[Unsinkable II]

Now that we're getting FF, what are the most loved lenses by forum members? They could be sharp, dreamy, holga-esque, compact, anything... just loved.

Ideally they are easy to find, but rare lenses also most welcome.

I fancy that some of us might wish to get a hold of a few before prices rise and availability declines!

One example would be the F35-70 as a super-compact low-cost and versatile lens that can quite easily be found, and bought it specifically for the day that I could use it on FF digital. My SF7 came hanging off the back for "free" as far as I was concerned.

[Jean Poitiers]

... One example would be the F35-70 as a super-compact low-cost and versatile lens that can quite easily be found, and bought it specifically for the day that I could use it on FF digital. ....

Agreed. I have a F35-70 for the same reason ... hopes of a future FF, but it still is fine on the APSC K-5.

Plus, I have a lot of legacy glass in K-mount and M42 to be used again upon its native format. J

[bassek]

Ditto for my F35-70.I also have the F35-105 and the F70-210, sleepers as well I should point out.

But my favourite is the Sigma EX 15-30. I could not part with the Sigma EX 180 macro either.

Seb

[Docrwm]

Samyang 8mm FE

[Digitalis]

these are four lenses I know that will probably develop a real following,partly because of how uncommon they are:

Pentax SMC K 28mm f/2 - the Zeiss clone.
Pentax SMC K 120mm f/2.8
Pentax SMC A* 135mm f/1.8
Pentax SMC K 200mm f/2.5

[Kerrowdown]

There will be a knock effect and I reckon most of the FF legacy lenses out there will enjoy a resurgence of interest and hence higher price levels.

Ones to watch for if you can get them, will be the already rare and high priced lenses, certainly albeit in manual focus;

SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5
SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.2
SMC Pentax-A* 85mm F1.4
SMC Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8
SMC Pentax-A* 200mm F2.8 ED

[monochrome]

To a regular, enthusiast hobbyist, all these listed lenses that I own are excellent. The bolded lenses are, IMHO, sleepers (i.e. they are surprisingly good lenses available at a reasonable price on a regular basis). The K200/2.5 is an exceptional lens, fairly rarely seen and has been so since its original issue. Its price ($375 - $425) even now reflects its nature. There are plenty of Pentax lenses that are stupendously good lenses on any format, but their price reflects and always has reflected their IQ - so they aren't "sleepers." I regret selling my K50.1.2. I knew I would eventually, but at the time the offer was just too good to refuse.

ST50/1.4 | ST55/1.8 | S-M-C T50/1.4
K24/2.8 | K28/3.5 | K35/3.5 | K50/1.4 | K105/2.8 | K135/2.5 | K200/2.5
A35~105/3.5 | F35~70 | F70~210
FA35/2 | FA50/1.4

This is certainly not an exhaustive list.

(The two F's were inside a second hand LowePro Nova 3 bag I bought for my LX with a virtually mint condition SF1n attached to the 35~70).

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Last edited by monochrome; 03-11-2013 at 10:21 AM.

[Ron Boggs]

Still don't believe Pentax will produce FF bodies anytime soon but also still hold the right lenses to match FF bodies, mostly FA* and FA Ltd models.

Best sleeper for great image quality at reasonable cost is the FA 20-35/4. I've owned two and bought the second while regretting selling the first. It will take the place of 15 ltd and 21 ltd in my kit, though for now it just sits in storage in case a FF body does materialize someday.

[hoanpham]

Pentax SMC A* 135mm f/1.8 cannot define as a 'sleeper' lens.

nor
SMC Pentax-A* 85mm F1.4
SMC Pentax-A* 200mm F2.8 ED

Perhaps
Pentax SMC K 120mm f/2.8
Pentax SMC K 200mm f/2.5
Pentax SMC A 50mm F1.2


even historical lens like Takumar 15/3.5 asph can go <1000usd recently.
SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5 might have the correct value today.

Pentax SMC K 28mm f/3.5 Shift can also have for relatively good prices.

[topace]

If we're discussing lenses that are now cheap because we don't have a digital FF, an often overlooked and undervalued lens is the Tokina AT-X 28-70 f/2.6-2.8. But I've already used this on a nikon D600. As far as pentax-exclusive lenses go, the 50 f/1.2-s might well be good. The A 20 f/2.8 (or FA) is probably nice if you can find it. I would like to play with the 35-105-s on FF. I've got the F version, and it's surprisingly sharp, fast-focusing and well-colored. There are a number of semi-fast portrait lenses, that might benefit from the wider angle of view.

[Digitalis]

As far as pentax-exclusive lenses go, the 50 f/1.2-s might well be good.

I would go one step further and say that on a full frame camera the 50mm f/1.2 will be friggin' spectacular:

Pentax K5IIs SMCP-K 50mm f/1.2 @ f/5.6 - unsharpened.

[bdery]

Not really a sleeper but the F50 f1,7 is an astounding lens.

[mbukal]

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

[Kerrowdown]

50mm f/1.2 will be friggin' spectacular:

I do hope so, my A version was darned good back in LX days.

[scratchpaddy]

I don't think it's right to call the 50mm f/1.2 a sleeper. As the fastest lens on K-mount, everyone knows it's worth a lot of money. I've even seen a few pop up on eBay with the aperture lever hacked up so it won't hit the mirror on a Canon FF. How can you call it a sleeper when it's even popular with users of other systems?

If I ever get to have a Pentax FF, I'll be using my FA 50/1.4 all day. It's no sleeper, but it's half as expensive as the 1.2, and it comes with AF, auto-aperture, and modern lens coatings. If you look at it objectively, it's not the best, but it's almost as good.

As far as sleepers go, I'd be looking for ones that say "Vivitar" or "Kiron" on them. There are still a few left that haven't been rediscovered yet. The Takumar-F's tend to get overlooked, too. Also, you might want to pick up a Helios 44 before the price goes up. Never again will so much fun be had with a $30 lens. That's the regular going price, not "lucky find" price.