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Dewman · 05-18-2018, 04:40 AM

Maybe I should say "inexpensive" rather than cheap. Cheap kinda' hints at shoddy, or poorly built. What I mean is.... what's your best "inexpensive" lens?

Mine would probably be my Sigma 28-80mm f:3.5 - 5.6 Macro lens. I'm surprised that the low scores in the review. Sigma 28-80mm F3.5-5.6 Macro Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Maybe I just lucked out and got a "special" copy, but mine has always performed quite well. It's produced some amazingly sharp 1:2 macro images in the past. For $30.00, I'm not sure there's a better lens on the market for that price. It's proven to be a great landscape lens, also.

bassek · 05-18-2018, 05:02 AM

M135/3.5.

Seb

Edit: Actually any M-series (prime or zoom) would qualify that you get well below 50 $, £ or €...

**marcusBMG** · 05-18-2018, 05:05 AM

No brainer! The 50mm f1.7's are basically the best price/IQ going. Knocks the socks off the kit lens 50mm vs 50mm - and more than 3 (three!) stops faster.

**pepperberry farm** · 05-18-2018, 05:11 AM

I'd probably have to agree with Marcus on the 50/1.7 lenses being a bargain..

my own personal winner is my SMC A 200mm f4 - she's mint and cost me $27...

**Alex645** · 05-18-2018, 05:11 AM

Originally posted by Dewman

Maybe I just lucked out and got a "special" copy, but mine has always performed quite well.

Often luck is involved in either getting that "special" copy or a gifted ʻhand-me-downʻ or donated lens from some kind soul or friend that is less interested in money and more into "paying it forward."

Of lenses that Iʻve purchased, both the Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR kit zoom and the Pentax 35mm DA f/2.4 AL plastic prime both outperform their price categories.

LensBeginner · 05-18-2018, 05:16 AM

Originally posted by marcusBMG

No brainer! The 50mm f1.7's are basically the best price/IQ going.

One shouldn't even have to spell it out...

I'd say that any 28/3.5 or thereabouts can be a close second... my M has very nice resolving power, is quite ok even wide open, is very compact and cheap and the FoV is just about normal on APS-C.

**PJ1** · 05-18-2018, 05:20 AM

Zeiss Biotar 25mm f2 in absolutely pristine condition which I got on Ebay for less than $20 AUD (about $15 USD) including postage. On the downside, it is Pentaka 8 bayonet mount (which I knew when I bid on it). I have done a rough test and the optics look pretty good. I am now putting together a bespoke mount to use it on the Q. (That exercise is not as expensive as it sounds.)

**clackers** · 05-18-2018, 05:25 AM

As Alex645 hints at, the DA35 and DA50 plastic fantastics are superb value old or new. Fifties in general from any brand are kind of in the sweet spot of price vs performance, especially on full frame. The FA28 has its fans. I have a pretty fragile looking 'Quantaray' 28-90mm that's really a Sigma and is quite a good lens.

**twilhelm** · 05-18-2018, 05:38 AM

I purchased a Sigma mini wide once and the seller asked if I wanted an old beat up 55mm for the added cost of shipping. That’s a no brainer. When I got the package, it was a K 55 1.8 which was beat up and had dented threads on the front, but the optics were pristine.

I sold the mini wide, but still use my “free” 55 regularly.

**twilhelm** · 05-18-2018, 05:38 AM

I purchased a Sigma mini wide once and the seller asked if I wanted an old beat up 55mm for the added cost of shipping. That’s a no brainer. When I got the package, it was a K 55 1.8 which was beat up and had dented threads on the front, but the optics were pristine.

I sold the mini wide, but still use my “free” 55 regularly.

**iheiramo** · 05-18-2018, 05:44 AM

Originally posted by marcusBMG

No brainer! The 50mm f1.7's are basically the best price/IQ going.

One more vote for this.

CarlJF · 05-18-2018, 06:00 AM

The F50 f1.7 is by far my best inexpensive lens. But the DA35 f2.4 and DA50 f1.8 would by my picks for lenses still available as new on the market.

Dewman · 05-18-2018, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by marcusBMG

No brainer! The 50mm f1.7's are basically the best price/IQ going.

BINGO, Marcus! Totally spot on! A magnificent lens for mere peanuts!

tvdtvdtvd · 05-18-2018, 06:40 AM

Ditto for the M50/1.7.

There are lots of good bargains out there, especially among nifty fifties, but I can't think of any other
lens that delivers so much for such a cheap price.

edom31 · 05-18-2018, 06:46 AM

While a proud user of a few 50/1.7's (M-A-F), and I concur with most, I have to give the nod to my M 28/2.8 (as it has been the one I've paid the less for)...

