After suggestions for something different to use on my K30

shyrsio · 11-11-2020, 01:32 PM

Put on the soviet workhorse, Helios-44M 58mm/f2, at 1.5 crop it will make a hell of a portrait lens, and you will get some planar like colors and swirly bokeh.

**Des** · 11-11-2020, 01:51 PM - **1 Like**

I know your weak point Carl ... I bet you still regret selling the FA 20.

**carlb** · 11-11-2020, 02:22 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Des

I know your weak point Carl ... I bet you still regret selling the FA 20.

You have a good memory Des......and you're right on both counts, but I don't think my budget stretches far enough for a replacement.

**pres589** · 11-11-2020, 02:48 PM

Good suggestions already so here's a couple that I haven't seen already;

Pentax M 50 1.7 - excellent everything and good for portraits or general short-tele work.
Pentax M 75-150 zoom - Same reasons as the 1.7 50.

Both are inexpensive; I think I have $150 combined for my copies of both.

A 90 to 105mm macro would be useful as well. I wouldn't get the Tamron 90 f2.5's for your digital body but just about any other you can find will work nicely. Pentax's historical offerings in this range have all been pretty good. I like using my 105mm macro on my Pentax crop DSLR and really wouldn't want a much wider one if I only had one macro in my collection of glass.

**DWS1** · 11-11-2020, 08:30 PM

I would consider putting the M42 to PK adapter on it and use it as a dedicated M42 body and add a good macro lens. Might want to think about changing out the focusing screen for easier manual focus. Don't know whether this can be done on the K30, but I assume so.

**felixkh** · 11-13-2020, 05:45 PM

Originally posted by DWS1

I would consider putting the M42 to PK adapter on it and use it as a dedicated M42 body and add a good macro lens. Might want to think about changing out the focusing screen for easier manual focus. Don't know whether this can be done on the K30, but I assume so.

Focusing Screen has changeable screen for our Pentax cameras. Go take a peak.

https://www.focusingscreen.com/index.php?cPath=25_132&osCsid=22ce8d72342609e238171d1529866809

I use this lens, Zhong Yi Mitakon 85mm F1.2 Speedmaster. It was really wonderful bokeh too. Fully manual lens with an aperture ring.

**mgvh** · 11-13-2020, 07:20 PM

Something different?
Rokinon 8mm f3.5 Aspherical CS IIFisheye

Not a Number · 11-13-2020, 08:01 PM

How about a pinhole?

Rising Standard Pinhole for Pentax K Mount RPSP001 B&H Photo

Paul the Sunman · 11-13-2020, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

How about a pinhole?

How do you communicate the focal length to the camera?

kypfer · 11-14-2020, 09:32 AM

Most of my "favourite" recommendations have already been made … Helios-44, 8mm fish-eye and pin-hole … almost sounds like the inventory of one of my camera bags

Add to that, a Meyer-Optik 30mm Lydith, with it's lovely "water-colour-like" bokeh … not one of the "new improved" versions, but an original screw-fit … possibly also available with a Pentacon logo. Just make sure it's a 30mm, not 29mm or 28mm - they had quite a choice of lenses for those Praktica cameras! There's nothing wrong with the others, but they don't render like a Lydith

Enjoy

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11-11-2020, 01:32 PM	#16
shyrsio Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Tirana Posts: 780	Put on the soviet workhorse, Helios-44M 58mm/f2, at 1.5 crop it will make a hell of a portrait lens, and you will get some planar like colors and swirly bokeh.

11-11-2020, 01:51 PM - 1 Like	#17
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	I know your weak point Carl ... I bet you still regret selling the FA 20.

11-11-2020, 02:22 PM - 1 Like	#18
carlb Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,162 Original Poster	Originally posted by Des I know your weak point Carl ... I bet you still regret selling the FA 20. You have a good memory Des......and you're right on both counts, but I don't think my budget stretches far enough for a replacement.

11-11-2020, 02:48 PM	#19
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Good suggestions already so here's a couple that I haven't seen already; Pentax M 50 1.7 - excellent everything and good for portraits or general short-tele work. Pentax M 75-150 zoom - Same reasons as the 1.7 50. Both are inexpensive; I think I have $150 combined for my copies of both. A 90 to 105mm macro would be useful as well. I wouldn't get the Tamron 90 f2.5's for your digital body but just about any other you can find will work nicely. Pentax's historical offerings in this range have all been pretty good. I like using my 105mm macro on my Pentax crop DSLR and really wouldn't want a much wider one if I only had one macro in my collection of glass.

11-11-2020, 08:30 PM	#20
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	I would consider putting the M42 to PK adapter on it and use it as a dedicated M42 body and add a good macro lens. Might want to think about changing out the focusing screen for easier manual focus. Don't know whether this can be done on the K30, but I assume so.

11-13-2020, 05:45 PM	#21
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	Originally posted by DWS1 I would consider putting the M42 to PK adapter on it and use it as a dedicated M42 body and add a good macro lens. Might want to think about changing out the focusing screen for easier manual focus. Don't know whether this can be done on the K30, but I assume so. Focusing Screen has changeable screen for our Pentax cameras. Go take a peak. https://www.focusingscreen.com/index.php?cPath=25_132&osCsid=22ce8d72342609e238171d1529866809 I use this lens, Zhong Yi Mitakon 85mm F1.2 Speedmaster. It was really wonderful bokeh too. Fully manual lens with an aperture ring.

11-13-2020, 07:20 PM	#22
mgvh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,029	Something different? Rokinon 8mm f3.5 Aspherical CS IIFisheye

11-13-2020, 08:01 PM	#23
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	How about a pinhole? Rising Standard Pinhole for Pentax K Mount RPSP001 B&H Photo

11-13-2020, 08:14 PM	#24
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Originally posted by Not a Number How about a pinhole? How do you communicate the focal length to the camera?

11-14-2020, 09:32 AM	#25
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,593	Most of my "favourite" recommendations have already been made … Helios-44, 8mm fish-eye and pin-hole … almost sounds like the inventory of one of my camera bags Add to that, a Meyer-Optik 30mm Lydith, with it's lovely "water-colour-like" bokeh … not one of the "new improved" versions, but an original screw-fit … possibly also available with a Pentacon logo. Just make sure it's a 30mm, not 29mm or 28mm - they had quite a choice of lenses for those Praktica cameras! There's nothing wrong with the others, but they don't render like a Lydith Enjoy