Your set of 3 primes - and nothing more?

mikemike · 03-10-2014, 07:18 PM

Fa 31, fa 77, d fa 100

Plus a tele converter

Plus a dslr, a film camera, and a q with k mount adapter.

**filoxophy** · 03-10-2014, 07:21 PM

Originally posted by burzum

Pentax DA 15mm f/4 ltd
Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 ltd
Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 ltd

Yeah, that's hard to beat.

My current AF kit is 21 Ltd, 40 XS, and Sigma 105 Macro.

21/35/70 Limiteds is where I want to end up.

fgaudet · 03-10-2014, 07:22 PM

Originally posted by wullemaha

Not as much 5x as I expected.

Although I always found my 50mm very practical and useful, given the limited choice, I'd prefer a 35mm. It complements the other 2 a bit better IMO

waterfall · 03-10-2014, 07:22 PM

Originally posted by wullemaha

Interesting. There seem to be a lot combinations with 1x, 3x, 7x focal lengths. Not as much 5x as I expected.
Currently I am wondering what should be my next target - upgrading the M50 1.4 to an AF lens (maybe even a 7x ?), or going for a 21,15 or 14mm prime.

*sigh*

So many lenses, not enough money...

No, it is "so many lenses, so little time,"

fgaudet · 03-10-2014, 07:24 PM

Originally posted by mikemike

Fa 31, fa 77, d fa 100

Plus a tele converter

Plus a dslr, a film camera, and a q with k mount adapter.

So in other words, you're triple cheating

jimr-pdx · 03-10-2014, 07:28 PM

My budget trio has changed recently, and lacks a third. Pentax smc 17 fisheye, da40xs and ...? Just for fun I might try the mitakon 85 f/2 but I'd prefer an early Pentax 85/?

**gofour3** · 03-10-2014, 07:34 PM

K28/2, K50/1.2 & K85/1.8 for 35mm film.
67 55/4, 67 75/2.8 & 67 200/4 for 6x7 film.

Phil.

yusuf · 03-10-2014, 08:28 PM

1) A prime for landscape - personally I am not very impressed by DA15 sharpness, I prefer 24mm (or even 28mm) over it and stitch it. One of the Sigma 24mm SW II, A24/f2.8, M28/2.8 or f3.5 would be an excellent choice.

2) Sigma 30/1.4 or FA 31/1.8 for streets and general photography.

3) K85/f1.8 for portraits. This is my fav portrait lens.

K McCall · 03-10-2014, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by wullemaha

Hey guys and girls,

since recently I was using my M50 F1.4 more and more on my K5IIs, I was starting to wonder what other primes I need to get at some point... DA 21 or 15 are hot contenders right now, as is the DA*50 as an upgrade of my manual lens at some point.

So here a question I want to give to you:
If you had to give away all zooms and decide on 3 primes to use from now on, which would those be for you?
Not considering bang for your buck or prices in general. I only want to know what set of 3 primes would keep you happy "forever" for your photography?

BR René

p.s.: I know that NONE of us will be happy forever with 3 lenses, LBA and all that... but let's play the mind game, ok?

I'd keep the FA 31, the DA 70, and the D-FA 100 macro. And I would sorely miss the DA 12-24 (and the FA 43, the FA 77, etc. etc.)

**Tas** · 03-10-2014, 08:47 PM

This is a hard choice, but then a hard choice that makes you think about your preferences. I have two must have preferences.

I must include the Zeiss 2/100, and I must have a wide angle. And whilst the Rokinon 10mm f2.8 is still not available, and we don't have a full frame and a ZK Zeiss 2.8/15, I think I would go with the smc DA15mm f4 in preference to other wide angle options at 12mm & 14mm.

From there it gets hard as my last lens would be a choice from either the Zeiss 2/50 or Zeiss 2/35. The extra reach of the 50mm works for those times where the 100 is too long, and where the 35mm means a subject could get lost in it's surrounds. Yet despite this I think my preference so far has been to use the 35mm so this has to be the determining factor in making this decision. So for me my three lenses would be:

Zeiss Makro Planar T* 2/100
Zeiss Distagon T* 2/35
Pentax smc DA 15mm f4 Limited

SteveM · 03-10-2014, 08:49 PM

That would be tough.....presuming no super telephotos;

- K28/2.0
- K85/1.8
- A*200/4 Macro

If I was able to add 2 more, I might be able to make "just 5" lenses work;
- DA10-17 - I decided to sell the lens and then purchased the same copy back a year later. I quite like it now.
- One of my super telephotos.

**skunktail** · 03-10-2014, 08:55 PM

Originally posted by twitch

I'm lucky enough to already own the perfect (and popular it seems) 3 lens combo:
DA15
FA31
FA77

x2 (another vote it seems)

I rarely use my 17-50 f2.8 zoom anymore with these three.

