What is the one lens you cannot live without?

kh1234567890 · 06-03-2014, 03:15 PM

DA 18-55 WR
DA 21
M 135/f3.5
...

Ztrejfer · 06-03-2014, 03:19 PM - **2 Likes**

My eyes.

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-03-2014, 03:22 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ztrejfer

My eyes.

That's two actually but best answer yet

Oldbayrunner · 06-03-2014, 03:25 PM

1st Sigma 17-70mm 2.8-4 DC macro
2nd Da 55-300mm WR
3rd Tamron SP 90mm 2.8 Di Macro

philbaum · 06-03-2014, 03:30 PM

The one lens that i could not live without:

1. DA 50-135 (it makes me look a better photographer than i am :-)
2. DA 17-70 (workhorse)
3. DA 35 macro, Vivitar f2.8 55mm macro, M 100mm f4 macro (use all of these on my Nex cams - fun)

AussieTrev · 06-03-2014, 04:11 PM

My what a choice I love them all. But the first would be the 16-50 as I can do most regular shots, but second would be my FA 100 macro just a good lens.

**Canada_Rockies** · 06-03-2014, 04:28 PM

My DA* 16-50 is a real workhorse lens. Just used it Sunday for a babysitting "job" with our Honorary Granddaughter who will be two in three weeks. Got some great bubble blowing shots without worrying about the soapy water in my K10D with the DA* 16-50.

Next would be the AD 12-24.

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-03-2014, 04:46 PM

What's really funny, I have something like 55 lenses.(how do you spell LBA anyway?) and at some point in time, I had a really good reason to get each and every one of them!

Actually, I go through phases, pick up a lens I have not shot in a long time, and then shoot almost exclusively with it for 2-3 weeks

jimr-pdx · 06-03-2014, 04:48 PM

I've had very few lenses that underperformed to a degree that I can clearly blame the lens

and I've bought and sold many in the past four years, including several I've tried more than once (16-45, 18-135, 18-55wr). The ones I would refer to as my 'best' were the Sigma 105 macro or the 40/70 Limiteds, and I have not repurchased any of them. My best lens today is probably the A50/2.8 Macro, and I'd miss it a lot - but if it vanished I might buy another 40 Limited and that would become my best.

My lens set always has been very context-dependent, and right now my primes are all manual-focus bargains with large but not huge spacing; adding a few great AF primes would probably knock over all the dominoes and start me over on a new path!

northcoastgreg · 06-03-2014, 04:50 PM

1. DA* 300. This lens has been instrumental for my volunteer work at the local zoo, which has helped me a develop a local reputation among local photographers and artists.
2. DA 17-70: mainly, for it's versatility.
3. DA 15. This lens never ceases to astonish me.

bossa · 06-03-2014, 05:27 PM

I'm personally very attached to my Eye Balls.

Hmm.. just noticed someone beat me to that one.

**Tas** · 06-03-2014, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by theraven871

What is the one lens you cannot live without? The Zeiss Makro Planar 2/100 ZK
If all of your photography gear was lost, what would be the first lens you would buy again? If all my gear was stolen again, I'm not sure I'd bother replacing any of it.
What is that one lens that takes your photos to the next level and gives them that professional polish?

When my kit was stolen last time I made sure I chased down a replacement Zeiss 2/100 ZK. I was lucky to find one, but felt it was the one lens I really needed. It took my images in a different direction, and it's a journey I'm still on.

But if there's one thing I'd want after that person(s) broke into my home and stole all my camera gear and many other things; it is peace of mind. No lens will give you that.

6BQ5 · 06-03-2014, 06:28 PM

Originally posted by theraven871

What is the one lens you cannot live without?
If all of your photography gear was lost, what would be the first lens you would buy again?
What is that one lens that takes your photos to the next level and gives them that professional polish?

Hmmm... this made me think a bit.

The one lens I would have a hard time photographing without would be any 50mm prime. If I had to pick one that I own I'd say my Auto Takumar 55mm f/1.8 with an OEM K-M42 adapter Give me and I'm good to go. It would also be the first lens I buy if my gear was lost.

The professional polish? I'd have to pick the D FA 50mm f/2.8. I would say it's a cut above the F / FA 50mm f/1.7 which I adore as well.

Gray · 06-03-2014, 06:46 PM

FA 43/1.9 Ltd.

SpecialK · 06-03-2014, 07:14 PM - **1 Like**

Many people have listed more than one lens. Cheaters :-)

My first lens was the 10-17 fisheye, which was a major reason I chose Pentax in the first place. One of my focuses is on grave markers, and I use the fisheye on them all (unless they are way up on a wall). It also produces images unlike other lenses, though I suppose you could fake most of it in Photoshop.

So for now, that's it. I'm getting a 17mm TS-E lens tomorrow, so things could change...

