nicely and takes great images.. at least the images I want to take, certainly others would shrug their shoulders and let it go. Second place goes to the Rikenon-P 28/2.8, nothing special about it except the results. I've had a dozen 50mm lenses and none have wowed me, and as you've demonstrated there are plenty to choose from if I wish so I'll leave that space blank. I really hope not to be parted from my current 55-300 (my fourth copy including DALs.. or maybe fifth?) - but if it must go, I'll manage.

[Lloydy]

Vivitar 28/2.8 close focus - Komine.
Helios 44-2 58/2
Helios 44M 58/2
Schacht Travegar 100/3.3
Minolta Rokkor MD 50/1.4
Elsinor 24/2.8
CZJ 29/2.8
Tair 300/4.5
Photax 200/3.5
DA 50-135/2.8

That's ten, there's a few more that won't be going far.

[8540tomg]

I own 14 or so (see signature) and I like them all but I can't say I'm emotionally attached to more than a few. In a pinch I would let them all go except:

SMC Pentax K 200/2.5
SMC Pentax A 100/2.8 macro
SMC Pentax DA 70/2.4 Limited

Cheers

Tom G

[adpo]

through all the various lens purchases i've gone through, there's only been one that has faithfully stayed in my arsenal:

DA*55mm f/1.4

[Julie]

through all the various lens purchases i've gone through, there's only been one that has faithfully stayed in my arsenal:

DA*55mm f/1.4

Same.

I thought I would never sell Tak 55 1.8... but that was before I had purchased an AF prime.

[luftfluss]

Just lenses, possessions. They mean nothing. My fave is the DA 15 Ltd., but I'd be willing to sell that one at any random time. The F 35-70 would be silly to sell, it's so good and cheap. But... I may be migrating away from Pentax, in which case all the lenses get sold!

[JohnBee]

With all that said, the lenses I treasure the most (for use on my K20D) are:

Vivitar-Komine 28/2 CFWA
Super-Takumar 35/3.5
Meyer Helioplan 40/4.5
Pentax SMC (K) 50/1.2
Macro-Takumar 50/4 (1:1)
Super-Takumar 55/1.8
Jupiter-9 85/2
Meyer Trioplan 100/2.8
S-M-C Takumar 135/2.5
Schneider Betavaron 50-125

Saaaay, that's a nice list indeed. And I like your style btw.
I started collecting lenses about 15 years ago when I first tried shooting film. Granted my experience was limited to pawn shops in British Columbia at the time and so I never really got a taste of what was really out there in terms of collectors items. Having said that, these past few years have really taken off for in that regard and I've had the pleasure of working on a number of collections(K, PK, M42, M39, silver, etc) all of which have been a real joy to work on. In any case, if I had to choose 10, I think I'd go with what I use most since I've always gauged a lens by its image characteristics. Anyways, here's what I come-up with off the top of my head:

1. Vivitar-Komine 28/2.8 CF
2. Pentax K 35/3.5 (for landscape)
3. MIR-24 35/2 (for portrait)
4. Mir-1 (silver m39 ver) (close focus lens)
5. Pentax SMC-A 50/1.4 (bokeh)
6. HELIOS-44-2 (silver 19 blades edition)
7. Jupiter-9 85/2 (67 silver SLR edition) - portrait bliss
8. Meyer Trioplan 100/2.8 - (bokeh)
9. Pentax K 135/2.5 (Microcontrast)

And as a 10'th final choice on the long end I honestly can't choose. My personal favorites(by way of application) are Vivitar S1 200/3 for BW work and TELEAR-N 200/3.5 for resolution. - Either seemingly indispensable. That being said, I have so many "other" lenses that I find extremely good to use that I could never concede to only 10, but that's just me

PS. here's a little MIR-24N to justify my addiction

[TOUGEFC]

DA*55 and the FA77 are the only lens that I dont want to sell, but I may have to, to make my move into full frame.

