Opinion time: what are your favorite manual lenses?

**Pentax Syntax** · 10-03-2019, 02:40 PM

A50 1.2 for me. Also love the M 28 2.0. The focus rings on both are just a joy to use.

tokyoscape · 10-03-2019, 02:53 PM

Not that I have much expreiance with manual lense.
I used to have M50 f1.7 and I love how manual focus right works. It feels better than that of DA limited. I see many here said M lenses build quality is superb, so I guess every M lenses manual focus ring is that good.

**Wingincamera** · 10-03-2019, 03:30 PM

I have a couple, but only one that occasionally use, a Bower 14mm f/2.8. Also know as *Rokinon & Samyang.

gylfimag · 10-03-2019, 04:44 PM

The K85 F1.8. Great portrait lens. The only manual focus Pentax lens that I use quite frequently on a digital body - I use some of the others when I shoot film though.

bikehead90 · 10-03-2019, 04:56 PM

Originally posted by FozzFoster

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

That photo is exactly why I wanted the lens! Is there any recommended aperture?

**clickclick** · 10-03-2019, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by Pentax Syntax

A50 1.2 for me

That is on my short list of favorites too. My A 1.4 hasn't seen much love since i got the 1.2

bikehead90 · 10-03-2019, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by Pentax Syntax

A50 1.2 for me. Also love the M 28 2.0. The focus rings on both are just a joy to use.

The 1.2 is a dream lens for me. Just picked up an M 1.4, and that’ll do for now.

johnha · 10-03-2019, 05:44 PM

My current favourite for the K-1 is the S-M-C-Tak 20/4.5, especially since I've obtained the correct hood for it - quite a surprise for me as I'd normally consider 20mm to be too wide on FF. Since loading my P50 with Ektarchrome E100, I've started to use my A50/1.7 & A28/2.8 a lot more (I had considered them surplus to requirements beforehand).

swanlefitte · 10-03-2019, 06:02 PM

I either answer by focal length which makes one favorable or by rendering which is still influenced by fl, or by feel/handling. The takumar 135 2.5 with its long smooth focus throw and fairly large diameter for throw and grip will be my choice.

Komainu · 10-03-2019, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by swanlefitte

The takumar 135 2.5 with its long smooth focus throw and fairly large diameter for throw and grip will be my choice.

The Takumar 135/2.5 is an amazing lens. Just picked a SMC 55/1.8, a bit sticky but amazingly sharp. Now I need a 35mm to complete the setup.

stevebrot · 10-03-2019, 06:35 PM - **1 Like**

Assuming "manual" means other than AF; at present, it would be the Lester A. Dine 105mm f/2.8 Dental Macro, though it might easily be something different at any time. I have a lot of lenses that are non-AF, most of them pretty good.

Steve

**luftfluss** · 10-03-2019, 06:38 PM - **1 Like**

A 400/5.6. Tremendous lens. Sharpness comparable to the DFA 150-450 at 1/8th the price, and a joy to use.

Aaron28 · 10-03-2019, 06:54 PM

Originally posted by bikehead90

manual focus lenses would you never want to be without?

sears 1358/f2.8 macro my most favorite lens!! have purchased 3 of them after the first one I had and fell in love broke....for as inexpensive as they are I bought a few so I would never be with out it ever again!

northcoastgreg · 10-03-2019, 07:04 PM - **2 Likes**

I don't use manual focus lens as much as I used to, in large part because I have been able to find modern glass, including zoom glass, that's just better. Eight, nine years ago that wasn't the case. I can remember when I acquired the M 20 f4, I was so impressed with the lens that I wound up selling the my DA 12-24. The images from the M 20 just looked better — there was no way around it. But compared to the DFA 15-30 — that's a different story altogether. Nonetheless, I still have a soft spot for this lens. I've struggled to get good images out of it with the K-1. It's a rather fussy lens, with a narrow sweet spot. But if you throw the right kind of light at it and a subject that plays to its strengths, the results can be magical.

The manual focus lens I've used the most in recent years is the A 50 f2.8 Macro. Of all the manual focus lenses I own, it comes the closest, in terms of performance, to modern lenses. It's one of the sharpest lenses I own. But the most indispensable of my manual focus lenses is the K 50 f1.2. I'm not much of a narrow DOF or bokeh photographer, but when I want to indulge in that sort of photography, nothing really matches it — at least not at that general focal length.

**DWS1** · 10-03-2019, 08:46 PM

Strictly for close up macro work is my Minolta MD Rokkor X 50mm F1.4 used with a glassless MD to PK adapter. Can only focus within 10ft or so of the subject. No infinity focus. also use my Pentax A 28mm F2.8 quite often.

