[jersey]

Hi guys. I will be one year closer to the coffin in January and am thinking about sweetening this pill with some nice lens


I have 15mm, 35mm and 20-40 Limited and 55-300 PLM. My initial idea was to get 60-250 DA*, but somehow 55-300 worked out and I do not think I need another telephoto. So I am aiming at extending my primes (on one side) with 70 or 55*. Or with getting a nice vacation lens (18-135?) on the other. I gravitate toward DA lenses, I like to see all the imperfections at the edges.

Any other ideas, suggestions? Budget is more or less 60-250 DA* price and I still have a week to decide

[Benz3ne]

You could go the 24-105? It'd be versatile enough to cover a lot of the 'middle' focal lengths, and it's surprisingly good image quality.
Otherwise, yeah, primes are a great way to go.

[BigMackCam]

The DA70 is a nice option, it's reasonably fast, and would augment your existing DA Limiteds nicely... but I think the DA*55 might be more versatile.

Other options to consider... how about a fast, constant aperture wide-to-short-tele zoom such as the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 HSM or Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (the new DA*16-50 would be perfect, but outside your budget)? Or... a real curve ball, here... the D FA100 f/2.8 Macro WR ("a D FA100 is for life, not just for macro" )...

[redpit]

Happy birthday and my suggestion is the DA* 300/4 since you want a prime and it will give you what the 55-300 can't!

[VictorDA]

the D FA100 f/2.8 Macro WR ("a D FA100 is for life, not just for macro" )...

I second that suggestion 100%
Only one problem, you might miss the imperfections you're looking for.
The 55* and 70 Ltd are both lovely options as well, with your setup I would actually favour the 70 as a very sound second choice.
The 18-135 is nice, it's a practical and convenient tool, but IMO does not have that "birthday/pleasure" touch!

[jersey]

I had Sigma 17-50, sold it. Nice lens, but never really clicked with me.

DA* 300 is a nice suggestion. Never thought about it

[Bui]

Your lens collection is a lot similar to me (small DA limited + small compact telephoto zoom), they are my main go-to for travelling, hiking and everyday shooting. I think adding a 55* or 70 is no rainer, I owned both in the past, but like the 70 better because it fits better the “compact and nice handling” preference, being a limited. The rendering is slightly better in my eyes, and it’s much lighter, so unless you need 1.4 or WR I would go for a HD 70.

On top of these main lenses I have a few other that might trigger your potential interest for your next lens:

- DFA 100 macro: for macro and short tele/portrait. Very sharp, compact and nice handling but I rarely use it

- DA* 11-18: for when I can afford to bring something bigger than the 15. I like wide angle and this lens is unbeatable bar size and weight: sharp, fast, silent focus, excellent build and handling, wr, fantastic color

- DA* 50-135: for traveling, portrait when I can afford to bring something bigger than the 55-300. It’s longer heavier and only 135 but it’s 2.8, sharp and renders beautifully. The 55-300 can’t touch it in their overlapping range.

- Sigma 70-200 (recently acquired) for indoor shooting of daughter at her performance (swimming , piano etc). This lens os is super heavy so it will only be used 2-3 times per year.

- DA* 200: I bought it because of a rare chance for an unbeatable price, but I have almost no use for it. It gives some marvelous portrait shots (2.8 at 200mm!!!) and sometimes I use it for hiking to shoot animals, adding a 1.4 TC. I don’t want to sell it because of its wonderful images and great handling

In the meantime I’ve also swapped my DA 35+ 40 for an FA 43, and DA 70 for FA 77, for occasional speed need, and the increase in size and weight is negligible.

For my next lens I may add the new DA* 16-50 because I heard it’s a great lens. At 1500 euros however, I can certainly wait for a few more months/ years.

Happy Holidays!

[AfterPentax Mark II]

A nice vacation lens would be the 18-135 without a doubt. If you join that one with the other vacation lens you already have the 55-300 PLM you have a lightweight winning team....

[macman24054]

Just looking at your lineup and if I was in your shoes, I’d get the 70. It has a great reputation and makes a great portrait lens. That being said, the 55 is a really kick butt lens!

[Chris_K]

I can confirm that the DA70 is a fantastic lens. I love how it renders around f/2.4 - 2.8. Stopped down it's good, too :-)
OTOH, the da 18-135 has great opinions as well.

[Cerebum]

The DA* 55mm f1.4 tops my wish list. I also have the 70mm limited that caps off a nice limited prime travel pack with your others.

[EssJayEff]

I like to see all the imperfections at the edges

I do not think I need another telephoto

I am aiming at extending my primes

Given your three points above, how about a set of Lensbaby lenses? Maybe the Velvet 85mm (~$510) and Veltvet 56mm (~$470). Both are close to the focal lengths you mentioned (55mm and 70mm) That puts you at about a grand. For another $550 you can get the Velvet 28mm, which is also "not another telephoto."

Just thinking outside the box . . .

[jersey]

Nah, I am an AF guy Though I have considered Trioplan 50mm for flowers before I decided on 35 Macro

[ChristianRock]

Well the DA 70 is the obvious suggestion (or a FA 77mm if you can swing it!).

But everyone is different and I'm of the opinion that every shooter needs a fast normal prime. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Art is still being sold new, and there's also great deals on used copies. Not "optically perfect" in the sense of modern lenses that have no CA, but totally manageable and it has a character that modern lenses often lack. Sharp wide open, too (but with CA in some situations, as mentioned). It takes beautiful pictures and I'm never ever disappointed when I use it. I often call that lens "the lens that makes my APS-C setup make sense" but everyone is of course different. That's my 2 cents...

[rogerstg]

Or with getting a nice vacation lens (18-135?) on the other

While the 18-135 is an excellent "outdoor" vacation lens, especially if limited to one lens. OTOH, I find I gravitate to my *16-50 for most indoor venues.