Looking for a prime, what would you buy?

**bpv_UW** · 05-08-2015, 08:30 PM

Lots of others beat me to it, but: Fa 31, 2nd choice Fa 77. Both magical.

Brandon

Sandy Hancock · 05-08-2015, 09:41 PM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

Ok so FA31 and Sigma 70 macro are officially on my list. Now I just need the $1000+ to fund these purchases...

The HD Pentax-DA 1:2.8 35mm macro limited would almost kill both birds with one stone for much less....

BennyBoy · 05-08-2015, 10:03 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

The HD Pentax-DA 1:2.8 35mm macro limited would almost kill both birds with one stone for much less....

Also, the Sigma is on the large/heavy side.

Stavri · 05-08-2015, 10:06 PM

Pentax A 24mm f2.8, I have one on the marketplace..

Tatouzou · 05-08-2015, 10:21 PM

Looking at your gear list, I suggest either the DA35 f2.4, cheap, excellent IQ and useful focal length.
IMO, for portraits, your DA18-135, DA55-300 and your 50mm f1.7 already cover most of your needs.
Yet, if you want top IQ and wonderful 3d efffect, the DA 70 f2.4 limited (I have it) is a wonderful lens and much cheaper than FA 77 (my son has it).

sterretje · 05-09-2015, 02:18 AM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

I wonder...
Could you live with one camera body and the FA31 alone?

For general use, absolutely. For outdoor only, I can also happily live with 55mm.

Just depends on your view on the world.

Sandy Hancock · 05-09-2015, 03:05 AM

I think if I could have only only one lens ever, the FA31 would be it.

A kick-arse wide angle on full frame
A lovely fast normal on APS-C
A sharp telephoto macro on the Q

BOOM.

Volker76 · 05-09-2015, 03:08 AM

DFA 100mm macro. 100mm is a useful length. Macro is macro. And it is so freakish sharp... Also actually affordable.

MikePerham · 05-09-2015, 08:04 AM

There are only three primes in which I would be interested. A 100mm macro, and a fast 35 and 85 or their APS equivalents. I had a bunch of limited primes, but sold them to fund a full suite of good zooms. I had a Fuji X100s with a 23mm (35 equivalent) lens and really liked that for event photography, the 85 (or the Pentax 55 f1.4 for APS) would of course be for portrait work, especially available light portraits. Well that's one man's opinion.

Stavri · 05-09-2015, 08:09 AM

Here's my suggestions:
-A 50mm f1.4 (manual focus)
-A 24mm f2.8 (manual focus)
Takumar-Macro 50mm f4 (1:1) M42 mount

Did i just list the lenses on my market place? How despicable..

UserAccessDenied · 05-09-2015, 08:19 AM

For now I think I will continue to work on my technique with the 4 lenses I have.
Maybe by Black Friday I will have a completely different outlook on photography, or just desire something on sale lol

EDIT: But to be clear... Here is my take away from this thread:

FA31 is just something to strive for adding to my collection in the long run...
DFA 100 WR would be my best bet for macro
One of the variations of 85mm f1.4 would be nice as well, and relatively inexpensive.
SMC 15ltd may control my mind if I get it, but it will also be a nice addition in the long run.

These 4 lenses above would definitely quench my LBA for some time.
Oh wait, I'd also like to add in the DA*300 with HD TC...

So now for the biggest take away from all this!
The only one I can truly afford right now would be the 85mm f1.4.
Unless I trade my Sigma 8-16, but that's not happening for at least a few months.

Thanks again for everyone's posts.
It's great having this community to bring you down to Earth sometimes, while other times being the drive force leaving me in outer space!

Mothballs · 05-09-2015, 07:56 PM

For manual focus, the Tamron 52B SP 90mm f2.5 Macro is pretty much a legend. Sharp as heck.

Though I hear you on the "Practice with what you have" Too often do I find myself looking at what I could buy rather than what I could be shooting with and how I could be improving.

6BQ5 · 05-10-2015, 07:38 AM

I would throw my vote behind the FA 77 Limited. Your zoom lenses may cover this focal length but I have a feeling none of them will match this lens's performance.

TaoMaas · 05-10-2015, 10:01 AM

Maybe I missed it, but my question to the OP is, "Why do you want a prime? What is it you want to gain?"

sjyoon20904 · 05-10-2015, 01:48 PM

Get sigma 18 35 1.8
Highly recommended.
I still consider this one as prime lens.

