[Fat Albert]

For those who aren't familiar with this saying, which Pentax lenses deliver better performance than their price would indicate?



My votes are as follows:

DA 35 f/2.4 - Remarkable image quality for $150. Perfectly useable wide open. Great flare resistance and minimal aberrations.

M 50 f/1.7 - Equally remarkable image quality for $50. Slice-your-eyes sharpness. Wonderful colors. Build quality is top-notch.

K 55 f/1.8 - Colors and sharpness to swoon over. Delicious bokeh. Got mine for $34.

DA-L 55-300 - Just got this lens and I'm really impressed by the image quality. Very useable at the long end (300mm) wide open, which is 5.8. I was not expecting this image quality from a sub-$200 zoom lens.

[jatrax]

Weight or price?

The DA 40mm Limited is hard to beat at that weight: 89gm

[dakight]

I would add the DA 50/1.8 for the same reasons as the DA 35/2.4. Both are remarkable lenses in their own right and given the price point they are downright bargains.

[Stavri]

We don't have a lot of modern affordable lenses since most of them are in their first generation(iteration), its either older legacy or *, ltd glass. All the F/FA primes are excellent, although they're not all considered affordable.

Heres my favorites:
The DA 50/f1.8 like its plastic sibling is very good.
The F 50/f1.7 has the impeccable image of the M 50/f1.7 with AF
Pentax F/FA 135mm f2.8--- * lens image quality, not cheap but worth it

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Last edited by Stavri; 05-01-2015 at 08:58 AM.

[DeadJohn]

I'll repeat the vote for the DAL 55-300. You have to spend a lot more to find better 300mm performance.

For legacy glass, the Sears 135/2.8 "macro" is a bargain at around $50. Sharp and reasonable contrast for old coatings. The macro feature is limited: doesn't get anywhere near true macro magnification but does add a weird (IMO) glow.

[boriscleto]

In addition to the DA L 55-300 and K 55/1.8

SMC Pentax-F 35-70mm F3.5-4.5 Reviews - F Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

SMC Pentax-F 35-135mm F3.5-4.5 Reviews - F Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm F4-5.6 Reviews - F Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

SMC Pentax-A 135mm F2.8 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database (if you can find it)

S-M-C/Super/Auto Takumar 35mm F3.5 Reviews - M42 Screwmount Wide-Angle Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database (Doesn't get the love of the K 35/3.5)

And I prefer the A 50/1.7 to the M. I can't list the FA 50/1.7 because it commands a premium even over the DA 50/1.8.

[Venom3300]

I would add the A 50 1.7 also. Same IQ as the M version but more usable due to the A setting.

Personally I think the DA 55-300 is a lack luster lens at best. The first time I shot a bird in a tree with it I thought "my gosh, I didn't remember the branches being green and purple". The canon and Nikon equivalents of this lens are much better. Better IQ and better focusing.

[boriscleto]

Personally I think the DA 55-300 is a lack luster lens at best. The first time I shot a bird in a tree with it I thought "my gosh, I didn't remember the branches being green and purple". The canon and Nikon equivalents of this lens are much better. Better IQ and better focusing.

Tell that to all my photos with that lens in the PPG.

[JinDesu]

I would say the DA 40 XS punches better than the DA 40 Ltd if we're talking about weight (both physically and metaphorically XD)

I'd say the FA 28 2.8 is very underrated and is cheap enough to get consideration for punching above its weight.

And I'd throw a vote for the F 80-200 F4.7-5.6. Very nice lens, when you have the light.

[Venom3300]

Tell that to all my photos with that lens in the PPG.

I'm not saying you can't get good results. But if we are talking quality for price, it doesn't compare well with offerings in other mounts.

[boriscleto]

I'm not saying you can't get good results. But if we are talking quality for price, it doesn't compare well with offerings in other mounts.

The Nikkor 55-300 is a $400 lens. The DA L 55-300 is a $200 lens. Show me results that are worth twice the price.

[savoche]

I'd say the FA 28 2.8 is very underrated and is cheap enough to get consideration for punching above its weight.

This is one of my favourite lenses. It can come along with my Limiteds anytime.

The 55-300 is another favourite. It performs well for its price, sure, but for me the great thing is that it performs well for its size and weight. You'll be hard pressed to find anything better that doesn't weigh at least twice as much.

[stevebrot]

Would I be correct to assume Asahi/Pentax-brand? If so, then there is little to add beyond what has been said above except perhaps to summarize. The value champions:

• Any variant of the 55/1.8 and 50/1.7 primes
• DA 50/1.8 and 35/2.4
• All versions of DA 55-300/4-5.8
• Edit: Pentax-A 70-210/4 (not mentioned above, but fits criteria)

I would also suggest (ducking behind couch to avoid thrown objects) inclusion of the all versions of the DA 18-55/3.5-5.6 kit. While not a sterling performer, it is undeniably high value given its low price and more than adequate optical quality. Within its limits, you can do very credible work with the "kit".

I tried very hard to find other Asahi/Pentax lenses to add to the list, but most are priced according to what they deliver. I did not include the 28/2.8 variants for that reason. Price is low, but performance is not a standout. OTOH, the DA 16-45/4 would be a good example of a lens on the cusp. It is a very good to excellent normal zoom and prices have been falling with $150-$100 USD range being available to the careful shopper.


Steve

[Stavri]

The DA 16-45 is a great performer as well...

[Venom3300]

The Nikkor 55-300 is a $400 lens. The DA L 55-300 is a $200 lens. Show me results that are worth twice the price.

the canon 55-250 4-5.5 II is 200 new on amazon- i had this lens. its far better
the canon 55-250 4-5.6 STM- sharper with faster focus than the one listed above- goes for 200 used