If you could own only one Prime, what would you choose?

Wheatfield · 05-29-2008, 04:47 PM

FA31mm LTD.

**Eaglerapids** · 05-29-2008, 04:49 PM

I have a few zooms but I love my primes and I like to shoot from wide to tele. If I had to give everything up and only keep one prime, without a doubt and with no hesitation it would be the 31 Limited. Or would it be the DA* 300/4.............:-).
The 31 would be much more versatile though.
Ok, if I could only keep one, it would be the 31Ltd, the FA 50/1.4 and the *300/4.

heatherslightbox · 05-29-2008, 05:36 PM

This is so not fair!

Out of the ones that I actually have, I'd be the most likely to keep the DA35 macro, as it's my fastest lens, has the macro, and is pretty close to "normal' focal length.

If I could add a second one, it would be the FA50/1.4. For the price, you can't beat it's IQ and low-light performance.

Heather

TourDeForce · 05-29-2008, 05:38 PM

Results are pretty much what I would expect. Most find utility in the old 50mm normal range for film SLR (24ish to 50ish for Digital). Those who gravitate toward outdoor activities like a longer focal length, and those who enjoy artistic effects like a shorter focal length.

Guess that's why we buffs like interchangable lenses. Variety & the best of all worlds.

vizjerei · 05-29-2008, 07:27 PM

FA35... wait... FA50... no no... FA 77... oh may be DFA 100 macro... Argh~ I bring them since they can fit in my small camera bag! how can I live with just one?!

jslifoaw · 05-29-2008, 07:37 PM

Medium-wide is most flexible for me. 20-24 would be perfect.

jsherman999 · 05-29-2008, 08:05 PM

SMC-M 85 f/2, but since that's not a choice, it would be 77ltd, followed by FA 50 1.4, followed by a 135 (Super Tak or M 135 3.5)

Henrik Kristensen · 05-30-2008, 01:28 AM

This is very hard.

My "final" kit will be 21 + 43 + 70 + 50-135 (and probably add the 15 ltd when comes).

For landscapes: DA 21 Ltd
For indoors low light and portraits: FA 43 Ltd
For light weight walk-around kit: 21 Ltd + 70 Ltd
For animals (zoo), outdoor sport etc. 50-135mm

To choose only one ????

I'd probaly go with the DA 21 ltd. but I would miss the others a lot - no wait - I can't have only one prime - not possible !!!

axl · 05-30-2008, 01:47 AM

I voted for 40mm. As you can guess becasue of DA40. why? it's small, not too wide, not too narrow, relatively fast, sharp, great contrast and very portable, do I need to expain myself more? I think you get that I love this lens...

fearview · 05-30-2008, 04:37 AM

only one?! not two or three?

--

hard choice between fa 50 1.4 or K/M/A 50 1.4.
--

no ..no... i dont think anybody cant live with only one lens.

Harmonica · 05-30-2008, 04:46 AM

FA* 85mm f1.4

TKH · 05-30-2008, 05:55 AM

I think living with one wife is hard enough...

OK.

In Pentax world: Pentax FA 43mm 1.9
Other: Voigtlaender Nokton 58mm 1.4

Best,
Rainer

Nesster · 05-30-2008, 06:22 AM

IF it had to be one lens, my favorite 43 wouldn't be it - I'd choose the 35 Macro to get the close focus in one lens.

ftpaddict · 05-30-2008, 06:49 AM

I've found that I rarely need anything wider than 28mm - so I'll go with the 31mm Ltd.

MacGirl · 05-30-2008, 07:48 AM

I went with the FA50 just because that's the only prime I have and I love it. Price and performance for everyone's budget. I sometimes wish is wasn't so long at times but it's great for candid portraits of the family and, in general, walk-about photos for me.

View Poll Results: Best focal range for a prime?
Ultra-Wide: 18mm and less, like DA14	4	1.90%
~20mm, e.g. DA21, Sigma 20/1.8	11	5.21%
~24mm, e.g. Sigma 24/1.8	5	2.37%
~28-31mm e.g. FA31 Ltd., Sigma 30/1.4 or Sigma 28/1.8	58	27.49%
~35mm, like DA35 Macro or FA35	36	17.06%
~40mm, e.g. DA40	11	5.21%
~50mm, FA50 or future DA*55	49	23.22%
~70mm, FA77 or DA70 Ltd.'s	18	8.53%
~100mm, like Tamron 90mm, DFA 100mm or Sigma 105 Macro	7	3.32%
~135mm	6	2.84%
200mm and above	6	2.84%
Voters: 211. You may not vote on this poll

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05-29-2008, 04:47 PM	#16
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	FA31mm LTD.

