Best lens to buy for Pentax MX??

pschlute · 04-16-2019, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by laurenteas97

I am going on a trip in November, I would like to bring my Pentax MX with me and am wondering what'd be a good lens to buy and why? I'll be travelling to Japan, and it'd be better to have an all around good lens, as I won't want to be spending time changing lenses, because I'll be wanting to see it all!

Changing lenses is not time consuming, but I understand the desire to travel light.

Go with the era and I suggest 28mm 2.8; 50mm 1.4 or 1.7; and 135 mm 3.5. All M series

I did a trip to the far east in the 1980s and that is what I took with my MX.

deezy339 · 04-16-2019, 12:09 PM

I use a similar set up when traveling. My film camera is ME Super, and my MFT is a GX85.

For the ME Super, I use a K 50 1.2 or a K 35 3.5. I prefer the K series for their heavier weight and chunky focus ring.
GX85 will have a Olympus 25mm 1.8 or Olympus 17mm 1.8. (50 and 35 in FF).

Up to your focal preference! But I tend to lean toward the Olympus 25 and K 50 1.2, my eye gravitates to seeing 50mm all the time.

**richard0170** · 04-16-2019, 01:20 PM

You do not say why you are taking both the G3 and the MX. But I hazard a guess the G3 is for its versatility, so I would be inclined to take a kit zoom for it, and a prime for the MX. A zoom for the G3 is going to be a lot smaller than one for the MX, and better. But when it comes to primes......
Enjoy using the MX and take plenty of shots. One of the things never spoken about when people compare film to digital, is the instant ability to see images on digital and the need to wait for those on film. When it come to travel film is better for your own personal use, as you end up re-living your journey when you get to see the picture after you return home! Also because you cannot review your images, you do not bore or annoy any one you are travelling with, by way of your face stuck looking at the rear screen all the time to check your pictures!

**clickclick** · 04-16-2019, 03:04 PM

I would lean towards the wide end. I did quite a bit of traveling with my ME Super and M28/2.8, M50/2, M75-150/4. Probably shot 90% of it with the 28.

I love the 43 too, but I often found I needed every bit of the FOV of the 28. Cities are often tight to shoot in.

K1N8 · 04-16-2019, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by pschlute

Go with the era and I suggest 28mm 2.8; 50mm 1.4 or 1.7; and 135 mm 3.5. All M series

Second that selection. I really like how compact the 135mm is.

Not a Number · 04-16-2019, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by pschlute

Changing lenses is not time consuming, but I understand the desire to travel light.

Go with the era and I suggest 28mm 2.8; 50mm 1.4 or 1.7; and 135 mm 3.5. All M series

I did a trip to the far east in the 1980s and that is what I took with my MX.

This is pretty much the "standard" kit for that era. Instead of a prime telephoto a zoom in the 70-210mm range was also quite popular.

**MXLX** · 04-21-2019, 06:24 PM

Gotta agree with those who've recommended the M50/1.7 and M28/2.8. Lotta water under the bridge for me in the film days with that pair. Now those are gone and lamented, but I've recently added (as an adapted digital lens) an M28/3.5 which looks to be stellar.

Second piece of advice: If it works and you enjoy shooting film, never get rid of the MX.

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04-16-2019, 10:32 AM	#16
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,215	Originally posted by laurenteas97 I am going on a trip in November, I would like to bring my Pentax MX with me and am wondering what'd be a good lens to buy and why? I'll be travelling to Japan, and it'd be better to have an all around good lens, as I won't want to be spending time changing lenses, because I'll be wanting to see it all! Changing lenses is not time consuming, but I understand the desire to travel light. Go with the era and I suggest 28mm 2.8; 50mm 1.4 or 1.7; and 135 mm 3.5. All M series I did a trip to the far east in the 1980s and that is what I took with my MX.

04-16-2019, 12:09 PM	#17
deezy339 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 38	I use a similar set up when traveling. My film camera is ME Super, and my MFT is a GX85. For the ME Super, I use a K 50 1.2 or a K 35 3.5. I prefer the K series for their heavier weight and chunky focus ring. GX85 will have a Olympus 25mm 1.8 or Olympus 17mm 1.8. (50 and 35 in FF). Up to your focal preference! But I tend to lean toward the Olympus 25 and K 50 1.2, my eye gravitates to seeing 50mm all the time.

04-16-2019, 01:20 PM	#18
richard0170 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,034	You do not say why you are taking both the G3 and the MX. But I hazard a guess the G3 is for its versatility, so I would be inclined to take a kit zoom for it, and a prime for the MX. A zoom for the G3 is going to be a lot smaller than one for the MX, and better. But when it comes to primes...... Enjoy using the MX and take plenty of shots. One of the things never spoken about when people compare film to digital, is the instant ability to see images on digital and the need to wait for those on film. When it come to travel film is better for your own personal use, as you end up re-living your journey when you get to see the picture after you return home! Also because you cannot review your images, you do not bore or annoy any one you are travelling with, by way of your face stuck looking at the rear screen all the time to check your pictures!

04-16-2019, 03:04 PM	#19
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,904	I would lean towards the wide end. I did quite a bit of traveling with my ME Super and M28/2.8, M50/2, M75-150/4. Probably shot 90% of it with the 28. I love the 43 too, but I often found I needed every bit of the FOV of the 28. Cities are often tight to shoot in.

04-16-2019, 03:45 PM	#20
K1N8 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 242	Originally posted by pschlute Go with the era and I suggest 28mm 2.8; 50mm 1.4 or 1.7; and 135 mm 3.5. All M series Second that selection. I really like how compact the 135mm is.

04-16-2019, 05:08 PM	#21
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by pschlute Changing lenses is not time consuming, but I understand the desire to travel light. Go with the era and I suggest 28mm 2.8; 50mm 1.4 or 1.7; and 135 mm 3.5. All M series I did a trip to the far east in the 1980s and that is what I took with my MX. This is pretty much the "standard" kit for that era. Instead of a prime telephoto a zoom in the 70-210mm range was also quite popular.

04-21-2019, 06:24 PM	#22
MXLX Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Western NC Photos: Albums Posts: 840	Gotta agree with those who've recommended the M50/1.7 and M28/2.8. Lotta water under the bridge for me in the film days with that pair. Now those are gone and lamented, but I've recently added (as an adapted digital lens) an M28/3.5 which looks to be stellar. Second piece of advice: If it works and you enjoy shooting film, *never* get rid of the MX.