[WestBug]

I don't WANT to spend a lot, but since my wife won't let me get a motorcycle, and I'ts getting more difficult to stand up on a surfboard at my age, and I'm terrible at fishing, I don't mind spending what I need to on a good lens. I bought the 16-50, 50-135 and Tamron 90 used, but the FA31 and 70-200 new. I don't mind used, but the coatings on some of the new lenses supposedly help with some of the mistakes I make when trying to take photo's...

Actually You sound like a Good candidate for a DFA 28-105mm new lens in addition to an inexpensive 50mm manual Prime. Perfect match on your K-1 and it looks like you actually need it ? That way you have a capable FF Zoom and don't have to shoot half your lenses in Crop Mode on the K-1.

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Last edited by WestBug; 02-14-2017 at 02:45 PM.

[RobA_Oz]

Hi Bill.

I have a few 50s (and thereabouts, 55s and a 58) so I should be qualified to give an opinion. However, If you only have room in your wallet for one (maybe, one at a time) then the FA50/2.8 macro should be on your list. It isn't a big bokeh lens, unless you're shooting at fairly close range, but it is sharp and it is an excellent macro lens. It's main drawback is that it isn't WR, but neither are most of the others. The K-1's dynamic range and low-light capabilities more than make up for the 50 macro's maximum aperture shortcomings.

[Snydly]

Hi Bill.

I have a few 50s (and thereabouts, 55s and a 58) so I should be qualified to give an opinion. However, If you only have room in your wallet for one (maybe, one at a time) then the FA50/2.8 macro should be on your list. It isn't a big bokeh lens, unless you're shooting at fairly close range, but it is sharp and it is an excellent macro lens. It's main drawback is that it isn't WR, but neither are most of the others. The K-1's dynamic range and low-light capabilities more than make up for the 50 macro's maximum aperture shortcomings.

I'm leaning that way, but as you say, there is an issue, however minor that makes the 50 2.8 a compromise. Weather sealing. For the DA* 55 it's the 'DA'. For the 28-105 it's the min aperture. For the FA43 it's the screw drive...

I know it seems I'm too picky, but I really like the k1, as well as the k5iis so I want to pair the k1 with the (near) perfect normal lens. I travel with the k5iis with the 16-50 attached. Took me a while to find the right bag as well as the bag to keep them in.

[skierd]

I'd run, not walk, to the FA43 limited and the DA*55 personally.

I do have a soft spot for the Tak, Super Tak, and K 55 f1.8 too (take your pick) though I probably should have kept the Ricoh 55mm f1.4 I had too.

[Snydly]

I'd run, not walk, to the FA43 limited and the DA*55 personally.

I do have a soft spot for the Tak, Super Tak, and K 55 f1.8 too (take your pick) though I probably should have kept the Ricoh 55mm f1.4 I had too.

The DA*55 is intriguing, but it's not made for FF. Works on FF but I don't want to buy and find out a week later they came out with a FF version.

[pakinjapan]

Hi,
I have the FA31 and DFA 70-200, as well as the Tamron 90. I've got a few Tak's and the 16-50 and 50-135 for my k5iis, but would like a normal for my k1.

, I know what you feel like. I feel the same when I try looking for a 50 mm. I am looking at the lenses you already have and notice that you don't have a macro lens? You know where I am going, right? I am just saying. (((get the 50 macro! FA50 f2.8 macro if possible)))

***Edit***
it looks like Tamron 90 is a macro lens. Then it comes down to what you will use the lens for. I was very interest in getting a fast 50, so I was looking at f1.2 or 1.4 old lens but then I hardly do anything require beautiful background/foreground blur, handheld low-light. I only do night and city landscape and I just want the sharpest lens + beautiful star burst. so I end up with the FA50 macro. Many say that it is one of the sharpest lens Pentax ever made. It offers very nice starburst effect too. What you will mainly use the 50 mm for?

[UncleVanya]

DFA 50. F2.8 and sharp sharp sharp. Modern coatings. Long focus throw. Af when needed. Macro.

[normhead]

I have the 28-105 and 50 macro, both fantastic lenses. And also an FA 50 1.7. Nice lens but not stellar. NO one seems to have mentioned the DA 50 1.8, how odd.

[Saltwater Images]

If you want a normal focal length for the K-1 the FA 43 Ltd is the true normal for your FF sensor. 35mm film is 24mm X 36mm and the diagonal measurement is 43.27mm. Your K-1 sensor is 24mm X 35.9mm so the FA 43 Limited is the "Normal" focal length. 50mm is reasonably close to normal. 55mm less so.

Ultimately you must decide what best suits your needs. The screw drive isn't a bad thing. It's reliable. I have 3 HD DA Limiteds and chose the screw drive for reliability.

[tvdtvdtvd]

I believe I already have a Tak 55 1.8, as well as an M 50 1.7. Haven't tried them yet, but I will.

Well, there you are, you have your 50. There are lots of good 50s to be had, but the M50/1.7 remains my favorite.

I guess you should clarify what you want in a 50 that you don't already have. I have 20+ 50s. They're cheap and
easy to acquire and almost all universally good, so hard to pass up adding yet another.

[BROO]

I'm waiting to see what Pentax announce at CP+ in a few weeks. They have a normal prime on the roadmap and I think there will be some clarification then. I think it will be an expensive but high quality lens which the K1 deserves. My suggestion is to save up and buy the best quality lens. The K1 is a top class camera and it deserves quality glass.

[lithedreamer]

I'll also suggest the FA 43 Limited, it's really a gem.

[WestBug]

Hope we are doing a Good Job of spending Your money ?

[normhead]

Hope we are doing a Good Job of spending Your money ?

Be assured, we won't rest until it's spent.

[dave2k]

NO one seems to have mentioned the DA 50 1.8, how odd.

That's exactly what I've been thinking since I started reading this thread. If you don't need macro this lens seems like a great bargain. I'm primarily a zoom guy, but my DA 35 2.4 is so good I've been thinking about getting the DA 50 1.8. The reviews and ratings are pretty impressive and how can you go wrong at around $150. But it definitely depends on how you will be using the lens. Good luck.