Please recommend in the 50mm - 70mm range

**JimJohnson** · 03-16-2013, 06:47 PM

I have nowhere near the lens collection of some of the folks here who suffer from extreme LBA, but I do have the F 35-70. It has become my most useful lens and spends much more time on my camera than any of the current digital kit lens (I have all 3) or even my excellent A-series prime lenses. I'm guessing I would really like some of the limited lenses, but the F 35-70 can be had for 1/10 the price. It's pretty sharp, auto-focuses very quickly, has a close focus mode, and the aperture ring means I can use it in a variety of ways I can't use a DA lens. My only complaint is I wish it had a bayonet hood mount.

MegaPower · 03-16-2013, 09:14 PM

another vote to F35-70.
or VL 58/1.4 if you dont mind MF

Darren8306 · 03-16-2013, 10:54 PM

I think I'll try the VL AND the 35, but something happened...
I was at transience, kind of a burning-man inspired art event, when I ran into a friend. She invited my sweetheart and I back to her shack for tea, and wouldn't you know it - she had a 28-70 she was trying to get rid of. I'll have to go do some exploring with it.

builttospill · 03-17-2013, 09:35 AM

I have both the FA 28-70/4 and the F 35-70. I use the FA a bit more than the F, but the F has a macro mode which can be useful. If you're looking for a low-cost zoom in this range that performs well, I don't think you could go wrong with either of these.

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03-16-2013, 06:47 PM	#16
JimJohnson Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Summer:Lake Superior - Michigan Winter:Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,774	I have nowhere near the lens collection of some of the folks here who suffer from extreme LBA, but I do have the F 35-70. It has become my most useful lens and spends much more time on my camera than any of the current digital kit lens (I have all 3) or even my excellent A-series prime lenses. I'm guessing I would really like some of the limited lenses, but the F 35-70 can be had for 1/10 the price. It's pretty sharp, auto-focuses very quickly, has a close focus mode, and the aperture ring means I can use it in a variety of ways I can't use a DA lens. My only complaint is I wish it had a bayonet hood mount.

03-16-2013, 09:14 PM	#17
MegaPower Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hong Kong / Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 636	another vote to F35-70. or VL 58/1.4 if you dont mind MF

03-16-2013, 10:54 PM	#18
Darren8306 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: 60° North Posts: 85 Original Poster	I think I'll try the VL AND the 35, but something happened... I was at transience, kind of a burning-man inspired art event, when I ran into a friend. She invited my sweetheart and I back to her shack for tea, and wouldn't you know it - she had a 28-70 she was trying to get rid of. I'll have to go do some exploring with it.

03-17-2013, 09:35 AM	#19
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	I have both the FA 28-70/4 and the F 35-70. I use the FA a bit more than the F, but the F has a macro mode which can be useful. If you're looking for a low-cost zoom in this range that performs well, I don't think you could go wrong with either of these.