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drypenn · 07-24-2015, 06:39 AM - **1 Like**

Just one?

It'll be likely the venerable 43!

ZoeB · 07-24-2015, 06:51 AM

Much as it's cliche, it has to be my sigma EX 50 f1.4. It's just so fast, and sharp

Ratcheteer · 07-24-2015, 07:16 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by drypenn

It'll be likely the venerable 43!

if your refering to the SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 then i would agree

**savoche** · 07-24-2015, 07:28 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by G.E.Zekai

If we can choose from 3rd party lenses i will go for Sigma 35mm F/1.4 Art

Otherwise

Pentax FA 43mm F/1.9 ltd

Originally posted by drypenn

It'll be likely the venerable 43!

Originally posted by Ratcheteer

if your refering to the SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 then i would agree

This.

Of course, I wouldn't bother with a DSLR if I could have only one lens. Maybe a Sony RX1R or a Leica Q or something instead, then

longbow · 07-24-2015, 07:36 AM

Are you kidding....just one

On one hand my FA 31 good all around focal length,fast & great IQ, but because I deal with wet conditions often, I'll go with my DA*55. A little narrow, but great in everything else.

Driline · 07-24-2015, 07:47 AM - **1 Like**

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

lguckert79 · 07-24-2015, 07:55 AM

I'm going to have to go with my sigma ex 50mm f1.4 because its so sharp at f2 and on

**reytor** · 07-24-2015, 08:16 AM

DA35mm Macro Limited

It will permit:
- macro (dah)
- general landscapes (stiched)
- landscapes
- landscape details (with tc, maybe several)
- portraits (with tc - at least one)
- did I mention macro?

Dartmoor Dave · 07-24-2015, 08:45 AM

I could live quite happily with just my SMC Takumar 24mm/3.5 for APS-C.

This thread really does make me wonder though: why the heck doesn't Pentax make a fast 24mm or 28mm lens anymore? The absence of anything between 21mm and 35mm seems like a major hole in the line-up for those who want autofocus.

freerider · 07-24-2015, 08:54 AM

Probably the 31mm but my favorite FL on aps-c is 24mm. It's a shame Pentax has limited options there.

aleonx3 · 07-24-2015, 09:01 AM

If I have to take one prime, it would either be the 43 ltd or the manual focus Topcor 58/f1.4.
If I have to one lens (short zoom), it would be the 20-40 ltd.

stevebrot · 07-24-2015, 09:08 AM

Dang, this is a hard one. There are so many considerations:

General utility (size, weight, handling, focal length)
Optical quality (sharpness, bokeh)
Build
Pixy dust quotient
Results

Optical quality and build would be in favor of the FA 77/1.8 Limited or any number of my fast 50s. General utility highly favors the FA 35/2. It helps that it is no optical slouch either and is made pretty well too. The FA 77 fairly wallows in pixie dust, but then so does my KMZ Helios 44M 58/2. In terms of "keepers", the rewards go to the the FA 35/2, KMZ MC Zenitar 16/2.8 Fisheye, and Helios 44M 58/2.

Hmmmmm...choosing is so hard. I think that I will simply go with the prime that spent the most time on my cameras since 2007...

Pentax-FA 35/2

The FA 77/1.8 is exceptional in every way, but the focal length is clumsy in general use. Some of my best work has been done with the Helios 44M, but it is clumsy to use on a K-mount camera. The FA 35/2 wins by default of being in the 85th %-tile in all categories

Steve

(...I am so blessed with primes...)

stevebrot · 07-24-2015, 09:14 AM

Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave

This thread really does make me wonder though: why the heck doesn't Pentax make a fast 24mm or 28mm lens anymore?

I would expect that will be remedied shortly after the FF camera launch.

Steve

stevebrot · 07-24-2015, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by aleonx3

the manual focus Topcor 58/f1.4.

You were able to modify a Topcor to K-mount?

Steve

aleonx3 · 07-24-2015, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

You were able to modify a Topcor to K-mount?

Steve

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.

