What were the last 2 lens you purchased and why?

Gary H Perth · 04-16-2021, 06:29 AM

Two beauties for March-April, one manual focus and one auto-everything: Adaptall 2 SP 35-80mm in unused condition, and a Pentax 100mm WR macro in excellent condition.

One old lens failed, the F 35-70mm seems to have sticky blades and gives faulty exposures.

Not a Number · 04-16-2021, 07:06 AM

SMC Pentax Bellows Macro 100mm f/4
Lester Dine 105mm f/2.8 macro

Couldn't pass up a bargain on these macro lenses.

trixtroll · 04-16-2021, 11:40 AM

My two most recent purchases:

Pentax-A 28mm F2.8 - My all time favorite lens has always been a Sears 28mm, but it wasn't in great shape and I wanted the aperture control on my KP. Doesn't matter APS-C or FF, I still love 28mm.
Pentax-FA 35mm F2 - I wanted something closer to "normal" on APS-C. Interestingly enough, this was a focal length that I had zero interest in when I shot 35mm and (stupidly) donated an A version of this lens to a thrift store when I bought my K10 in 2008. I very much regret that after discovering focus peaking on the KP and seeing the current ebay prices on them.

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

My Street Lady Pentax-A 28mm F2.8... when Pentax released the K1's, the Harem bullied me into it for my "street work". Much I might add to the dismay of my Friendly Lady Pentax-A 24mm F2.8, who has now been left on the bench for that purpose.

I'm already contemplating my next purchase and have it narrowed down to a Pentax-A 24mm or a Pentax-A 20mm. @Kerrowdown the 28 and 24 seem very close in focal length, so I'm curious how they compare. Can you elaborate on the characteristics of each?

**GaryM** · 04-16-2021, 12:42 PM - **1 Like**

• FA77 (used); wanted a portrait lens for my K-1, sharp lens but barely used.
• D-FA 70-210/4: wanted a landscape telephoto zoom. Debated various options (including other mounts) for over a year, finally pulled the trigger. Excellent lens, used extensively on a recent road trip. Fast and sharp, very happy with this one!

Eriol · 04-18-2021, 07:08 AM

Pentax DA* 50-135 for portrait photography - in my humble opinion it is the one of the best lenses ever made with superb optics and a silent focus.

Sigma 18-300 for travel. My all-in-one lens if I am going on travel, I usually combine it then with a good prime and a 10-24.

AH11 · 04-19-2021, 12:41 PM

Sigma 17-50mm f2.8. I used the Tamron version before but it didn't compare to the Sigma.
Pentax 12-24mm is the other one and overall I am pleased with the results when compared to the Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 I used to have.

wstruth · 04-20-2021, 05:08 PM

The Da 35mm limited because of the love I hear about it and that i really liked the 50mm macro on the K-1.

The 55-300 PLM because its fast focusing and lighter to carry around than my 150-450.

Walkingwolf · 04-21-2021, 01:26 PM

After reading a lot of opinions on this forum and studying the reviews, I bought the DA*300 F4; then the 1.7X TC. That combo works really well. Well that’s really just 1 1/2 newly acquired lenses, but then an unplanned purchase was the FA100-300 which I “found” whilst on vacation in Japan- used for only about $20.00! And it works just fine, giving quite satisfactory results.

**Kevin B123** · 04-21-2021, 01:56 PM

I bought the FA 50 f1.7 as I wanted an AF version of the M 50 f1.7, which is a superb lens.

I also bought a good used copy of the Samyang 14mm f2.8 for astro and have yet to use it for that intended purpose, except for in my backyard which doesn't count!

disconnekt · 04-21-2021, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by disconnekt

I shoot alot of street photography, mainly with two primes (a Ricoh XR Rikenon 35mm & Pentax "K" 55mm f1.8), but there was times where I needed something a bit wider & a bit longer in reach, so I ended up getting a Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 ($205 with taxes from MPB.com) so I could get that extra wide-end & extra reach all in one place & dont have to constantly change lenses.

A lens I just purchased is the Pentax-FA 50mm f2.8 Macro ($155 with taxes from KEH), mainly to use for digitizing all my 35mm film negatives, an ro do some macro photography too.

With those two lenses, I pretty much have my "Ultimate K-mount Kit". Now just have to deal with selling the Ricoh lens & Pentax lens so the wallet doesnt hurt as much :/

The FA ended up having an issue with it, so I returned it to KEH to get a refund.
Ended up getting a "in Excellent condition" Sigma EX DG 50mm f2.8 Macro for $139 from UsedPhotoPro.