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06-03-2014, 03:15 PM	#16
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	DA 18-55 WR DA 21 M 135/f3.5 ...

06-03-2014, 03:19 PM - 2 Likes	#17
Ztrejfer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 116	My eyes.

06-03-2014, 03:22 PM - 1 Like	#18
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by Ztrejfer My eyes. That's two actually but best answer yet

06-03-2014, 03:25 PM	#19
Oldbayrunner Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,665	1st Sigma 17-70mm 2.8-4 DC macro 2nd Da 55-300mm WR 3rd Tamron SP 90mm 2.8 Di Macro

06-03-2014, 03:30 PM	#20
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	The one lens that i could not live without: 1. DA 50-135 (it makes me look a better photographer than i am :-) 2. DA 17-70 (workhorse) 3. DA 35 macro, Vivitar f2.8 55mm macro, M 100mm f4 macro (use all of these on my Nex cams - fun)

06-03-2014, 04:11 PM	#21
AussieTrev Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,590	My what a choice I love them all. But the first would be the 16-50 as I can do most regular shots, but second would be my FA 100 macro just a good lens.

06-03-2014, 04:28 PM	#22
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	My DA* 16-50 is a real workhorse lens. Just used it Sunday for a babysitting "job" with our Honorary Granddaughter who will be two in three weeks. Got some great bubble blowing shots without worrying about the soapy water in my K10D with the DA* 16-50. Next would be the AD 12-24.

06-03-2014, 04:46 PM	#23
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	What's really funny, I have something like 55 lenses.(how do you spell LBA anyway?) and at some point in time, I had a really good reason to get each and every one of them! Actually, I go through phases, pick up a lens I have not shot in a long time, and then shoot almost exclusively with it for 2-3 weeks

06-03-2014, 04:48 PM	#24
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	I've had very few lenses that underperformed to a degree that I can clearly blame the lens and I've bought and sold many in the past four years, including several I've tried more than once (16-45, 18-135, 18-55wr). The ones I would refer to as my 'best' were the Sigma 105 macro or the 40/70 Limiteds, and I have not repurchased any of them. My best lens today is probably the A50/2.8 Macro, and I'd miss it a lot - but if it vanished I might buy another 40 Limited and that would become my best. My lens set always has been very context-dependent, and right now my primes are all manual-focus bargains with large but not huge spacing; adding a few great AF primes would probably knock over all the dominoes and start me over on a new path!

06-03-2014, 04:50 PM	#25
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,175	1. DA* 300. This lens has been instrumental for my volunteer work at the local zoo, which has helped me a develop a local reputation among local photographers and artists. 2. DA 17-70: mainly, for it's versatility. 3. DA 15. This lens never ceases to astonish me.

06-03-2014, 05:27 PM	#26
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546	I'm personally very attached to my Eye Balls. Hmm.. just noticed someone beat me to that one.

06-03-2014, 05:32 PM	#27
Tas Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Brisbane, QLD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,202	Originally posted by theraven871 What is the one lens you cannot live without? The Zeiss Makro Planar 2/100 ZK If all of your photography gear was lost, what would be the first lens you would buy again? If all my gear was stolen again, I'm not sure I'd bother replacing any of it. What is that one lens that takes your photos to the next level and gives them that professional polish? When my kit was stolen last time I made sure I chased down a replacement Zeiss 2/100 ZK. I was lucky to find one, but felt it was the one lens I really needed. It took my images in a different direction, and it's a journey I'm still on. But if there's one thing I'd want after that person(s) broke into my home and stole all my camera gear and many other things; it is peace of mind. No lens will give you that.

06-03-2014, 06:28 PM	#28
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Originally posted by theraven871 What is the one lens you cannot live without? If all of your photography gear was lost, what would be the first lens you would buy again? What is that one lens that takes your photos to the next level and gives them that professional polish? Hmmm... this made me think a bit. The one lens I would have a hard time photographing without would be any 50mm prime. If I had to pick one that I own I'd say my Auto Takumar 55mm f/1.8 with an OEM K-M42 adapter Give me and I'm good to go. It would also be the first lens I buy if my gear was lost. The professional polish? I'd have to pick the D FA 50mm f/2.8. I would say it's a cut above the F / FA 50mm f/1.7 which I adore as well.

06-03-2014, 06:46 PM	#29
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	FA 43/1.9 Ltd.

06-03-2014, 07:14 PM - 1 Like	#30
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Many people have listed more than one lens. Cheaters :-) My first lens was the 10-17 fisheye, which was a major reason I chose Pentax in the first place. One of my focuses is on grave markers, and I use the fisheye on them all (unless they are way up on a wall). It also produces images unlike other lenses, though I suppose you could fake most of it in Photoshop. So for now, that's it. I'm getting a 17mm TS-E lens tomorrow, so things could change...