Which lens to carry...

SCADjacket · 11-05-2012, 02:44 PM

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OK, I have a problem. And I guess you could easily say it's a good problem to have. I have too many options.

My LX just came back from repair and CLA, so this is really the first time I feel like I'm really getting to give it a try.

When I bought a box of camera goodies from a friend who is a pro photographer (he went all digital) I ended up with several lenses.

Now, I'm not sure what to carry in my bag.

I've got a macro and two zooms lenses that I'll rarely use, but the other 4 are hard to choose from.

Here's what I have:

SMC M 28mm 2.8
SMC M 50mm 2.0
SMC M 50mm 1.4
SMC M 50mm 1.7

I don't want to carry too much in my bag, so I was thinking the 28mm for the wide angle (unless you guys tell me the lens is crap)
and one of the 50mm. I don't want to assume that faster is better.

I read over all the reviews and I can't get a good sense if there is a reasonable difference between the 1.4 and 1.7 and 2.0. One doesn't seem to stand above the rest.

Like I said, it's a good problem to have.
Thoughts?

**seventhdr** · 11-05-2012, 03:31 PM

The M 28mm f2.8 for sure. Then the M 50 f1.7. It is meant to be a bit sharper than the M50 f1.4 wide open and a better performer than the M 50 f2.

Regards

Chris

**wtlwdwgn** · 11-05-2012, 03:43 PM

Sounds like a test is in order for the nifty fifties. Pick some subjects and shoot them (

) with each lens at different distances and f/stops. Then see which lens produces the images you like best. Not much to choose from between the 1.4 and 1.7 so I'd probably choose the 1.4 for a bit lower light capability. Certainly, you'll want the 28 to have a wide view. Maybe you can trade it for this one?

No hurry to get anything different yet. Enjoy the ones you have.

ChooseAName · 11-05-2012, 04:07 PM

The 50/1.7 for sharpness, the 50/1.4 for bokeh rendering (if it's anything like the FA 50/1.4, that is). The 50/2 was quite the numerous lens, I hear, and while I'm sure it's capable of producing fine images, you'll probably find the other lens are much better.

Professor Batty · 11-05-2012, 07:41 PM

I have all the lenses you listed and I use the SMC - M 28mm f 2.8 and the SMC - M 50mm F1.7. All of the 50's are somewhat soft wide open, the 1.4 is quite "dreamy" - good for impressionistic shots and portraits. The 1.7 is very sharp at F2, more so than the F1.4 and the F2. All of them are about the same after 5.6, with the edges getting better up to F11. I use these lenses on a K-30, so the edge sharpness is not so critical. All these lenses benefit greatly from lens hoods - even with SMC. I also have the SMC - A 50mm F1.7 and I find that it is no better than the M. For a third lens you might want to look for a SMC- M 100mm F2.8.

Sliver-Surfer · 11-05-2012, 09:16 PM

Organic Nature and portraits then the 28mm and the 50mm f1.4
Street photography architecture landscape then 28mm and the 50mm f1.7

**rbefly** · 11-06-2012, 04:00 AM

I'll go along with the other posters, the fifty f/1.7 is easier to focus wide-open than the f/1.4, in fact I think the 50mm 1.7 is one of the finest manual lenses Pentax has ever made.
The 28mm for sure, I was very happy with mine shooting film, but after pixel-peeping on digital, I found it wasn't as ultimately sharp as I had thought. Since then I've found a couple other 28's that seem better. Be aware, there are two versions of the M 28mm f/2.8, the early model and a later one. Check the lens reviews on the Forum for the difference.
And the Prof is correct, you could start looking for a short tele, the M 100mm f/2.8 is a good choice, or an 85mm f/2.0, if you can find one. This would round out a great walk-around kit.
Nearly all the "M" series primes below 200mm take the same filter size, 49mm. So a 49mm polarizer and Y-2 or YG filter (for B + W film) would be good investments also.
Have fun!
Ron

bdery · 11-06-2012, 05:44 AM

Originally posted by SCADjacket

When I bought a box of camera goodies from a friend who is a pro photographer (he went all digital) I ended up with several lenses.

Didn't he know he could have "gone digital" with Pentax and kept using his excellent lenses?

To answer your question, simply pick the 28 and either of the fastest 50s, the f2 is good but not as good as the others.

SCADjacket · 11-06-2012, 11:05 AM

Thanks everyone.
I switched the 1.4 for the 1.7 in my bag last night.

I'll shot with these a bit and see which zooms I want to carry.

I have:
SMC M 80-200mm 4.5
SMC M 135mm 3.5
SMC FA 28-105mm 4-5.6
StarD Macro 28-80mm 3.5-5.6

SCADjacket · 11-06-2012, 11:06 AM

He switched to Canon. Wanted full frame.

