One K-Mount PRIME to rule them all 2019

Sandy Hancock · 08-12-2019, 03:52 PM - **2 Likes**

Another vote for the Fat Fifty. It's not my most used lens, but if I had to make do with only one prime for the rest of my life, it would do nicely.

tokyoscape · 08-12-2019, 03:57 PM - **2 Likes**

APSC, As must as I want to say DA21 but it is not a WR lens. I will have to go with DA*55. It is just in the right size and weight, fast and can be used in all weather. If it too tight, I can take 2 or 3 image and stitch them together fairly easy in post.

((Pentax, please update your FA and DA limited to a WR serie! if you want to update old lenses, GOOD, but make it WR otherwise it is no point for prime shooter to buy your sealed body! I am just saying because I envious at my Funji's friends!))

**volley** · 08-13-2019, 12:57 PM

How can someone select another lens and not the 1.8/77 limited??

pathdoc · 08-14-2019, 07:52 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

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.

I'm deliberately going to nominate one lens in each of three very discrete categories, and I hope you'll understand why I've chosen three.

M42: I don't shoot my M42 cameras much, but they don't lie completely idle either. S-M-C Takumar 50mm f/4 macro here. If I had to have any lens accidentally get loc-tite on the threads before putting it on my Spotmatic F, this would be the one I'd fret least over. No low-light or razor-thin DOF capability, but able to photograph most things at any time on a street photography/walkaround basis (which is 90% of what I use the camera for).

K-mount, APS-C: DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro without hesitation.

K-mount, full-frame: If the DA 35/2.8 Macro had been FF-compatible it would get the nod here as well. However, I'm going to go with the FA 50/1.4 for this category, because I shoot both the K-1 and numerous film bodies. The focus throw is optimised in arc and damping for AF, which means it's not ideal for my K mount film bodies (all of which predate the AF era), but it can work with them at a pinch and it talks perfectly with all my DSLR bodies.

At a pinch, I guess you could narrow it down to the S-M-C Tak 50/4 Macro if I absolutely had to take only one.

If I'm allowed to take extension tubes I could possibly substitute the S-M-C Tak 50/1.4, but that's another matter and it doesn't allow the ease of use the 50/4 macro does on the Spotmatic F.

johnha · 08-14-2019, 10:24 AM - **1 Like**

On film & FF, easily my FA43. On 6x7 that's harder, torn between the 45mm & 90mm (L/S in my case), the 90 works out to be roughly 45mm in 135 terms, but I'd probably go for the 45 as it gives such a good perspective (and I'd probably have a 135/FF camera with me with the 43 on it)!

mannyquinto · 08-14-2019, 07:35 PM - **1 Like**

With what I got, DA21 w/out thinking if AF is needed. If I got a lot of spare time, it would be a hard to choose between the K28 f2 or the Cosina 55 f1.2.

Pentikonian · 08-14-2019, 07:53 PM - **1 Like**

Based on the lenses I've used, it would most likely be the 77.

I think the 43 might be more versatile, but I don't gel well with normal-ish FOVs for some reason.

Ronald Oakes · 08-14-2019, 10:27 PM

Originally posted by pres589

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.

Your not the only one !

Photobill · 08-14-2019, 10:37 PM

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

If I were limited to one lens, and a prime at that, I wouldn't own a DSLR. It's pointless.

OK Devils Advocate: 😈 If you had to sell all your lenses except for ONE (to take the cash back in time and invest in microsoft) what "ONE" would you keep 😈 😀

Jonathan Mac · 08-15-2019, 03:38 AM - **1 Like**

As ever, the DA 35mm macro limited. A wonderful little lens - very versatile with superb IQ.

stillshot2 · 08-15-2019, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by Photobill

OK Devils Advocate: 😈 If you had to sell all your lenses except for ONE (to take the cash back in time and invest in microsoft) what "ONE" would you keep 😈 😀

Well said haha

Breakfastographer · 08-16-2019, 06:07 AM

Originally posted by Pentikonian

Based on the lenses I've used, it would most likely be the 77.

I think the 43 might be more versatile, but I don't gel well with normal-ish FOVs for some reason.

That's exactly how my vote went to the 100/2.8 macro. For now at least.

