[drypenn]

... my fav is the SMC Pentax (K) 50mm f4 Macro...

+1, although give or take a few more weeks and I may change my mind to K28/3.5

[JimD]

My M20 f4 followed closely by my M100 f2.8 and M50 f1.4. I've owned them all from new; 35 years or so.

[sorted78]

From my kit, the K28/2, K50/1.4, K85/1.8 and K135/2.5. They're all beautifully engineered and built; most still acquit themselves rather well optically, even after nearly 40 years.

If I had to pick a favourite, it would be the K85/1.8.

The rational reasons include a unique combination of excellent image quality, compact size and a really pleasing, tactile user experience. The focus ring is silky smooth and beautifully weighted and the aperture adjustment crisp and precise.

The more subjective reasons? I like the FL. The lens itself works well for me and doesn't get in the way of making pictures; it feels natural so that I don't really have to concentrate on using it. Some of my favourite pictures were taken with it and, well, I just like it!

[Dartmoor Dave]

I'm going to say the M40mm/2.8 pancake. Not because it was an optically amazing lens, because it wasn't. But because, when I used to mount it on my tiny little black MV, I had a genuinely pocket-sized 35mm SLR that produced some of the best Kodachromes I ever shot.

[stevewong]

From my kit, the K28/2, K50/1.4, K85/1.8 and K135/2.5. They're all beautifully engineered and built; most still acquit themselves rather well optically, even after nearly 40 years.

If I had to pick a favourite, it would be the K85/1.8.

The rational reasons include a unique combination of excellent image quality, compact size and a really pleasing, tactile user experience. The focus ring is silky smooth and beautifully weighted and the aperture adjustment crisp and precise.

The more subjective reasons? I like the FL. The lens itself works well for me and doesn't get in the way of making pictures; it feels natural so that I don't really have to concentrate on using it. Some of my favourite pictures were taken with it and, well, I just like it!

Hello Sorted78,
You have all the Best K mount Lens !!

[baro-nite]

give or take a few more weeks and I may change my mind to K28/3.5

That one is high on my list, because not only is it a superb 28mm for normal shooting, it is also one of the best lenses for reversal, for high-magnification macro.

The A24/2.8 is another favorite. I use it a lot because I like the field of view, and it's a fine performer all around -- great color and sharpness.

[tabl10s]

Mine was the K85 1.8. It was my "normal" from '82-2013. Now, I have the trio plus the Tammy 70-200(sold my DA15 & 21 to aquire the new versions)and enjoy them all.

[bdery]

My favourites are three oddballs. Three zooms with fast apertures and incredibly small bodies.

M150 f3,5
M120 f2.8
M100 f2.8

Their small sizes and IQ would make them limiteds nowadays

Another favourite, for similar reasons, is the F35-70. cutie, small also, excellent IQ.

[Dangermouse]

K 120mm f2.8

It's tiny. Seriously, compare it to the DA* 50-135mm f2.8 (its closest modern equivalent). The K lens is smaller than a can of coke. Even with the lens hood it's still unobtrusive.

It's bright. Even though I seldom use it wide open it's still easier to focus accurately than a slower lens.

Get down to f4 or so and it's sharp. I see a little purple fringing at f2.8 but it seems to tail off pretty quickly.

Using the rule of thumb that the slowest hand-held shutter speed is the 1/focal length, you can go down to 1/125 with it before you have serious problems with shake. Combined with the aperture it's a lot more handy in winter than 135mm lenses.

Good luck finding one though! I've had mine for a few years now and I've only seen one or two others for sale in that time. I have seen a handful of the M 120mm f2.8 and slightly more of the M 100mm f2.8, but the K lens seems very uncommon.

[takumat]

K 85mm f1.8

One of the last 3 Takumar designs, with the 45-125mm and the 15mm. And maybe THE Asahi masterpiece by then.

The K mount version has a 52mm filter thread instead of a 58mm and Pentax lens manual stated that it cannot not be used with the Pentax 52-49 step-down ring.

[northcoastgreg]

If by "legacy" is meant "any lens not currently in production," I would choose the FA 20-35 as my favorite. If by "legacy" is meant, something much older, I would choose the K 28 f3.5.

[bassek]

K35/3.5 or M100/4 macro. I do prefer the F35-105 over the F35-70 due to extra range. Also my copy is mint, the F35-70 is slightly more worn...

Seb

Edit: I have the M85/2 too. That one is a gem.

[paulh]

M28/3.5: Love the focal length - wonderful sharpness & colors/contrast. Great street/walkaround prime.
M50/1.7: a bit less useful FL for me, but love the saturated colors, contrast & sharpness.

Honorable mention: M75-150/4, and A35-70/4

[monochrome]

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.

That lens was on my 'buy on sight' list for a decade. I just saw one in the Marketplace for $600 - and I didn't bite.

K35/3.5.

• small
• razor sharp
• ergonomics
• color rendering, especially reds
• for an f/3.5 lens, easy to manual focus on a KX (not so much on a K10D, pretty good on a K-3, REALLY NICE on a K-01)

[vrrattko]

choosing from manual focus lenses I am split between K20/4 and K85/1.8.....the first being just swell focal lenght on APS for street and landscapes, while latter being optically superior to anything I tried before in similar focal lenghts (incl. my fav DA70 or FA77)
from AF legacy lenses it is FA20-35/4 for its practicality, compact size and lightness and good optical performance....