[KevinMoss]

Hello guys, it´s me again
Everytime that I search for Pentax Lenses I become more confused about them, I mean, it´s my fault because I want all of them haha

I´m building a lens collection because I´m going to buy the K-1 later on, but I prefer to buy expensive lenses first than expensive cameras (Because I can use the same lenses with different cameras)

Right now I have a K-50, the DA50mm f1.8, the 18-55 f3.5-f5.6 AL WR, and the smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro

I´m travelling a lot so I need a versatile lens that can be my "Daily lens" but I also like lenses that have a lot of zoom or nice bokeh (Mainly for Portraits or Birds)

At the moment, I can only spend up to $1200dlls

I was thinking about

Pentax 24-70 f2.8 - I know that this lens is in the "pro line" and actually, 24-70 is an excellent focal lenght to have it as my daily lens

The 50-135 f2.8 and the 300mm f.4 are pretty gold lenses, but they have troubles with full frame, and my goal is to upgrade to the K-1

Also thinking about the sigma 35mm f1.5 buuuut, the 50mm f1.4 from Pentax may be worth it

So, I cant go bad choosing the 24-70, but are there any other options?

[jatrax]

300mm f.4 are pretty gold lenses, but they have troubles with full frame,

DA*300 f/4 is rated as a FF lens by Pentax
If moving to the K-1 at some point is your goal then the DFA 15-30, DFA 24-70 would both be on my list. For primes I prefer the Pentax-F series or for landscape the Pentax-A series but only because they are so tiny and light.

[pschlute]

The D-FA 24-70 is an excellent lens and is a great combo with the K1. But I would not describe the K1+ 24-70 as a versatile travel kit. Depending how light you like to travel you may find a less weighty combination would be more suitable, and that may invole an aps-c sensor camera.

The 50-135 f2.8 and the 300mm f.4 are pretty gold lenses, but they have troubles with full frame, and my goal is to upgrade to the K-1

The DA* 300mm f4 is a FF compatible. It has no problem with the K1

[dave2k]

The D FA 28-105 is a pretty good lens, it's reasonably priced and it covers quite a range of focal lengths. With your budget I suspect you could get this lens plus a pretty good, used DA 300 f4 which would work for the bird shots. But you can't go wrong with the 24-70 unless you are looking for a smaller, lighter lens. And you have the advantage of a wider aperture with the 24-70 for your bokeh objective.

[Kozlok]

For a fixed (limited) amount of money, you will get better performance from apsc. If you don’t need WR, get an old Sigma 17-70 to tide you over. Only 150-200 generally.

For a bit more, the 16-85 looks great.

[normhead]

I´m travelling a lot so I need a versatile lens that can be my "Daily lens" but I also like lenses that have a lot of zoom or nice bokeh (Mainly for Portraits or Birds)

For birds you need 400-600mm. The DA*300 with the 1.4 TC is the cheap option.
On the K-1 The DFA 28-105 is my walk around lens. You simply won't see me walking with big heavy 2.8 lens on unless it's giving me some reach. I like it on my K-1, my wife is always taking it for use on her K-5.

My travel package is usually, the K-1 DFA 28-105, DFA 100 macro, FAJ 18-35, DA*60-250 (or DA*200) and the 1.4 and 1.7x TCs. Throw the FA 50 1.7 in the bag if you expect low light situations and you're ready for just about anything.

[Alex645]

I´m building a lens collection because I´m going to buy the K-1 later on, but I prefer to buy expensive lenses first than expensive cameras

Right now I have a K-50, the DA50mm f1.8, the 18-55 f3.5-f5.6 AL WR, and the smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro

I´m travelling a lot so I need a versatile lens that can be my "Daily lens" but I also like lenses that have a lot of zoom or nice bokeh (Mainly for Portraits or Birds)

