"Just when I thought I was out, they (Pentax) pull me back in!!!!

JameyMC · 08-08-2015, 09:07 PM

Well, I'm back in the world of Pentax. Last year I sold my Fuji XE-1 when I bought a K3. While I loved the K3, the Fuji Xf35 called to me like a siren! After a few months I sold my K3 and purchased an XE-2, XF35, and XF23.

Well, it didn't take long for the slower operational speed of the XE-2 to cause me to miss a few shots during critical times. So this past weekend I decided I needed the best of both worlds, and bought another K3! So far I have the sigma 17-50 on order, but I'm looking for something a little longer for portraiture of my three kids. Can't decide between the 50-135mm or getting two primes (FA 50 1.4 and 77mm limited). Thoughts? Advice? Worth the extra money for the pixel dust goodness?

Last edited by photolady95; 08-08-2015 at 09:21 PM. Reason: fixed typo

disconnekt · 08-08-2015, 11:33 PM

How about the DA* 55 f/1.4? (85mm equiv)

jimr-pdx · 08-09-2015, 03:29 AM

If two systems are as expensive as I suspect

the DA70 is decently pixified. A few copies have been here recently at very good prices. Not quite as fast but my copy was great wide open.

Glorfindelrb · 08-09-2015, 03:49 AM

DA70 is definitely a good choice if you d don't plan to go ff. Otherwise 77 limited or 55f1.4 are the best prime options.

Billk · 08-09-2015, 05:27 AM - **1 Like**

The FA 77mm is a wonderful lens and it is full frame. You do know that you will be getting the full frame next, don't you?

Here's a shot with the 77mm, wide open, as I recall. The stylist went a bit wild, including tinted contacts, the bane of portrait photography. So you miss out on Dani's lovely eyes but hopefully it shows what the 77mm can do. : )

Driline · 08-09-2015, 06:01 AM

Originally posted by Billk

The FA 77mm is a wonderful lens and it is full frame. You do know that you will be getting the full frame next, don't you?

Here's a shot with the 77mm, wide open, as I recall. The stylist went a bit wild, including tinted contacts, the bane of portrait photography. So you miss out on Dani's lovely eyes but hopefully it shows what the 77mm can do. : )

Nice bloodshot eyes

**Mikesul** · 08-09-2015, 07:13 AM - **1 Like**

As the prior posters have indicated Pentax has some wonderful primes. If you are happy changing lenses regularly that may be the way to go. However, the DA*50-135 is an outstanding zoom which will produce beautiful photographs. It depends on your uses. A few years ago I tried to use a set of limited primes on a backpacking trip with my daughter. I got great pictures with the primes but it drove my daughter crazy to have me constantly switching lenses and it was kind of a pain to have to change lenses on a sandy hill side. Luckily i had my newly acquired 50-135 along and it made the rest of the hiking much more pleasant. The extra sturdiness and weather resistance of the lens also made a contribution to my comfort.

yorik · 08-09-2015, 08:05 AM - **1 Like**

The FA 77 is on sale (new at BH) for $713 until tomorrow (August 10). Just saying (not enabling lba)...

Kozlok · 08-09-2015, 09:11 AM

Do you want a WR zoom with an f2.8 max aperture that goes to 135 or a pair of legendary lenses? Also, don't get the FA50, The FA43 is much better. If you're spending that kind of cash, get the king!

The 17-50 does already go to 50, though. If it were me choosing, I'd get the 77 only for a bit, see if you miss a fast 50. If you do, save up for the 43 (or the 55, it's a tough choice).

JameyMC · 08-09-2015, 09:41 AM

Oh I definitely want to grab an 18-135mm WR to take hiking, but most of my portraiture stuff will allow me the time and opportunity to change lenses, if needed. I might rent a couple of them for a few days (55mm 1.4, 50mm 1.4, 70, and 77) to give them a try.

Haha, no full frame for me for now. I like the smaller bodies

08-08-2015, 09:07 PM	#1
JameyMC Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 26	"Just when I thought I was out, they (Pentax) pull me back in!!!! Well, I'm back in the world of Pentax. Last year I sold my Fuji XE-1 when I bought a K3. While I loved the K3, the Fuji Xf35 called to me like a siren! After a few months I sold my K3 and purchased an XE-2, XF35, and XF23. Well, it didn't take long for the slower operational speed of the XE-2 to cause me to miss a few shots during critical times. So this past weekend I decided I needed the best of both worlds, and bought another K3! So far I have the sigma 17-50 on order, but I'm looking for something a little longer for portraiture of my three kids. Can't decide between the 50-135mm or getting two primes (FA 50 1.4 and 77mm limited). Thoughts? Advice? Worth the extra money for the pixel dust goodness? Last edited by photolady95; 08-08-2015 at 09:21 PM. Reason: fixed typo

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08-08-2015, 11:33 PM	#2
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	How about the DA* 55 f/1.4? (85mm equiv)

08-09-2015, 03:29 AM	#3
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	If two systems are as expensive as I suspect the DA70 is decently pixified. A few copies have been here recently at very good prices. Not quite as fast but my copy was great wide open.

08-09-2015, 03:49 AM	#4
Glorfindelrb Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 364	DA70 is definitely a good choice if you d don't plan to go ff. Otherwise 77 limited or 55f1.4 are the best prime options.

08-09-2015, 06:01 AM	#6
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	Originally posted by Billk The FA 77mm is a wonderful lens and it is full frame. You do know that you will be getting the full frame next, don't you? Here's a shot with the 77mm, wide open, as I recall. The stylist went a bit wild, including tinted contacts, the bane of portrait photography. So you miss out on Dani's lovely eyes but hopefully it shows what the 77mm can do. : ) Nice bloodshot eyes

08-09-2015, 07:13 AM - 1 Like	#7
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	As the prior posters have indicated Pentax has some wonderful primes. If you are happy changing lenses regularly that may be the way to go. However, the DA*50-135 is an outstanding zoom which will produce beautiful photographs. It depends on your uses. A few years ago I tried to use a set of limited primes on a backpacking trip with my daughter. I got great pictures with the primes but it drove my daughter crazy to have me constantly switching lenses and it was kind of a pain to have to change lenses on a sandy hill side. Luckily i had my newly acquired 50-135 along and it made the rest of the hiking much more pleasant. The extra sturdiness and weather resistance of the lens also made a contribution to my comfort.

08-09-2015, 08:05 AM - 1 Like	#8
yorik Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Scotts Valley, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 991	The FA 77 is on sale (new at BH) for $713 until tomorrow (August 10). Just saying (not enabling lba)...

08-09-2015, 09:11 AM	#9
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Do you want a WR zoom with an f2.8 max aperture that goes to 135 or a pair of legendary lenses? Also, don't get the FA50, The FA43 is much better. If you're spending that kind of cash, get the king! The 17-50 does already go to 50, though. If it were me choosing, I'd get the 77 only for a bit, see if you miss a fast 50. If you do, save up for the 43 (or the 55, it's a tough choice).

08-09-2015, 09:41 AM	#10
JameyMC Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 26 Original Poster	Oh I definitely want to grab an 18-135mm WR to take hiking, but most of my portraiture stuff will allow me the time and opportunity to change lenses, if needed. I might rent a couple of them for a few days (55mm 1.4, 50mm 1.4, 70, and 77) to give them a try. Haha, no full frame for me for now. I like the smaller bodies