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09-28-2013, 07:36 AM   #1
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Hidden Gems (Lenses for Pentax)

I know there are threads like this on other forums, but i need an updated info. hehe
What lens do you consider a hidden gem?
This thread might be helpful to those who are still starting photography with a pentax gear..

09-28-2013, 08:12 AM - 1 Like   #2
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None of them are really hidden, it's all in plain sight. The king of great lens for very little money is the Takumar 55/f2. $20 or $30 nets you a lens that is a superstar. 95% as good as the very best lenses, almost 0 cost.
09-28-2013, 08:24 AM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Kozlok Quote
None of them are really hidden, it's all in plain sight. The king of great lens for very little money is the Takumar 55/f2. $20 or $30 nets you a lens that is a superstar. 95% as good as the very best lenses, almost 0 cost.
Do you need an adapter for K mount?
09-28-2013, 08:31 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Driline Quote
Do you need an adapter for K mount?
If you use m42 on k body, yes you need an adapter

09-28-2013, 08:38 AM   #5
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On the K mount, the M50mm 1.7 is an absolute gem, easy to find, but hardly hidden. The M35mm 2.8 is less well known, and not discussed as much as the M28mm, but its a great value lens as well.

The best older lens I've brought in a long time is the K28mm 3.5, but its getting more 'legendary status' and more expensive.

Best value M42 lens: +1 for the Takumar 55mm with an adaptor, its very good

Most fun lens: the Helios 44-2
09-28-2013, 08:39 AM   #6
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I use the fotodiox M42 adapter. They are very cheap. I remove the little clip that's supposed to hold it on the camera, fill in the little notches with epoxy (reduces light leaks), and screw it on tight to the lens. It becomes a faux K-Mount then. The little clip things are a huge pain in the butt. The cheap ones get stuck in cameras all the time, so don't use the cheap ones with the clip still intact.

QuoteOriginally posted by utak Quote
Most fun lens: the Helios 44-2
+1 to that too!
09-28-2013, 08:46 AM   #7
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Treasure Hunt?

There are quite a few underrated PK- mount lenses out there, here's a few that I've enjoyed;

Pentax M 135mm f/3.5. Small, brilliant colors, sharp, but overshadowed by its f/2.8 siblings. Great 'M' series handling. A bargain at $50 or so.
Pentax F 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro. Great little zoom, fine handling, sharper than most kit lenses, a useful 'Macro' (close-focusing) function at the 70mm end. Fastest focusing zoom I've ever seen, but noisy. Another $50-$70 well-spent.
Miranda 24m f/2.8 MC. One of the better 24mm primes available on the used market. Manual focus, auto-aperture; fine colors, all-metal construction, great for scenics and walk-around. About $100 used, if you can find one in PK mount.
Pentax FA 28-70mm f/4.0 AL. Another late-film-era short zoom that gets no respect, but my copy is reasonably sharp wide open and even better @f/5.6. Good color rendition, I.Q. and AF. Perhaps the tacky plastic construction and (seemingly) flimsy build account for the low market price? $50-$75.
Pentax M 50mm f/1.7. Maybe the greatest bargain of them all. Like all M-series, the handling, particularly the focus feel, is simply superb. All metal, small and very sturdy, unbelievably sharp from f/2.0 and beyond. Worth much more than whatever you pay.
There's many more but these are the ones I'll vouch for!
Ron

09-28-2013, 08:46 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by utak Quote
The best older lens I've brought in a long time is the K28mm 3.5, but its getting more 'legendary status' and more expensive.
But you can get the S-M-C Takumar for much less. And it is the same lens optically, just in M42 and much more common. I'm sure there are some who would say that the coatings on the K are improved, but I don't see how that makes the K worth so much more. Same thing with the K 55s...
09-28-2013, 08:50 AM   #9
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These offer some tremendous IQ bang for your buck:

Ricoh Rikenon XR 2.8/ 28mm

This is a very sharp and detailed lens with nice bokeh. Good build quality, too. Usually goes for $20-$40.

Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4 (23A)

Very close in IQ to the Pentax DA 55-300, plus it has a very useful true macro mode. It's a little prone to fringe, but extremely sharp at all focal lengths with great color. I have the Pentax 55-300, but I still use the Tamron from time to time. It's an awesome old zoom. You can usually score one of these for around $40.
09-28-2013, 08:52 AM   #10
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Thank you guys for the infos.. keep em coming
09-28-2013, 08:57 AM   #11
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I've had great experiences with short focal length Lentar and Yashica lenses, up to normal 50mm lengths.

The Helios 44M is another gem for not much money.
09-28-2013, 09:00 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by GibbyTheMole Quote
Very close in IQ to the Pentax DA 55-300, plus it has a very useful true macro mode. It's a little prone to fringe, but extremely sharp at all focal lengths with great color. I have the Pentax 55-300, but I still use the Tamron from time to time. It's an awesome old zoom. You can usually score one of these for around $40.
But a PKA adapter can cost twice that (or more).
09-28-2013, 09:03 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by boriscleto Quote
But you can get the S-M-C Takumar for much less. And it is the same lens optically, just in M42 and much more common
Yes, this is a very good point. But is it correct that the K28mm is exactly the same as the S-M-C except for the coatings? I've read different views about this....(I have the last version SMC Takumar 55mm - with the plastic focus ring - and the first version K55mm as well, and they definitely deliver different results, plus the K55mm is a bigger overall package because of the K mount, but the IQ differences could be down to sample variations...).

If anyone has views on this it would be helpful for people considering Takumar versus K purchases - as there are lots of gems in both series.
09-28-2013, 09:04 AM   #14
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I tried searching for Takumar 55 f2 as staed above, but it costs almost if not $100
09-28-2013, 09:09 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by rp_dxn Quote
I tried searching for Takumar 55 f2 as staed above, but it costs almost if not $100
Look for it attached to old Spotmatic bodies. Sellers on evilBay over price it when trying to sell to Canon & M4/3 users. US prices are usually less than $50, it might not be possible to get it at those prices in the Philippines though...

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