Best FF "sleeper" lenses

Cynog Ap Brychan · 03-19-2013, 04:07 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

Despite the mounting evidence, the possibility that pentax might not come out with a FF DSLR will tick those people off...

I love my K-5 and all the Pentax lenses I have, but I get amazing results from my D800, too. If Pentax does not come out with a FF camera in the next year, I'm going to have to seriously consider which system I keep. I can't afford to keep buying lenses for both! I'm dearly hoping for a Pentax FF. It should have amazing IQ, if the K-5 is anything to go by, and I would have great fun trying out all that legacy glass I have lurking in my cupboard. Please, Pentax... oh please, oh please... with a cherry on top.

**THoog** · 03-19-2013, 05:06 AM

Originally posted by NickLarsson

About the 8mm, I've read you have to cut the hood on FF otherwise it's vignetting (at least the canikon versions).

Wandering into the conversation late, but the Samyang 8mm fisheye is also available with a removeable hood now (B&H only lists the Rokinon-badged version for PK-mount).

DaveHolmes · 03-19-2013, 05:13 AM

Originally posted by Cynog Ap Brychan

oh please... with a cherry on top.

I'm with you but I think there's good cause to have a crop-sensor DSLR in the stable as well as FF... The extra reach for birding and wildlife principally among them...

Cynog Ap Brychan · 03-19-2013, 05:55 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by DaveHolmes

I'm with you but I think there's good cause to have a crop-sensor DSLR in the stable as well as FF... The extra reach for birding and wildlife principally among them...

I completely agree - but how nice it would be if the FF and APS-C were the same mount. I have a D5100 to go with my D800, but the decent long lenses are so desperately big and heavy. I really feel the difference between my K-5 with 60-250 on and the D800 with 80-200 f2.8 - what it would be like with a 300mm on I shudder to think). Truth be told, I really, really, really want a Pentax FF. I am in awe of my Nikons, but I simply LOVE my Pentax - it's not got the fastest AF, nor the best flash system (by a mile), but, my word, the little devil has SOUL!

Professor Batty · 03-19-2013, 07:37 AM

Vivitar 55mm F2.8 1:1 macro Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

**NaClH2O** · 03-19-2013, 07:43 AM

Originally posted by 8540tomg

I'm kind of glad I held on to all my old A, M and K series glass at this point.

I was about to dump a lot of them but perhaps they will enjoy a renaissance in FF.

Tom G

You and me both Tom

NaCl(if the FF ever comes out I'm set, Legacy glass most of it, but it still beats buying new)H2O

scratchpaddy · 03-19-2013, 07:45 AM

Speaking of normal 1:1 macro, the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro is a good one, too. There's a newer, autofocus version that gets all the attention now, so if you can find one of these MF versions, you can probably sneak it out without much resistance. I got mine for $110, and I was the only bidder. The aperture ring has an A mode, making things easy, and, man, this thing is sharp. And, yes, it really is true 1:1 macro.

**ivanvernon** · 03-19-2013, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by jkomp316

You wont find a sharper lens for less money... The Sears branded style routinely goes ~ $10 on eBay.

I agree with you. It amazes me to behold the sharpness and color rendering of my Sears 50mm 2.0 lens, My copy has been in my possession for over 30 years, left over from my film photography days, but this superb lens goes for a song on eBay. The Sears 50mm 2.0 is totally manual, so I tend to forego using it in favor of the Pentax-A 50mm f1.7, which is likewise sharp and good in rendering. I also have the Pentax F DA 50mm f 2.8 macro, which is a great lens as well and has the virtue of auto-focus. I can use it on any of my cameras, but the Sears and 50 mm 1.7 are reserved for use on my K-20 with the Kaztz Eye focussing screen.

carrrlangas · 03-19-2013, 09:06 AM

As others have mentioned, the F28, F50/1.7 and F35-70 are all great performers, small and durable.
But I can not believe no one mentioned the fabulous FA20/2.8 ! that lens is amazing both on APS-C or FF.

EarlVonTapia · 03-19-2013, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by mbukal

Pentax smc F 28/2, 8 + F 50/1, 7 = great happiness ;-)

Yup.

A solid pairing.