**PPPPPP42** · 03-10-2014, 09:16 PM

This is really hard to do with a crop sensor, with the film cameras I could pull off a 3 lens circus, staying realistic on prices (stuff I could actually afford to buy if I had to do this) it would be:
A24mm F2.8
A50mm F1.4
A*300mm F4

It would be preferable to have 4 or 5 primes at least even with film, with a crop sensor you really have to add a super low range lens in the teens to the list as well.

**filoxophy** · 03-10-2014, 10:09 PM

I know the "3 lens kit" question is a common one, but I become obsessed by it sometimes. I'm pretty happy with my 135 and 6x7 3LKs, but my APS-C kit is tough.

For 135, I use a 28/50/85 setup and am very pleased. I don't do macro or tele here (much), so this really meets my needs. However, my go-to lens is the M40/2.8 if I have to just take one. Great focal length, tiny lens. Love it. Unfortunately, this film setup doesn't translate well to APS-C.

My 135 setup would equate to 18/35/55 in APS-C, with a pancake 28. Fuji has almost this exact combination available for their X cameras! If I were rich, I would definitely be looking into that system. But I have most of what I want currently, and enjoy being able to play within the entire Pentax ecosystem--from Q to 6x7--so I'm not going anywhere.

Anyway, fun question, and one that I've devoted too many hours and spreadsheets to!

DSims · 03-10-2014, 10:14 PM

Originally posted by Tas

This is a hard choice, but then a hard choice that makes you think about your preferences. I have two must have preferences.

I must include the Zeiss 2/100, and I must have a wide angle. And whilst the Rokinon 10mm f2.8 is still not available, and we don't have a full frame and a ZK Zeiss 2.8/15, I think I would go with the smc DA15mm f4 in preference to other wide angle options at 12mm & 14mm.

From there it gets hard as my last lens would be a choice from either the Zeiss 2/50 or Zeiss 2/35. The extra reach of the 50mm works for those times where the 100 is too long, and where the 35mm means a subject could get lost in it's surrounds. Yet despite this I think my preference so far has been to use the 35mm so this has to be the determining factor in making this decision. So for me my three lenses would be:

Zeiss Makro Planar T* 2/100
Zeiss Distagon T* 2/35
Pentax smc DA 15mm f4 Limited

The quality of the glass makes it a lot easier to get great functionality out of just a few lenses, doesn't it?

03-10-2014, 07:28 PM	#21
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	My budget trio has changed recently, and lacks a third. Pentax smc 17 fisheye, da40xs and ...? Just for fun I might try the mitakon 85 f/2 but I'd prefer an early Pentax 85/? Last edited by jimr-pdx; 03-16-2014 at 05:18 PM.

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03-10-2014, 07:18 PM	#16
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	Fa 31, fa 77, d fa 100 Plus a tele converter Plus a dslr, a film camera, and a q with k mount adapter.

03-10-2014, 07:21 PM	#17
filoxophy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,132	Originally posted by burzum Pentax DA 15mm f/4 ltd Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 ltd Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 ltd Yeah, that's hard to beat. My current AF kit is 21 Ltd, 40 XS, and Sigma 105 Macro. 21/35/70 Limiteds is where I want to end up.

03-10-2014, 07:22 PM	#18
fgaudet Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 726	Originally posted by wullemaha Not as much 5x as I expected. Although I always found my 50mm very practical and useful, given the limited choice, I'd prefer a 35mm. It complements the other 2 a bit better IMO

03-10-2014, 07:22 PM	#19
waterfall Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northern Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,812	Originally posted by wullemaha Interesting. There seem to be a lot combinations with 1x, 3x, 7x focal lengths. Not as much 5x as I expected. Currently I am wondering what should be my next target - upgrading the M50 1.4 to an AF lens (maybe even a 7x ?), or going for a 21,15 or 14mm prime. sigh So many lenses, not enough money... No, it is "so many lenses, so little time,"

03-10-2014, 07:24 PM	#20
fgaudet Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 726	Originally posted by mikemike Fa 31, fa 77, d fa 100 Plus a tele converter Plus a dslr, a film camera, and a q with k mount adapter. So in other words, you're triple cheating

03-10-2014, 07:34 PM	#22
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	K28/2, K50/1.2 & K85/1.8 for 35mm film. 67 55/4, 67 75/2.8 & 67 200/4 for 6x7 film. Phil.

03-10-2014, 08:28 PM	#23
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	1) A prime for landscape - personally I am not very impressed by DA15 sharpness, I prefer 24mm (or even 28mm) over it and stitch it. One of the Sigma 24mm SW II, A24/f2.8, M28/2.8 or f3.5 would be an excellent choice. 2) Sigma 30/1.4 or FA 31/1.8 for streets and general photography. 3) K85/f1.8 for portraits. This is my fav portrait lens.

