[Conqueror]

what is your favourite general purpose night time lens?

pentax k mount of course

[tclausen]

31/1.8 Ltd

[hcc]

Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 (PK mount)

It has to be a MF because that is the only way you can handle very low light.

I have to say that I have other low light lenses incl. FA31mm f1.8, FA50mm f1.7, FA77mm f1.8, CZ85mm f14,... But the VL58mm f1.4 is the best IMHO in low light. I add that I use a K-7 which does not like high ISO (compared to K-5, K-01, K-30), and I can see the difference between all of my lenses.

My 5 cents...

[interested_observer]

For me it depends on how I am shooting. If its up on a tripod for a city or landscape, then any lens will work just fine. On the other hand if its handheld, then you really need a fast aperture, and that would be my 31.

[Allison]

FA 43 ltd for inside with people and the FA 31 ltd or outside/landscape. But I will admit that the three amigos and my DFA 100 macro WR are my current go to lenses, day or night.

[steve1307]

Outside on tripod , DA15.
I think indoors will be FA31

[ivanvernon]

Sigma 30 mm f 1.4
Pentax-A 50 mm f 1.7
Tamron 17-50mm f 2.8

I think Sigma is my favorite because it almost allows picture taking in the dark, but I love the Tamron too, especially in indoor party/reception situations where one is willing to give up slight amount of image quality to obtain more flexibility in focus range. The Pentax-A is fine in indoor situations as well, when you need a little more reach than the Sigma provides. When going out to indoor low-light situation, I always consider the overall context. If I think the party will not be too crowded, I will always take the Sigma since I can "zoom with my feet."

[Na Horuk]

Tripod or handheld? If its tripod with static subjects, then you can use just about anything. If its handheld, you want a fast lens. I like to use the Pentax M 50mm f1.7 for low light shots, because its my fastest lens. I just set camera to Av and auto ISO up to ISO 2000. Or M mode and set the shutter speed to the lowest I can go without handheld-shake showing up.
For example, the DA 40mm XS, with its f2.8, just isn't a great choice for dark photography, even though its a stellar lens otherwise.

[rbefly]

For handheld or available light, my trio would be the Kiron (Kino Precision) 28mm f/2.0, a Pentax M 50mm f/1.7 and Pentax M 85mm f/2.0. But I must admit the DA 35mm f/2.4 AL is no slouch, and can even AF reasonably well in dim conditions. Generally anything f/2.8 or faster will do, but some are better than others!
Ron.

[audiobomber]

My FA 35mm f2.0. Sharp from wide open. Good FL for general purpose, indoors or out.

[Eyewanders]

My FA 35mm f2.0. Sharp from wide open. Good FL for general purpose, indoors or out.

That's an awesome lens - i have the old manual 35mm and need to get mine out more.

I'd have to say my 31mm ltd .... but for years (before $$ allowed) I loved (and still *very* much do) my 50mm f/1.4 M

[gofour3]

K50/1.2 (On film)

Phil.

[Kerrowdown]

After dark is when my little light hoover comes out to play...

The Pentax-A 50mm F1.2 still gives me a viewfinder I can see through, just a bugger the DOF is so shallow when wide open.

[Sagitta]

My go-tos would be my Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4, my Sears 28mm f/2.8 and my Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5.

The Sigma is so wide I can get away with handheld shots even with it being as slow as it is since I can still nail things at 1/40 of a second or so.

[robbiec]

All my lenses work in the dark with the exception of 2.
Rate them this way, A50 f/1.2, FA77 f/1.8, FA43 f/1.9, FA31 f/1.8