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10-17-2015, 04:36 PM   #16
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I don't know how well your camera plays with our lenses with regard to metering wide open, requiring manual stop down etc. Even within Pentax, I went with M42 screwmount lenses (mostly SMC Takumar) on my K5 as they will function in aperture priority mode with exposure being recalculated "on the fly" as I adjust the aperture to suit DOF or exposure requirements. The SMC Taks have coatings closest to what is found on current Pentax SMC lenses, and are the last and (all else being equal) the best of the Takumars.

Which one(s) you get depends on where in the focal range you do most of your shooting; a 28/50 (or 55)/135mm trio used to be thought of as a good three-lens kit back in the day.

10-17-2015, 07:43 PM   #17
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QuoteOriginally posted by str8talk83 Quote
I am an a7 shooter and long time lurker on the forum. I was curious what lenses for Pentax the community would recommend. I'd be looking at adapting older manual focus lenses most likely, but am open to various options.
QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
Is there a style of photography, or lens field of view that you want info for? The lens database here is pretty excessive and there are lens club threads galore.
I think, str8talk83, that you really ought to provide some specificity, since methinks it's a bit unrealistic for someone to ask everyone to chime in with a great variety of answers, many of which might be irrelevant to you. Just my 2 cents... [I myself have my own favorite MF lenses (as do many others), but I really don't know which of them (if any) might be of interest to you.]
10-17-2015, 07:52 PM   #18
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If you can get your hands on it i HIGHLY recommend the k-28mm f2.0, very highly recommend it!
10-18-2015, 04:26 AM - 1 Like   #19
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Macro/tele - the Vivitar Series 1 105/2.5 IMO (and many others) is one of the of the best lenses you can own for both immage and build quality.

10-18-2015, 07:13 AM   #20
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Nice to see another A7 user!

I use this camera with some Pentax lenses and Novoflex adapter, all K mount

K 24mm F2.8
M 28mm F3,5
M 35mm F2.8
M 50mm F1.4
M 50mm F1.7
K 100mm F4 Macro
M 200mm F4

All of them are very good (except may be the 200mm). If you don't have any Pentax lens yet I would recommend you to get the M 50mm F1.7, they are very cheap and easy to find, also the 35mm F2.8 and 28mm F3.5 don't cost much and both have great IQ.
10-18-2015, 01:08 PM   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by fwcetus Quote
I think, str8talk83, that you really ought to provide some specificity, since methinks it's a bit unrealistic for someone to ask everyone to chime in with a great variety of answers, many of which might be irrelevant to you. Just my 2 cents... [I myself have my own favorite MF lenses (as do many others), but I really don't know which of them (if any) might be of interest to you.]
I am mostly interested in street photography, portraits and landscapes.

I like wildlife as well, but prefer autofocus for that application.

---------- Post added 10-18-2015 at 02:31 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by cali92rs Quote
If you can get your hands on it i HIGHLY recommend the k-28mm f2.0, very highly recommend it!
This sounds like a gem. I need to be careful because it seems like there are several versions, but the k is best.
10-18-2015, 07:11 PM - 1 Like   #22
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There is certainly a difference with Pentax lenses over any other SLR legacy lens option.
To me that difference is 'balance'.
A fine balance in size, color, flare tolerance, weight, build, performance, bokeh, price.
Every lens is a trade-off in each aspect; size for sharpness; sharpness for bokeh; etc
But the Pentax lenses give me the feeling that it trades off each aspect for what the lens would normally be used for.
(eg. A 20mm being small and just need a f4 rather than a f2.8 for landscape use)

I have other brand lenses too which I often try to buy a set of (eg. FD 20/2.8; 55/1.2; 100/2; 135/2; M42; M mount)
But its the joy of use and this 'balance' that makes me reach for the Pentax lenses more often.

Yes, other lenses can be sharper, less distortion, faster, etc.
But I often find the trade-offs too big for one aspect against another.


As mentioned by another poster, you'd need to buy a large number of the Pentax lenses since many are good.
My own favorites :

M20/4 - small, portable, nice color, good performance except a bit on the corners (which I think is a fair trade-off); I use it more often than the technically better but larger, heavier, more expensive and less flare tolerant Voightlander 21/1.8 ultron that I have)

K28/3.5 - almost like a 50mm prime f5.6-f8 type optical performance; (and its 28mm not a easy to make 50mm)

FA35/2 - Very nice all rounder lens. Easily rivals any 35mm out there (and usually for a bit smaller size )

FA31/1.8ltd - Another versatile lens; Well worth it on FF. Typical Pentax drawing style and right contrast.

