Which Pentax lens do you most enjoy showing off to friends?

**mhoule418** · 09-13-2020, 06:11 PM

The DA 40mm XS for me, very portable.

**FozzFoster** · 09-13-2020, 06:33 PM

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 · 09-13-2020, 07:06 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by FozzFoster

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** · 09-13-2020, 11:11 PM

Originally posted by pjv

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 · 09-14-2020, 02:20 AM - **1 Like**

This bad boy can be a conversation starter.

dave_roe · 09-14-2020, 03:56 AM

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 · 09-14-2020, 05:17 AM

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** · 09-14-2020, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by 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.

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

Paul the Sunman · 09-14-2020, 06:02 AM

Originally posted by 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.

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

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

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

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 · 09-14-2020, 06:55 AM - **1 Like**

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** · 09-14-2020, 07:22 AM

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** · 09-14-2020, 09:20 AM - **1 Like**

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** · 09-14-2020, 01:30 PM - **4 Likes**

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 · 09-14-2020, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by 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!

Cool shot! Great use of the lens!

Lord Lucan · 09-14-2020, 04:02 PM - **1 Like**

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)

09-13-2020, 07:06 PM - 1 Like	#48
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,249	Originally posted by FozzFoster 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. Last edited by Sandy Hancock; 09-13-2020 at 07:12 PM.

09-14-2020, 06:55 AM - 1 Like	#55
mbukal Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: zagreb Posts: 333	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) Last edited by mbukal; 09-14-2020 at 08:13 AM.

09-14-2020, 01:30 PM - 4 Likes	#58
Eagle94VT Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 288	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... Last edited by Eagle94VT; 09-15-2020 at 12:21 PM.

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09-13-2020, 06:11 PM	#46
mhoule418 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Quebec city Posts: 145	The DA 40mm XS for me, very portable.

09-13-2020, 06:33 PM	#47
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 5,037	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.

09-13-2020, 11:11 PM	#49
jgnfld Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 742	Originally posted by pjv 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.

09-14-2020, 02:20 AM - 1 Like	#50
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,185	This bad boy can be a conversation starter.

09-14-2020, 03:56 AM	#51
dave_roe Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rome, Italy Photos: Albums Posts: 275	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)

09-14-2020, 05:17 AM	#52
PDish Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Santa Rosa,CA Posts: 35	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.

09-14-2020, 05:20 AM	#53
jgnfld Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 742	Originally posted by 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. I use it a lot during magic hour. It renders rich colors beautifully.

09-14-2020, 06:02 AM	#54
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,763 Original Poster	Originally posted by 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. I even like the much-maligned screw-on cap, which shows how besotted I am! ---------- Post added 14-09-20 at 11:13 PM ---------- Originally posted by Sandy Hancock 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.

09-14-2020, 07:22 AM	#56
Gary H Perth Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Floreat Posts: 325	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.

09-14-2020, 09:20 AM - 1 Like	#57
From1980 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Essex County, Ontario Posts: 652	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.

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09-14-2020, 02:06 PM	#59
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 1,645	Originally posted by 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! Cool shot! Great use of the lens!

09-14-2020, 04:02 PM - 1 Like	#60
Lord Lucan Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: South Wales Photos: Gallery Posts: 926	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)