At the moment, I can only spend up to $1200dlls

Kevin, Lots of good advice and I think your own choices probably make the most sense for you. But here is my alternative thought as a prime lover that would make gems for a collection with emphasis on quality+small+light+fast. Keep in mind your DFA 100mm macro is also FF compatible to compliment these:

a) Pentax SMCP FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited $1000 (the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art is nearly double the weight; 346g vs. 665g)
or
b) Pentax SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited $500 (almost a pancake at 146g)
and
Pentax SMCP-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited $800 (269g. and weightless pixie dust)

[disconnekt]

Hello guys, it´s me again
Everytime that I search for Pentax Lenses I become more confused about them, I mean, it´s my fault because I want all of them haha

I´m building a lens collection because I´m going to buy the K-1 later on, but I prefer to buy expensive lenses first than expensive cameras (Because I can use the same lenses with different cameras)

Right now I have a K-50, the DA50mm f1.8, the 18-55 f3.5-f5.6 AL WR, and the smc Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro

I´m travelling a lot so I need a versatile lens that can be my "Daily lens" but I also like lenses that have a lot of zoom or nice bokeh (Mainly for Portraits or Birds)

At the moment, I can only spend up to $1200dlls

I was thinking about

Pentax 24-70 f2.8 - I know that this lens is in the "pro line" and actually, 24-70 is an excellent focal lenght to have it as my daily lens

The 50-135 f2.8 and the 300mm f.4 are pretty gold lenses, but they have troubles with full frame, and my goal is to upgrade to the K-1

Also thinking about the sigma 35mm f1.5 buuuut, the 50mm f1.4 from Pentax may be worth it

So, I cant go bad choosing the 24-70, but are there any other options?

Since you're going to go the FF route, I suggest buying FF lenses so you can use it down the road (you'll save money in the long run, instead of buying apsc lenses then having to resell them later).

For a walk-around zoom lens, if you're fine with a variable lens there's Pentax's 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ($497 on Adorama) or if you want a constent aperture there's Tamron's 28-75mm f2.8 $299 on keh), and Tamron's 70-200mm f2.8 ($769 on Adorama) for birding.

[Sandy Hancock]

Who said the DA*300 "has troubles" on the K-1?







The DA*50-135 is definitely a crop lens, but the DA*300 is brilliant on full frame.

[Alex645]

Any Pentax lens with an asterisk (*) is truly a star. Considering the lighting and the distance, shooting theatre is not easy, but your shots are well done. Encore!!!

[Sandy Hancock]

Considering the lighting and the distance, shooting theatre is not easy, but your shots are well done. Encore!!!

I have many more. Don't encourage me.

[dConvert]

I don't see any need to worry about lenses being old. If they've been reasonably well looked after old lenses work fine!
I'm also quite sure none of the lenses you're referring to would be classed as old in my collection.
Old suggests at least manual focus & probably manual aperture too - such as M & K series lenses & the earlier M42 mount ones - all work with the K1.
I've jury rigged a 1930's lens to use with my cameras (a Kodak 12cm Astigmat mounted via bellows). Apart from the lack of coatings in reality it's much the same as newer lenses...

[Alex645]

d

I have many more. Don't encourage me.

Note on post #9 how the third shot of the airport tower is very "clinical". Thankfully we have the first two examples with the same lens that shows it is often the subject and photographer that makes all the difference. Also post 9/11, the FAA usually does not like federal facilities, especially areas off limits to the public, to be photographed, but then I presume this was taken in the land downunder

The Pentax SMCP-DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) SDM is said to not be full frame compatible, but many find it works fine with both APS-C and the K-1.

[normhead]

Someone should point us to a post that says the DA*300 is not a full frame lens, posted by someone who actually has one and K-1 to demonstrate. Maybe i just haven't been paying attention.

[Alex645]

Someone should point us to a post that says the DA*300 is not a full frame lens, posted by someone who actually has one and K-1 to demonstrate. Maybe i just haven't been paying attention.

Others with a K-1 and DA*300 have demonstrated and posted that they don't have any compatibility issues. Here's at least one link that says it's not compatible in both a special notation and in the specs tab:

Pentax SMCP-DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens 21760 B&H