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10-03-2019, 02:40 PM	#31
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	A50 1.2 for me. Also love the M 28 2.0. The focus rings on both are just a joy to use.

10-03-2019, 02:53 PM	#32
tokyoscape Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,256	Not that I have much expreiance with manual lense. I used to have M50 f1.7 and I love how manual focus right works. It feels better than that of DA limited. I see many here said M lenses build quality is superb, so I guess every M lenses manual focus ring is that good.

10-03-2019, 03:30 PM	#33
Wingincamera Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pine Haven, Wyoming Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,182	I have a couple, but only one that occasionally use, a Bower 14mm f/2.8. Also know as *Rokinon & Samyang.

10-03-2019, 04:44 PM	#34
gylfimag Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 90	The K85 F1.8. Great portrait lens. The only manual focus Pentax lens that I use quite frequently on a digital body - I use some of the others when I shoot film though.

10-03-2019, 04:56 PM	#35
bikehead90 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Originally posted by FozzFoster 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 That photo is exactly why I wanted the lens! Is there any recommended aperture?

10-03-2019, 05:02 PM	#36
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	Originally posted by Pentax Syntax A50 1.2 for me That is on my short list of favorites too. My A 1.4 hasn't seen much love since i got the 1.2

10-03-2019, 05:06 PM	#37
bikehead90 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Originally posted by Pentax Syntax A50 1.2 for me. Also love the M 28 2.0. The focus rings on both are just a joy to use. The 1.2 is a dream lens for me. Just picked up an M 1.4, and that’ll do for now.

10-03-2019, 05:44 PM	#38
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	My current favourite for the K-1 is the S-M-C-Tak 20/4.5, especially since I've obtained the correct hood for it - quite a surprise for me as I'd normally consider 20mm to be too wide on FF. Since loading my P50 with Ektarchrome E100, I've started to use my A50/1.7 & A28/2.8 a lot more (I had considered them surplus to requirements beforehand).

10-03-2019, 06:02 PM	#39
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	I either answer by focal length which makes one favorable or by rendering which is still influenced by fl, or by feel/handling. The takumar 135 2.5 with its long smooth focus throw and fairly large diameter for throw and grip will be my choice.

10-03-2019, 06:29 PM	#40
Komainu New Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Tokyo Posts: 21	Originally posted by swanlefitte The takumar 135 2.5 with its long smooth focus throw and fairly large diameter for throw and grip will be my choice. The Takumar 135/2.5 is an amazing lens. Just picked a SMC 55/1.8, a bit sticky but amazingly sharp. Now I need a 35mm to complete the setup.

10-03-2019, 06:35 PM - 1 Like	#41
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Assuming "manual" means other than AF; at present, it would be the Lester A. Dine 105mm f/2.8 Dental Macro, though it might easily be something different at any time. I have a lot of lenses that are non-AF, most of them pretty good. Steve

10-03-2019, 06:38 PM - 1 Like	#42
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,627	A 400/5.6. Tremendous lens. Sharpness comparable to the DFA 150-450 at 1/8th the price, and a joy to use.

10-03-2019, 06:54 PM	#43
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	Originally posted by bikehead90 manual focus lenses would you never want to be without? sears 1358/f2.8 macro my most favorite lens!! have purchased 3 of them after the first one I had and fell in love broke....for as inexpensive as they are I bought a few so I would never be with out it ever again!

10-03-2019, 07:04 PM - 2 Likes	#44
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,175	I don't use manual focus lens as much as I used to, in large part because I have been able to find modern glass, including zoom glass, that's just better. Eight, nine years ago that wasn't the case. I can remember when I acquired the M 20 f4, I was so impressed with the lens that I wound up selling the my DA 12-24. The images from the M 20 just looked better — there was no way around it. But compared to the DFA 15-30 — that's a different story altogether. Nonetheless, I still have a soft spot for this lens. I've struggled to get good images out of it with the K-1. It's a rather fussy lens, with a narrow sweet spot. But if you throw the right kind of light at it and a subject that plays to its strengths, the results can be magical. The manual focus lens I've used the most in recent years is the A 50 f2.8 Macro. Of all the manual focus lenses I own, it comes the closest, in terms of performance, to modern lenses. It's one of the sharpest lenses I own. But the most indispensable of my manual focus lenses is the K 50 f1.2. I'm not much of a narrow DOF or bokeh photographer, but when I want to indulge in that sort of photography, nothing really matches it — at least not at that general focal length.

10-03-2019, 08:46 PM	#45
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	Strictly for close up macro work is my Minolta MD Rokkor X 50mm F1.4 used with a glassless MD to PK adapter. Can only focus within 10ft or so of the subject. No infinity focus. also use my Pentax A 28mm F2.8 quite often.