What's the next Pentax focal length

julbelle · 06-06-2014, 06:51 PM

Currently I have a K5 and SMC FA 50mm 1.4, which has been an outstanding lens! I LOVE it! However I am wanting a lens with a longer focal length. I was looking at the 77mm 1.8 but they are out of my price range. Is there anything else out there that would give me the same or better quality as the lens I have now for around $200?

OregonJim · 06-06-2014, 07:08 PM

Originally posted by julbelle

Is there anything else out there that would give me the same or better quality as the lens I have now for around $200?

Unfortunately, no. Not even used. I'm afraid you'll be spending at least three to four times that for the same or better quality in a longer focal length.

DSims · 06-06-2014, 07:30 PM

Yes, there is. You just have to go to Manual Focus. I always recommend the M or A 100/2.8.

The FA50/1.4 - while very good for its price - isn't even the best at that approximate Focal Length. So there are a few other lenses (at other FLs) which also provide a similarly good value and nice IQ.

For AF I'd go with the Cosina 100/3.5 macro (sold under many different brands, including a Pentax FA - mine's a Vivitar).

If you can double your budget the F and FA135/2.8 are very nice (one of my top lenses).

While the FA77 is the ultimate choice here, the A and M100/2.8 (non-macro) I mentioned will give you similar looking images.

Doundounba · 06-06-2014, 07:32 PM

Samyang (aka Rokinon, etc) 85mm F/1.4? MF though. Tamron 90mm F/2.8 (272E)? With the focus limiter it's not bad for non-macro use (AF-speed-wise). Razor sharp. My favorite lens. More like $300 though, for either of those...

Last edited by Doundounba; 06-06-2014 at 07:35 PM. Reason: clarification

Adam G · 06-06-2014, 07:34 PM

Actually, if you keep your eyes open you can probably find an FA 100mm f/2.8 macro for just a little more. (Not to be confused with the f/3.5.)

Now that is awesome glass.

Adam · 06-06-2014, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by julbelle

Currently I have a K5 and SMC FA 50mm 1.4, which has been an outstanding lens! I LOVE it! However I am wanting a lens with a longer focal length. I was looking at the 77mm 1.8 but they are out of my price range. Is there anything else out there that would give me the same or better quality as the lens I have now for around $200?

You might like the Samyang/Vivitar/Rokinon 85mm f1.4. It's manual focus, but it's cheap and really good optically.

**rbefly** · 06-06-2014, 08:11 PM

Hello julbelle,
If you want the level of quality and automation you have with the FA, nope. New DA F 100mm f/2.8 (Macro) and DA*200 2/8's are both around $1,000.
Getting into used lenses...
FA and F-series 135mm f/2.8's will be $400 or more. 200mm (FA only) f/2.8 even higher, around $1,000.
Next we're into manual focus, auto aperture and EXIF-recorded. This is the A-series, a 100mm f/2.8 or 135mm f/2.8? $175-$300.
M-series is fully manual, stop-down aperture (green button) and no EXIF. Old school. 100mm f/2.8 and 120mm f/2.8 (if you can find one!) $100-$200.
A bargain here is the well-regarded M 135mm f/3.5. This is a tiny gem with beautiful rendering, sharp, good contrast and great color saturation. All-metal build, nifty slide-out hood and 49mm filter, a near-standard Pentax prime filter size forever. Price? $50-$75.
I'll leave the M42's and Taks to someone more well-versed. Same for third-party.
Overall, I think you'll be happy with a good 135mm, it's a major boost in focal length and there's plenty on the market from all eras.
But for full-auto and good quality, double/triple your budget, easy.
Good luck!
Ron

jimr-pdx · 06-06-2014, 08:15 PM

On the long end I may soon grab one of those Mitakon 85mm f/2, at $159± they are quite underpriced compared to older Tak/M types. I'd hate to return it across the Pacific so hopefully a decent copy can be obtained the first time. I don't want the added bulk of the f/1.4 models personally, f/2 is just fine.