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03-19-2013, 04:07 AM	#61
Cynog Ap Brychan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Gloucester Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	Originally posted by Digitalis Despite the mounting evidence, the possibility that pentax might not come out with a FF DSLR will tick those people off... I love my K-5 and all the Pentax lenses I have, but I get amazing results from my D800, too. If Pentax does not come out with a FF camera in the next year, I'm going to have to seriously consider which system I keep. I can't afford to keep buying lenses for both! I'm dearly hoping for a Pentax FF. It should have amazing IQ, if the K-5 is anything to go by, and I would have great fun trying out all that legacy glass I have lurking in my cupboard. Please, Pentax... oh please, oh please... with a cherry on top.

03-19-2013, 05:06 AM	#62
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Originally posted by NickLarsson About the 8mm, I've read you have to cut the hood on FF otherwise it's vignetting (at least the canikon versions). Wandering into the conversation late, but the Samyang 8mm fisheye is also available with a removeable hood now (B&H only lists the Rokinon-badged version for PK-mount).

03-19-2013, 05:13 AM	#63
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	Originally posted by Cynog Ap Brychan oh please... with a cherry on top. I'm with you but I think there's good cause to have a crop-sensor DSLR in the stable as well as FF... The extra reach for birding and wildlife principally among them...

03-19-2013, 05:55 AM - 1 Like	#64
Cynog Ap Brychan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Gloucester Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	Originally posted by DaveHolmes I'm with you but I think there's good cause to have a crop-sensor DSLR in the stable as well as FF... The extra reach for birding and wildlife principally among them... I completely agree - but how nice it would be if the FF and APS-C were the same mount. I have a D5100 to go with my D800, but the decent long lenses are so desperately big and heavy. I really feel the difference between my K-5 with 60-250 on and the D800 with 80-200 f2.8 - what it would be like with a 300mm on I shudder to think). Truth be told, I really, really, really want a Pentax FF. I am in awe of my Nikons, but I simply LOVE my Pentax - it's not got the fastest AF, nor the best flash system (by a mile), but, my word, the little devil has SOUL!

03-19-2013, 07:37 AM	#65
Professor Batty Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 118	Vivitar 55mm F2.8 1:1 macro Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

03-19-2013, 07:43 AM	#66
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Originally posted by 8540tomg I'm kind of glad I held on to all my old A, M and K series glass at this point. I was about to dump a lot of them but perhaps they will enjoy a renaissance in FF. Tom G You and me both Tom NaCl(if the FF ever comes out I'm set, Legacy glass most of it, but it still beats buying new)H2O

03-19-2013, 07:45 AM	#67
scratchpaddy Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3,361	Speaking of normal 1:1 macro, the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro is a good one, too. There's a newer, autofocus version that gets all the attention now, so if you can find one of these MF versions, you can probably sneak it out without much resistance. I got mine for $110, and I was the only bidder. The aperture ring has an A mode, making things easy, and, man, this thing is sharp. And, yes, it really is true 1:1 macro.

03-19-2013, 07:56 AM	#68
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Originally posted by jkomp316 You wont find a sharper lens for less money... The Sears branded style routinely goes ~ $10 on eBay. I agree with you. It amazes me to behold the sharpness and color rendering of my Sears 50mm 2.0 lens, My copy has been in my possession for over 30 years, left over from my film photography days, but this superb lens goes for a song on eBay. The Sears 50mm 2.0 is totally manual, so I tend to forego using it in favor of the Pentax-A 50mm f1.7, which is likewise sharp and good in rendering. I also have the Pentax F DA 50mm f 2.8 macro, which is a great lens as well and has the virtue of auto-focus. I can use it on any of my cameras, but the Sears and 50 mm 1.7 are reserved for use on my K-20 with the Kaztz Eye focussing screen.

03-19-2013, 09:06 AM	#69
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	As others have mentioned, the F28, F50/1.7 and F35-70 are all great performers, small and durable. But I can not believe no one mentioned the fabulous FA20/2.8 ! that lens is amazing both on APS-C or FF.

03-19-2013, 10:04 AM	#70
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	Originally posted by mbukal Pentax smc F 28/2, 8 + F 50/1, 7 = great happiness ;-) Yup. A solid pairing.