What's your favorite K-mount Legacy lens & why?

Docrwm · 12-11-2014, 02:49 PM

We are constantly talking about what Pentax ought to bring out, might bring out, or didn't bring out. I'd like to take a moment and talk about Legacy K-Mount lenses that you think are real hits among the Pentax K-mount arsenal. One reason many of us choose Pentax is because of access to legacy lenses, here is your chance to explain which of those K-mount lenses is terrific in your opinion and why.

6BQ5 · 12-11-2014, 03:14 PM

My favorite is the A series 50mm f/1.4. This lens adorned my father's ME Super. I have great memories of traveling with my parents and my Dad snapping away with that setup. He was so proud to own that combo. I remember him spending ages trying to get perfect focus with his degrading eyesight. Thankfully I have AF to lean on.

When I dug into the history of Takumar and Pentax lenses I got an appreciation of how fabulous this lens is I got another appreciation for it. The design is simple, classic, and timeless. In fact, the basic design is good enough to be made to do this day! There are cheaper 50mm lenses, like the DA 50mm f/1.8 but the A series design seems to live on in the FA series.

Piotrek K · 12-11-2014, 03:22 PM

Clearly not the best lens, but I like it really:

really small,
lightweight,
very good color and contrast,
good resolution,
A - setting,
good for close-ups,
just makes a good pictures,
very cheap.

Optically this should be the same as F 35 - 70 which has its cult status among Pentax fans. Small and cheap but works great for me.

Docrwm · 12-11-2014, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by Piotrek K

Clearly not the best lens, but I like it really:

really small,
lightweight,
very good color and contrast,
good resolution,
A - setting,
good for close-ups,
just makes a good pictures,
very cheap.

Optically this should be the same as F 35 - 70 which has its cult status among Pentax fans. Small and cheap but works great for me.

I have to say that my favorite Legacy K-Mount lens is the F35-70 for all the same reasons with the addition of AF. It's the default lens on my K-01 with the DA15Ltd as the 2nd most likely to be on it.

old4570 · 12-11-2014, 03:50 PM - **1 Like**

Hmmmm ,

Almost any M-A series Lens ..

Even - A 50mm F2 is a nice piece of glass ..
But for me its both the M and A 100mm F4 Macro , very nice glass ...

Any of the older lenses in good condition are worth having ...

**gofour3** · 12-11-2014, 03:51 PM

K28/2, one of the best lenses Pentax has ever made. Built like a tank, easy to manual focus and superb optics. One of the Zeiss/Pentax lens collaborations, with floating elements.

Phil.

Docrwm · 12-11-2014, 03:56 PM

Originally posted by old4570

Hmmmm ,

Almost any M-A series Lens ..

Even - A 50mm F2 is a nice piece of glass ..
But for me its both the M and A 100mm F4 Macro , very nice glass ...

Any of the older lenses in good condition are worth having ...

Originally posted by gofour3

K28/2, one of the best lenses Pentax has ever made. Built like a tank, easy to manual focus and superb optics. One of the Zeiss/Pentax lens collaborations, with floating elements.

Phil.

I have to say that the M100/4 Macro is a close second to my F35-70. I've heard you say that the K28/2 is great before but have never handled one.

Volker76 · 12-11-2014, 03:59 PM

my favorite 'old' lens is a Porst Tele MC 135mm F2.8 auto D

there is nothing 'auto' about this old thing made from steel and glas. Quite heavy for its small size.

But it does make nice pictures.

kh1234567890 · 12-11-2014, 04:31 PM

The M50/1.4 is pretty good.

The M75-150/4 is neat.

But the M135/3.5 is by far the best bargain.

**NaClH2O** · 12-11-2014, 05:55 PM

I don't have A favorite, are several that I'd be loathe to choose between. Note that I'm limiting my selection to manual focus lenses.
In no particular order.
Pentax K 135 f/2.5 Sharp, Sharp, Sharp, nice and contrasty, very good color rendition, very good ergonomics. What's not to like about this lens?
Pentax A 35-105 f/3.5 "Stack of primes" the best red rendition of all my lenses (and I own a bunch!) close focus throughout the zoom range. The focal range fits right in the middle. Fun lens to use.
Pentax K 50 f/1.2 f/1.2 need I say more? and those who say this lens is soft have never shot with my copy!
Takumar (Super Auto) 55mm f/1.8 as sharp as any lens in my collection and fun to shoot with.
Pentax A 50mm f/1.7 everything I said above about the Tak also applies here.

