[mhoule418]

The DA 40mm XS for me, very portable.

[FozzFoster]

I love how many people have already said the 40 XS... this lens was on my watch list. I think it will have to be bumped up in priority.

[Sandy Hancock]

That lens is exceptionally cool.
The first efficient fisheye. Wasn't the next before it something like an 17mm f/11?

Actually, this lens is rectilinear, which is even more remarkable for its vintage.

The fish-eye of the time was a 17mm f/4.0 (I have the very similar K series version). Its predecessor was an 18mm f/11 fixed focus pancake, which is probably what you are referring to.

[jgnfld]

Hey Paul, a 2nd nomination for the wonderful SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR.
Most people don't get to see macro subjects often, but when they see pix from my " baby," it opens their eyes to the tiny world.

Make that three.

[Wasp]

This bad boy can be a conversation starter.

[dave_roe]

My top three that see the most use:

1st - SMC Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited - rock solid and sharp
2nd - SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
3rd Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD Macro. (when I want reach after dark this works wonders for me)

[PDish]

Okay I'm in, just like many of you, the small but great DA 40mm. I've owned it for awhile and the images just make me smile. Sorry for the rhyme. How diminutive it looks on my K1 it's had many look strange at me as I shoot. From close focus to wide it captures the moment every time. I hip shot my son in a barn at Bodie National Park and captured his face in such starkness in low light my wife was wowed. One of the many great Pentax lenses.

[jgnfld]

Okay I'm in, just like many of you, the small but great DA 40mm. I've owned it for awhile and the images just make me smile. Sorry for the rhyme. How diminutive it looks on my K1 it's had many look strange at me as I shoot. From close focus to wide it captures the moment every time. I hip shot my son in a barn at Bodie National Park and captured his face in such starkness in low light my wife was wowed. One of the many great Pentax lenses.

I use it a lot during magic hour. It renders rich colors beautifully.

[Paul the Sunman]

Okay I'm in, just like many of you, the small but great DA 40mm. I've owned it for awhile and the images just make me smile. Sorry for the rhyme. How diminutive it looks on my K1 it's had many look strange at me as I shoot. From close focus to wide it captures the moment every time. I hip shot my son in a barn at Bodie National Park and captured his face in such starkness in low light my wife was wowed. One of the many great Pentax lenses.

I even like the much-maligned screw-on cap, which shows how besotted I am!

---------- Post added 14-09-20 at 11:13 PM ----------

Probably the lens on the left in this photo.



Aspheric. Mint.

Very impressive. I bet if Pentax actually brought this lens out of retirement (last produced 45 years ago), it would sell like crazy, even in m42.

[mbukal]

this:


my friends/acquaintances like the my photos with "older newer junk" Pentax FA 80-320 / 4,5-5,6 the most because of the beautiful bokeh (and the lens is also silver so it looks extravagant), and I enjoy taking pictures with him on K1






and this:

even "older junk" Pentax F50 / 1.7, due to the same characteristics of bokeh (on apsc)

[Gary H Perth]

The item of greatest beauty is the HD DA 21mm Limited. Black body, dark red ring, it just looks so classy on the K-70. It is also world class optics and a real stealth lens if you put it on f8 and focus just before infinity.

The lens to spark a conversation is the Industar 50-2 - "Wow, that little thing is a proper camera lens?" My answer "yes and its full size image, it works on those big old shiny cameras like your grandparents have". More weird looking is a Ludwig Meritar 50mm, but I have an Exacta mount so it looks a bit cumbersome with the adapter, mounted on a Sony A7ii.

[From1980]

I haven't put my equipment on open display anywhere and only really show it indoors among friends. However if I am out carrying a bag of gear then someone sees a lens when I use it. The one that has been getting comment for decades is the SMC Pentax K 15/3.5. The very large bulbous front element is a curiosity to most people. I guess that one and a few other solid metal and glasses oldies could be used in self-defense if absolutely necessary.

[Eagle94VT]

People who don't do much photography always find a fish eye pretty crazy. I always try to keep my 10-17 close by!



...and...

[texandrews]

People who don't do much photography always find a fish eye pretty crazy. I always try to keep my 10-17 close by!

Cool shot! Great use of the lens!

[Lord Lucan]

Most of my photography is in places where there are no people nearby. It would not occur to me to show off any of my gear anyway, or believe that anyone would be interested (apart from on this forum)