03-10-2014, 08:34 PM	#24
K McCall Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 808	Originally posted by wullemaha Hey guys and girls, since recently I was using my M50 F1.4 more and more on my K5IIs, I was starting to wonder what other primes I need to get at some point... DA 21 or 15 are hot contenders right now, as is the DA*50 as an upgrade of my manual lens at some point. So here a question I want to give to you: If you had to give away all zooms and decide on 3 primes to use from now on, which would those be for you? Not considering bang for your buck or prices in general. I only want to know what set of 3 primes would keep you happy "forever" for your photography? BR René p.s.: I know that NONE of us will be happy forever with 3 lenses, LBA and all that... but let's play the mind game, ok? I'd keep the FA 31, the DA 70, and the D-FA 100 macro. And I would sorely miss the DA 12-24 (and the FA 43, the FA 77, etc. etc.)

03-10-2014, 08:47 PM	#25
Tas Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Brisbane, QLD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,202	This is a hard choice, but then a hard choice that makes you think about your preferences. I have two must have preferences. I must include the Zeiss 2/100, and I must have a wide angle. And whilst the Rokinon 10mm f2.8 is still not available, and we don't have a full frame and a ZK Zeiss 2.8/15, I think I would go with the smc DA15mm f4 in preference to other wide angle options at 12mm & 14mm. From there it gets hard as my last lens would be a choice from either the Zeiss 2/50 or Zeiss 2/35. The extra reach of the 50mm works for those times where the 100 is too long, and where the 35mm means a subject could get lost in it's surrounds. Yet despite this I think my preference so far has been to use the 35mm so this has to be the determining factor in making this decision. So for me my three lenses would be: Zeiss Makro Planar T* 2/100 Zeiss Distagon T* 2/35 Pentax smc DA 15mm f4 Limited

03-10-2014, 08:49 PM	#26
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	That would be tough.....presuming no super telephotos; - K28/2.0 - K85/1.8 - A*200/4 Macro If I was able to add 2 more, I might be able to make "just 5" lenses work; - DA10-17 - I decided to sell the lens and then purchased the same copy back a year later. I quite like it now. - One of my super telephotos.

03-10-2014, 08:55 PM	#27
skunktail Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Sydney, NSW Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 287	Originally posted by twitch I'm lucky enough to already own the perfect (and popular it seems) 3 lens combo: DA15 FA31 FA77 x2 (another vote it seems) I rarely use my 17-50 f2.8 zoom anymore with these three.

03-10-2014, 09:16 PM	#28
PPPPPP42 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Albums Posts: 947	This is really hard to do with a crop sensor, with the film cameras I could pull off a 3 lens circus, staying realistic on prices (stuff I could actually afford to buy if I had to do this) it would be: A24mm F2.8 A50mm F1.4 A*300mm F4 It would be preferable to have 4 or 5 primes at least even with film, with a crop sensor you really have to add a super low range lens in the teens to the list as well.

03-10-2014, 10:09 PM	#29
filoxophy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,132	I know the "3 lens kit" question is a common one, but I become obsessed by it sometimes. I'm pretty happy with my 135 and 6x7 3LKs, but my APS-C kit is tough. For 135, I use a 28/50/85 setup and am very pleased. I don't do macro or tele here (much), so this really meets my needs. However, my go-to lens is the M40/2.8 if I have to just take one. Great focal length, tiny lens. Love it. Unfortunately, this film setup doesn't translate well to APS-C. My 135 setup would equate to 18/35/55 in APS-C, with a pancake 28. Fuji has almost this exact combination available for their X cameras! If I were rich, I would definitely be looking into that system. But I have most of what I want currently, and enjoy being able to play within the entire Pentax ecosystem--from Q to 6x7--so I'm not going anywhere. Anyway, fun question, and one that I've devoted too many hours and spreadsheets to!

03-10-2014, 10:14 PM	#30
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by Tas This is a hard choice, but then a hard choice that makes you think about your preferences. I have two must have preferences. I must include the Zeiss 2/100, and I must have a wide angle. And whilst the Rokinon 10mm f2.8 is still not available, and we don't have a full frame and a ZK Zeiss 2.8/15, I think I would go with the smc DA15mm f4 in preference to other wide angle options at 12mm & 14mm. From there it gets hard as my last lens would be a choice from either the Zeiss 2/50 or Zeiss 2/35. The extra reach of the 50mm works for those times where the 100 is too long, and where the 35mm means a subject could get lost in it's surrounds. Yet despite this I think my preference so far has been to use the 35mm so this has to be the determining factor in making this decision. So for me my three lenses would be: Zeiss Makro Planar T* 2/100 Zeiss Distagon T* 2/35 Pentax smc DA 15mm f4 Limited The quality of the glass makes it a lot easier to get great functionality out of just a few lenses, doesn't it?