[laurenteas97]

Hi guys,

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!

The next question is whether anyone has any recommendations for a good Lumix G3 lens for the same reason, I want to bring a DSLR and an SLR because I want to take as many pics as possible!

All the best and thank you for your help
Lauren <3

[BugsDogsAndSunsets]

The SMC-M 50mm 1.4 is a great all around prime - I also associate it with that camera, since mine came together.

[onlineflyer]

If I were you, I'd consider a zoom to provide a range of focal lengths for those times when your feet can't zoom. My suggestion would be the M 35-70mm f2.8-3.5, IF you could find one. It's a marvelous lens with good speed and great optics. The only problem is finding one, since you don't see them on sale very often. I'd suggest you read the reviews in the lens review section of the forum.

[mickey]

M50 1.4 gets another vote from me.
Used it on my ME, K10, and K5.

However, depends on what you will be photographing and where.
For some of Tokyo's crowded streets, narrow at times, i have found my A28 more suitable.

[longbow]

Can't really recommend a single lens, but a good compact, light weight combination for the MX - M28 f2.8, M50 f1,7 & M100 f2.8. I carry this combination with my MX, along with a K-3II/DA20-40 Ltd to work everyday.

[onlineflyer]

If you are only considering primes, the stellar M 50/1.7 is highly recommended, along with the M 1002.8. I'll let others address the wide end.

[TwoUptons]

When I’ve taken my MX traveling to cities, my favorite lens has been the SMC-M 24-35. It’s very handy for constrained geography...

Out in the country, I think I’d prefer a 35-70 like the one mentioned above. I have the autofocus ‘F’ version that is great apart from its focus feel. And they are generally inexpensive and readily available.

I also like to bring the 50mm f1.4 along. It’s a particularly nice complement to the 24-35... and with an adapter would be a killer portrait lens on the Panasonic...

-Eric

[aaacb]

Fa 43 for me, I like it a lot with manual focus cameras, fully mechanical or not.

[pres589]

I would probably grab my Tokina 28-70 variable-aperture zoom and my M 50 1.7. My M 20 f4 or my Tamron 17 Adaptall might also make it into the bag for times when 28mm isn't wide enough.

[Ben-G]

FA 43mm ltd

[pathdoc]

Hi guys,

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!

The next question is whether anyone has any recommendations for a good Lumix G3 lens for the same reason, I want to bring a DSLR and an SLR because I want to take as many pics as possible!

All the best and thank you for your help
Lauren <3

My immediate response is: what do you already have?

[nass_43]

For the MX, the SMC-M lenses look, to me, like the best choice.
You then have to chose between a (few) prime(s), or a zoom.
For primes, and especially for a trip to Japan, I'll take something a bit on the wide end. The SMC-M 35mm f/2 would be my #1 choice, along with a longer lens (SMC-M 50mm f/1.7 or f/1.4 if you can spend a bit more).
I'll let others give advice on zooms. I was consdering the 24-50 f/4 for a while, but stayed with primes only at the end.

[gofour3]

Another vote for the FA43/1.9.

I use it all the time on my manual focus film bodies and it's the perfect one lens option. It's a small lens/hood and will work nicely with your equally small MX.

If you want a cheaper option then I would go with the M40/2.8 pancake lens for an even smaller combo.

Phil.

[stevebrot]

If your MX came equipped with the Pentax-M 50/1.7, pack that one and be happy. If not, get one and be happy.

If you are planning on being mostly in towns, the Pentax-M 35/2.8 might be another good option.


Steve

[richard0170]

Fa 43 for me, I like it a lot with manual focus cameras, fully mechanical or not.

This or a Voigtlander Ultron SLII. As you are going to Japan you might pick either up much easier there than you can elsewhere, so maybe a M 40mm f2.8 until you get there!
This will be a trip of a life time, I guess, so do not skimp, whatever you chose to take. 40-45mm is the best general focal length for general photos as it most closely matches ones eyes FOV.
Personally if I were going on your trip I would take the following :- M 20mm f4, M 40mm f2.8 and M 85 f2, to have all bases covered. But if restricted to only one it would be the M 40mm f2.8, unless I were fortunate enough to own either the Voigtlander or Ltd 43mm. Oh! I almost forgot, plenty of your favourite film stock!