Your one prime to rule them all

pathdoc · 07-24-2015, 10:28 AM

DA 35mm Limited macro. I'd miss the speed of the DA 50, the FOV of my various 28s and the reach of the FA135, but the IQ, decent speed, near normal aspect and the macro capability all in the one lens would see this one get the nod.

fwcetus · 07-24-2015, 12:54 PM

No one lens is gonna "do it all", so I end up choosing the one lens that I would most hate to lose the use of, and that's the glorious F* 300/4.5.

**Kerrowdown** · 07-24-2015, 01:52 PM

What a dilemma... to be able to take only one of my "Ladies", nah not signing up for that.

**mattb123** · 07-24-2015, 02:00 PM

If I had to pick one I already own it would be the DA 40 Limited. But if I could get a different one I might go for the DA 35 Macro Limited instead.
If I never shot portraits the DA15 might be the one but I do the occasional portrait and that lens is not good for a typical portrait.

ZombieArmy · 07-24-2015, 03:08 PM - **1 Like**

SMC Pentax-A* 1200mm

Because if you're gonna have one lens why not make it dramatically huge?

noelpolar · 07-24-2015, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by Driline

F*300 no question. It's the FA 31 of telephoto lenses. And I have the FA 31

The only issue with the 300 if it was your only lense is that you need to keep your house windows clean...... so you can get those inside shots! I could really live with the 300 and a 31 though. They would cover both types of birds real well (300 for feathered and topless......31 for family/friendly birds).

NZUnicorn · 07-24-2015, 10:12 PM

Originally posted by wullemaha

Hey there,

Since I really enjoy reading through your posts in my other thread Your Set - 3 primes nothing more I was wondering which lens you would choose for a Pentax APS-C DSLR if you had to narrow it down to ONE PRIME, and nothing else.
Obviously many would prefer a really brilliant zoom for the advantages of flexibility, but for the sake of argument, let's assume you HAVE to take a prime.

Which one would it be?

Currently, I am thinking it would probably have to be my beautiful FA 31 F1.8 Limited, since that is the lens I currently end up using most of the time....

Pentax F 28mm f2.8, but if someone else was paying it would probably be the Pentax FA 31mm.

With just one lens, fov would be really important.

ZoeB · 07-25-2015, 12:39 AM

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

SMC Pentax-A* 1200mm

Because if you're gonna have one lens why not make it dramatically huge?

Well, i guess it compresses the background nicely for portraits :P

Ratcheteer · 07-25-2015, 03:41 AM

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

SMC Pentax-A* 1200mm

atmospheric haze would be a problem

Originally posted by ZoeB

Well, i guess it compresses the background nicely for portraits :P

you would need a megaphone to communicate with your model

fwcetus · 07-25-2015, 05:23 AM

Originally posted by Ratcheteer

you would need a megaphone to communicate with your model

No problem. Just take the "guts" out of your ~other~ A* 1200/8, and - PRESTO !!! - you have a matching Pentax megaphone...

indy · 07-25-2015, 06:32 AM - **2 Likes**

The 28mm on my Ricoh GR. As a bonus it comes with a free attached camera body!

lesmore49 · 07-25-2015, 01:26 PM

I have a 50 FA F 1.4 normal, 50 Macro F 2.8, 70mm Ltd., 21mm Ltd., and a 40 mm Ltd. They're all very sharp...the Limited getting the nod. But, I feel my sharpest lens is my Pentax 40 mm Ltd.

I sometimes look at the photos this produces and it's as if I'm looking at the subject, with my eye's under favourable light. You don't hear too much about the 40 Ltd....odd focal length, etc...but it's good, real good.

I know you just asked about primes and not zooms. But I want to put in a positive note about my Pentax 12-24mm zoom. Pricy lens....but when I use it to photograph vintage vehicles outside...it's almost 3D. As good as a prime, in my humble opinion.

stevebrot · 07-25-2015, 03:11 PM

Originally posted by aleonx3

Easier to modify to m42 mount, you can find the adapter on fleabay.
There is also a Nikon and a m42 mount versions available occasionally on fleabay, but they are outrageously expensive.

