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TropicalMonkey · 06-26-2013, 08:00 PM

Like the title says, are there any K mount lenses with just one element?

Adam · 06-26-2013, 08:05 PM

No, at least not from Pentax. There's one for the Q, however (and it's the worst lens Pentax has ever made, from an optical standpoint at least

)

**boriscleto** · 06-26-2013, 08:06 PM

The Lensbaby?

TropicalMonkey · 06-26-2013, 08:07 PM

Thanks Adam! I never heard of that either, thought I should confirm!

elliott · 06-26-2013, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

The Lensbaby?

Yeah, the originals were single element and I think it is optional on the newer ones.

TropicalMonkey · 06-26-2013, 08:12 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

The Lensbaby?

Nice! I googled Lensbaby and came across wikipedia with more info Lensbaby - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not a Number · 06-26-2013, 08:13 PM

How about pinhole lenses?

**nater** · 06-26-2013, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

The Lensbaby?

Correct. For instance, I have the Lensbaby Muse, which comes with a multi-coated optical glass doublet. The lens elements are in their own bayonet module in the lens body, so you can swap them out. I then purchased the Lensbaby "Optic Kit", which comes with a pinhole / zone plate, plastic optic, and single glass optic. Quite useful, especially if you are into lomography-style photography.

**THoog** · 06-26-2013, 08:30 PM

The Holga HL-P. K-mount, 60mm f/8, single plastic element.

You didn't say it had to be a good lens.

TropicalMonkey · 06-26-2013, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by nater

Correct. For instance, I have the Lensbaby Muse, which comes with a multi-coated optical glass doublet. The lens elements are in their own bayonet module in the lens body, so you can swap them out. I then purchased the Lensbaby "Optic Kit", which comes with a pinhole / zone plate, plastic optic, and single glass optic. Quite useful, especially if you are into lomography-style photography.

Last night I dismantled my old 135mm/f2.8 lens in an effort to cleanup the fungus. It turned out that fungus was in between two sandwiched lenses (big heavy block) and with the convex front element on my hand, I thought of building a fun lens on my own. Some time back I read about a DIY lens built completely ground up from glass blocks (don't have links at hand). But what I was aiming was the effects demonstrated in this link Build Your Own Lenses | DIYPhotography.net. Being lazy, I thought of buying any single element lens thinking that it can produce that effect! But now I know!!

Edit: Another link http://www.diyphotography.net/homemade-lenses-whats-all-the-fuzz-about

LowVoltage · 06-26-2013, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by TropicalMonkey

Last night I dismantled my old 135mm/f2.8 lens in an effort to cleanup the fungus. It turned out that fungus was in between two sandwiched lenses (big heavy block) and with the convex front element on my hand, I thought of building a fun lens on my own. Some time back I read about a DIY lens built completely ground up from glass blocks (don't have links at hand). But what I was aiming was the effects demonstrated in this link Build Your Own Lenses | DIYPhotography.net. Being lazy, I thought of buying any single element lens thinking that it can produce that effect! But now I know!!

FYI, Surplus Shed has tons of lens elements and other goodies for this very kind of experiment/project. I've never purchased from them, but I've kept the link around in case I decided to try something wild. The individual lens slugs are surprisingly cheap. I emailed them once with a question and I received a relatively prompt reply. They didn't have what I needed but they were certainly polite and tried to help.

LowVoltage · 06-26-2013, 08:49 PM

Whoops, I just realized Surplus Shed was already mentioned in the article you referenced!

I read the same article, once upon a time, which may have been what took me to SS in the first place...

TropicalMonkey · 06-26-2013, 08:53 PM

Originally posted by LowVoltage

Whoops, I just realized Surplus Shed was already mentioned in the article you referenced!

I read the same article, once upon a time, which may have been what took me to SS in the first place...

I saw their website and they have three or four of similar kind of lenses. It certainly is an interesting experiment! With digital cameras you don't have to wait any longer to see the results!!

**seventhdr** · 06-26-2013, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by TropicalMonkey

Like the title says, are there any K mount lenses with just one element?

I think the closest you will get is the smc Pentax Soft 85mm f2.2 which has two elements in one group.

Regards

Chris

TropicalMonkey · 06-26-2013, 09:32 PM

Originally posted by seventhdr

I think the closest you will get is the smc Pentax Soft 85mm f2.2 which has two elements in one group.

Regards

Chris

Wonderful lens! A bit pricey though.

How much of that effect can be achieved by using a soft focus filter or post-processing?

06-26-2013, 08:00 PM	#1
TropicalMonkey Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Saint Paul Posts: 304	Are there any single element K-Mount lenses? Like the title says, are there any K mount lenses with just one element?