07-24-2015, 09:08 AM	#27
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Dang, this is a hard one. There are so many considerations: General utility (size, weight, handling, focal length) Optical quality (sharpness, bokeh) Build Pixy dust quotient Results Optical quality and build would be in favor of the FA 77/1.8 Limited or any number of my fast 50s. General utility highly favors the FA 35/2. It helps that it is no optical slouch either and is made pretty well too. The FA 77 fairly wallows in pixie dust, but then so does my KMZ Helios 44M 58/2. In terms of "keepers", the rewards go to the the FA 35/2, KMZ MC Zenitar 16/2.8 Fisheye, and Helios 44M 58/2. Hmmmmm...choosing is so hard. I think that I will simply go with the prime that spent the most time on my cameras since 2007... Pentax-FA 35/2 The FA 77/1.8 is exceptional in every way, but the focal length is clumsy in general use. Some of my best work has been done with the Helios 44M, but it is clumsy to use on a K-mount camera. The FA 35/2 wins by default of being in the 85th %-tile in all categories Steve (...I am so blessed with primes...)

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07-24-2015, 06:39 AM - 1 Like	#16
drypenn Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 963	Just one? It'll be likely the venerable 43!

07-24-2015, 06:51 AM	#17
ZoeB Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tromsø, Norway Posts: 886	Much as it's cliche, it has to be my sigma EX 50 f1.4. It's just so fast, and sharp

07-24-2015, 07:16 AM - 1 Like	#18
Ratcheteer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 223	Originally posted by drypenn It'll be likely the venerable 43! if your refering to the SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 then i would agree

07-24-2015, 07:28 AM - 1 Like	#19
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,312	Originally posted by G.E.Zekai If we can choose from 3rd party lenses i will go for Sigma 35mm F/1.4 Art Otherwise Pentax FA 43mm F/1.9 ltd Originally posted by drypenn It'll be likely the venerable 43! Originally posted by Ratcheteer if your refering to the SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 then i would agree This. Of course, I wouldn't bother with a DSLR if I could have only one lens. Maybe a Sony RX1R or a Leica Q or something instead, then

07-24-2015, 07:36 AM	#20
longbow Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: NW Oregon Posts: 905	Are you kidding....just one On one hand my FA 31 good all around focal length,fast & great IQ, but because I deal with wet conditions often, I'll go with my DA*55. A little narrow, but great in everything else.

07-24-2015, 07:47 AM - 1 Like	#21
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,706	F*300 no question. It's the FA 31 of telephoto lenses. And I have the FA 31

07-24-2015, 07:55 AM	#22
lguckert79 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 601	I'm going to have to go with my sigma ex 50mm f1.4 because its so sharp at f2 and on

07-24-2015, 08:16 AM	#23
reytor Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Santiago Photos: Gallery Posts: 220	DA35mm Macro Limited It will permit: - macro (dah) - general landscapes (stiched) - landscapes - landscape details (with tc, maybe several) - portraits (with tc - at least one) - did I mention macro?

07-24-2015, 08:45 AM	#24
Dartmoor Dave Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dartmoor, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,890	I could live quite happily with just my SMC Takumar 24mm/3.5 for APS-C. This thread really does make me wonder though: why the heck doesn't Pentax make a fast 24mm or 28mm lens anymore? The absence of anything between 21mm and 35mm seems like a major hole in the line-up for those who want autofocus.

07-24-2015, 08:54 AM	#25
freerider Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 299	Probably the 31mm but my favorite FL on aps-c is 24mm. It's a shame Pentax has limited options there.

07-24-2015, 09:01 AM	#26
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	If I have to take one prime, it would either be the 43 ltd or the manual focus Topcor 58/f1.4. If I have to one lens (short zoom), it would be the 20-40 ltd.

07-24-2015, 09:14 AM	#28
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave This thread really does make me wonder though: why the heck doesn't Pentax make a fast 24mm or 28mm lens anymore? I would expect that will be remedied shortly after the FF camera launch. Steve

07-24-2015, 09:16 AM	#29
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by aleonx3 the manual focus Topcor 58/f1.4. You were able to modify a Topcor to K-mount? Steve

07-24-2015, 09:33 AM	#30
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by stevebrot You were able to modify a Topcor to K-mount? Steve 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.

Your one prime to rule them all

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