Best fast prime lens for under $500?

Mlcinema · 02-07-2013, 12:39 PM

Originally posted by joe.penn

35mm focal reigns supreme in this case (from my experience). It gives you a semi-wide fov for lanscapes (good ground, subject and sky fov) while also giving you a good fov for portrait work lower chest and up. IMHO if you have never shot a prime focal to cover your intended shooting [of landscapes and portraits], I would recommend you take a zoom that you have on hand and shoot many subjects at the recommended focal lengths (35, 43, 50) and compare to see which focal is best suited for you to help narrow down your decision.

That's exactly what I was going to do today. I guess now I'm looking for sharpness.

Last edited by Mlcinema; 02-07-2013 at 06:34 PM.

Jean Poitiers · 02-07-2013, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by john5100

another one that's cheap is the da35mm f2.4. very nice lens too.

I would agree - a great bang for the buck - J

**TER-OR** · 02-08-2013, 01:34 PM

It's hard to argue against the inexpensive version of the DA35mm for that range. DAL?

I wanted a macro in the short range, and after evaluating the DA35 macro and the Sigma 28mm f1.8 macro, I chose the Sigma then kept an eye open for a good price. I really like the lens, it does what I want and is surprisingly good wide-open in the near-dark.

joe.penn · 02-08-2013, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by TER-OR

I wanted a macro in the short range, and after evaluating the DA35 macro and the Sigma 28mm f1.8 macro, I chose the Sigma then kept an eye open for a good price. I really like the lens, it does what I want and is surprisingly good wide-open in the near-dark.

I sold mine recently, very very good lens, very underrated also! that's one of those lenses that can be "as sharp as you want it to be"...

**mattb123** · 02-08-2013, 01:43 PM

Like others have mentioned the 35/2.4 is highly regarded and won't break the bank.
Also, the DA 40mm 2.8 Limited can often be found under $500 and it's a very nice little pancake. Versatile, small, fast focusing, and great IQ. I love mine! I think I paid $340 for mine new a couple of years ago.

Na Horuk · 02-08-2013, 02:25 PM

I would suggest a 40mm limited(not super fast, but great all around) or a FA 43mm limited (often praised as one of the best Pentax lenses ever).
Or! DA 35mm, DA 40mm XS, DA 50mm, Samyang 14mm, Samyang 85mm. You can buy two of these for under 500. The 40mm XS is very sharp, has low distortion, and can be used for landscapes. The DA 50mm is f1.8, which makes it great for low light situations and at 50mm can be used for pretty much anything. The DA 35mm is a little wider and can hold its own. The Samyangs are MF only, but are reportedly very sharp and their focal length sort of fills in gaps in the Pentax line.

Whats also great about Pentax is that you can mount older lenses, which can have great IQ but be much cheaper. The lens review section can be helpful: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/

Mlcinema · 02-08-2013, 08:26 PM

I'm leaning towards the SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited.

tclausen · 02-09-2013, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by Mlcinema

I'm leaning towards the SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited.

That is a very good lens, indeed.

EarlVonTapia · 02-09-2013, 08:13 PM

The suggestions so far are great. I'm a big fan of bang-for-buck lenses, and the DA 35 2.4 is the epitome of that in the Pentax lineup.

I would like to mention a lens that doesn't get a lot of talk time here on the forums. That lens is the Pentax F 28mm f2.8. It's has spectacular and even sharpness, it's autofocus, comes in those sexy F series colors, and at 28mm, it is the average truest normal field of view for APS-C (42mm, which is smack dab in the middle between 35mm and 50mm). It's also well under $500 . . . if you can find a copy, as they are quite rare.

Happy hunting.

**ivanvernon** · 02-09-2013, 08:29 PM

Originally posted by Mlcinema

Hello All,

I looking for the best fast prime lens for under $500. Any opinions? (to put on a K-30)

Thank you.

I love my brand new Sigma 30 mm which has a $200 discount,bringing it down to only $289 at B&H photo. I highly recommend it..The 30 mm translates to an effective normal lens (45 mm) on cropped censors like your K-30. I also like my Pentax FA 43 ltd,and it might just be possible to find a used copy at around $500.

zmohie · 02-10-2013, 05:16 AM

I would suggest Fa 35 .

tclausen · 02-10-2013, 05:41 AM

Originally posted by zmohie

I would suggest Fa 35 .

I haven't got the foggiest idea if it's good or not, but I don't think that this lens is current (and so, available as new), is it?

kaiserz · 02-10-2013, 06:04 AM

If you want something to use for landscape and portraits I would suggest getting a 35mm. To me anything over than 35 is a lil narrow(For portraits) and anything under 35 is a lil wide(Landscape).

Na Horuk · 02-10-2013, 09:35 AM

Originally posted by tclausen

I haven't got the foggiest idea if it's good or not, but I don't think that this lens is current (and so, available as new), is it?

Pentax Wide Angle 35mm f/2.0 SMCP-FA AL Autofocus Lens 22190 B&H
I think it is, just like the FA 50mm, and the three FA limiteds (31mm, 43mm, 77mm)

Mlcinema · 02-10-2013, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by kaiserz

If you want something to use for landscape and portraits I would suggest getting a 35mm. To me anything over than 35 is a lil narrow(For portraits) and anything under 35 is a lil wide(Landscape).

Ya, now I'm leaning towards a 35mm. Decisions are hard.