08-12-2019, 03:57 PM - 2 Likes	#62
tokyoscape Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,256	APSC, As must as I want to say DA21 but it is not a WR lens. I will have to go with DA55. It is just in the right size and weight, fast and can be used in all weather. If it too tight, I can take 2 or 3 image and stitch them together fairly easy in post. ((Pentax, please update your FA and DA limited to a WR serie! if you want to update old lenses, GOOD, but make it WR otherwise it is no point for prime shooter to buy your sealed body! I am just saying because I envious at my Funji's friends!)) Last edited by tokyoscape; 08-12-2019 at 04:02 PM.*

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08-12-2019, 03:52 PM - 2 Likes	#61
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	Another vote for the Fat Fifty. It's not my most used lens, but if I had to make do with only one prime for the rest of my life, it would do nicely.

08-13-2019, 12:57 PM	#63
volley Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Springe Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,693	How can someone select another lens and not the 1.8/77 limited??

08-14-2019, 07:52 AM - 2 Likes	#64
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by UncleVanya 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. I'm deliberately going to nominate one lens in each of three very discrete categories, and I hope you'll understand why I've chosen three. M42: I don't shoot my M42 cameras much, but they don't lie completely idle either. S-M-C Takumar 50mm f/4 macro here. If I had to have any lens accidentally get loc-tite on the threads before putting it on my Spotmatic F, this would be the one I'd fret least over. No low-light or razor-thin DOF capability, but able to photograph most things at any time on a street photography/walkaround basis (which is 90% of what I use the camera for). K-mount, APS-C: DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro without hesitation. K-mount, full-frame: If the DA 35/2.8 Macro had been FF-compatible it would get the nod here as well. However, I'm going to go with the FA 50/1.4 for this category, because I shoot both the K-1 and numerous film bodies. The focus throw is optimised in arc and damping for AF, which means it's not ideal for my K mount film bodies (all of which predate the AF era), but it can work with them at a pinch and it talks perfectly with all my DSLR bodies. At a pinch, I guess you could narrow it down to the S-M-C Tak 50/4 Macro if I absolutely had to take only one. If I'm allowed to take extension tubes I could possibly substitute the S-M-C Tak 50/1.4, but that's another matter and it doesn't allow the ease of use the 50/4 macro does on the Spotmatic F.

08-14-2019, 10:24 AM - 1 Like	#65
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	On film & FF, easily my FA43. On 6x7 that's harder, torn between the 45mm & 90mm (L/S in my case), the 90 works out to be roughly 45mm in 135 terms, but I'd probably go for the 45 as it gives such a good perspective (and I'd probably have a 135/FF camera with me with the 43 on it)!

08-14-2019, 07:35 PM - 1 Like	#66
mannyquinto Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: manila Posts: 152	With what I got, DA21 w/out thinking if AF is needed. If I got a lot of spare time, it would be a hard to choose between the K28 f2 or the Cosina 55 f1.2.

08-14-2019, 07:53 PM - 1 Like	#67
Pentikonian Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 780	Based on the lenses I've used, it would most likely be the 77. I think the 43 might be more versatile, but I don't gel well with normal-ish FOVs for some reason.

08-14-2019, 10:27 PM	#68
Ronald Oakes Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,585	Originally posted by pres589 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. Your not the only one !

08-14-2019, 10:37 PM	#69
Photobill Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 228	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman If I were limited to one lens, and a prime at that, I wouldn't own a DSLR. It's pointless. OK Devils Advocate: 😈 If you had to sell all your lenses except for ONE (to take the cash back in time and invest in microsoft) what "ONE" would you keep 😈 😀

08-15-2019, 03:38 AM - 1 Like	#70
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,911	As ever, the DA 35mm macro limited. A wonderful little lens - very versatile with superb IQ.

08-15-2019, 08:25 AM	#71
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	Originally posted by Photobill OK Devils Advocate: 😈 If you had to sell all your lenses except for ONE (to take the cash back in time and invest in microsoft) what "ONE" would you keep 😈 😀 Well said haha

08-16-2019, 06:07 AM	#72
Breakfastographer Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 673	Originally posted by Pentikonian Based on the lenses I've used, it would most likely be the 77. I think the 43 might be more versatile, but I don't gel well with normal-ish FOVs for some reason. That's exactly how my vote went to the 100/2.8 macro. For now at least.