[bvanes]

I have the following primes: DA 14/2.8, A 24/2.8, A 28/2.8, DA* Limited 35/2.8 Macro, FA 50/1.4, FA* Limited 77/1.8, K 85/1.8, FA 100/2.8 macro, A 135/2.8, F* 300/4.5

But when on holiday I have the following combination with me:

DA 14/2.8
DA* Limited 35/2.8 Macro
FA* Limited 77/1.8

Earlier when still using film I used the following combination:

A 24/2.8
FA 50/1.4
FA 100/2.8 Macro

[waterfall]

Well again from what I use and love, they would be the Pentax 15 Ltd, the Pentax 35 Macro Ltd, and the Pentax 70 Ltd.

[tlwyse]

The f/1.4 Holy Trinity of Primes. ........

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 "Art" lens
Sigma 50mm f/1.4
Sigma 85mm f/1.4

The 35mm and 85mm are incredible...even better on my K3 than the K5IIs that I had......the Sigma 50mm is no better than the Pentax 50mm f/1.8 that I own....although the HSM focusing on the Sigma is nice.
Heresy: the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 eats the FA 31mm for lunch...had a chance to test both together and based on what I saw, I've no idea why the FA 31mm is so highly regarded.

These three lenses should be all I need....but now I find myself looking for a standard zoom, something in the 17-70 range.....the Tamron 17-50mm (nice lens) just didn't have enough reach.

Terry

[Nick Siebers]

Three for me:
DA 21, FA 31, F 50 macro

(although I could be convinced to go 21, 43 and either the F 135/2.8 or the Tokina 90/2.5 macro. Actually, I am switching to that last choice.) (sigh)

[Eyewanders]

My choices would echo many opinions here if the DA15 were of any use on a film body, so instead it'd shake out this way.
A 20mm 2.8
FA 31mm 1.8
FA 77mm 1.8

I'd love to throw a 135 or 200 on the bottom of that list, but those are the three.
Also, there's a strong chance I'd replace the 31 with the K 50mm 1.2 if I thought about it much longer.

[Sailor]

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

This would likely be my triad, as well.

I own a gang of legacy K, M and A primes, including a pristine A* 85/1.4 (none of which, for all practical purposes, I ever use). I also have a DFA 100 macro, all five DA Limited primes, an FA 31/1.8 (since December) and an FA 77/1.8 (since last week).

I'd suffer no internal debate over the 15 and 31; I've been captivated by both since the day I got them. The "long" choice is a tougher call. At this point, I've little experience with my FA 77, but based on what I've seen thus far I would pick it over my DA 70 simply because the 77 is slightly faster and has a marginally longer reach; both render fine images that have differences that I easily discern, but I've yet to decide which I prefer. My A* 85 also performs impressively, but lacks AF (to which I've become dependent in my advancing years) and has the mass of a sub-compact car.

Jer

[Trudger1272]

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

Even late I'm glad to have come to this thread and read this post, it makes me feel great with myself as a year old photographer. Now I feel that my judgement that isn't far off.

At the end of a year I've started focusing more on digital, prime lenses and Pentax in general. But buying medium and large format cameras and lenses along with building a fully functional darkroom with a classmate has left me basically broke, but these are exactly the next three primes I intend on buying along with a K-3 body making a second more advanced kit. Just trying to work out the finances.

If things don't work out soon enough though, I might start trading off everything not bolted down (including my best friend... well maybe not) but, it won't be anything photographic!

"So yes, LBA"

[Sandy Hancock]

I frequently go out for a day's shooting with just three lenses, and which trio I take varies a lot with my mood and the situation. However, if I had to settle on just three primes forever after, I would need to have wide, portrait and telephoto covered. Here goes:

DA15 limited (I would settle for the DA21, but a wider shot can always be cropped)
DA*55 (I prefer my FA77 but if I had to choose just one mid-range lens I would take the faster, weather resistant option)
DA*300 (because it's awesome, and every now and then you just need reach)

[wtlwdwgn]

If I were to choose just three of my lenses they would be: S-M-C Tak 28mm f/3.5 (unless I can find and afford to get an S-M-C Tak 24mm f/3.5), S-M-C Tak 50mm f/1.4, and S-M-C Tak 85mm f/1.8.

[savoche]

I frequently go out for a day's shooting with just three lenses, and which trio I take varies a lot with my mood and the situation. However, if I had to settle on just three primes forever after, I would need to have wide, portrait and telephoto covered. Here goes:

DA15 limited (I would settle for the DA21, but a wider shot can always be cropped)
DA*55 (I prefer my FA77 but if I had to choose just one mid-range lens I would take the faster, weather resistant option)
DA*300 (because it's awesome, and every now and then you just need reach)

I could almost copy this.

- DA15 is one I wouldn't do without.
- FA43 since I don't have the DA*55, and would take one I know instead.
- DA*300 if I had to give up the DA55-300 for safaris.

Of course, that would also mean an extra body for the 43 when using the 300

The main reason I don't already have the DA*300 is the bulk. Would love the image quality, but would hate to lose the compact lightness and flexibility of the 55-300.

[yorik]

I prefer longer focal lengths, so I would go with FA 43, FA77 and F 135.

[wullemaha]

Since I started this thread, now also some input from my side...

Currently I actually use a set of 3 primes, only for special events (like Super GT, etc), I take out my 2 zooms.
My walk-around bag is filled with:
- DA 21 Limited
- FA 50 1.4
- FA*85 1.4

Looking to enhance that a little bit in the future maybe (except for the 85, that one is perfect)...

[subidoc]

Over 95% of my shots in the last 2 years have been with ZK 35/F2, Voigtlander 58/F1.4, and ZK 85/F1.4. I don't really shoot wide (occasionally use the F28/2.8). This set, for me, is the quietest focusing, no?

[1r0nh31d3]

DA 15LTD
FA 43LTD
FA 77LTD or maybe 100mm Macro? I am not sure what this lense will be yet.

My current walk around kit is the 15 and the 43. I think my next lense will probably be the 77 but it might also be the 31.... Inevitably, I am sure I will ended buying both these lenses at some point.

[mccarvindh]

I would probably do the FA* Trio - 24, 85 and 300. The 24 and 300 definitely belong here, but I may choose the FA 43 or FA 77 in place of the 85 for compactness.