NaCl(I think I'll stop there, five lenses is enough for "a" favorite)H2O

gmans · 12-11-2014, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by NaClH2O

I don't have A favorite, are several that I'd be loathe to choose between. Note that I'm limiting my selection to manual focus lenses.
In no particular order.
Pentax K 135 f/2.5 Sharp, Sharp, Sharp, nice and contrasty, very good color rendition, very good ergonomics. What's not to like about this lens?
Pentax A 35-105 f/3.5 "Stack of primes" the best red rendition of all my lenses (and I own a bunch!) close focus throughout the zoom range. The focal range fits right in the middle. Fun lens to use.
Pentax K 50 f/1.2 f/1.2 need I say more? and those who say this lens is soft have never shot with my copy!
Takumar (Super Auto) 55mm f/1.8 as sharp as any lens in my collection and fun to shoot with.
Pentax A 50mm f/1.7 everything I said above about the Tak also applies here.

NaCl(I think I'll stop there, five lenses is enough for "a" favorite)H2O

You collection is similar to mine, I have all the sisters and cousins of yours, the Takamur 135 f2.5 K mount was good lens on film not so good on digital.
+ the A35-105, + K50 1.2 so hard to focus at 1.2 hand held, also the K 55mm 1.8 and A 50mm 1.7.

Could mention a few more, but it is not all about me.

Sandy Hancock · 12-11-2014, 06:11 PM

I now have the FA*24, A50/1.2 and K135/2.5. I am really enjoying the 24, but at this stage the fast fifty gets the points.

**mgvh** · 12-11-2014, 06:54 PM

I have the M and A 50mm f1.7s, but my fav is the SMC Pentax (K) 50mm f4 Macro.
I also have an Auto Chinon 45mm f2.8 pancake that's a lot of fun.
I'll also vote for the F 35-70.

Nick Siebers · 12-11-2014, 08:09 PM

Agree with the above love for the F 35-70 and M 50 1.4/1.7s, but my favorite is the Tokina AT-X 90mm f/2.5 macro. If I had only one shot, that's the lens I would use.

Docrwm · 12-11-2014, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by Nick Siebers

Agree with the above love for the F 35-70 and M 50 1.4/1.7s, but my favorite is the Tokina AT-X 90mm f/2.5 macro. If I had only one shot, that's the lens I would use.

Really? Interesting. How's that 20-40 working out for you?

12-11-2014, 02:49 PM	#1
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	What's your favorite K-mount Legacy lens & why? We are constantly talking about what Pentax ought to bring out, might bring out, or didn't bring out. I'd like to take a moment and talk about Legacy K-Mount lenses that you think are real hits among the Pentax K-mount arsenal. One reason many of us choose Pentax is because of access to legacy lenses, here is your chance to explain which of those K-mount lenses is terrific in your opinion and why.

12-11-2014, 03:22 PM	#3
Piotrek K Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,384	A 35 - 70 (3,5 - 4,5) Clearly not the best lens, but I like it really: really small, lightweight, very good color and contrast, good resolution, A - setting, good for close-ups, just makes a good pictures, very cheap. Optically this should be the same as F 35 - 70 which has its cult status among Pentax fans. Small and cheap but works great for me.

12-11-2014, 03:25 PM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285 Original Poster	Originally posted by Piotrek K Clearly not the best lens, but I like it really: really small, lightweight, very good color and contrast, good resolution, A - setting, good for close-ups, just makes a good pictures, very cheap. Optically this should be the same as F 35 - 70 which has its cult status among Pentax fans. Small and cheap but works great for me. I have to say that my favorite Legacy K-Mount lens is the F35-70 for all the same reasons with the addition of AF. It's the default lens on my K-01 with the DA15Ltd as the 2nd most likely to be on it.

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12-11-2014, 03:14 PM	#2
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	My favorite is the A series 50mm f/1.4. This lens adorned my father's ME Super. I have great memories of traveling with my parents and my Dad snapping away with that setup. He was so proud to own that combo. I remember him spending ages trying to get perfect focus with his degrading eyesight. Thankfully I have AF to lean on. When I dug into the history of Takumar and Pentax lenses I got an appreciation of how fabulous this lens is I got another appreciation for it. The design is simple, classic, and timeless. In fact, the basic design is good enough to be made to do this day! There are cheaper 50mm lenses, like the DA 50mm f/1.8 but the A series design seems to live on in the FA series.

12-11-2014, 03:50 PM - 1 Like	#5
old4570 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 2,551	Hmmmm , Almost any M-A series Lens .. Even - A 50mm F2 is a nice piece of glass .. But for me its both the M and A 100mm F4 Macro , very nice glass ... Any of the older lenses in good condition are worth having ...