05-29-2008, 04:49 PM	#17
Eaglerapids Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho,USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,619	I have a few zooms but I love my primes and I like to shoot from wide to tele. If I had to give everything up and only keep one prime, without a doubt and with no hesitation it would be the 31 Limited. Or would it be the DA* 300/4.............:-). The 31 would be much more versatile though. Ok, if I could only keep one, it would be the 31Ltd, the FA 50/1.4 and the *300/4.

05-29-2008, 05:36 PM	#18
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	This is so not fair! Out of the ones that I actually have, I'd be the most likely to keep the DA35 macro, as it's my fastest lens, has the macro, and is pretty close to "normal' focal length. If I could add a second one, it would be the FA50/1.4. For the price, you can't beat it's IQ and low-light performance. Heather

05-29-2008, 05:38 PM	#19
TourDeForce Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 514	Results are pretty much what I would expect. Most find utility in the old 50mm normal range for film SLR (24ish to 50ish for Digital). Those who gravitate toward outdoor activities like a longer focal length, and those who enjoy artistic effects like a shorter focal length. Guess that's why we buffs like interchangable lenses. Variety & the best of all worlds.

05-29-2008, 07:27 PM	#20
vizjerei Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,418	FA35... wait... FA50... no no... FA 77... oh may be DFA 100 macro... Argh~ I bring them since they can fit in my small camera bag! how can I live with just one?!

05-29-2008, 07:37 PM	#21
jslifoaw Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto/Victoria Posts: 460	Medium-wide is most flexible for me. 20-24 would be perfect.

05-29-2008, 08:05 PM	#22
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	SMC-M 85 f/2, but since that's not a choice, it would be 77ltd, followed by FA 50 1.4, followed by a 135 (Super Tak or M 135 3.5)

05-30-2008, 01:28 AM	#23
Henrik Kristensen Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Odense Photos: Albums Posts: 153	This is very hard. My "final" kit will be 21 + 43 + 70 + 50-135 (and probably add the 15 ltd when comes). For landscapes: DA 21 Ltd For indoors low light and portraits: FA 43 Ltd For light weight walk-around kit: 21 Ltd + 70 Ltd For animals (zoo), outdoor sport etc. 50-135mm To choose only one ???? I'd probaly go with the DA 21 ltd. but I would miss the others a lot - no wait - I can't have only one prime - not possible !!!

05-30-2008, 01:47 AM	#24
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	I voted for 40mm. As you can guess becasue of DA40. why? it's small, not too wide, not too narrow, relatively fast, sharp, great contrast and very portable, do I need to expain myself more? I think you get that I love this lens...

05-30-2008, 04:37 AM	#25
fearview Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jakarta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,067	only one?! not two or three? -- hard choice between fa 50 1.4 or K/M/A 50 1.4. -- no ..no... i dont think anybody cant live with only one lens.

05-30-2008, 04:46 AM	#26
Harmonica Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 77	FA* 85mm f1.4

05-30-2008, 05:55 AM	#27
TKH Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 371	I think living with one wife is hard enough... OK. In Pentax world: Pentax FA 43mm 1.9 Other: Voigtlaender Nokton 58mm 1.4 Best, Rainer

05-30-2008, 06:22 AM	#28
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	IF it had to be one lens, my favorite 43 wouldn't be it - I'd choose the 35 Macro to get the close focus in one lens.

05-30-2008, 06:49 AM	#29
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	I've found that I rarely need anything wider than 28mm - so I'll go with the 31mm Ltd.

05-30-2008, 07:48 AM	#30
MacGirl Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Missouri, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 209	I went with the FA50 just because that's the only prime I have and I love it. Price and performance for everyone's budget. I sometimes wish is wasn't so long at times but it's great for candid portraits of the family and, in general, walk-about photos for me.