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02-07-2013, 12:39 PM	#16
Mlcinema Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 109 Original Poster	Originally posted by joe.penn 35mm focal reigns supreme in this case (from my experience). It gives you a semi-wide fov for lanscapes (good ground, subject and sky fov) while also giving you a good fov for portrait work lower chest and up. IMHO if you have never shot a prime focal to cover your intended shooting [of landscapes and portraits], I would recommend you take a zoom that you have on hand and shoot many subjects at the recommended focal lengths (35, 43, 50) and compare to see which focal is best suited for you to help narrow down your decision. That's exactly what I was going to do today. I guess now I'm looking for sharpness. Last edited by Mlcinema; 02-07-2013 at 06:34 PM.

02-07-2013, 12:47 PM	#17
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Originally posted by john5100 another one that's cheap is the da35mm f2.4. very nice lens too. I would agree - a great bang for the buck - J

02-08-2013, 01:34 PM	#18
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	It's hard to argue against the inexpensive version of the DA35mm for that range. DAL? I wanted a macro in the short range, and after evaluating the DA35 macro and the Sigma 28mm f1.8 macro, I chose the Sigma then kept an eye open for a good price. I really like the lens, it does what I want and is surprisingly good wide-open in the near-dark.

02-08-2013, 01:36 PM	#19
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902	Originally posted by TER-OR I wanted a macro in the short range, and after evaluating the DA35 macro and the Sigma 28mm f1.8 macro, I chose the Sigma then kept an eye open for a good price. I really like the lens, it does what I want and is surprisingly good wide-open in the near-dark. I sold mine recently, very very good lens, very underrated also! that's one of those lenses that can be "as sharp as you want it to be"...

02-08-2013, 01:43 PM	#20
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	Like others have mentioned the 35/2.4 is highly regarded and won't break the bank. Also, the DA 40mm 2.8 Limited can often be found under $500 and it's a very nice little pancake. Versatile, small, fast focusing, and great IQ. I love mine! I think I paid $340 for mine new a couple of years ago.

02-08-2013, 02:25 PM	#21
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	I would suggest a 40mm limited(not super fast, but great all around) or a FA 43mm limited (often praised as one of the best Pentax lenses ever). Or! DA 35mm, DA 40mm XS, DA 50mm, Samyang 14mm, Samyang 85mm. You can buy two of these for under 500. The 40mm XS is very sharp, has low distortion, and can be used for landscapes. The DA 50mm is f1.8, which makes it great for low light situations and at 50mm can be used for pretty much anything. The DA 35mm is a little wider and can hold its own. The Samyangs are MF only, but are reportedly very sharp and their focal length sort of fills in gaps in the Pentax line. Whats also great about Pentax is that you can mount older lenses, which can have great IQ but be much cheaper. The lens review section can be helpful: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/

02-08-2013, 08:26 PM	#22
Mlcinema Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 109 Original Poster	I'm leaning towards the SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited.

02-09-2013, 08:14 AM	#23
tclausen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,397	Originally posted by Mlcinema I'm leaning towards the SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited. That is a very good lens, indeed.

02-09-2013, 08:13 PM	#24
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	The suggestions so far are great. I'm a big fan of bang-for-buck lenses, and the DA 35 2.4 is the epitome of that in the Pentax lineup. I would like to mention a lens that doesn't get a lot of talk time here on the forums. That lens is the Pentax F 28mm f2.8. It's has spectacular and even sharpness, it's autofocus, comes in those sexy F series colors, and at 28mm, it is the average truest normal field of view for APS-C (42mm, which is smack dab in the middle between 35mm and 50mm). It's also well under $500 . . . if you can find a copy, as they are quite rare. Happy hunting.

02-09-2013, 08:29 PM	#25
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Originally posted by Mlcinema Hello All, I looking for the best fast prime lens for under $500. Any opinions? (to put on a K-30) Thank you. I love my brand new Sigma 30 mm which has a $200 discount,bringing it down to only $289 at B&H photo. I highly recommend it..The 30 mm translates to an effective normal lens (45 mm) on cropped censors like your K-30. I also like my Pentax FA 43 ltd,and it might just be possible to find a used copy at around $500.

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02-10-2013, 05:16 AM	#26
zmohie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: egypt Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 435	I would suggest Fa 35 .

02-10-2013, 05:41 AM	#27
tclausen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,397	Originally posted by zmohie I would suggest Fa 35 . I haven't got the foggiest idea if it's good or not, but I don't think that this lens is current (and so, available as new), is it?

02-10-2013, 06:04 AM	#28
kaiserz Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NoVa The "burg" Photos: Gallery Posts: 899	If you want something to use for landscape and portraits I would suggest getting a 35mm. To me anything over than 35 is a lil narrow(For portraits) and anything under 35 is a lil wide(Landscape).

02-10-2013, 09:35 AM	#29
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by tclausen I haven't got the foggiest idea if it's good or not, but I don't think that this lens is current (and so, available as new), is it? Pentax Wide Angle 35mm f/2.0 SMCP-FA AL Autofocus Lens 22190 B&H I think it is, just like the FA 50mm, and the three FA limiteds (31mm, 43mm, 77mm)

02-10-2013, 04:43 PM	#30
Mlcinema Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 109 Original Poster	Originally posted by kaiserz If you want something to use for landscape and portraits I would suggest getting a 35mm. To me anything over than 35 is a lil narrow(For portraits) and anything under 35 is a lil wide(Landscape). Ya, now I'm leaning towards a 35mm. Decisions are hard.