Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

Sandy Hancock · 12-30-2017, 07:45 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by monochrome

I would pass on a 50

Everyone needs a fast fifty

**monochrome** · 12-30-2017, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

Everyone needs a fast fifty

I always thought so, but my FA50/1.4 has been boxed for two years and I haven’t mounted a manual 50 in forever. K-1 and film have been 31, 35, 43, 77, 85, 105, 24~ 70 and 28 ~ 105.

mnhoj · 12-30-2017, 08:36 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

Well played!

One word of caution: I returned my 20-40 because its IQ at the wide end was unacceptable except in the very centre. Many others have not had the same experience, so I'm sure I was just unlucky. Don't settle for a poor copy.

Is the 50/1.7 the FA, F, A or M? They all have a fine reputation.

Thanks Sandy.
I will not settle! ( :

FA.

A nifty fifty on a crop body brings me back to my first dslr and lens.
A Nikon D50 and 50 1.8d in 2005. I skipped the kit lens and shot that thing at F1.8 for weeks.
Over exposed a few stops and all.

---------- Post added 12-30-17 at 09:42 PM ----------

Originally posted by monochrome

I always thought so, but my FA50/1.4 has been boxed for two years and I haven’t mounted a manual 50 in forever. K-1 and film have been 31, 35, 43, 77, 85, 105, 24~ 70 and 28 ~ 105.

A normal lens no matter how good doesn't stand a chance with focal lengths and attributes like those. ( :

**aslyfox** · 12-30-2017, 09:04 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

Everyone needs a fast fifty

fast or nifty

" the nifty fifty? "

Pentax 50mm Prime Lens Shootout Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

" We started this review asking the question; which of the three fifty’s was the nifty fifty? Taking into consideration the factors that were reviewed, the Pentax DA 50mm F1.8 is the niftiest of the fifty’s. Although the lens did not blow the competition away, it did hold its own against the D FA 50mm F2.8 and the FA 50mm F1.4 both which cost more. "

Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-50mm-fa-da-dfa-lens-comparison/c...#ixzz52oAamVXc

mnhoj · 12-30-2017, 09:08 PM

Nifty fast and thrifty.

---------- Post added 12-30-17 at 10:09 PM ----------

I wish I would've done all this last week.
I could have been shooting tomorrow.

Sandy Hancock · 12-30-2017, 09:14 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Aslyfox

fast or nifty

" the nifty fifty? "

Alliteration or rhyming - take your pick. I chose the alliterative option for a reason, but I guess the FA50/1.7 qualifies as both

The Industar 50/3.5 and K50/4.0 macro could both qualify as nifty fifties, but neither are fast....

---------- Post added 31-12-17 at 02:45 PM ----------

Originally posted by mnhoj

Nifty fast and thrifty.

....pick two....

**mattb123** · 12-30-2017, 10:46 PM - **2 Likes**

I have the 15/40/77 combo and love it.
The 40 Limited is a fine lens and is also tiny.

Na Horuk · 12-31-2017, 05:36 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

The Industar 50/3.5 and K50/4.0 macro could both qualify as nifty fifties, but neither are fast....

They are only a little nifty

For full niftyness you need f2 or faster, everyone knows that

btnapa · 12-31-2017, 10:39 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by mnhoj

I just looked up the 20-40. I was expecting something large.
That looks pretty amazing.

Yes it is small. Very light, all metal and it is WR too. I wish it worked on full frame. I would have bought it in a heartbeat. B&H has it on special. It is not exactly cheap but then again you are getting a Limited lens which is a classic already.

**mikesbike** · 12-31-2017, 01:36 PM - **2 Likes**

Congrats for your selection of the excellent DA 20-40mm Limited. I'm confident that you'll love it as I do. It certainly does make a perfect fit into your kit. Just be sure to go into your K-70's custom image menu and select "F" for Fine sharpening in at least the "Bright" and "Natural" categories for best detail in your images, according to lab tests and user experience. The image quality of this lens is very much in league with that of the Limited primes, but in a useful, versatile zoom range and having quiet, accurate AF performance, with great build quality and WR.

gm4life · 12-31-2017, 05:23 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by mikesbike

Congrats for your selection of the excellent DA 20-40mm Limited. I'm confident that you'll love it as I do. It certainly does make a perfect fit into your kit. Just be sure to go into your K-70's custom image menu and select "F" for Fine sharpening in at least the "Bright" and "Natural" categories for best detail in your images, according to lab tests and user experience. The image quality of this lens is very much in league with that of the Limited primes, but in a useful, versatile zoom range and having quiet, accurate AF performance, with great build quality and WR.

