[BabyTeaLeaf]

This is hard to manage with just one. If I could only have one it would have to be the DA 35 Macro. It s a close call over the DA21 which is so compact and versatile.

Completely agree with this comment. There's just so much you can do with the DA35 macro that I'd have to say it's my favorite. But ironically, I also use the DA21 the most. Still early though...I have no FA ltds.

[waterfall]

I've owned 7 of the 8 limited primes (1 missing is the DA35) and I still think the FA31 is the best of the best. FA77 is very close behind though.

Oh now LBA surges and I must buy the FA31. Thanks a lot! Seriously, this lens has been on my list for a long while. But the DA35 Ltd has served as a stellar alternative. But nevertheless, the one Limited I could not give up is The Lady, my 15mm.

[Sandy Hancock]

To expand on my earlier post: why I chose the FA77.

DA15 - I love the 14 point starbursts and flare resistance, but the angle of view I can replace with both my DA10-17 (de-fished at the long end) and DA*16-50 (nearly). Both are also a little faster.
DA21 - starbursts, really useful angle of view, lovely colours, but again the DA*16-50 has it more or less covered and is quicker and weather resistant.
FA31 - tough call. I absolutely love the rendering of this lens and the bokeh is sublime. The extra speed is great too. If I had to give it up I would buy a Sigma 30 or 35 f/1.4. Is that cheating?
DA35 - obviously the macro capability is great, but I have the DFA100. At longer distances it's not quite so great, and the bokeh can be a bit iffy at times. Again, the DA*16-50 has the focal length covered.
DA40 - I never fell in love with it. IQ is excellent, but not magical. I actually found it too small for manual focus. It's also covered by the DA*16-50.
FA43 - another tough call. Wonderful rendering, fast, nice eight point starbursts when needed but it is a temperamental beast. It's a funny focal length on digital and it doesn't focus very close.
DA70 - like the DA40 I found it excellent, but tradesman-like. No magic.

Then there's the FA77 - my pixie-dusted Pink Princess. I can forgive the occasional fringing. I can forgive the lack of quick shift. There is a thrill I get every time I put it on the camera; the sharpness wide open, the buttery bokeh, and the rendering of faces and skin tones are beyond wonderful. My DA*50-135 can take a great portrait, but it's a big lens to stick in someone's face. The DA*55 is excellent too, but I like being able to stand back a little and the bokeh can be a bit how's-your-father sometimes.

[Dice]

I've owned all of the DA limited primes and and the 1 limited lens I keep is the DA20-40 limited. It does everything I need it to and covers my most used range and it is WR.

[waterfall]

"II regret that I have but one Limited to photograph my Country."

---------- Post added 03-12-14 at 10:03 PM ----------

Disagree with you on the DA70. IMO this lens is touched by pixies, birthed by sea otter spirits and nurtured by djinns.

[GoremanX]

But the most Awesome Lens of all Time is coming to a hociR dealer near you: the f/1.2 10-600 Limited.

Macro... You forgot macro

[ivanvernon]

Macro... You forgot macro

Sounds like a nice lens, but wondering if this could be built in a compact size and with a tilt feature while keeping cost below $1,000.

[GoremanX]

Sounds like a nice lens, but wondering if this could be built in a compact size and with a tilt feature while keeping cost below $1,000.

It better, otherwise Pentax sucks.

...and weather resistant!

[ivanvernon]

It better, otherwise Pentax sucks.

...and weather resistant!

It is not just that Pentax sucks. Pentax is on the way to going out of business if they can't build this lens, which is what everyone wants!

[waterfall]

Sounds like a nice lens, but wondering if this could be built in a compact size and with a tilt feature while keeping cost below $1,000.

There will be a trolley instead of a tripod and the trolley will feature a hydraulic jack operated tilt shift as well as a vertical leveler. For macro the trolley telescopes down to a compact six feet and tilts on a gimbal with built in GPS and weather station.

[todd]

There will be a trolley instead of a tripod

Better have a full framed body to handle that thing.

My vote is FA31 followed closely by FA77

[FW Birds]

DA 40 ltd. Love the pancake design, focal length, and image quality. All the limited are great though.

[retroflex]

7. FA43
calculator01
HSV

Hmm... I counted to 5.

[ivanvernon]

My choice is the 77 limited because of color rendering, 3D effects, and capability as a portrait lens. This choice is predicated upon the fact that I also have the Helios 44K-4 58 mm f 1.2 lens to cover the gap left by losing the 43 limited. I have to point out that I have not yet been able to invest in the 31, and am using the Sigma 30 1.4 instead. I can give up the Sigma despite its sterling low-light capability, but cannot say whether I would be as willing to give up the 31 ltd with all the good things everyone says about it.

[slipdm16]

Hmm... I counted to 5.

I also voted for the 43 BTW Not sure I could swap out the 43 for the Helios (I also own the 44K-4) although the bokeh is all it's own...