Originally posted by bdery

Didn't he know he could have "gone digital" with Pentax and kept using his excellent lenses?

bdery · 11-06-2012, 11:14 AM

Originally posted by SCADjacket

He switched to Canon. Wanted full frame.

His loss, your gain

SCADjacket · 11-06-2012, 11:21 AM

Oh, you wouldn't believe how much I bought from him for a song.
He practically gave it to me just to get everything out of his wife's closet.

I got tons of Pentax gear, some Nikon stuff and an old Bronica, plus some darkroom equip.

He went out and bought 5dMII with a bunch of new lenses.

Originally posted by bdery

His loss, your gain

DaveHolmes · 11-06-2012, 02:47 PM

The 50-f2 is a dog... Flog it... Get rid... It should not make the bag... At all...

The 28 is a must... No question...

I'm going against the flow though... The M50mm 1.4 would make the bag for me... It's pretty much permenently attached to my MX and that little bit of extra light can make all the difference...

Sliver-Surfer · 11-06-2012, 05:23 PM

Originally posted by DaveHolmes

The 50-f2 is a dog... Flog it... Get rid... It should not make the bag... At all...

The 28 is a must... No question...

I'm going against the flow though... The M50mm 1.4 would make the bag for me... It's pretty much permenently attached to my MX and that little bit of extra light can make all the difference...

Agreed^^^
I have all the lenses mentioned
the 1.7 is predictable thats why they were on the Pentax ME
the 1.4 is magical thats why its on my camera 99.100% of the time
easier is not always better. The 1.4 is more difficult to focus wide open but also that means it is more precise when you get the hang of it.

My Carry around lenses are
pentax 50mm 1.4 on camera
pentax 28mm 2.8
takumar 135mm 2.5
pentax 200mm f4
pentax 55mm 1.8

The pics below are my 1.4 at f2.8 my favorite f stop on it

bdery · 11-07-2012, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by DaveHolmes

The 50-f2 is a dog... Flog it... Get rid... It should not make the bag... At all...

Hum... the faster 50s are better, but the 50 f2 is far, fra from being a dog! It's betterr than many other lenses, just not as great as the f1,4 or f1,7.

11-05-2012, 02:44 PM	#1
SCADjacket Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Atlanta Posts: 43	Which lens to carry... Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. OK, I have a problem. And I guess you could easily say it's a good problem to have. I have too many options. My LX just came back from repair and CLA, so this is really the first time I feel like I'm really getting to give it a try. When I bought a box of camera goodies from a friend who is a pro photographer (he went all digital) I ended up with several lenses. Now, I'm not sure what to carry in my bag. I've got a macro and two zooms lenses that I'll rarely use, but the other 4 are hard to choose from. Here's what I have: SMC M 28mm 2.8 SMC M 50mm 2.0 SMC M 50mm 1.4 SMC M 50mm 1.7 I don't want to carry too much in my bag, so I was thinking the 28mm for the wide angle (unless you guys tell me the lens is crap) and one of the 50mm. I don't want to assume that faster is better. I read over all the reviews and I can't get a good sense if there is a reasonable difference between the 1.4 and 1.7 and 2.0. One doesn't seem to stand above the rest. Like I said, it's a good problem to have. Thoughts?

11-06-2012, 04:00 AM	#7
rbefly Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 2,030	Me, Too! I'll go along with the other posters, the fifty f/1.7 is easier to focus wide-open than the f/1.4, in fact I think the 50mm 1.7 is one of the finest manual lenses Pentax has ever made. The 28mm for sure, I was very happy with mine shooting film, but after pixel-peeping on digital, I found it wasn't as ultimately sharp as I had thought. Since then I've found a couple other 28's that seem better. Be aware, there are two versions of the M 28mm f/2.8, the early model and a later one. Check the lens reviews on the Forum for the difference. And the Prof is correct, you could start looking for a short tele, the M 100mm f/2.8 is a good choice, or an 85mm f/2.0, if you can find one. This would round out a great walk-around kit. Nearly all the "M" series primes below 200mm take the same filter size, 49mm. So a 49mm polarizer and Y-2 or YG filter (for B + W film) would be good investments also. Have fun! Ron

11-06-2012, 11:05 AM	#9
SCADjacket Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Atlanta Posts: 43 Original Poster	Thanks! Thanks everyone. I switched the 1.4 for the 1.7 in my bag last night. I'll shot with these a bit and see which zooms I want to carry. I have: SMC M 80-200mm 4.5 SMC M 135mm 3.5 SMC FA 28-105mm 4-5.6 StarD Macro 28-80mm 3.5-5.6