I was wondering, because it has been my understanding that all true* Topcors are Exakta mount and have a shorter registration distance than M42 or Pentax K (44.7mm vs. 45.46mm). I thought you might have managed a mount change similar to some of the Minolta (I think) conversions published on this site several years ago or the conversion detailed at the page below:

http://topconconversion.blogspot.com/2008/03/converting-topcon-re-lens-to-pentax-k.html

Steve

* The M42 "Topcor" is a Cosina product of fairly recent vintage made to fit the Super D tribute model Bessaflex TM. There was also an F-mount variant. Both are CV Nokton 58/1.4 in disguise with only a general optical similarity to the original.

jwc77 · 07-25-2015, 04:13 PM

This is way tougher than the three primes...I don't know. Between my limiteds 21, 40, and 70 and my SMC Tak 50 1.4 and even my Tamron 90 macro. I shoot a lot of wider angle photos (and the 21 is about a perfect focal length for me) but would really miss a macro which also serves as a great portrait lens. The rendering of the Tak is just so different that it also would be hard to give up. If pressed I would probably compromise with the 40 limited (which isn't really a compromise because it's a great lens but not my most used currently).

jimr-pdx · 07-25-2015, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by jwc77

This is way tougher than the three primes...I don't know. Between my limiteds 21, 40, and 70 and my SMC Tak 50 1.4 and even my Tamron 90 macro. I shoot a lot of wider angle photos (and the 21 is about a perfect focal length for me) but would really miss a macro which also serves as a great portrait lens..

I agree twice, a very tough decision and macro would really be missed. The K24 would be my favorite FL compromise but the DFA 50 probably wins; it's so good from infinity to silly close

07-25-2015, 03:11 PM	#43
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by aleonx3 Easier to modify to m42 mount, you can find the adapter on fleabay. There is also a Nikon and a m42 mount versions available occasionally on fleabay, but they are outrageously expensive. I was wondering, because it has been my understanding that all true* Topcors are Exakta mount and have a shorter registration distance than M42 or Pentax K (44.7mm vs. 45.46mm). I thought you might have managed a mount change similar to some of the Minolta (I think) conversions published on this site several years ago or the conversion detailed at the page below: http://topconconversion.blogspot.com/2008/03/converting-topcon-re-lens-to-pentax-k.html Steve * The M42 "Topcor" is a Cosina product of fairly recent vintage made to fit the Super D tribute model Bessaflex TM. There was also an F-mount variant. Both are CV Nokton 58/1.4 in disguise with only a general optical similarity to the original. Last edited by stevebrot; 07-25-2015 at 03:42 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
I love them all but need to thin the lens herd...help	kraigg007	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	48	01-27-2014 06:08 AM
Hoods: Why aren't them all like the one for the DA21?	carrrlangas	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	21	09-01-2013 04:39 PM
Phase One wants your K30 DNG files to begin implementing Capture One support.	MD Optofonik	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	5	05-15-2013 11:43 AM
One strap to rule them all...	soppy	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	32	12-10-2010 12:00 PM
One way to put your Christmas tree in your car.	heliphoto	Post Your Photos!	15	12-12-2008 09:56 AM

07-24-2015, 10:28 AM	#31
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	DA 35mm Limited macro. I'd miss the speed of the DA 50, the FOV of my various 28s and the reach of the FA135, but the IQ, decent speed, near normal aspect and the macro capability all in the one lens would see this one get the nod.

07-24-2015, 12:54 PM	#32
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	No one lens is gonna "do it all", so I end up choosing the one lens that I would most hate to lose the use of, and that's the glorious F* 300/4.5.

07-24-2015, 01:52 PM	#33
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,804	What a dilemma... to be able to take only one of my "Ladies", nah not signing up for that.

07-24-2015, 02:00 PM	#34
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	If I had to pick one I already own it would be the DA 40 Limited. But if I could get a different one I might go for the DA 35 Macro Limited instead. If I never shot portraits the DA15 might be the one but I do the occasional portrait and that lens is not good for a typical portrait.

