[Clavius]

Depends on the criteria. The best camera is the one you've got with you. If that counts for lenses too, then my "simple" DA 18-135 is my best lens, because it sees the most action. It's my workhorse for when my other precious prime lenses have to stay in because of inappropriate weather conditions. And for an ultra-zoom it does a very good job.

If the criteria is purely IQ, then the Zeiss FE 55 1.8 would score highest. Or most fun? Then the DA 10-17 for sure.

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Last edited by Clavius; 12-27-2013 at 01:43 AM.

[savoche]

My best lens? All of them!

No, seriously, I got them all for different reasons, and as such they will all be best at something. Or at least will have some feature none of the others have.

Ok, I'll probably have a hard time finding something my M 50/1.7 can do that my A 50/1.7 can't match. Other than being better built

[DavidSKAF3]

It is essentially free of aberrations (including both lateral and longitudinal CA),

Forgive me for my inexperience I hope this isn't really dumb, but aren't these kind of problems the result of digital imaging issues? Were they a problem in film days, too?

[starbase218]

I don't really have a favourite lens. They all have their strengths and weaknesses and it really depends on the situation which lenses I take with me.

[Action Jackson]

Maybe question should be: If, for the rest of your life, you could mount only one lens on your Pentax DSLR and never remove it again and never use another camera what lens would it be?

Tough one. If macro wasn't my thing then the Pentax SMC-A 35-105 3.5 which I didn't mention before.

[timo]

Forgive me for my inexperience I hope this isn't really dumb, but aren't these kind of problems the result of digital imaging issues? Were they a problem in film days, too?

I don't know if there are technical reasons why they may be more obvious with digital sensors instead of film, but two possible things to bear in mind are that in film days proportionately more people were shooting black-and-white, so certain aberrations would have not been noticeable; and secondly people in those days didn't 'pixel-peep' (or the equivalent in film terms). Occasionally one used to scrutinise transparencies with a loupe to see if they could be reproduced in a book, for example, but most people simply didn't get up as close to images as many of us do routinely now. It's pretty insane to be be over-preoccupied with the way an edge looks viewed at 100% on a 27-inch iMac, but it doesn't stop us doing it.

[timo]

What is your best lens? Is it the newest model, or your most expensive, or does something else make you feel a certain lens is your very best?

As time has marched on (and I have got older) I have become less and less tolerant of bulk and weight. Once I was happy to cart my Pentax 12-24 (now sold), the Sigma 17-70 and a load of other stuff around hot locations. More recently I have rediscovered the value of the DA18-55 by virtue of its lightness. In a more extreme mood I spent a week in Rome a couple of months ago using a K28/3.5 prime and very little else. I'm less inclined to pursue technical perfection at the cost of chronic back-ache. If the weight of your equipment makes you disinclined to go out and use it, what's the point in having it?

For my next trip it might be just the DA15, the FA24-90 and maybe the M150.

Talking of which, the FA24-90 was one of the first non-kit lenses I bought when I got the *istD many years, ago, and is still up there among my favourites. Optically good, easy to carry around, nice range.

[tabl10s]

The best that i use is the Tammy 70-200 2.8, I rarely use anything else.

[dansamy]

Sadly, I don't have anything really nice. I have the plastic fantastic pair. I'm sure once I figure out how to use it well, my manual 28mm will probably be really nice.

[Jonathan Mac]

Best lens is a tough one. I'd have to say my DA 35mm limited.

I hope no-one ever makes the perfect lens though, because then I'll have no excuse to keep all the lovely imperfect ones.

[hks_kansei]

Best in general is my Pentax-A 50mm F1.7.
Relatively fast, and pin sharp.


However, I do also love my Pentax-A 28mm F2.8 on the film bodies, such a versatile length for film!
Although my copy isn't the best as the glass is lightly marked from fungus (which I removed)

[wildman]

What is your best lens?

Assuming the question implies choosing only one lens out of many then it would be the FA 35/2.

Fast, light, small, rugged, excellent optical performance, versatile etc. For me it's the ultimate "kit" lens.
What's not to like?

[Driline]

The best that i use is the Tammy 70-200 2.8, I rarely use anything else.

How dare you make a statement like that. You have the 3 Amigos. The triad....the Holy Grail of awesomeness. And yet you lower yourself to the Walmart of lenses. The Dollar Store Queen if you will. Have you know shame

[stevebrot]

Best lens?

I can't decide!!!

I like them all and each was chosen for its task and does it well.


Steve

[disco_owner]

My Best Lens is the ones I wear on my face to see the image sharp when I look through the OVF