04-16-2021, 11:40 AM	#78
trixtroll Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 403	My two most recent purchases: Pentax-A 28mm F2.8 - My all time favorite lens has always been a Sears 28mm, but it wasn't in great shape and I wanted the aperture control on my KP. Doesn't matter APS-C or FF, I still love 28mm. Pentax-FA 35mm F2 - I wanted something closer to "normal" on APS-C. Interestingly enough, this was a focal length that I had zero interest in when I shot 35mm and (stupidly) donated an A version of this lens to a thrift store when I bought my K10 in 2008. I very much regret that after discovering focus peaking on the KP and seeing the current ebay prices on them. Originally posted by Kerrowdown My Street Lady Pentax-A 28mm F2.8... when Pentax released the K1's, the Harem bullied me into it for my "street work". Much I might add to the dismay of my Friendly Lady Pentax-A 24mm F2.8, who has now been left on the bench for that purpose. I'm already contemplating my next purchase and have it narrowed down to a Pentax-A 24mm or a Pentax-A 20mm. @Kerrowdown the 28 and 24 seem very close in focal length, so I'm curious how they compare. Can you elaborate on the characteristics of each? Last edited by trixtroll; 04-16-2021 at 12:18 PM.

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04-16-2021, 06:29 AM	#76
Gary H Perth Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Floreat Posts: 623	Two beauties for March-April, one manual focus and one auto-everything: Adaptall 2 SP 35-80mm in unused condition, and a Pentax 100mm WR macro in excellent condition. One old lens failed, the F 35-70mm seems to have sticky blades and gives faulty exposures.

04-16-2021, 07:06 AM	#77
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	SMC Pentax Bellows Macro 100mm f/4 Lester Dine 105mm f/2.8 macro Couldn't pass up a bargain on these macro lenses.

04-16-2021, 12:42 PM - 1 Like	#79
GaryM Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montclair, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 426	• FA77 (used); wanted a portrait lens for my K-1, sharp lens but barely used. • D-FA 70-210/4: wanted a landscape telephoto zoom. Debated various options (including other mounts) for over a year, finally pulled the trigger. Excellent lens, used extensively on a recent road trip. Fast and sharp, very happy with this one!

04-18-2021, 07:08 AM	#80
Eriol Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Rhine-Main area Photos: Gallery Posts: 37	Pentax DA* 50-135 for portrait photography - in my humble opinion it is the one of the best lenses ever made with superb optics and a silent focus. Sigma 18-300 for travel. My all-in-one lens if I am going on travel, I usually combine it then with a good prime and a 10-24.

04-19-2021, 12:41 PM	#81
AH11 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 38	Sigma 17-50mm f2.8. I used the Tamron version before but it didn't compare to the Sigma. Pentax 12-24mm is the other one and overall I am pleased with the results when compared to the Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 I used to have.

04-20-2021, 05:08 PM	#82
wstruth Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: at my kitchen table Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,294	The Da 35mm limited because of the love I hear about it and that i really liked the 50mm macro on the K-1. The 55-300 PLM because its fast focusing and lighter to carry around than my 150-450.

04-21-2021, 01:26 PM	#83
Walkingwolf Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 172	After reading a lot of opinions on this forum and studying the reviews, I bought the DA*300 F4; then the 1.7X TC. That combo works really well. Well that’s really just 1 1/2 newly acquired lenses, but then an unplanned purchase was the FA100-300 which I “found” whilst on vacation in Japan- used for only about $20.00! And it works just fine, giving quite satisfactory results.

04-21-2021, 01:56 PM	#84
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,178	I bought the FA 50 f1.7 as I wanted an AF version of the M 50 f1.7, which is a superb lens. I also bought a good used copy of the Samyang 14mm f2.8 for astro and have yet to use it for that intended purpose, except for in my backyard which doesn't count!

04-21-2021, 08:31 PM	#85
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,701	Originally posted by disconnekt I shoot alot of street photography, mainly with two primes (a Ricoh XR Rikenon 35mm & Pentax "K" 55mm f1.8), but there was times where I needed something a bit wider & a bit longer in reach, so I ended up getting a Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 ($205 with taxes from MPB.com) so I could get that extra wide-end & extra reach all in one place & dont have to constantly change lenses. A lens I just purchased is the Pentax-FA 50mm f2.8 Macro ($155 with taxes from KEH), mainly to use for digitizing all my 35mm film negatives, an ro do some macro photography too. With those two lenses, I pretty much have my "Ultimate K-mount Kit". Now just have to deal with selling the Ricoh lens & Pentax lens so the wallet doesnt hurt as much :/ The FA ended up having an issue with it, so I returned it to KEH to get a refund. Ended up getting a "in Excellent condition" Sigma EX DG 50mm f2.8 Macro for $139 from UsedPhotoPro.