06-26-2013, 08:05 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	No, at least not from Pentax. There's one for the Q, however (and it's the worst lens Pentax has ever made, from an optical standpoint at least ) Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-26-2013, 08:33 PM	#10
TropicalMonkey Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Saint Paul Posts: 304 Original Poster	Originally posted by nater Correct. For instance, I have the Lensbaby Muse, which comes with a multi-coated optical glass doublet. The lens elements are in their own bayonet module in the lens body, so you can swap them out. I then purchased the Lensbaby "Optic Kit", which comes with a pinhole / zone plate, plastic optic, and single glass optic. Quite useful, especially if you are into lomography-style photography. Last night I dismantled my old 135mm/f2.8 lens in an effort to cleanup the fungus. It turned out that fungus was in between two sandwiched lenses (big heavy block) and with the convex front element on my hand, I thought of building a fun lens on my own. Some time back I read about a DIY lens built completely ground up from glass blocks (don't have links at hand). But what I was aiming was the effects demonstrated in this link Build Your Own Lenses \| DIYPhotography.net. Being lazy, I thought of buying any single element lens thinking that it can produce that effect! But now I know!! Edit: Another link http://www.diyphotography.net/homemade-lenses-whats-all-the-fuzz-about Last edited by TropicalMonkey; 06-26-2013 at 08:43 PM.

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06-26-2013, 08:06 PM	#3
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	The Lensbaby?

06-26-2013, 08:07 PM	#4
TropicalMonkey Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Saint Paul Posts: 304 Original Poster	Thanks Adam! I never heard of that either, thought I should confirm!

06-26-2013, 08:10 PM	#5
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by boriscleto The Lensbaby? Yeah, the originals were single element and I think it is optional on the newer ones.

06-26-2013, 08:12 PM	#6
TropicalMonkey Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Saint Paul Posts: 304 Original Poster	Originally posted by boriscleto The Lensbaby? Nice! I googled Lensbaby and came across wikipedia with more info Lensbaby - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

06-26-2013, 08:13 PM	#7
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	How about pinhole lenses?

06-26-2013, 08:14 PM	#8
nater Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New England Photos: Albums Posts: 706	Originally posted by boriscleto The Lensbaby? Correct. For instance, I have the Lensbaby Muse, which comes with a multi-coated optical glass doublet. The lens elements are in their own bayonet module in the lens body, so you can swap them out. I then purchased the Lensbaby "Optic Kit", which comes with a pinhole / zone plate, plastic optic, and single glass optic. Quite useful, especially if you are into lomography-style photography.

06-26-2013, 08:30 PM	#9
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	The Holga HL-P. K-mount, 60mm f/8, single plastic element. You didn't say it had to be a good lens.

06-26-2013, 08:45 PM	#11
LowVoltage Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mount Joy, PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 544	Originally posted by TropicalMonkey Last night I dismantled my old 135mm/f2.8 lens in an effort to cleanup the fungus. It turned out that fungus was in between two sandwiched lenses (big heavy block) and with the convex front element on my hand, I thought of building a fun lens on my own. Some time back I read about a DIY lens built completely ground up from glass blocks (don't have links at hand). But what I was aiming was the effects demonstrated in this link Build Your Own Lenses \| DIYPhotography.net. Being lazy, I thought of buying any single element lens thinking that it can produce that effect! But now I know!! FYI, Surplus Shed has tons of lens elements and other goodies for this very kind of experiment/project. I've never purchased from them, but I've kept the link around in case I decided to try something wild. The individual lens slugs are surprisingly cheap. I emailed them once with a question and I received a relatively prompt reply. They didn't have what I needed but they were certainly polite and tried to help.

06-26-2013, 08:49 PM	#12
LowVoltage Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mount Joy, PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 544	Whoops, I just realized Surplus Shed was already mentioned in the article you referenced! I read the same article, once upon a time, which may have been what took me to SS in the first place...

06-26-2013, 08:53 PM	#13
TropicalMonkey Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Saint Paul Posts: 304 Original Poster	Originally posted by LowVoltage Whoops, I just realized Surplus Shed was already mentioned in the article you referenced! I read the same article, once upon a time, which may have been what took me to SS in the first place... I saw their website and they have three or four of similar kind of lenses. It certainly is an interesting experiment! With digital cameras you don't have to wait any longer to see the results!!

06-26-2013, 09:07 PM	#14
seventhdr Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,453	Originally posted by TropicalMonkey Like the title says, are there any K mount lenses with just one element? I think the closest you will get is the smc Pentax Soft 85mm f2.2 which has two elements in one group. Regards Chris

06-26-2013, 09:32 PM	#15
TropicalMonkey Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Saint Paul Posts: 304 Original Poster	Originally posted by seventhdr I think the closest you will get is the smc Pentax Soft 85mm f2.2 which has two elements in one group. Regards Chris Wonderful lens! A bit pricey though. How much of that effect can be achieved by using a soft focus filter or post-processing?

Are there any single element K-Mount lenses?

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