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06-28-2019, 07:26 AM   #31
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QuoteOriginally posted by ffking Quote
Of the lenses I own, the most used primes - and therefore logically the one's I should keep if I could only keep one, would be the 31mm Ltd on the K-1, because it's a great walk around lens (useful focal length and reasonably small) with a rendition all of its own, and a 100mm f/2.8 macro on the K-3, because I love macro.
On the K1 I'd either go with the 31 or the DA55 given what I own. The 31 on the k1 was the most tempting reason to keep the k1 I borrowed.

06-28-2019, 08:19 AM - 2 Likes   #32
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On a film body: Pentax M 50 f1.7 - Runner up: Pentax K 35 f2
On a crop digital: Pentax SMC DA 15 Ltd. - Runner up: Sigma 28 EX DG f1.8

How special it would have been for Pentax to create an SMC 28mm f2 with the design ethos of the 15 Ltd.
06-28-2019, 08:50 AM - 1 Like   #33
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For crop, if I had the funds for either of them, I'd be hard-pressed to decide between the FA 31 and the DA 35 limited. One is a little wider and faster, the other offers macro... For now, if I'd have to pick from what I own, it would be the Sigma 30/1.4 EX DC for versatility.

For the hypothetical full frame camera in this hypothetical "lonely island with one lens" scenario, this would translate to a hypothetical FA 43 or D FA 50 macro? And if I'd have to choose something that I already own for the camera I do not yet own, it would perhaps be the FA 50/1.4 or the M 50/1.7. Anything in the rules about using extension rings or reverse adapters to give a lens macro capabilities?
06-28-2019, 09:00 AM - 2 Likes   #34
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QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
On the K1 I'd either go with the 31 or the DA55 given what I own. The 31 on the k1 was the most tempting reason to keep the k1 I borrowed.
Only one person on the forum has been able to hold one in their hands and not buy it. I still remember the first time I held one.

06-28-2019, 09:39 AM - 2 Likes   #35
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QuoteOriginally posted by pres589 Quote
How special it would have been for Pentax to create an SMC 28mm f2 with the design ethos of the 15 Ltd.
Make that 24 or 20mm, then shut up and take my money!
06-28-2019, 09:49 AM - 1 Like   #36
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Oh yeah, an SMC 24mm f2 Ltd with integrated hood and not problems with some field curvature? Basically a new, better, FA*24 replacement? I've been grumbling that this doesn't exist for a while now.
06-28-2019, 10:48 AM - 2 Likes   #37
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QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
your - take everywhere Prime lens that you could be "Mostly Happy" using as your "only" lens.
Of the lenses I own, I'd probably go with the HD DA 35mm f/2.8 Limited Macro.

The first lens I bought with my K-7 was the SMC 35/2.8 version, and the lens (SMC, later HD) has been a constant -- and consistent -- companion to my various APS-C cameras. It's sharp and contrasty, and yields great colours. The macro is a bonus. Granted, it gives a 'normal' FOV on APS-C, but stitching is an option for wider views, while cropping on the K-3 II allows for a degree of tighter scenes.


- Craig


Last edited by c.a.m; 06-28-2019 at 02:44 PM.
06-28-2019, 02:25 PM - 2 Likes   #38
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Just one? APS-C and FF? 43 Limited.
06-28-2019, 02:27 PM   #39
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QuoteOriginally posted by pres589 Quote
Oh yeah, an SMC 24mm f2 Ltd with integrated hood and not problems with some field curvature? Basically a new, better, FA*24 replacement? I've been grumbling that this doesn't exist for a while now.
Like since ether DFA 28-105 came out at 28 instead of 24?
That's caused a lot of grumbling.
06-29-2019, 10:52 AM - 1 Like   #40
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This is hard for me... as I really like all of my primes. My Tam 90 2.8 is great as I love the compression during portraits, focus limiter, great 1:1 macro. I also really like that on APS-C it becomes 135, which really helped save me after my 70-200 RIPed (and I do enjoy the compression at 135 too). Then there's the 50 1.8 that I used to have that is near and dear to my heart... as the first real prime/lens I got to cut my teeth on. My honest opinion would probably be the DFA 50 1.4, but since I've never used it, that might not be fair (it is also almost 2x the price of the lens below, or what I paid anyways)...

My Sigma 35mm 1.4 is so hard to top!! The moment I got it, most of what I shot with just melted away. I love the unique look it gives subjects, getting their environments too. I think every picture I've taken, there's something to enjoy about it. I love the bokeh and ability to isolate a subject. The build quality is also top-notch. On my APS-C/K-3, it's practically 50mm prime, so there's that too. This lens has some kind of magic inside of it. I might be wrong, since this is the only modern 1.4 lens I've ever used... and maybe they're all like this. Being compatible with FF is also an important factor. I haven't really liked handling the telephoto prime lenses as there's something about wanting to have the flexibility of zooming in/out as I need. Maybe the FA 43 Limited is the sweet spot between both of these focal lengths, and I've heard great things... but I've never used the limiteds. So, I don't think a PRIME would ever be what I grab if I could only use just one lens for the future, but if I could only grab one prime and destroy all of the others: Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art...

Last edited by landofcourtness; 06-29-2019 at 11:01 AM.
06-29-2019, 02:56 PM - 1 Like   #41
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QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
I was looking back in time and ran across this post by @adam The FA* 85mm REALLY controls my mind - PentaxForums.com But rather than continue that very old thread I thought I would post here and ask for your - take everywhere Prime lens that you could be "Mostly Happy" using as your "only" lens. No ZOOMS allowed this is a single Prime. I will fudge and say if you are shooting multiple K-Mount formats that I prefer you only post one lens but I suppose posting one per format isn't a terrible stray from the idea of the thead.
The one I tend to take with me more than any other lens would be my 21 f3.2 Limited. I own the older "green" one rather than the newer HD "red" one, On APS-C either one would be my choice for best all round lens.
If I owned a full frame, I'd definitely say the 31 Limited would be it. I don't own full frame, nor the 31.
06-29-2019, 06:40 PM - 2 Likes   #42
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Auto Tak 35 f2.3 with an M42 to K adapter!



But in terms of K mount my most used lens by far this year is my Tak Bayonet 135 f2.5
06-30-2019, 01:44 AM   #43
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It's a tough call for me too.

FA43/1.9
FA77/1.8
FA*85/1.4
A50/1.2
ZY Mitakon 85/1.2 Speedmaster
06-30-2019, 01:54 AM - 3 Likes   #44
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Easy. My Rokinon 85mm f/1.4. I liked it so much that I bought another one (with a different mount).
06-30-2019, 02:47 AM - 1 Like   #45
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Although my K-1 has had the HD D-FA*50/1.4 on it almost every day since it arrived, if I had only one lens to take with me, it would have to be the SMC FA 31/1.8 Limited for sheer versatility matched with image quality. Even on my old K20D, its ability to resolve enough detail to withstand heavy cropping was outstanding, so, on my K-1 I’ve no qualms about repeating that.

As an all-weather lens, though, the 50 would take the prize, and I’d simply stitch to go wider.
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