Best 'normal' pentax K-1 lens?

chickenandavocado · 09-18-2016, 07:32 PM

hi

i was thinking of getting the k-1 after a long time away from photography

what's the best 'normal' lens that fits the following criteria:

- at least f2
- between 43 and 55mm
- used for portrait mainly

I have read the FA 43mm doesn't do well with the K-1, how about the FA 50 1.4?

Any other alternatives I haven't considered?

blan01 · 09-18-2016, 07:50 PM

Same hereI
I like my 43 but I always reach for my 31mm or 77mm , then I went for a few vintage manual focus 50mm, but I feel more comfortable using them on my A7.
So I am thinking about the 55mm right now, however I do worry about the size and SDM.

**grahame** · 09-18-2016, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by blan01

I like my 43 but I always reach for my 31mm or 77mm ,

That happens to me with APS cameras. 43 is a wonderful lens on K-1. ironically, I forgot 31 is actually a wide lens and felt it is too wide on K1. Took me awhile to get use to.

**pres589** · 09-18-2016, 08:14 PM

An F or FA 50 f1.7 might be worth grabbing. Compare pics in the user database. Helios 44's also seem like good portait lenses on crop and maybe work well on FF.

stillshot2 · 09-18-2016, 08:38 PM

Doesn't the DA 50mm f1.8 cover full frame? It's a good performer and low cost.

CDW · 09-18-2016, 09:12 PM

One my lens is a vintage manual focus f1.4 50mm and it is superb on the K1, especially when you can use pixel shift.

HYS · 09-18-2016, 10:20 PM

Have you tried the D FA 50/2.8 Macro on K-1?

**Alex645** · 09-18-2016, 10:50 PM

For new glass, my first choice has got to go to the Pentax 43mm f/1.9 Limited
Pentax SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Series Autofocus Lens 20180

My second choice, the Pentax 50mm SMCP-FA f/1.4
Pentax Normal SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens 20817 B&H Photo

Personally, I wouldnʻt necessarily limit your choices to under f/2 as the Pentax SMC-DFA 50mm f/2.8 macro is probably the sharpest option (if you can afford it). For years Iʻve been shooting medium format with 100 ISO film with f/2.8 and f/3.5 primes.
Pentax smc D-FA 50mm F2.8 Macro: Digital Photography Review

Ricoh is due to produce a full frame standard prime for the K-1. Any rumors???

repaap · 09-18-2016, 11:06 PM

I do really much like my FA 43 on K-1. Other lens that I have is DA*55 on this focal range and it is really nice too. Great actually. Both of them I do enjoy really much on FF. Sometimes I'd like to little crop on DA*55 image because I'v got used to it on crop camera. Stopped down or W/O my copies of these lenses are absolutelly great!

Paul the Sunman · 09-19-2016, 01:21 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Alex645

Ricoh is due to produce a full frame standard prime for the K-1. Any rumors???

Not rumour. It's on the official roadmap. "Large aperture standard single focus lens". Due 2017 (or later).

awscreo · 09-19-2016, 01:27 AM

I was a bit broke after purchasing k-1, so I went with the smc 50 1.8. Felt reluctant in the beginning, didn't know if plastic would be inferior to a proper metal mount. Must say - it's a pretty awesome little lens. Plastic feels sturdy, and not at all cheap. Optically it's a lot of a lens for little cash, af is not as noisy as I thought it would be, and results are just great - wide open its decently sharp (in my opinion anyway), but won't win any awards. However, 2.8 onwards it's razor sharp, and I find myself using 2.8 most of the time, since 2.8 on full frame gives enough separation when I need it, and still keeps the image sharp. I've yet to test other fifties, so this is just my 2 cents.

robthebloke · 09-19-2016, 03:09 AM

I will concede that the FA43 is not to everyone's taste, but it's a fine little bit of glass on the k-1 (it's become one of my most used lenses - with the FA77 and FA31 seeing somewhat less use). If you need a slightly bigger aperture, the DA* 55 is always an option (I've heard good things, but haven't used one myself). If you want a lens that very few people have an issue with, also does macro, then the DFA50 macro can be had for a steal.

LennyBloke · 09-19-2016, 03:47 AM

I'd be interested to hear the views of anyone who has used the Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 on a K1 (I know it's 3mm above your max focal length) - it may just be that this is the "Best Normal Lens" - if it's APS-C results are anything to go by it will certainly be up there

chickenandavocado · 09-19-2016, 05:27 AM

Thanks all, interestingly in the lens review database there is not much love for the fa43 on the k1

Do they have bad copies or...?

SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Reviews - FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

noelpolar · 09-19-2016, 06:16 AM

Originally posted by chickenandavocado

Do they have bad copies or...?
[/url]

Thats what I would think.... lots of happy people.... most of us have had the 43 for a while and wouldn't think to do a K-1 and 43 write up....most of what I've seen suggests people are falling back in love with it on FF now.