Couldn't agree more - I think the OP will enjoy this piece of glass a lot. I know it is by FAR the most used of all my Limiteds and is in fact likely my second most used lens - coming in right behind the 16-85.

mnhoj · 01-05-2018, 07:32 AM - **1 Like**

The K-70 arrived yesterday.
Getting used to a dslr again. Been awhile.

The 15 and 70 are outstanding.
Love the size and build and images are sharp and contrasty.

The FA50 is nice too and I often use that length for indoor candids.
I've forgotten how screwdriver lenses sound - my wife asked me if it was broken. ( :

The 20-40 is out for delivery.
Hope it arrives before I leave for a weekend run up a few hours north.

Thanks for all of your help.
Much appreciated.

**pres589** · 01-05-2018, 08:15 AM

I also like shooting streets and just general nonsense and use a crop body. The DA 21 interests me a lot for this purpose. The FA 31 also does although I think it might be a bit too "narrow" for my tastes and this purpose, and it's costly. So then I start looking at other options and they're all out of production.

The FA*24 and Sigma Super-Wide II AF 24mm lenses should be excellent for this. I feel both are overpriced per what I'm seeing on ebay lately.
Pentax also offered the F 28 and FA 28 f2.8 primes; the F seems to be the better performing of these wide open.
Lately the Sigma 28mm EX DG f1.8 has been glued to my camera. It's pretty good although I have issues focusing with it that I cannot explain. It's also big and heavy.

There are a lot of manual focus lenses out there that work. I don't know how interested you are in those.

This is an area that I feel that Pentax has ignored for no good reason and I whine about it often.

EDIT: It would appear that I'm late to this party. Good luck with the 20-40, it seems like a great lens.

**mattb123** · 01-05-2018, 10:02 AM

My small prime kit is a crop body and the 15, 40 Limited, and 77 and I love it so my recommendation would be the 40 Limited. It's also pretty affordable.
I also have the da 50/1.8 and take that sometimes if I might need a faster lens in the middle of the range but I really prefer the 40 for fast focusing, IQ, and being tiny.

**pres589** · 01-05-2018, 10:10 AM

The 40's always seemed really cool, but on crop, what are you mostly doing with that focal length? Just general carry? I don't really like the plastic 35mm partly because I just don't jive with it on APS-C and how it's always less wide than I want.

01-05-2018, 08:15 AM	#43
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	I also like shooting streets and just general nonsense and use a crop body. The DA 21 interests me a lot for this purpose. The FA 31 also does although I think it might be a bit too "narrow" for my tastes and this purpose, and it's costly. So then I start looking at other options and they're all out of production. The FA24 and Sigma Super-Wide II AF 24mm lenses should be excellent for this. I feel both are overpriced per what I'm seeing on ebay lately. Pentax also offered the F 28 and FA 28 f2.8 primes; the F seems to be the better performing of these wide open. Lately the Sigma 28mm EX DG f1.8 has been glued to my camera. It's pretty good although I have issues focusing with it that I cannot explain. It's also big and heavy. There are a lot of manual focus lenses out there that work. I don't know how interested you are in those. This is an area that I feel that Pentax has ignored for no good reason and I whine about it often. EDIT: It would appear that I'm late to this party. Good luck with the 20-40, it seems like a great lens. Last edited by pres589; 01-05-2018 at 08:21 AM.*

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12-30-2017, 07:45 PM - 2 Likes	#31
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	Originally posted by monochrome I would pass on a 50 Everyone needs a fast fifty

12-30-2017, 08:04 PM	#32
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock Everyone needs a fast fifty I always thought so, but my FA50/1.4 has been boxed for two years and I haven’t mounted a manual 50 in forever. K-1 and film have been 31, 35, 43, 77, 85, 105, 24~ 70 and 28 ~ 105.

12-30-2017, 08:36 PM - 1 Like	#33
mnhoj Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 132 Original Poster	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock Well played! One word of caution: I returned my 20-40 because its IQ at the wide end was unacceptable except in the very centre. Many others have not had the same experience, so I'm sure I was just unlucky. Don't settle for a poor copy. Is the 50/1.7 the FA, F, A or M? They all have a fine reputation. Thanks Sandy. I will not settle! ( : FA. A nifty fifty on a crop body brings me back to my first dslr and lens. A Nikon D50 and 50 1.8d in 2005. I skipped the kit lens and shot that thing at F1.8 for weeks. Over exposed a few stops and all. ---------- Post added 12-30-17 at 09:42 PM ---------- Originally posted by monochrome I always thought so, but my FA50/1.4 has been boxed for two years and I haven’t mounted a manual 50 in forever. K-1 and film have been 31, 35, 43, 77, 85, 105, 24~ 70 and 28 ~ 105. A normal lens no matter how good doesn't stand a chance with focal lengths and attributes like those. ( :

