What is your forever lens?

timb64 · 08-21-2022, 07:12 AM - **1 Like**

Either of my vast collection of two lenses.16-85 or 55-300 PLM.

**pepperberry farm** · 08-21-2022, 07:34 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

Such a lens does not exist.

If, by "forever", you mean "keep forever", I could list about twenty.

agreed - I've been exposed to too many lenses to say only one....

Originally posted by pearl.ish

You probably haven't tried the Vivitar 24mm f2.0 RL Edition on a K3 in the dead of winter...

owned a copy, used it, sold it - there are better 24mm lenses out there....

Alnjpn · 08-21-2022, 07:37 AM

Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 EX HSM

Not a Pentax lens but this is on my K3 almost permanently. Perfect range for almost evrything I do such as street, travel and landscape. Sharp, tough as nails, but heavy. Always paired with my Sigma 10-20mm. If I only had one lens this would be it!

que es tu · 08-21-2022, 07:38 AM

My “forever lens” is my DA 18-135! That is by far the most versatile lens I have, and also has great IQ. I have been using it as a travel and backpacking lens for a couple of years now and couldn’t imagine using another lens when out and about! I recently took a trip to Philly, Boston, Acadia NP, and NYC with only this lens and the KP and never wanted anything else!!

lesmore49 · 08-21-2022, 07:55 AM

I've been taking pix from my series of Pentax cameras for over 50 years. I've had a lot of favouites (lenses) since then. Currently for the past couple of years, my two faves have been a toss up, between my Pentax 100 WR Macro F 2.8 and my 24-70 F. 28.

Generally either one of these two, are mounted on my K1.

pearl.ish · 08-21-2022, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

agreed - I've been exposed to too many lenses to say only one....

owned a copy, used it, sold it - there are better 24mm lenses out there....

Like what? I sold my SMC Pentax 24mm so fast.

Oldbayrunner · 08-21-2022, 09:27 AM - **2 Likes**

None, the whole purpose of having a changeable lens camera is to be able to vary lenses according to ones shooting needs.

**jumbleview** · 08-21-2022, 10:06 AM

Originally posted by pearl.ish

The Vivitar 24mm f2.0 RL Edition (PK-A)

Seems to me there is not much information about that lens. Can you post some links or at least photo to see how it looks.

**Rider0974** · 08-21-2022, 10:10 AM - **1 Like**

I don't have a single lens that I use all the time. I keep my SMC F-zoom 35-135mm on
my K1 while it is in my camera bag, as it covers a good range for use in the garden when
the better half spots something. When I take the camera out I take all my lenses
( I only have 5 anyway ), that way I can't moan at missing something because I had the
wrong lens with me.

**ramseybuckeye** · 08-21-2022, 01:23 PM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by pearl.ish

What lens is your special GOAT? Your forever lens. The one that never leaves the camera. The lens you would grab if you could only take one...

If you have a lens that never leaves the camera you don't need an interchangeable lens camera. The lens to grab if you can only take one is a whole different question and one I have done many times, and it depends on what the goal of the session is. It is usually the DA 20-40 Ltd, DA*300, or DA 55-300PLM. But I have gone out with other lenses alone also.

pearl.ish · 08-21-2022, 02:36 PM

Originally posted by jumbleview

Seems to me there is not much information about that lens. Can you post some links or at least photo to see how it looks.

Yes, I am looking forward to posting my complete review soon. Working on looking through some of last winter's images as a part of the review.

**tp1665** · 08-21-2022, 07:31 PM

If a lens got super-glued to my K3 II body I would hope it was one of these three in order of my sense of versatility (as that is what I would desire).
BEST> Less Joy......

1) 16-85 Pentax

2) 20-40 Pentax

3) 55-300 Pentax

4) 70-200 2.8 Tamron

I absolutely love a few others but would hate them having them tie up my system.

I think like other comments i have see that this is a false choice / fools errand for an SLR enthusiast that shoots many subject types.

j0n4hpk · 08-21-2022, 08:20 PM

The Tamron 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 XR DI zoom lens which collapses to less than 5" at 28mm and the Pentax FA 28-80mm f3.5-4.7 zoom lens whose power zoom option worked with my K10D.

**RICHARD L.** · 08-22-2022, 04:15 AM

Well, I must admit I have a small leather camera bag with the Pentax K3 III body, the HD DA 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED WR and the HD DA 55-300 mm f/4-5.8 ED WR. I take landscape and a few architectural pictures and there is not much I can't do with this very light kit.

HD DA 16-85 mm ED above

HD DA 55-300 mm ED above

**jumbleview** · 08-22-2022, 07:28 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

owned a copy, used it, sold it - there are better 24mm lenses out there....

Please share your experience. Which 24mm lens (used on Pentax) is the best?