Your $200 limit leaves out the DA70, a very impressive lens especially being so small; I now have a Tak 105/2.8 that shows me where the genetic code for the small primes came from

06-06-2014, 06:51 PM	#1
julbelle Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 73	What's the next Pentax focal length Currently I have a K5 and SMC FA 50mm 1.4, which has been an outstanding lens! I LOVE it! However I am wanting a lens with a longer focal length. I was looking at the 77mm 1.8 but they are out of my price range. Is there anything else out there that would give me the same or better quality as the lens I have now for around $200?

06-06-2014, 07:39 PM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by julbelle Currently I have a K5 and SMC FA 50mm 1.4, which has been an outstanding lens! I LOVE it! However I am wanting a lens with a longer focal length. I was looking at the 77mm 1.8 but they are out of my price range. Is there anything else out there that would give me the same or better quality as the lens I have now for around $200? You might like the Samyang/Vivitar/Rokinon 85mm f1.4. It's manual focus, but it's cheap and really good optically. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-06-2014, 08:11 PM	#7
rbefly Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 2,030	Longer Options? Hello julbelle, If you want the level of quality and automation you have with the FA, nope. New DA F 100mm f/2.8 (Macro) and DA*200 2/8's are both around $1,000. Getting into used lenses... FA and F-series 135mm f/2.8's will be $400 or more. 200mm (FA only) f/2.8 even higher, around $1,000. Next we're into manual focus, auto aperture and EXIF-recorded. This is the A-series, a 100mm f/2.8 or 135mm f/2.8? $175-$300. M-series is fully manual, stop-down aperture (green button) and no EXIF. Old school. 100mm f/2.8 and 120mm f/2.8 (if you can find one!) $100-$200. A bargain here is the well-regarded M 135mm f/3.5. This is a tiny gem with beautiful rendering, sharp, good contrast and great color saturation. All-metal build, nifty slide-out hood and 49mm filter, a near-standard Pentax prime filter size forever. Price? $50-$75. I'll leave the M42's and Taks to someone more well-versed. Same for third-party. Overall, I think you'll be happy with a good 135mm, it's a major boost in focal length and there's plenty on the market from all eras. But for full-auto and good quality, double/triple your budget, easy. Good luck! Ron

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06-06-2014, 07:08 PM	#2
OregonJim Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 1,327	Originally posted by julbelle Is there anything else out there that would give me the same or better quality as the lens I have now for around $200? Unfortunately, no. Not even used. I'm afraid you'll be spending at least three to four times that for the same or better quality in a longer focal length.

06-06-2014, 07:30 PM	#3
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Yes, there is. You just have to go to Manual Focus. I always recommend the M or A 100/2.8. The FA50/1.4 - while very good for its price - isn't even the best at that approximate Focal Length. So there are a few other lenses (at other FLs) which also provide a similarly good value and nice IQ. For AF I'd go with the Cosina 100/3.5 macro (sold under many different brands, including a Pentax FA - mine's a Vivitar). If you can double your budget the F and FA135/2.8 are very nice (one of my top lenses). While the FA77 is the ultimate choice here, the A and M100/2.8 (non-macro) I mentioned will give you similar looking images.

06-06-2014, 07:32 PM	#4
Doundounba Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montréal QC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,351	Samyang (aka Rokinon, etc) 85mm F/1.4? MF though. Tamron 90mm F/2.8 (272E)? With the focus limiter it's not bad for non-macro use (AF-speed-wise). Razor sharp. My favorite lens. More like $300 though, for either of those... Last edited by Doundounba; 06-06-2014 at 07:35 PM. Reason: clarification

06-06-2014, 07:34 PM	#5
Adam G Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 143	Actually, if you keep your eyes open you can probably find an FA 100mm f/2.8 macro for just a little more. (Not to be confused with the f/3.5.) Now that is awesome glass.

06-06-2014, 08:15 PM	#8
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	On the long end I may soon grab one of those Mitakon 85mm f/2, at $159± they are quite underpriced compared to older Tak/M types. I'd hate to return it across the Pacific so hopefully a decent copy can be obtained the first time. I don't want the added bulk of the f/1.4 models personally, f/2 is just fine. Your $200 limit leaves out the DA70, a very impressive lens especially being so small; I now have a Tak 105/2.8 that shows me where the genetic code for the small primes came from