05-09-2015, 08:19 AM	#41
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677 Original Poster	For now I think I will continue to work on my technique with the 4 lenses I have. Maybe by Black Friday I will have a completely different outlook on photography, or just desire something on sale lol EDIT: But to be clear... Here is my take away from this thread: FA31 is just something to strive for adding to my collection in the long run... DFA 100 WR would be my best bet for macro One of the variations of 85mm f1.4 would be nice as well, and relatively inexpensive. SMC 15ltd may control my mind if I get it, but it will also be a nice addition in the long run. These 4 lenses above would definitely quench my LBA for some time. Oh wait, I'd also like to add in the DA300 with HD TC... So now for the biggest take away from all this! The only one I can truly afford right now would be the 85mm f1.4. Unless I trade my Sigma 8-16, but that's not happening for at least a few months. Thanks again for everyone's posts. It's great having this community to bring you down to Earth sometimes, while other times being the drive force leaving me in outer space! Last edited by UserAccessDenied; 05-09-2015 at 08:25 AM.*

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05-08-2015, 08:30 PM	#31
bpv_UW Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 765	Lots of others beat me to it, but: Fa 31, 2nd choice Fa 77. Both magical. Brandon

05-08-2015, 09:41 PM	#32
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied Ok so FA31 and Sigma 70 macro are officially on my list. Now I just need the $1000+ to fund these purchases... The HD Pentax-DA 1:2.8 35mm macro limited would almost kill both birds with one stone for much less....

05-08-2015, 10:03 PM	#33
BennyBoy Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 43	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock The HD Pentax-DA 1:2.8 35mm macro limited would almost kill both birds with one stone for much less.... Also, the Sigma is on the large/heavy side.

05-08-2015, 10:06 PM	#34
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Pentax A 24mm f2.8, I have one on the marketplace..

05-08-2015, 10:21 PM	#35
Tatouzou Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 175	Looking at your gear list, I suggest either the DA35 f2.4, cheap, excellent IQ and useful focal length. IMO, for portraits, your DA18-135, DA55-300 and your 50mm f1.7 already cover most of your needs. Yet, if you want top IQ and wonderful 3d efffect, the DA 70 f2.4 limited (I have it) is a wonderful lens and much cheaper than FA 77 (my son has it).

05-09-2015, 02:18 AM	#36
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied I wonder... Could you live with one camera body and the FA31 alone? For general use, absolutely. For outdoor only, I can also happily live with 55mm. Just depends on your view on the world.

05-09-2015, 03:05 AM	#37
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	I think if I could have only only one lens ever, the FA31 would be it. A kick-arse wide angle on full frame A lovely fast normal on APS-C A sharp telephoto macro on the Q BOOM.

05-09-2015, 03:08 AM	#38
Volker76 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 211	DFA 100mm macro. 100mm is a useful length. Macro is macro. And it is so freakish sharp... Also actually affordable.

05-09-2015, 08:04 AM	#39
MikePerham Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Prince George, BC Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 642	There are only three primes in which I would be interested. A 100mm macro, and a fast 35 and 85 or their APS equivalents. I had a bunch of limited primes, but sold them to fund a full suite of good zooms. I had a Fuji X100s with a 23mm (35 equivalent) lens and really liked that for event photography, the 85 (or the Pentax 55 f1.4 for APS) would of course be for portrait work, especially available light portraits. Well that's one man's opinion.

05-09-2015, 08:09 AM	#40
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Here's my suggestions: -A 50mm f1.4 (manual focus) -A 24mm f2.8 (manual focus) Takumar-Macro 50mm f4 (1:1) M42 mount Did i just list the lenses on my market place? How despicable..

05-09-2015, 07:56 PM	#42
Mothballs Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 275	For manual focus, the Tamron 52B SP 90mm f2.5 Macro is pretty much a legend. Sharp as heck. Though I hear you on the "Practice with what you have" Too often do I find myself looking at what I could buy rather than what I could be shooting with and how I could be improving.

05-10-2015, 07:38 AM	#43
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	I would throw my vote behind the FA 77 Limited. Your zoom lenses may cover this focal length but I have a feeling none of them will match this lens's performance.

05-10-2015, 10:01 AM	#44
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Maybe I missed it, but my question to the OP is, "Why do you want a prime? What is it you want to gain?"

05-10-2015, 01:48 PM	#45
sjyoon20904 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 28	Get sigma 18 35 1.8 Highly recommended. I still consider this one as prime lens.