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11-27-2012, 02:06 PM   #1
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Best Lenses to Complete Move to Pentax

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As you may know, I recently bought into Pentax with the K5iis, 35/2.4, 50/1.7, and 17-70/4, and I'm looking for advice on how to fill the holes. I prefer shooting short zooms (2-4x) but I also like the prime way of life. I will need a macro (can be mf), portrait lens (stuck between the 77mm and 70-200 or 50-135). I have already decided on the 12-24 fow my uwa needs, but would you advise for a 77mm or the versatility of a zoom. Also, do you think the 31mm f1.8 should replace my 35/2.4? People are saying that it is superb and special but the f2.4 is really, really sharp already. For the macro, would a 50mm, 70mm, 100mm, or 150mm be more versatile, I do flower shots and the occasional bug shot. I was thinking either the 50 or 70, which would go well with the range of my 17-70 and bridge the 17-70 with the portrait zoom, or the 150mm which would fall at the end of the 50-135. Also, for a tele lens for airshows and occasional wildlife, can you recommend a mf lens with iq that is comparable to the Sigma 150-500? I usually use mf on my Sony and Tamron 200-500 anyway, so I might save with a mf lens, but I need the image quality to be there. Going by my current thinking here's a plausible lineup

12-24
17-70
31 limited or 35 f2 ( sounds very convincing)
70-200 or 50-135
150 macro
Sigma 150-500

11-27-2012, 02:10 PM   #2
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That sounds like a great lineup (go for the 70-200mm, as it'll work well together with the 17-70mm).

Only thing is that there's no 150mm macro for Pentax (only Canon/Nikon) from Sigma.

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11-27-2012, 02:15 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Adam Quote
That sounds like a great lineup (go for the 70-200mm, as it'll work well together with the 17-70mm).

Only thing is that there's no 150mm macro for Pentax (only Canon/Nikon) from Sigma.
So would you recommend the 100mm, 50, or 70?
11-27-2012, 02:16 PM   #4
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I'd suggest that, at the medium-narrow end of things, you try the 50-135 first, and see how it influences your style. You may decide that the FA77 is a bit redundant (I have both, and no intention of letting go of either, but I bought the 77 long before the 50-135).

At the other end of things, a lot of people here like the DA12-24. I went for the Sigma 10-20, and haven't regretted it, so I'd recommend looking at one of those before you decide.

11-27-2012, 02:32 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by RobA_Oz Quote
I'd suggest that, at the medium-narrow end of things, you try the 50-135 first, and see how it influences your style. You may decide that the FA77 is a bit redundant (I have both, and no intention of letting go of either, but I bought the 77 long before the 50-135).

At the other end of things, a lot of people here like the DA12-24. I went for the Sigma 10-20, and haven't regretted it, so I'd recommend looking at one of those before you decide.
eh, don't really like Sigma in general and I dont need 10 at the wide, rather have less distortions.
Also I've decided at that price i cant justify the 77 over a 70-200, which is much more versatile.
11-27-2012, 02:42 PM   #6
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also anyone on the 31 lim vs 35 2.0
11-27-2012, 02:44 PM   #7
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12-24
17-70
31 limited or 35 f2 (sounds very convincing)
70-200 or 50-135
D FA 100mm f2.8 WR macro
A*300mm f4, with Teleconverter


11-27-2012, 02:46 PM   #8
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Macros for K series

If you're shooting towards the 1:2 end or closer, you might prefer the longer working distance of the 100 over the 50. Not to diss the Pentax-M 50 f/4, mind you, it is an incredible little lens IMHO. But for example I just picked up the O-Photo clone of the Rayflash ring adapter for doing macro work, and found that if I shoot in the 1:4-1:2 range, the subject is too close to be fully illuminated by the ring. (There's some mod work in my future, I suspect.)

If you've got the money, people absolutely rave about the 100 WR -- autofocus* and weather-resistance, how could you go wrong? The M series 100 f/4 is also exceedingly well thought of, but spendy compared to the 50.

(*Yes, I know that autofocus can be a hindrance rather than a help in macro work unless you're working with flat things or shooting at f/gazillion.)
11-27-2012, 02:52 PM   #9
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ok, i will consider the 100mm non-wr and the f4 manual. Honestly the 100mm f4 is so cheap I could just resell it if I feel the need for af.
audiobomber, will a 300mmf4 with a 1.4x tc match the iq of the Sigma 150-500 at equiv. fl? Also what tc would you recommend?
11-27-2012, 02:55 PM   #10
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If you travel a bit to do your pictures, you'll start to appreciate the Limiteds...I really like the FA77 for portraits, but the DA70 is a lot more bang for the buck. Just last week I decided to travel with both the DA70 and the Tokina 80-200 f/2.8...the Tokina is excellent in quality and optics, so is the versatility of a zoom, but honestly, I ended up using my DA70 most of the time because I got tired of hand holding all that weight and walking around. Thankfully I had the freedom of "zooming with the feet" in the environment I was shooting at.

I guess the decision between using primes or zooms will depend on you do your portraits (indoors, outdoors, studio, environmental, etc.) I've also had the Tamron 70-200 2.8, and it's also excellent glass (irrespective of price).

For macro, I would suggest the Tamron 90 f/2.8...it's sharp as hell and the price is very affordable. This is my most used lens for plants and animals.
11-27-2012, 02:55 PM   #11
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Welcome to PF and Pentax.

If you are after image quality (IQ), you should not miss the prime lenses and there are many great one. In particular:
- the FA Limited series, especially the FA31 mm and FA 77mm IMHO, both very highly regarded,
- the DA Limited series with their pancake design are great - I have the DA40mm xs and the thin desing is amazing

Based upon your present lenses and if you are after IQ, the FA31mm and FA77mm are a must.

My 5 cents....
11-27-2012, 02:55 PM   #12
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dýou mean this 300mm? I trust matsiya store and their auctions usually take months to sell so I'll bide my time. IT looks SHMEXY
smc PENTAX M * 300mm f/4 Exc+ | eBay
11-27-2012, 02:59 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by HSV Quote
If you travel a bit to do your pictures, you'll start to appreciate the Limiteds...I really like the FA77 for portraits, but the DA70 is a lot more bang for the buck. Just last week I decided to travel with both the DA70 and the Tokina 80-200 f/2.8...the Tokina is excellent in quality and optics, so is the versatility of a zoom, but honestly, I ended up using my DA70 most of the time because I got tired of hand holding all that weight and walking around. Thankfully I had the freedom of "zooming with the feet" in the environment I was shooting at.

I guess the decision between using primes or zooms will depend on you do your portraits (indoors, outdoors, studio, environmental, etc.) I've also had the Tamron 70-200 2.8, and it's also excellent glass (irrespective of price).

For macro, I would suggest the Tamron 90 f/2.8...it's sharp as hell and the price is very affordable. This is my most used lens for plants and animals.
Yes, I didn't consider the tamron, I got wonderful macros with it on my sony, hopefully the price has kept falling.
I think I may just go for the 77/70 limited and if I feel the need for the 70-200 range pick up a 55-300? What do you guys think
11-27-2012, 04:23 PM   #14
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By the way, THe A* 300 seems to be much more expensive, in the bigma price range, whereas the M* seems to get better reviews here at pf and I couldn't care less about manual aperture/stop dpwn metering
11-27-2012, 04:25 PM   #15
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Also, can anyone tell me about the A* 200mm macro? At 1.5 grand seems WAY overpriced, with the sharpness of current macros, how does it compare with the 100mm pentax and 90mm tmron?
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