[joelovotti]

In the past 12 months I've finished my primary kit.

K10D
Sigma 70-200 HSM 2.8
Sigma 18-50 EX Macro 2.8 (new version)
Pentax DA35 Limited (so beautiful)

In support of that I have:

Pentax M 100mm 4.0 Macro for longer working distance
Pentax A 50 1.4 for low light and just plain amazing images
Pentax A 28 2.8 for a little wider prime
Tamorn 500mm 8.0 mirror lens for birds

I live for a sharp photo.
I love all kinds of photography from macro to people to landscapes.

I've been looking at the FA31 limited from ProDigital2000 and other FA and DA primes.

What lens (lenses) do I need and why?

I am happy with the K10D (except high ISO performance). Should I buy a K20D at a good price or wait for the next Pentax and possible big improvement in high ISO?

Very much looking forward to the opinions of everyone.

Be well,
joe

[felix68]

In the past 12 months I've finished my primary kit.

K10D
Sigma 70-200 HSM 2.8
Sigma 18-50 EX Macro 2.8 (new version)
Pentax DA35 Limited (so beautiful)

In support of that I have:

Pentax M 100mm 4.0 Macro for longer working distance
Pentax A 50 1.4 for low light and just plain amazing images
Pentax A 28 2.8 for a little wider prime
Tamorn 500mm 8.0 mirror lens for birds

I live for a sharp photo.
I love all kinds of photography from macro to people to landscapes.

I've been looking at the FA31 limited from ProDigital2000 and other FA and DA primes.

What lens (lenses) do I need and why?

I am happy with the K10D (except high ISO performance). Should I buy a K20D at a good price or wait for the next Pentax and possible big improvement in high ISO?

Very much looking forward to the opinions of everyone.

Be well,
joe

Based on your comments on the FA50 and DA35, it looks like you enjoy primes! I highly recommend the FA31 every chance that I get because, unlike the FA50, it is amazingly sharp wide open. It is also very close to the "normal" field of view on APS-C and I really like the focal length. The FA31 is almost always on my camera!
Of course, after shooting with the FA31, I want the FA43 and FA77 as well! (anyone out there want a Playstation 3 60GB?)
I had a Pentax-A 28mm 2.8 for a while but did not like the rendering that the lens delivered, so I sold it. To me, it was sharp but everything just came out flat, no 3D rendering properties that the FA31 has in spades.
Hope this helps (centainly not in the pocketbook I'm affraid!).

[georgweb]

Congrats Joe,
you're done! No need for any lenses :-)

OK, like Felix said, the 31 ltd. is probably the best in Pentax land along with the 77 ltd. Sounds pricey though.

I liked your comment about just getting the good picture no matter what. I will think hard another time what lens could do this for you except the ones that you already have. Lurking into the Zeiss threads here might be helpful too (and pricey as well).

In the meantime, may I ask you if you are getting good shots from that 500mm mirror lens? Let's say you take a pic with your 70-200 @200mm and crop it and then compare this to the 500mm: Will there be a big difference in quality? Sample shots much appreciated.

Good luck with your quest,
Georg (the other)

[joelovotti]

Congrats Joe,

In the meantime, may I ask you if you are getting good shots from that 500mm mirror lens? Let's say you take a pic with your 70-200 @200mm and crop it and then compare this to the 500mm: Will there be a big difference in quality? Sample shots much appreciated.

That's a good idea. Truth be told the 500 hasn't seen the light of day since I got the Sigma but as soon as the sun comes out I'll run your test and post crops.

[Stratario]

You already have the DA 35. So FA 31 would be very close in focal distance. I suggest the Pentax 12-24mm to give you a very wide coverage from 12 to 200mm.

[jglover]

In the past 12 months I've finished my primary kit.

What lens (lenses) do I need and why?

Obviously, you need them all! And a K20D, can't forget CBA....

[Kerrowdown]

joelovotti, buddy your on the slippery slope to poverty with both LBA & CBA.

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Last edited by Kerrowdown; 12-13-2008 at 12:30 PM.

[axl]

you don't need more for now, just go out, spend the money on daytrips, and take lot of shots...
if you really think you need something, check out DA14 f2.8...

[xs400]

I'd like to suggest the FA 20mm f/2.8 prime. Although I don't own one yet, I understand it is very sharp and gives colors which are warm and rich.