12-30-2017, 09:04 PM	#34
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock Everyone needs a fast fifty fast or nifty " the nifty fifty? " Pentax 50mm Prime Lens Shootout Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews " We started this review asking the question; which of the three fifty’s was the nifty fifty? Taking into consideration the factors that were reviewed, the Pentax DA 50mm F1.8 is the niftiest of the fifty’s. Although the lens did not blow the competition away, it did hold its own against the D FA 50mm F2.8 and the FA 50mm F1.4 both which cost more. " Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-50mm-fa-da-dfa-lens-comparison/c...#ixzz52oAamVXc

12-30-2017, 09:08 PM	#35
mnhoj Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 132 Original Poster	Nifty fast and thrifty. ---------- Post added 12-30-17 at 10:09 PM ---------- I wish I would've done all this last week. I could have been shooting tomorrow.

12-30-2017, 09:14 PM - 1 Like	#36
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	Originally posted by Aslyfox fast or nifty " the nifty fifty? " Alliteration or rhyming - take your pick. I chose the alliterative option for a reason, but I guess the FA50/1.7 qualifies as both The Industar 50/3.5 and K50/4.0 macro could both qualify as nifty fifties, but neither are fast.... ---------- Post added 31-12-17 at 02:45 PM ---------- Originally posted by mnhoj Nifty fast and thrifty. ....pick two....

12-30-2017, 10:46 PM - 2 Likes	#37
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,873	I have the 15/40/77 combo and love it. The 40 Limited is a fine lens and is also tiny.

12-31-2017, 05:36 AM - 1 Like	#38
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock The Industar 50/3.5 and K50/4.0 macro could both qualify as nifty fifties, but neither are fast.... They are only a little nifty For full niftyness you need f2 or faster, everyone knows that

12-31-2017, 10:39 AM - 1 Like	#39
btnapa Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,621	Originally posted by mnhoj I just looked up the 20-40. I was expecting something large. That looks pretty amazing. Yes it is small. Very light, all metal and it is WR too. I wish it worked on full frame. I would have bought it in a heartbeat. B&H has it on special. It is not exactly cheap but then again you are getting a Limited lens which is a classic already.

12-31-2017, 01:36 PM - 2 Likes	#40
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,562	Congrats for your selection of the excellent DA 20-40mm Limited. I'm confident that you'll love it as I do. It certainly does make a perfect fit into your kit. Just be sure to go into your K-70's custom image menu and select "F" for Fine sharpening in at least the "Bright" and "Natural" categories for best detail in your images, according to lab tests and user experience. The image quality of this lens is very much in league with that of the Limited primes, but in a useful, versatile zoom range and having quiet, accurate AF performance, with great build quality and WR.

12-31-2017, 05:23 PM - 1 Like	#41
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	Originally posted by mikesbike Congrats for your selection of the excellent DA 20-40mm Limited. I'm confident that you'll love it as I do. It certainly does make a perfect fit into your kit. Just be sure to go into your K-70's custom image menu and select "F" for Fine sharpening in at least the "Bright" and "Natural" categories for best detail in your images, according to lab tests and user experience. The image quality of this lens is very much in league with that of the Limited primes, but in a useful, versatile zoom range and having quiet, accurate AF performance, with great build quality and WR. Couldn't agree more - I think the OP will enjoy this piece of glass a lot. I know it is by FAR the most used of all my Limiteds and is in fact likely my second most used lens - coming in right behind the 16-85.

01-05-2018, 07:32 AM - 1 Like	#42
mnhoj Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 132 Original Poster	The K-70 arrived yesterday. Getting used to a dslr again. Been awhile. The 15 and 70 are outstanding. Love the size and build and images are sharp and contrasty. The FA50 is nice too and I often use that length for indoor candids. I've forgotten how screwdriver lenses sound - my wife asked me if it was broken. ( : The 20-40 is out for delivery. Hope it arrives before I leave for a weekend run up a few hours north. Thanks for all of your help. Much appreciated.

01-05-2018, 10:02 AM	#44
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,873	My small prime kit is a crop body and the 15, 40 Limited, and 77 and I love it so my recommendation would be the 40 Limited. It's also pretty affordable. I also have the da 50/1.8 and take that sometimes if I might need a faster lens in the middle of the range but I really prefer the 40 for fast focusing, IQ, and being tiny.

01-05-2018, 10:10 AM	#45
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	The 40's always seemed really cool, but on crop, what are you mostly doing with that focal length? Just general carry? I don't really like the plastic 35mm partly because I just don't jive with it on APS-C and how it's always less wide than I want.

Between the 15 and 70

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