12-11-2014, 03:51 PM	#6
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,089	K28/2, one of the best lenses Pentax has ever made. Built like a tank, easy to manual focus and superb optics. One of the Zeiss/Pentax lens collaborations, with floating elements. Phil.

12-11-2014, 03:56 PM	#7
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285 Original Poster	Originally posted by old4570 Hmmmm , Almost any M-A series Lens .. Even - A 50mm F2 is a nice piece of glass .. But for me its both the M and A 100mm F4 Macro , very nice glass ... Any of the older lenses in good condition are worth having ... Originally posted by gofour3 K28/2, one of the best lenses Pentax has ever made. Built like a tank, easy to manual focus and superb optics. One of the Zeiss/Pentax lens collaborations, with floating elements. Phil. I have to say that the M100/4 Macro is a close second to my F35-70. I've heard you say that the K28/2 is great before but have never handled one.

12-11-2014, 03:59 PM	#8
Volker76 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 211	my favorite 'old' lens is a Porst Tele MC 135mm F2.8 auto D there is nothing 'auto' about this old thing made from steel and glas. Quite heavy for its small size. But it does make nice pictures.

12-11-2014, 04:31 PM	#9
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	The M50/1.4 is pretty good. The M75-150/4 is neat. But the M135/3.5 is by far the best bargain.

12-11-2014, 05:55 PM	#10
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	I don't have A favorite, are several that I'd be loathe to choose between. Note that I'm limiting my selection to manual focus lenses. In no particular order. Pentax K 135 f/2.5 Sharp, Sharp, Sharp, nice and contrasty, very good color rendition, very good ergonomics. What's not to like about this lens? Pentax A 35-105 f/3.5 "Stack of primes" the best red rendition of all my lenses (and I own a bunch!) close focus throughout the zoom range. The focal range fits right in the middle. Fun lens to use. Pentax K 50 f/1.2 f/1.2 need I say more? and those who say this lens is soft have never shot with my copy! Takumar (Super Auto) 55mm f/1.8 as sharp as any lens in my collection and fun to shoot with. Pentax A 50mm f/1.7 everything I said above about the Tak also applies here. NaCl(I think I'll stop there, five lenses is enough for "a" favorite)H2O

12-11-2014, 06:09 PM	#11
gmans Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hunter Valley,NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,466	Originally posted by NaClH2O I don't have A favorite, are several that I'd be loathe to choose between. Note that I'm limiting my selection to manual focus lenses. In no particular order. Pentax K 135 f/2.5 Sharp, Sharp, Sharp, nice and contrasty, very good color rendition, very good ergonomics. What's not to like about this lens? Pentax A 35-105 f/3.5 "Stack of primes" the best red rendition of all my lenses (and I own a bunch!) close focus throughout the zoom range. The focal range fits right in the middle. Fun lens to use. Pentax K 50 f/1.2 f/1.2 need I say more? and those who say this lens is soft have never shot with my copy! Takumar (Super Auto) 55mm f/1.8 as sharp as any lens in my collection and fun to shoot with. Pentax A 50mm f/1.7 everything I said above about the Tak also applies here. NaCl(I think I'll stop there, five lenses is enough for "a" favorite)H2O You collection is similar to mine, I have all the sisters and cousins of yours, the Takamur 135 f2.5 K mount was good lens on film not so good on digital. + the A35-105, + K50 1.2 so hard to focus at 1.2 hand held, also the K 55mm 1.8 and A 50mm 1.7. Could mention a few more, but it is not all about me.

12-11-2014, 06:11 PM	#12
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,267	I now have the FA*24, A50/1.2 and K135/2.5. I am really enjoying the 24, but at this stage the fast fifty gets the points.

12-11-2014, 06:54 PM	#13
mgvh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,029	I have the M and A 50mm f1.7s, but my fav is the SMC Pentax (K) 50mm f4 Macro. I also have an Auto Chinon 45mm f2.8 pancake that's a lot of fun. I'll also vote for the F 35-70.

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12-11-2014, 08:09 PM	#14
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Agree with the above love for the F 35-70 and M 50 1.4/1.7s, but my favorite is the Tokina AT-X 90mm f/2.5 macro. If I had only one shot, that's the lens I would use.

12-11-2014, 08:10 PM	#15
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nick Siebers Agree with the above love for the F 35-70 and M 50 1.4/1.7s, but my favorite is the Tokina AT-X 90mm f/2.5 macro. If I had only one shot, that's the lens I would use. Really? Interesting. How's that 20-40 working out for you?