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bikehead90 · 10-03-2019, 09:59 AM - **1 Like**

It’s a very simple question: what (Pentax) manual focus lenses would you never want to be without? Part of this is to get some ideas of lenses to look out for, and also I’m simply curious.

Allow me to start:

SMC Super Takumar 200mm/3.5. Although I don’t use this lens on the reg, nor is it always in my bag, but the images it produces have a je ne sais quoi about them. The bokeh is fantastic, the subject is always sharp I would never part with my 200.

**FozzFoster** · 10-03-2019, 10:07 AM

I don't use manual lenses very much at all - but I do have a small vintage collection.
I really like the rendering of my Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 for it's swirlly bokeh

robiles · 10-03-2019, 10:35 AM

The one that always impresses, although i use it almost never, is the tele takumar 200 5.6. The rendering of that lens is soo nice. It is on the slow side, so a lot of light is needed; but it is small, light, and a joy to use. I highly recommend it to all takumar collectors who have not tried one yet.

ChatMechant · 10-03-2019, 10:40 AM

The takumar 50 f/1.4 8 element, 50mm makro takumar and the k 50 f/1.2 are my faves.

**othar** · 10-03-2019, 10:46 AM

Hm..., they are all nice in their own way, but I think if I have to choose I will pick my SMC Penatx-A 50mm f1.7. It's small and light, yet sharp and for it's dated coating also quite good with lens flare and the like.
Plus the A setting makes it very conveniently to use on a DSLR.

**Serkevan** · 10-03-2019, 10:48 AM

Pentax-M 135 mm F/3.5, it's also got something and the construction is a joy. The backgrounds can get oh-so-creamy even with the relatively slow aperture. I've found that I really like the 135mm length so I might get the classic Tair-11 (if I ever get around to buying the M42 adapter) or something like a Porst 135/1.8.

bikehead90 · 10-03-2019, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by FozzFoster

I don't use manual lenses very much at all - but I do have a small vintage collection.
I really like the rendering of my Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 for it's swirlly bokeh

I like mine, but for some reason, I’ve yet to get the swirls going.

**clickclick** · 10-03-2019, 11:19 AM

Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 55/2 is a classic I really enjoy.

I haven't used it much, but first impressions of my A* 200/2.8 are pretty enticing.

**MossyRocks** · 10-03-2019, 11:23 AM

I'd have to go with the S-M-C 28/3.5 Takumar and the SMC A 50/1.2 as my top 2. I like the S-M-C 17mm Fisheye Takumar on APS-C a lot though and having used it more have started to figure it out. The 50/1.2 though is just a completely different beast and when you get things right with it they are really right.

Now that I think about it while I don't use it as much on APS-C I do like my M42 mount 135/2.3 Vivitar Series 1 a lot. I should probably use it more as it has been neglected the past few months.

**DeepThrob** · 10-03-2019, 11:27 AM

ditto on the M 135 mm F/3.5, Pentax. I have a kmount modified Nikkor-H 85:1.8 that is my all time/all brand favorite (even tho it focuses 'backward')

bikehead90 · 10-03-2019, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by MossyRocks

I do like my M42 mount 135/2.3 Vivitar Series 1 a lot.

Is there much of a difference between the K-mount and M42 mount Series 1? I have the case for one that I keep my A 35-105 (another manual lens you’d have to take from my cold dead hands) in, but I’ve always been curious.

Marcel K · 10-03-2019, 11:32 AM

I love my smc takumar 55mm f1.8. Lovely bokeh and smooth focus. Challenging to nail focus, but when I do: wow.

**FozzFoster** · 10-03-2019, 11:38 AM

Originally posted by bikehead90

I like mine, but for some reason, I’ve yet to get the swirls going.

I'll shill my own photo ...

I'd suggest starting off in Live View and adjusting focus (both with the lens ring and your feet) until you see the most bokeh

Helios Swirl in the Flower Garden - PentaxForums.com

tvdtvdtvd · 10-03-2019, 11:38 AM - **1 Like**

Almost any manual focus lens is a pleasure to use for tactical qualities alone. The feel of a well dampened helicoid is SOOO MUCH more
pleasurable to manual focus than any AF lens.

A couple personal favorites among the lenses I own:

M50/1.7 - Sharp, great rendering, nice focus. Focus can be a >little< light, but that's only because the lens is so petite. The A50/1.7
edges it for convenience but I am much more fond of overall build of the M version.

K28/3.5 - Compact and yet has a confident, 'hefty' focus feel. You can turn the barrel with gusto but it still stops dead on where you
want it. Beautiful rendering with very noticeable 'pop'.

**MossyRocks** · 10-03-2019, 11:56 AM

Originally posted by clickclick

I haven't used it much, but first impressions of my A* 200/2.8 are pretty enticing.

