Best Manual Focus Lens to start with ...

**clackers** · 07-30-2016, 12:16 PM

An A-series lens has advantages as your first manual focus lens, Eminker.

seacapt · 07-30-2016, 12:37 PM

As many have said the A series is very convienient because you will still have all of your auto expposure and metering functions. All you will have to worry about is nailing the focus on the point where you want it. Yes the A 50 /1.7 is a little jewell as is the A50 /1.4 but there are a ton of good MF lenses out there with an "A" function. You might check into the Tamron Adaptall lenses.

**Kerrowdown** · 07-30-2016, 12:51 PM

Originally posted by Jim P

If the objective is to learn, then the Pentax-A prime lenses are a great place to start.

+1, I couldn't agree more, but then I'm a tad bias when it comes to A Series lenses.

Rupert · 07-30-2016, 01:06 PM

When my K5IIs fell off the shelf and was badly damaged I lost all AF on the body as well as aperture control. I spent a couple of months with my 50-500 Bigma shooting wide open in MF....and got half decent at it. Once I got the K1 I went back to AF and realized just how much I missed it.

When you only have second or two to get a shot, AF is a real friend! However, if you get good enough you can often beat AF with MF for sharpness.

Regards & Good luck!

**eminker** · 08-01-2016, 08:13 AM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

I'd vote for the A 50mm f/1.7 as well. BTW, what camera body do you have?

I am looking for a 50mm or 55mm lens as a general walk around and using my K-5iis.

**pres589** · 08-01-2016, 08:19 AM

Are you familiar with what width of field you will get with a 50 to 55mm lens on your camera? I'm making the assumption that you're using an APS-C DSLR; is that accurate? 50mm is almost touching telephoto status on a crop sensor. Put it another way, most kit lenses are 50 to 55mm on the long/narrow end. They're not really walk-around because of the width of field.

If you're aware of what you'll get via experience with another lens, go for it, but on APS-C I consider 20 to 30mm much more of a general purpose focal length. Your mileage, of course, may vary.

**wtlwdwgn** · 08-01-2016, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by eminker

I am looking for a 50mm or 55mm lens as a general walk around and using my K-5iis.

A 50mm lens is a little long for APS-C for a walk around lens. You might consider 35mm or 28mm lenses but they won't be as fast as the 50s. An A 28mm f/2.8 will be between $50 and $100. The A 35mm lenses are more expensive especially for an f/2. Just my $0.02.

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07-30-2016, 12:16 PM	#31
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	An A-series lens has advantages as your first manual focus lens, Eminker.

07-30-2016, 12:37 PM	#32
seacapt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Carolina , USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,271	As many have said the A series is very convienient because you will still have all of your auto expposure and metering functions. All you will have to worry about is nailing the focus on the point where you want it. Yes the A 50 /1.7 is a little jewell as is the A50 /1.4 but there are a ton of good MF lenses out there with an "A" function. You might check into the Tamron Adaptall lenses.

07-30-2016, 12:51 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: 57,863	Originally posted by Jim P If the objective is to learn, then the Pentax-A prime lenses are a great place to start. +1, I couldn't agree more, but then I'm a tad bias when it comes to A Series lenses.

07-30-2016, 01:06 PM	#34
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	When my K5IIs fell off the shelf and was badly damaged I lost all AF on the body as well as aperture control. I spent a couple of months with my 50-500 Bigma shooting wide open in MF....and got half decent at it. Once I got the K1 I went back to AF and realized just how much I missed it. When you only have second or two to get a shot, AF is a real friend! However, if you get good enough you can often beat AF with MF for sharpness. Regards & Good luck!

08-01-2016, 08:13 AM	#35
eminker Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 150 Original Poster	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn I'd vote for the A 50mm f/1.7 as well. BTW, what camera body do you have? I am looking for a 50mm or 55mm lens as a general walk around and using my K-5iis.

08-01-2016, 08:19 AM	#36
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	Are you familiar with what width of field you will get with a 50 to 55mm lens on your camera? I'm making the assumption that you're using an APS-C DSLR; is that accurate? 50mm is almost touching telephoto status on a crop sensor. Put it another way, most kit lenses are 50 to 55mm on the long/narrow end. They're not really walk-around because of the width of field. If you're aware of what you'll get via experience with another lens, go for it, but on APS-C I consider 20 to 30mm much more of a general purpose focal length. Your mileage, of course, may vary.

08-01-2016, 08:24 AM	#37
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,853	Originally posted by eminker I am looking for a 50mm or 55mm lens as a general walk around and using my K-5iis. A 50mm lens is a little long for APS-C for a walk around lens. You might consider 35mm or 28mm lenses but they won't be as fast as the 50s. An A 28mm f/2.8 will be between $50 and $100. The A 35mm lenses are more expensive especially for an f/2. Just my $0.02.