[LFLee]

wow, none of the lenses I have ever heard of.

But I have two lenses I won't sell as well.

FA*85 & FA77.

Lee

[Col]

Well I've just entered the heights of having more than ten to choose from!
DA15mm Ltd
Zeiss Distagon 25mm f/2.8 ZK
Zeiss Flektagon 35mm f/2.4
FA43mm Ltd
Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4
K 55mm f/1.8
DA70mm Ltd
Voigtlander 90mm f/3.5 APO Lanthar SLII
Pentacon 135mm f/2.8 Preset
A* 200mm f/4 Macro
DA*300mm f/4

[boriscleto]

Let's see...

S-M-C Takumar 35/3.5
Super Takumar 50/1.4 (8-element)
SMC Takumar 55/1.8
F35-70
F35-135
A50/1.4
Sigma A 50/2.8 macro
DA55-300

That's all I can think of.

[Transit]

FA50/2.8
DA55-300
and the Super Tak that came on my Spotmatic in 1974

[causey]

S-M-C Tak 28/3.5 (not quite as capable as its 35/3.5 brother, but I have a mint copy--and it's just beautiful; Taks are the most beautiful lenses I've held in my hands.)
Super-Tak 35/3.5
SMC Tak 55/2
DA 40/2.8
Samyang 14/2.8
Samyang 85/2.8

[rbefly]

Hello Rico,
Yes, I have my favs, not necessarily the "Top Rated" (as you said), just the ones I use the most and/or like the best.
My sig line tells the main part of the story, "M's Forever!" but at one on the list is from this century, if not from the latest series.
(1) M 85mm f/2.0. Yes, my baby tops the list, maybe you can pry it from my cold, dead fingers. To those who say it's too soft, I say get a better screen. I thought it was occasionally soft, too, until I got a Katz-Eye. Then several of my lenses, including this one, got WAY sharper! Perfect for portraits and low-light shooting.
(2) M 50mm f/1.7. Sharp, fast, inexpensive; The holy grail of lens qualifications. Oh, sure an "A" would allow you to disregard the green button. And autofocus would let you keep your other hand free to...ummm, ah...scratch your head? Just kidding, everybody has their favorites.
(3) F 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5. The most fun lens I own, a joy to use and often makes me chuckle with its busy little operation. Whrr-Beep. Sort of intuitive, in a noisy way; This is the Robin Williams of lenses. Has a great "Street Stealth" mode, pre-set focal length, shoot from the hip, it will focus itself every time.
(4) DA 16-45mm f/4.0. Yep, the underappreciated workhorse of the W/A zooms, no glitz or glamor, it's not f/2.8, no bling. kinda' big and clunky and the zoom is backwards. But it can be blindingly sharp stopped down a step or two and is pretty darn good wide open. For landscapes, scenics and interiors, it's hard to beat.
(5) M 100mm f/4.0 Macro. You may find a $500-$800 f/2.8 A/F macro that matches the IQ, but try finding another great macro for the $100.00 this one costs. Maybe, just maybe, if I find a K-mount Bokina for less than $400, I might consider using this less.
(6) Kiron 28mm f/2.0. My newest low-light gotta' have, along with the M 85mm and M 50mm f/1.7. Used to take my M 28mm f/2.8, but the Kiron is sharper AND faster. Slightly less contrast than the best M's, but that's easy to fix in PP.
(7) Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8. Mine is the M/F version, but I believe the A/F version is just as good, if not better. Sports, low-light, anything, really. An f/2.8 medium-tele zoom is a must-have for serious shooting.
(8) Sigma 24mm f/2.8 Super-Wide. I had one of these years ago, but it was stolen, along with the Me Super body it was on. Now I have another, and it's just as good as I remember. Equal to 36mm in digital, nearly perfect focal length for walking-around. Small, sharp, fast.
Well, just 8, I enjoy my other lenses, but these are my favorites.
For now!
Ron