05-18-2018, 04:40 AM	#1
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492	Best "cheap" lens. Maybe I should say "inexpensive" rather than cheap. Cheap kinda' hints at shoddy, or poorly built. What I mean is.... what's your best "inexpensive" lens? Mine would probably be my Sigma 28-80mm f:3.5 - 5.6 Macro lens. I'm surprised that the low scores in the review. Sigma 28-80mm F3.5-5.6 Macro Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Maybe I just lucked out and got a "special" copy, but mine has always performed quite well. It's produced some amazingly sharp 1:2 macro images in the past. For $30.00, I'm not sure there's a better lens on the market for that price. It's proven to be a great landscape lens, also.

05-18-2018, 05:02 AM	#2
bassek Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 706	M135/3.5. Seb Edit: Actually any M-series (prime or zoom) would qualify that you get well below 50 $, £ or €... Last edited by bassek; 05-19-2018 at 02:19 AM.

05-18-2018, 05:05 AM	#3
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,870	No brainer! The 50mm f1.7's are basically the best price/IQ going. Knocks the socks off the kit lens 50mm vs 50mm - and more than 3 (three!) stops faster. Last edited by marcusBMG; 05-18-2018 at 09:57 AM.

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05-18-2018, 05:11 AM	#4
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,797	I'd probably have to agree with Marcus on the 50/1.7 lenses being a bargain.. my own personal winner is my SMC A 200mm f4 - she's mint and cost me $27...

05-18-2018, 05:11 AM	#5
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,527	Originally posted by Dewman Maybe I just lucked out and got a "special" copy, but mine has always performed quite well. Often luck is involved in either getting that "special" copy or a gifted ʻhand-me-downʻ or donated lens from some kind soul or friend that is less interested in money and more into "paying it forward." Of lenses that Iʻve purchased, both the Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR kit zoom and the Pentax 35mm DA f/2.4 AL plastic prime both outperform their price categories.

05-18-2018, 05:16 AM	#6
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by marcusBMG No brainer! The 50mm f1.7's are basically the best price/IQ going. One shouldn't even have to spell it out... I'd say that any 28/3.5 or thereabouts can be a close second... my M has very nice resolving power, is quite ok even wide open, is very compact and cheap and the FoV is just about normal on APS-C.

05-18-2018, 05:20 AM	#7
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,487	Zeiss Biotar 25mm f2 in absolutely pristine condition which I got on Ebay for less than $20 AUD (about $15 USD) including postage. On the downside, it is Pentaka 8 bayonet mount (which I knew when I bid on it). I have done a rough test and the optics look pretty good. I am now putting together a bespoke mount to use it on the Q. (That exercise is not as expensive as it sounds.)

05-18-2018, 05:25 AM	#8
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	As Alex645 hints at, the DA35 and DA50 plastic fantastics are superb value old or new. Fifties in general from any brand are kind of in the sweet spot of price vs performance, especially on full frame. The FA28 has its fans. I have a pretty fragile looking 'Quantaray' 28-90mm that's really a Sigma and is quite a good lens.

05-18-2018, 05:38 AM	#9
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	I purchased a Sigma mini wide once and the seller asked if I wanted an old beat up 55mm for the added cost of shipping. That’s a no brainer. When I got the package, it was a K 55 1.8 which was beat up and had dented threads on the front, but the optics were pristine. I sold the mini wide, but still use my “free” 55 regularly.

05-18-2018, 05:38 AM	#10
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	I purchased a Sigma mini wide once and the seller asked if I wanted an old beat up 55mm for the added cost of shipping. That’s a no brainer. When I got the package, it was a K 55 1.8 which was beat up and had dented threads on the front, but the optics were pristine. I sold the mini wide, but still use my “free” 55 regularly.

05-18-2018, 05:44 AM	#11
iheiramo Unoriginal Poster Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Espoo Photos: Albums Posts: 3,182	Originally posted by marcusBMG No brainer! The 50mm f1.7's are basically the best price/IQ going. One more vote for this.

05-18-2018, 06:00 AM	#12
CarlJF Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Quebec City Posts: 1,185	The F50 f1.7 is by far my best inexpensive lens. But the DA35 f2.4 and DA50 f1.8 would by my picks for lenses still available as new on the market.

05-18-2018, 06:25 AM	#13
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492 Original Poster	Originally posted by marcusBMG No brainer! The 50mm f1.7's are basically the best price/IQ going. BINGO, Marcus! Totally spot on! A magnificent lens for mere peanuts!

05-18-2018, 06:40 AM	#14
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	Ditto for the M50/1.7. There are lots of good bargains out there, especially among nifty fifties, but I can't think of any other lens that delivers so much for such a cheap price.

05-18-2018, 06:46 AM	#15
edom31 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Garden City, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,349	While a proud user of a few 50/1.7's (M-A-F), and I concur with most, I have to give the nod to my M 28/2.8 (as it has been the one I've paid the less for)...

Best "cheap" lens.

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!