08-21-2022, 07:31 PM	#42
tp1665 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 157	Forever lens hmmmmmm 16-85 wins for me.. If a lens got super-glued to my K3 II body I would hope it was one of these three in order of my sense of versatility (as that is what I would desire). BEST> Less Joy...... 1) 16-85 Pentax 2) 20-40 Pentax 3) 55-300 Pentax 4) 70-200 2.8 Tamron I absolutely love a few others but would hate them having them tie up my system. I think like other comments i have see that this is a false choice / fools errand for an SLR enthusiast that shoots many subject types.

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08-21-2022, 07:12 AM - 1 Like	#31
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,514	Either of my vast collection of two lenses.16-85 or 55-300 PLM.

08-21-2022, 07:34 AM - 1 Like	#32
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock Such a lens does not exist. If, by "forever", you mean "keep forever", I could list about twenty. agreed - I've been exposed to too many lenses to say only one.... Originally posted by pearl.ish You probably haven't tried the Vivitar 24mm f2.0 RL Edition on a K3 in the dead of winter... owned a copy, used it, sold it - there are better 24mm lenses out there....

08-21-2022, 07:37 AM	#33
Alnjpn Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Osaka Posts: 158	Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 EX HSM Not a Pentax lens but this is on my K3 almost permanently. Perfect range for almost evrything I do such as street, travel and landscape. Sharp, tough as nails, but heavy. Always paired with my Sigma 10-20mm. If I only had one lens this would be it!

08-21-2022, 07:38 AM	#34
que es tu Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Smoky Mountains, NC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,605	My “forever lens” is my DA 18-135! That is by far the most versatile lens I have, and also has great IQ. I have been using it as a travel and backpacking lens for a couple of years now and couldn’t imagine using another lens when out and about! I recently took a trip to Philly, Boston, Acadia NP, and NYC with only this lens and the KP and never wanted anything else!!

08-21-2022, 07:55 AM	#35
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,350	I've been taking pix from my series of Pentax cameras for over 50 years. I've had a lot of favouites (lenses) since then. Currently for the past couple of years, my two faves have been a toss up, between my Pentax 100 WR Macro F 2.8 and my 24-70 F. 28. Generally either one of these two, are mounted on my K1.

08-21-2022, 08:10 AM	#36
pearl.ish Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 43 Original Poster	Originally posted by pepperberry farm agreed - I've been exposed to too many lenses to say only one.... owned a copy, used it, sold it - there are better 24mm lenses out there.... Like what? I sold my SMC Pentax 24mm so fast.

08-21-2022, 09:27 AM - 2 Likes	#37
Oldbayrunner Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,665	None, the whole purpose of having a changeable lens camera is to be able to vary lenses according to ones shooting needs.

08-21-2022, 10:06 AM	#38
jumbleview Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 1,070	Originally posted by pearl.ish The Vivitar 24mm f2.0 RL Edition (PK-A) Seems to me there is not much information about that lens. Can you post some links or at least photo to see how it looks.

08-21-2022, 10:10 AM - 1 Like	#39
Rider0974 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Havant Posts: 63	I don't have a single lens that I use all the time. I keep my SMC F-zoom 35-135mm on my K1 while it is in my camera bag, as it covers a good range for use in the garden when the better half spots something. When I take the camera out I take all my lenses ( I only have 5 anyway ), that way I can't moan at missing something because I had the wrong lens with me.

08-21-2022, 01:23 PM - 4 Likes	#40
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	Originally posted by pearl.ish What lens is your special GOAT? Your forever lens. The one that never leaves the camera. The lens you would grab if you could only take one... If you have a lens that never leaves the camera you don't need an interchangeable lens camera. The lens to grab if you can only take one is a whole different question and one I have done many times, and it depends on what the goal of the session is. It is usually the DA 20-40 Ltd, DA*300, or DA 55-300PLM. But I have gone out with other lenses alone also.

08-21-2022, 02:36 PM	#41
pearl.ish Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 43 Original Poster	Originally posted by jumbleview Seems to me there is not much information about that lens. Can you post some links or at least photo to see how it looks. Yes, I am looking forward to posting my complete review soon. Working on looking through some of last winter's images as a part of the review.

08-21-2022, 08:20 PM	#43
j0n4hpk Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 293	The Tamron 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 XR DI zoom lens which collapses to less than 5" at 28mm and the Pentax FA 28-80mm f3.5-4.7 zoom lens whose power zoom option worked with my K10D.

08-22-2022, 04:15 AM	#44
RICHARD L. Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,637	Well, I must admit I have a small leather camera bag with the Pentax K3 III body, the HD DA 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED WR and the HD DA 55-300 mm f/4-5.8 ED WR. I take landscape and a few architectural pictures and there is not much I can't do with this very light kit. HD DA 16-85 mm ED above HD DA 55-300 mm ED above

08-22-2022, 07:28 AM - 1 Like	#45
jumbleview Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 1,070	Originally posted by pepperberry farm owned a copy, used it, sold it - there are better 24mm lenses out there.... Please share your experience. Which 24mm lens (used on Pentax) is the best?