09-18-2016, 07:32 PM	#1
chickenandavocado Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 327	Best 'normal' pentax K-1 lens? hi i was thinking of getting the k-1 after a long time away from photography what's the best 'normal' lens that fits the following criteria: - at least f2 - between 43 and 55mm - used for portrait mainly I have read the FA 43mm doesn't do well with the K-1, how about the FA 50 1.4? Any other alternatives I haven't considered?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Best wide angle lens for K-1?	micromacro	Pentax K-1 & K-1 II	409	03-19-2019 09:57 AM
Lens Tournament: FA 31mm Limited vs DA 35mm Limited Macro (Best Normal Lens)	Adam	Pentax Forums Giveaways	25	01-05-2015 08:31 AM
For Sale - Sold: SMC Pentax K55/1.8 Normal Lens	monochrome	Sold Items	5	08-29-2013 06:09 AM
Best "normal' FOV lens	pmastello	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	35	02-22-2011 01:39 PM
And the best "normal" Pentax lens is...	FHPhotographer	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	08-04-2008 04:17 PM

09-18-2016, 07:50 PM	#2
blan01 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Boston,MA Posts: 258	Same hereI I like my 43 but I always reach for my 31mm or 77mm , then I went for a few vintage manual focus 50mm, but I feel more comfortable using them on my A7. So I am thinking about the 55mm right now, however I do worry about the size and SDM.

09-18-2016, 08:02 PM	#3
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	Originally posted by blan01 I like my 43 but I always reach for my 31mm or 77mm , That happens to me with APS cameras. 43 is a wonderful lens on K-1. ironically, I forgot 31 is actually a wide lens and felt it is too wide on K1. Took me awhile to get use to.

09-18-2016, 08:14 PM	#4
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	An F or FA 50 f1.7 might be worth grabbing. Compare pics in the user database. Helios 44's also seem like good portait lenses on crop and maybe work well on FF.

09-18-2016, 08:38 PM	#5
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	Doesn't the DA 50mm f1.8 cover full frame? It's a good performer and low cost.

09-18-2016, 09:12 PM	#6
CDW Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Big Island, Hawaii & Utah Posts: 457	One my lens is a vintage manual focus f1.4 50mm and it is superb on the K1, especially when you can use pixel shift.

09-18-2016, 10:20 PM	#7
HYS Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 377	Have you tried the D FA 50/2.8 Macro on K-1?

09-18-2016, 10:50 PM	#8
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	For new glass, my first choice has got to go to the Pentax 43mm f/1.9 Limited Pentax SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Series Autofocus Lens 20180 My second choice, the Pentax 50mm SMCP-FA f/1.4 Pentax Normal SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens 20817 B&H Photo Personally, I wouldnʻt necessarily limit your choices to under f/2 as the Pentax SMC-DFA 50mm f/2.8 macro is probably the sharpest option (if you can afford it). For years Iʻve been shooting medium format with 100 ISO film with f/2.8 and f/3.5 primes. Pentax smc D-FA 50mm F2.8 Macro: Digital Photography Review Ricoh is due to produce a full frame standard prime for the K-1. Any rumors???

09-18-2016, 11:06 PM	#9
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	I do really much like my FA 43 on K-1. Other lens that I have is DA55 on this focal range and it is really nice too. Great actually. Both of them I do enjoy really much on FF. Sometimes I'd like to little crop on DA55 image because I'v got used to it on crop camera. Stopped down or W/O my copies of these lenses are absolutelly great!

09-19-2016, 01:21 AM - 1 Like	#10
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,842	Originally posted by Alex645 Ricoh is due to produce a full frame standard prime for the K-1. Any rumors??? Not rumour. It's on the official roadmap. "Large aperture standard single focus lens". Due 2017 (or later).

09-19-2016, 01:27 AM	#11
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722	I was a bit broke after purchasing k-1, so I went with the smc 50 1.8. Felt reluctant in the beginning, didn't know if plastic would be inferior to a proper metal mount. Must say - it's a pretty awesome little lens. Plastic feels sturdy, and not at all cheap. Optically it's a lot of a lens for little cash, af is not as noisy as I thought it would be, and results are just great - wide open its decently sharp (in my opinion anyway), but won't win any awards. However, 2.8 onwards it's razor sharp, and I find myself using 2.8 most of the time, since 2.8 on full frame gives enough separation when I need it, and still keeps the image sharp. I've yet to test other fifties, so this is just my 2 cents.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

09-19-2016, 03:09 AM	#12
robthebloke Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 844	I will concede that the FA43 is not to everyone's taste, but it's a fine little bit of glass on the k-1 (it's become one of my most used lenses - with the FA77 and FA31 seeing somewhat less use). If you need a slightly bigger aperture, the DA* 55 is always an option (I've heard good things, but haven't used one myself). If you want a lens that very few people have an issue with, also does macro, then the DFA50 macro can be had for a steal.

09-19-2016, 03:47 AM	#13
LennyBloke Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Worcestershire, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 677	I'd be interested to hear the views of anyone who has used the Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 on a K1 (I know it's 3mm above your max focal length) - it may just be that this is the "Best Normal Lens" - if it's APS-C results are anything to go by it will certainly be up there

09-19-2016, 05:27 AM	#14
chickenandavocado Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 327 Original Poster	Thanks all, interestingly in the lens review database there is not much love for the fa43 on the k1 Do they have bad copies or...? SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Reviews - FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

09-19-2016, 06:16 AM	#15
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by chickenandavocado Do they have bad copies or...? [/url] Thats what I would think.... lots of happy people.... most of us have had the 43 for a while and wouldn't think to do a K-1 and 43 write up....most of what I've seen suggests people are falling back in love with it on FF now.