And now that brings to mind the A* 400/2.8 I got about 3 weeks ago but for some reason I didn't think of it with the others I listed. Probably because it isn't black. So that would hands down be my favorite followed by the SMC A 50/1.2

10-03-2019, 09:59 AM - 1 Like	#1
bikehead90 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193	Opinion time: what are your favorite manual lenses? It’s a very simple question: what (Pentax) manual focus lenses would you never want to be without? Part of this is to get some ideas of lenses to look out for, and also I’m simply curious. Allow me to start: SMC Super Takumar 200mm/3.5. Although I don’t use this lens on the reg, nor is it always in my bag, but the images it produces have a je ne sais quoi about them. The bokeh is fantastic, the subject is always sharp I would never part with my 200.

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10-03-2019, 10:07 AM	#2
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,808	I don't use manual lenses very much at all - but I do have a small vintage collection. I really like the rendering of my Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 for it's swirlly bokeh

10-03-2019, 10:35 AM	#3
robiles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Deva Posts: 311	The one that always impresses, although i use it almost never, is the tele takumar 200 5.6. The rendering of that lens is soo nice. It is on the slow side, so a lot of light is needed; but it is small, light, and a joy to use. I highly recommend it to all takumar collectors who have not tried one yet.

10-03-2019, 10:40 AM	#4
ChatMechant Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Matsuyama Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,284	The takumar 50 f/1.4 8 element, 50mm makro takumar and the k 50 f/1.2 are my faves.

10-03-2019, 10:46 AM	#5
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	Hm..., they are all nice in their own way, but I think if I have to choose I will pick my SMC Penatx-A 50mm f1.7. It's small and light, yet sharp and for it's dated coating also quite good with lens flare and the like. Plus the A setting makes it very conveniently to use on a DSLR.

10-03-2019, 10:48 AM	#6
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Pentax-M 135 mm F/3.5, it's also got something and the construction is a joy. The backgrounds can get oh-so-creamy even with the relatively slow aperture. I've found that I really like the 135mm length so I might get the classic Tair-11 (if I ever get around to buying the M42 adapter) or something like a Porst 135/1.8.

10-03-2019, 11:16 AM	#7
bikehead90 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Originally posted by FozzFoster I don't use manual lenses very much at all - but I do have a small vintage collection. I really like the rendering of my Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 for it's swirlly bokeh I like mine, but for some reason, I’ve yet to get the swirls going.

10-03-2019, 11:19 AM	#8
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,904	Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 55/2 is a classic I really enjoy. I haven't used it much, but first impressions of my A* 200/2.8 are pretty enticing.

10-03-2019, 11:23 AM	#9
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	I'd have to go with the S-M-C 28/3.5 Takumar and the SMC A 50/1.2 as my top 2. I like the S-M-C 17mm Fisheye Takumar on APS-C a lot though and having used it more have started to figure it out. The 50/1.2 though is just a completely different beast and when you get things right with it they are really right. Now that I think about it while I don't use it as much on APS-C I do like my M42 mount 135/2.3 Vivitar Series 1 a lot. I should probably use it more as it has been neglected the past few months.

10-03-2019, 11:27 AM	#10
DeepThrob Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Taos, New Mexico Posts: 295	ditto on the M 135 mm F/3.5, Pentax. I have a kmount modified Nikkor-H 85:1.8 that is my all time/all brand favorite (even tho it focuses 'backward')

10-03-2019, 11:27 AM	#11
bikehead90 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Originally posted by MossyRocks I do like my M42 mount 135/2.3 Vivitar Series 1 a lot. Is there much of a difference between the K-mount and M42 mount Series 1? I have the case for one that I keep my A 35-105 (another manual lens you’d have to take from my cold dead hands) in, but I’ve always been curious.

10-03-2019, 11:32 AM	#12
Marcel K Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 82	I love my smc takumar 55mm f1.8. Lovely bokeh and smooth focus. Challenging to nail focus, but when I do: wow.

10-03-2019, 11:38 AM	#13
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,808	Originally posted by bikehead90 I like mine, but for some reason, I’ve yet to get the swirls going. I'll shill my own photo ... I'd suggest starting off in Live View and adjusting focus (both with the lens ring and your feet) until you see the most bokeh Helios Swirl in the Flower Garden - PentaxForums.com

10-03-2019, 11:38 AM - 1 Like	#14
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	Almost any manual focus lens is a pleasure to use for tactical qualities alone. The feel of a well dampened helicoid is SOOO MUCH more pleasurable to manual focus than any AF lens. A couple personal favorites among the lenses I own: M50/1.7 - Sharp, great rendering, nice focus. Focus can be a >little< light, but that's only because the lens is so petite. The A50/1.7 edges it for convenience but I am much more fond of overall build of the M version. K28/3.5 - Compact and yet has a confident, 'hefty' focus feel. You can turn the barrel with gusto but it still stops dead on where you want it. Beautiful rendering with very noticeable 'pop'.

10-03-2019, 11:56 AM	#15
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Originally posted by clickclick I haven't used it much, but first impressions of my A* 200/2.8 are pretty enticing. And now that brings to mind the A* 400/2.8 I got about 3 weeks ago but for some reason I didn't think of it with the others I listed. Probably because it isn't black. So that would hands down be my favorite followed by the SMC A 50/1.2

Opinion time: what are your favorite manual lenses?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!