Favourite Lens(es)

garywakeling · 04-06-2019, 02:12 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by richfam

My favorite lens is the legendary SMC Pentax F* 300mm f/4.5 ED IF.

I purchased it new back in 1988 and was absolutely stunned by how good the image quality was. It's the lens I use most often (by a wide margin), the best lens that I own, and the most expensive lens that I own.

Oh I forgot that one when I chose, wonderful wonderful lens that I have had since new and also will never part with

**richard0170** · 04-06-2019, 03:35 AM

Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd

Over the past year or so, however, the nod goes to the SMCA 50/2.8 Macro.

This is the intriguing thing to me. I also have the SMC A 50mm f2.8 Macro. It would be one of my desert island lenses. It is more practical than the K 50mm f4, faster and IQ just as good, but I still find myself reaching for the K model.

---------- Post added 04-06-19 at 03:47 AM ----------

Originally posted by BigMackCam

I have so many favourite lenses that it's difficult to pick a favourite

There's a bunch of other K-mount and M42 lenses I consider "favourites", plus others for different systems that aren't compatible with K-mount...

Well in the initial post my mind was really concentrating on lenses suitable for Pentax digital. If we opened up the discussion to other brands, formats and film.....
On film at any rate my favourite lens is the Voigtlander SL 40mm f2 (first model). I have a copy in both m42 and Nikon F. I would love a Pentax compatible one too . I also have a soft spot for any Canon FL lenses, and Fujinon m42 55mm EBC f1.8.

**TwoUptons** · 04-06-2019, 03:54 PM

My favorite changes on a semi-regular basis. Right now I’m shooting a lot with a Tokina 20-35.

For your preferred focal length range, I’ve been very happy with the F35-70 f3.5-4.5. It is far better than its modest price suggests, even if the DFA28-105 probably walks all over it.

-Eric

lesmore49 · 04-07-2019, 09:47 AM

Favourite lenses...40mm Limited F 2.8 Pancake...on both ASP-C and K1 DSLRs, 28-105 and 100mm Macro F 2.8 on the K1 and for film K mount...my A 35-105 Macro Zoom....a truly fine lens.

My all time favourite lens...probably my A 35-105 Macro zoom. I've used it on film cameras of course and also my digital. Pix taken with it, have a lovely quality about it...hard to explain...but a creamy background, great clarity and build quality out of this world....tank like and I mean that in the best sense of the word.

Another lens that I'm becoming increasingly enamoured with....don't know if it's merely infatuation at this stage.... or the real thing...is the 18mm (28mm) fixed lens on my newly acquired Ricoh GR ll. Externally it doesn't look too impressive but the results are exceptional from this wee lens.

So far my pix with this Ricoh are darn good...if at the end of the summer they continue to improve as I get used to it...the lens may move up to top status...which is @#$% good !

Pardon my vulgarity.

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04-06-2019, 02:12 AM - 1 Like	#16
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,773	Originally posted by richfam My favorite lens is the legendary SMC Pentax F* 300mm f/4.5 ED IF. I purchased it new back in 1988 and was absolutely stunned by how good the image quality was. It's the lens I use most often (by a wide margin), the best lens that I own, and the most expensive lens that I own. Oh I forgot that one when I chose, wonderful wonderful lens that I have had since new and also will never part with

04-06-2019, 03:35 AM	#17
richard0170 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,034 Original Poster	Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd Over the past year or so, however, the nod goes to the SMCA 50/2.8 Macro. This is the intriguing thing to me. I also have the SMC A 50mm f2.8 Macro. It would be one of my desert island lenses. It is more practical than the K 50mm f4, faster and IQ just as good, but I still find myself reaching for the K model. ---------- Post added 04-06-19 at 03:47 AM ---------- Originally posted by BigMackCam I have so many favourite lenses that it's difficult to pick a favourite There's a bunch of other K-mount and M42 lenses I consider "favourites", plus others for different systems that aren't compatible with K-mount... Well in the initial post my mind was really concentrating on lenses suitable for Pentax digital. If we opened up the discussion to other brands, formats and film..... On film at any rate my favourite lens is the Voigtlander SL 40mm f2 (first model). I have a copy in both m42 and Nikon F. I would love a Pentax compatible one too . I also have a soft spot for any Canon FL lenses, and Fujinon m42 55mm EBC f1.8.

04-06-2019, 03:54 PM	#18
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,224	My favorite changes on a semi-regular basis. Right now I’m shooting a lot with a Tokina 20-35. For your preferred focal length range, I’ve been very happy with the F35-70 f3.5-4.5. It is far better than its modest price suggests, even if the DFA28-105 probably walks all over it. -Eric

04-07-2019, 09:47 AM	#19
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,349	Favourite lenses...40mm Limited F 2.8 Pancake...on both ASP-C and K1 DSLRs, 28-105 and 100mm Macro F 2.8 on the K1 and for film K mount...my A 35-105 Macro Zoom....a truly fine lens. My all time favourite lens...probably my A 35-105 Macro zoom. I've used it on film cameras of course and also my digital. Pix taken with it, have a lovely quality about it...hard to explain...but a creamy background, great clarity and build quality out of this world....tank like and I mean that in the best sense of the word. Another lens that I'm becoming increasingly enamoured with....don't know if it's merely infatuation at this stage.... or the real thing...is the 18mm (28mm) fixed lens on my newly acquired Ricoh GR ll. Externally it doesn't look too impressive but the results are exceptional from this wee lens. So far my pix with this Ricoh are darn good...if at the end of the summer they continue to improve as I get used to it...the lens may move up to top status...which is @#$% good ! Pardon my vulgarity.