K50/1.2 - One of the best f1.2 50mms out there. IMO, its the one with the most situations where the bokeh looks good. Yes, I'm also claiming that wrt to the so called 'king' rokkor 58/1.2 (which in many situations can have horrible bokeh as much as it can have good ones).

A50/1.4 (or FA50/1.4) - A do it all 50mm for not much money and again, more consistent bokeh in most situations.

FA77ltd - a special lens. Period!

M85/2 - CA galore in the wrong conditions, but a nice drawing of the subject, rich colors in many others. Super compact, the size of a 50mm. Simply a joy to use and take out as its so portable.

K85/1.8 - the best of the slower 85mm. Almost w/o weakness. Sharp, fast at f1.8, not too big unlike f1.4 ones.

FA85/1.4 - one of the best f1.4 85mm out there.

K135/2.5 - very value for money 135mm. Rich colors and nice bokeh in more situations than the highly acclaimed FD135/2 that I have imo.


There are others, but I think this list should be long enough...


Because it covers A7 and other brand lenses, I don't post another thread that I have on another forum here, where I give my impressions of the lenses I use :
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1488003

10-18-2015, 08:58 PM   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by str8talk83 Quote
I am mostly interested in street photography, portraits and landscapes.
Here are a few ~personal~ suggestions:

K 28/3.5 - Excellent, and not too expensive. Best bang for the buck for a 28, IMHO.

K 28/2 - Excellent+, but rare and expensive. [I wouldn't have mentioned it because of its rarity, but it has already been mentioned, and it is special.]

K 35/3.5 - Much like the K 28/3.5.

K, M, or A 50/1.4 - Only 50 you'll ever really need.

M 85/2 - Not the best 85, but the K 85/1.8 and the A* 85/1.4 are rare and/or quite expensive.

K 135/2.5 - Excellent all around tele (but don't confuse with the Takumar Bayonet 135/"2.5").
QuoteOriginally posted by str8talk83 Quote
I like wildlife as well, but prefer autofocus for that application.
[Off topic now, but for AF wildlife, look for an F* or FA* 300/4.5 - you won't regret it.]

Last edited by fwcetus; 12-25-2015 at 06:34 AM.
10-19-2015, 05:38 AM   #24
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After going through loads of manual focus lenses from ebay for my A7s, I have kept the following:
Pentax k 28mm f3.5
Carl Zeiss Distagon 28mm f2.8
Canon FD 50mm f1.4
Canon FD 24mm f2.8
Canon FD 135mm f2.8

The Pentax-m 28mm f3.5 is also great, but I couldn't justify keeping three 28mm lenses.
10-19-2015, 12:41 PM   #25
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My favorites:

K20/4 (contrary to what was said above it is as sharp or sharper than the M20/4 if you get a good copy; far better in corners)
K28/3.5 or K30/2.8 (hard to find the latter in good condition though)
K35/3.5
Rikenon XR 35/2.8 (same as M35/2.8 but no oily blade problem)
K50/4.0 macro (amazing lens; I have two)
smc-A 50/1.4 or Rikenon P 50/1.4
smc-m 50/1.7 or Rikenon 50/2.0 (cheap and sharp wide open)
takumar 50/4 macro preset
takumar 105/2.8 preset (black)
smc-takumar 24/3.5, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, and 135/2.5 (late version)
super takumar 28/3.5 and 35/2 (large front element versions)

There are lots more good lenses but the above are some of the best and least costly options.
10-19-2015, 05:59 PM   #26
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QuoteOriginally posted by pinholecam Quote
There is certainly a difference with Pentax lenses over any other SLR legacy lens option.
To me that difference is 'balance'.
A fine balance in size, color, flare tolerance, weight, build, performance, bokeh, price.
Every lens is a trade-off in each aspect; size for sharpness; sharpness for bokeh; etc
But the Pentax lenses give me the feeling that it trades off each aspect for what the lens would normally be used for.
(eg. A 20mm being small and just need a f4 rather than a f2.8 for landscape use)

I have other brand lenses too which I often try to buy a set of (eg. FD 20/2.8; 55/1.2; 100/2; 135/2; M42; M mount)
But its the joy of use and this 'balance' that makes me reach for the Pentax lenses more often.

Yes, other lenses can be sharper, less distortion, faster, etc.
But I often find the trade-offs too big for one aspect against another.