11-06-2012, 05:23 PM	#14
Sliver-Surfer Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,558	Originally posted by DaveHolmes The 50-f2 is a dog... Flog it... Get rid... It should not make the bag... At all... The 28 is a must... No question... I'm going against the flow though... The M50mm 1.4 would make the bag for me... It's pretty much permenently attached to my MX and that little bit of extra light can make all the difference... Agreed^^^ I have all the lenses mentioned the 1.7 is predictable thats why they were on the Pentax ME the 1.4 is magical thats why its on my camera 99.100% of the time easier is not always better. The 1.4 is more difficult to focus wide open but also that means it is more precise when you get the hang of it. My Carry around lenses are pentax 50mm 1.4 on camera pentax 28mm 2.8 takumar 135mm 2.5 pentax 200mm f4 pentax 55mm 1.8 The pics below are my 1.4 at f2.8 my favorite f stop on it Last edited by Sliver-Surfer; 11-16-2015 at 01:20 PM.

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11-05-2012, 03:31 PM	#2
seventhdr Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,440	The M 28mm f2.8 for sure. Then the M 50 f1.7. It is meant to be a bit sharper than the M50 f1.4 wide open and a better performer than the M 50 f2. Regards Chris

11-05-2012, 03:43 PM	#3
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,845	Sounds like a test is in order for the nifty fifties. Pick some subjects and shoot them ( ) with each lens at different distances and f/stops. Then see which lens produces the images you like best. Not much to choose from between the 1.4 and 1.7 so I'd probably choose the 1.4 for a bit lower light capability. Certainly, you'll want the 28 to have a wide view. Maybe you can trade it for this one? No hurry to get anything different yet. Enjoy the ones you have.

11-05-2012, 04:07 PM	#4
ChooseAName Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southeast USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 390	The 50/1.7 for sharpness, the 50/1.4 for bokeh rendering (if it's anything like the FA 50/1.4, that is). The 50/2 was quite the numerous lens, I hear, and while I'm sure it's capable of producing fine images, you'll probably find the other lens are much better.

11-05-2012, 07:41 PM	#5
Professor Batty Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 118	I have all the lenses you listed and I use the SMC - M 28mm f 2.8 and the SMC - M 50mm F1.7. All of the 50's are somewhat soft wide open, the 1.4 is quite "dreamy" - good for impressionistic shots and portraits. The 1.7 is very sharp at F2, more so than the F1.4 and the F2. All of them are about the same after 5.6, with the edges getting better up to F11. I use these lenses on a K-30, so the edge sharpness is not so critical. All these lenses benefit greatly from lens hoods - even with SMC. I also have the SMC - A 50mm F1.7 and I find that it is no better than the M. For a third lens you might want to look for a SMC- M 100mm F2.8.

11-05-2012, 09:16 PM	#6
Sliver-Surfer Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,558	Organic Nature and portraits then the 28mm and the 50mm f1.4 Street photography architecture landscape then 28mm and the 50mm f1.7

11-06-2012, 05:44 AM	#8
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by SCADjacket When I bought a box of camera goodies from a friend who is a pro photographer (he went all digital) I ended up with several lenses. Didn't he know he could have "gone digital" with Pentax and kept using his excellent lenses? To answer your question, simply pick the 28 and either of the fastest 50s, the f2 is good but not as good as the others.

11-06-2012, 11:06 AM	#10
SCADjacket Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Atlanta Posts: 43 Original Poster	He switched to Canon. Wanted full frame. Originally posted by bdery Didn't he know he could have "gone digital" with Pentax and kept using his excellent lenses?

11-06-2012, 11:14 AM	#11
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by SCADjacket He switched to Canon. Wanted full frame. His loss, your gain

11-06-2012, 11:21 AM	#12
SCADjacket Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Atlanta Posts: 43 Original Poster	Oh, you wouldn't believe how much I bought from him for a song. He practically gave it to me just to get everything out of his wife's closet. I got tons of Pentax gear, some Nikon stuff and an old Bronica, plus some darkroom equip. He went out and bought 5dMII with a bunch of new lenses. Originally posted by bdery His loss, your gain

11-06-2012, 02:47 PM	#13
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	The 50-f2 is a dog... Flog it... Get rid... It should not make the bag... At all... The 28 is a must... No question... I'm going against the flow though... The M50mm 1.4 would make the bag for me... It's pretty much permenently attached to my MX and that little bit of extra light can make all the difference...

11-07-2012, 06:33 AM	#15
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by DaveHolmes The 50-f2 is a dog... Flog it... Get rid... It should not make the bag... At all... Hum... the faster 50s are better, but the 50 f2 is far, fra from being a dog! It's betterr than many other lenses, just not as great as the f1,4 or f1,7.