[Doddle]

Like the title says. I am looking to replace my Nikon F2 with Micro Nikkor 55mm combo for an MX kit. I'll probably go 30/2.8 as my main glass with a portrait lens and a landscape lens in the bag. I shoot mainly HP5 rated 200.


Anything with little to no field curvature, good corners. Sharpness isn't the highest priority for me. I would love to stick to PK or Takumars for the built quality but maybe M or A has some good ones?


Thanks & have a good weekend

- Daniel

[pschlute]

I always have a soft spot for the M series because that is what I learned my photography on (with an MX).

For portrait the M 85mm f2.0 is the unsung hero for me.

I will leave for others with more comparison experience to comment on wide angle, but the M 20mm f4 has always performed well on digital for me.

You of course must add the K 50mm 1.2 to your bag

[baro-nite]

The PK 55/2 or 55/1.8 would be a good match for the 30/2.8, and are cheap and easy to find. The M50/1.7 is another particularly good choice, although it has a 49mm filter thread unlike the 52mm thread of the 30/2.8.

I always used the 85mm Soft F2.2 for taking portraits,it is my soft spot, so to speak. It is a lovely lens, fully manual and you have to learn working with this lens. You can see the measure of soft focus in your viewfinder. Changing the soft focus always means you have to refocus. I am luckily still the proud owner of one. You rarely see them second hand.

[Apet-Sure]

The M50/1.7 is another particularly good choice

Yes, IMO.

[pschlute]

I always used the 85mm Soft F2.2 for taking portraits,it is my soft spot, so to speak. It is a lovely lens, fully manual and you have to learn working with this lens. You can see the measure of soft focus in your viewfinder. Changing the soft focus always means you have to refocus. I am luckily still the proud owner of one. You rarely see them second hand.

Yes!! Wonderful lens. Here is a capture with that lens on a Pentax Super-A using Ilford XP2 film.

Yes!! Wonderful lens. Here is a capture with that lens on a Pentax Super-A using Ilford XP2 film.

Yes, lovely picture. I bought the lens to use with my Super A as well. I used it when I made pictures of my neighbours kids so they could surprise their parents at Xmas because they could not afford to go to a professional photographer. But I failed to make pictures of my cats, because they were not in the habit to sit still until I took the picture. The lens is one of my treasures. The Super A unfortunately does not work anymore and Pentax (when they were still in my country with their own service point) tried to repair twice but did not succeed. Last time I got it back with the comment it was not worth anymore to repair. Shame.

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Last edited by Unregistered User; 06-28-2020 at 01:05 PM. Reason: typo

[TwoUptons]

If you liked the micro Nikkor, you could grab a Pentax 50mm macro. The SMC-A is f2.8, while he M and K are f4.0.
All, I think, do 1:2

If you don’t need the Macro, I’d pick one of the 50mm f1.7s for landscapes.
Or maybe even the 43 Limited if you have some extra cash...

-Eric

[noelpolar]

I decided on a 30/2.8, 50/1.2 and 85/1.8..... and am quite happy

K 50/1.2

[jgnfld]

Yes, IMO.

Another vote for M-50 f1.7. That said, I tend to use it mostly for B&W as my copy seems to render that sort of light very well.

[UncleVanya]

You say landscape, that can mean wide or telephoto or even normal. What's it mean to you? @doddle

[Doddle]

You say landscape, that can mean wide or telephoto or even normal. What's it mean to you? @doddle

I'm looking to replace a 55mm landscape lens, so around the 50 mark. I want to focus on darkroom printing so flatness of field and corners are a big deal as I can't correct for it in post.

The 30/2.8 I consider more a jack of all trades / walkaround lens. I don't usually shoot street or landscapes that wide, otherwise I'd get a 28/3.5 in a heartbeat. I think of the 30 more as a replacement for a point & shoot. It makes for a lovely portrait wide angle.


This will be blasphemy to some - I did have the PK 85/1.8 in pristine condition and it didn't do it for me, especially b&w just seemed 'off'. Right now the zuiko 85/2 fills this spot (RIP Olympus... ) it will get replaced with another sonnar or enhanced ernostar (auto taks or SMC 85/1.9)

Anyway thanks guys, I will hoover up some 50's today and see whats what. Good thing they're relatively common & cheap

[johnha]

Coming from an F2, you may prefer the KX if you haven't already considered it?

My K lens kit would be 35/3.5, 50/1.4 (or 55/2) & 135/2.5 but I don't scrutinise the corners. The M50/1.7 is rumoured to have a flatter field than the M50/1.4 but don't know if this carries for the K50/55s.

[UncleVanya]

The various Pentax and even other brand Macro 50mm lenses will probably have the very best corner resolution available.

[UncleVanya]

Take a look here:

SMC Pentax-M 50mm F4 Macro Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

The 50mm A series is faster and also has a good build quality.