07-24-2015, 03:08 PM - 1 Like	#35
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	SMC Pentax-A* 1200mm Because if you're gonna have one lens why not make it dramatically huge?

07-24-2015, 03:24 PM	#36
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by Driline F*300 no question. It's the FA 31 of telephoto lenses. And I have the FA 31 The only issue with the 300 if it was your only lense is that you need to keep your house windows clean...... so you can get those inside shots! I could really live with the 300 and a 31 though. They would cover both types of birds real well (300 for feathered and topless......31 for family/friendly birds).

07-24-2015, 10:12 PM	#37
NZUnicorn Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 41	Originally posted by wullemaha Hey there, Since I really enjoy reading through your posts in my other thread Your Set - 3 primes nothing more I was wondering which lens you would choose for a Pentax APS-C DSLR if you had to narrow it down to ONE PRIME, and nothing else. Obviously many would prefer a really brilliant zoom for the advantages of flexibility, but for the sake of argument, let's assume you HAVE to take a prime. Which one would it be? Currently, I am thinking it would probably have to be my beautiful FA 31 F1.8 Limited, since that is the lens I currently end up using most of the time.... Pentax F 28mm f2.8, but if someone else was paying it would probably be the Pentax FA 31mm. With just one lens, fov would be really important.

07-25-2015, 12:39 AM	#38
ZoeB Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tromsø, Norway Posts: 886	Originally posted by ZombieArmy SMC Pentax-A* 1200mm Because if you're gonna have one lens why not make it dramatically huge? Well, i guess it compresses the background nicely for portraits :P

07-25-2015, 03:41 AM	#39
Ratcheteer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 223	Originally posted by ZombieArmy SMC Pentax-A* 1200mm atmospheric haze would be a problem Originally posted by ZoeB Well, i guess it compresses the background nicely for portraits :P you would need a megaphone to communicate with your model

07-25-2015, 05:23 AM	#40
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by Ratcheteer you would need a megaphone to communicate with your model No problem. Just take the "guts" out of your ~other~ A* 1200/8, and - PRESTO !!! - you have a matching Pentax megaphone...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-25-2015, 06:32 AM - 2 Likes	#41
indy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 274	The 28mm on my Ricoh GR. As a bonus it comes with a free attached camera body!

07-25-2015, 01:26 PM	#42
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,325	I have a 50 FA F 1.4 normal, 50 Macro F 2.8, 70mm Ltd., 21mm Ltd., and a 40 mm Ltd. They're all very sharp...the Limited getting the nod. But, I feel my sharpest lens is my Pentax 40 mm Ltd. I sometimes look at the photos this produces and it's as if I'm looking at the subject, with my eye's under favourable light. You don't hear too much about the 40 Ltd....odd focal length, etc...but it's good, real good. I know you just asked about primes and not zooms. But I want to put in a positive note about my Pentax 12-24mm zoom. Pricy lens....but when I use it to photograph vintage vehicles outside...it's almost 3D. As good as a prime, in my humble opinion.

07-25-2015, 04:13 PM	#44
jwc77 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 269	This is way tougher than the three primes...I don't know. Between my limiteds 21, 40, and 70 and my SMC Tak 50 1.4 and even my Tamron 90 macro. I shoot a lot of wider angle photos (and the 21 is about a perfect focal length for me) but would really miss a macro which also serves as a great portrait lens. The rendering of the Tak is just so different that it also would be hard to give up. If pressed I would probably compromise with the 40 limited (which isn't really a compromise because it's a great lens but not my most used currently).

07-25-2015, 04:25 PM	#45
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	Originally posted by jwc77 This is way tougher than the three primes...I don't know. Between my limiteds 21, 40, and 70 and my SMC Tak 50 1.4 and even my Tamron 90 macro. I shoot a lot of wider angle photos (and the 21 is about a perfect focal length for me) but would really miss a macro which also serves as a great portrait lens.. I agree twice, a very tough decision and macro would really be missed. The K24 would be my favorite FL compromise but the DFA 50 probably wins; it's so good from infinity to silly close