As mentioned by another poster, you'd need to buy a large number of the Pentax lenses since many are good.
My own favorites :

M20/4 - small, portable, nice color, good performance except a bit on the corners (which I think is a fair trade-off); I use it more often than the technically better but larger, heavier, more expensive and less flare tolerant Voightlander 21/1.8 ultron that I have)

K28/3.5 - almost like a 50mm prime f5.6-f8 type optical performance; (and its 28mm not a easy to make 50mm)

FA35/2 - Very nice all rounder lens. Easily rivals any 35mm out there (and usually for a bit smaller size )

FA31/1.8ltd - Another versatile lens; Well worth it on FF. Typical Pentax drawing style and right contrast.

K50/1.2 - One of the best f1.2 50mms out there. IMO, its the one with the most situations where the bokeh looks good. Yes, I'm also claiming that wrt to the so called 'king' rokkor 58/1.2 (which in many situations can have horrible bokeh as much as it can have good ones).

A50/1.4 (or FA50/1.4) - A do it all 50mm for not much money and again, more consistent bokeh in most situations.

FA77ltd - a special lens. Period!

M85/2 - CA galore in the wrong conditions, but a nice drawing of the subject, rich colors in many others. Super compact, the size of a 50mm. Simply a joy to use and take out as its so portable.

K85/1.8 - the best of the slower 85mm. Almost w/o weakness. Sharp, fast at f1.8, not too big unlike f1.4 ones.

FA85/1.4 - one of the best f1.4 85mm out there.

K135/2.5 - very value for money 135mm. Rich colors and nice bokeh in more situations than the highly acclaimed FD135/2 that I have imo.


There are others, but I think this list should be long enough...


Because it covers A7 and other brand lenses, I don't post another thread that I have on another forum here, where I give my impressions of the lenses I use :
[pinholecam] A week with ...... (random ramblings of a lens junkie) - 2015
Thanks for the recommendations! I enjoy your photos and they have been helpful in showing the performance of these lenses.

---------- Post added 10-19-2015 at 07:09 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by fwcetus Quote
Here are a few ~personal~ suggestions:

K 28/3.5 - Excellent, and not too expensive. Best bang for the buck for a 28, IMHO.

K 28/2 - Excellent+, but rare and expensive. [I wouldn't have mentioned it because of its rarity, but it has already been mentioned, and it is special.]

K 35/3.5 - Much like the 28/3.5.

K, M, or A 50/1.4 - Only 50 you'll ever really need.

M 85/2 - Not the best 85, but the K 85/1.8 and the A* 85/1.4 are rare and/or quite expensive.

K 135/2.5 - Excellent all around tele (but don't confuse with the Takumar Bayonet 135/"2.5").




[Off topic now, but for AF wildlife, look for an F* or FA* 300/4.5 - you won't regret it.]
Thanks for the list!

---------- Post added 10-19-2015 at 07:09 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by glitterball Quote
After going through loads of manual focus lenses from ebay for my A7s, I have kept the following:
Pentax k 28mm f3.5
Carl Zeiss Distagon 28mm f2.8
Canon FD 50mm f1.4
Canon FD 24mm f2.8
Canon FD 135mm f2.8

The Pentax-m 28mm f3.5 is also great, but I couldn't justify keeping three 28mm lenses.
Any particular reason you prefer the fd's?
10-20-2015, 04:43 AM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pixel-8 Quote
My favorites:

.......
takumar 105/2.8 preset (black)
......
Are there significant differences between partly chrome, partly black and the only black (your preferences) versions?
I would have liked to buy partly chrome version, it would not be wise tu buy this?
10-20-2015, 04:58 AM   #28
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I will second a couple of lenses already recommended: 28mm f3.5 and 135mm f3.5. The latter, including the original m42 preset version, is an excellent short tele. An exotic you'll have a hard time finding and harder time affording, the 200 f4 SMCA macro, a legendary optic. The 50mm SCMCA f2.8 macro has already been recommended and I can confirm it is an outstanding macro, usable for general photography. Among non-Pentax optics. Nikon has always made an excellent 180mm f2.8. Almost any manual-focus version of this lens is excellent. The Nikon 105mm f2.8 macro, any version, is a near legendary among Nikon users and, because of its long popularity, is usually readily available.
10-20-2015, 06:17 PM   #29
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i really like the 55mm f1.8 f2.0 f2.2 or whatever other aperature variants of that lens pentax made. they're of high circulation and low cost as well.
10-21-2015, 02:27 AM   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by str8talk83 Quote
Canon nFD 24mm f/2.8, nFD 50mm f/1.4, Nikon 105mm f/2.5, Tamron 180mm f/3.5 Macro, Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6G
with this lineup, you don't need more lens ^^ LBA is bad
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