Must Have Lenses?

ChomickiP · 01-04-2009, 02:30 PM

Hey, I just thought I'd start this thread to see if there's a consensus on any must-have lenses that should be staples in everyone's Pentax collection. As far as I'm aware, the 50mm 1.4 is definitely a must-have lens.

séamuis · 01-04-2009, 02:43 PM

nobody can explain LBA but in all reality unless you have an unlimited budget, you should focus on purchasing lenses for your particular use and style of photography. something that will best suit your needs.

**sinus007** · 01-04-2009, 02:48 PM

The ones you like AND need. All others are optional.

Wheatfield · 01-04-2009, 02:49 PM

Originally posted by ChomickiP

Hey, I just thought I'd start this thread to see if there's a consensus on any must-have lenses that should be staples in everyone's Pentax collection. As far as I'm aware, the 50mm 1.4 is definitely a must-have lens.

A few fast primes.

For me, it would be, with presently available lenses:

14/2.8, 21/3.2 31/1.8, 50/1.4, 77/1.8 (or 70/2.4), DFA 100/2.8 Macro.

If we don't stick with new, I'd say the A20/2.8, A24/2,8, A35/2.8, A50/1.4, A*85/1.8 A100/2.8 Macro (with some reservations).

I bet you get a lot of votes for the 16-60 and 50-135, but I don't use zooms, so don't have much experience. The samples of those two lenses that I tried were very good, zooms just don't fit my photography style.

bruloup · 01-04-2009, 02:49 PM

Seamus in an obvious moment of clarity!@!!!

that being said....
Super Tak 55 1.8

séamuis · 01-04-2009, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by bruloup

Seamus in an obvious moment of clarity!@!!!

that being said....
Super Tak 55 1.8

thank you. and as a VERY OPEN supporter of the 55mm 1.8 (regardless of Takumar series) Id say you have given the best recommendation. I was tempted to say the 55mm 1.8 myself.

ftpaddict · 01-04-2009, 03:23 PM

If you're just building your kit up, the DA 18-55 is a good backup lens and body-companion for when you want to sell a body.

**Kerrowdown** · 01-04-2009, 03:34 PM

ChomickiP, you realise this is you now on the slippery slope of LBA.

Peter Zack · 01-04-2009, 03:37 PM

Originally posted by séamuis

nobody can explain LBA but in all reality unless you have an unlimited budget, you should focus on purchasing lenses for your particular use and style of photography. something that will best suit your needs.

Originally posted by bruloup

Seamus in an obvious moment of clarity!@!!!

that being said....
Super Tak 55 1.8

Forget all this clarity stuff!! Buy every lens you see. Max out the credit card, sell the house and live in your car if you have to. Try them all.

Or better yet get James King to adopt you. Then you have access to almost every lens known.

Seriously, I agree. At one time I was a lens hound as well. Then realized that you only need what you will actually shoot with. A pro wildlife shooter might need a 600 or 1200mm lens but the rest of us just need a decent kit that covers the range.

My essential kit is:
Pentax FA*300mm f4.5
Sigma 70-200mm f2.8
Pentax DA 16-45mm f4
Pentax FA50mm f1.4
Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro
Sigma 24mm f2.8
Sigma 10-20mm
Pentax AF1.7TC

I have a few others but when I go out, that's usually what's in the bag. I never find I'm wanting for anything else. I had the 3 amigos for quite awhile (31,43,77mm) and even though they are beautiful lenses (both optically and craftsmanship). They never got enough use to warranty keeping them. of course that could easily change....

heatherslightbox · 01-04-2009, 03:47 PM

Never mind the FA50/1.4, if you've got the cash, then most definitely the FA43/1.9 Ltd--solid metal construction and very nice IQ. If you don't have the cash, then the FA50 is still an excellent lens, in it's own right, though.

I noticed that in your sig that you don't have anything on the longer end past 80mm. There are several decent choices in affordable telezooms (under $400 new); my top pick is the DA55-300, which comes in at around $300 new. If you don't need as much reach, then either the DA50-200 or F70-210 are good, affordable choices.

As for your 18-55, it's a pretty decent lens for the money, so it won't hurt to keep it around for a while until you get a little more experience under your belt as to whether you prefer primes or zooms.

If you want to explore primes more, and you're interested in macro/closeup work, then the DA35 or DFA100 lenses are both excellent choices.

HTH,
Heather

ll_coffee_lP · 01-04-2009, 06:08 PM

FA50 1.4 is simply a must own lens. Very versatile, super sharp, great IQ, nice bokeh, and inexpensive. This lens should be in everyone's gear bag.

Everything else is going to depend upon your taste and shooting style.

c[_]

Kei · 01-04-2009, 06:21 PM

For ultimate IQ seeker: all prime lens

For starters: the kit lens

For people who wants convenience and light load (me): 18-250mm

For the little voice in my head: any lens I don't yet have

Seriously tho, it is widely accepted here the FA50 is a must have lens in most scenario. The wide aperture and small size means it always leaves you the option to have a very fast lens without significant addition to the load. Not to mention it is still in production so there's no need to fight for it in fleabay's bidding war. I just got myself the FA50 and I have to agree to all of this.

felix68 · 01-04-2009, 06:42 PM

I have to agree with the FA50 for $200. Can't beat the speed or the price.
My biggest must have at the moment is the FA31 Limited. Not cheap but I love the focal length on APS-C and it is a magnificent lens.

Blue · 01-04-2009, 07:04 PM

My essential kit is what is in my sig line. I could "live" without the Sigma 20-40mm now that I have the DA 21mm. If I ever get a DA* or FA* 300mm, I may give up the DA 55-300mm zoom. Of course I still have my previous essential kits

SpecialK · 01-04-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

As far as I'm aware, the 50mm 1.4 is definitely a must-have lens.

No, it is not. Everyone has an opinion, dontcha know.

01-04-2009, 02:30 PM	#1
ChomickiP New Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mississauga, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 11	Must Have Lenses? Hey, I just thought I'd start this thread to see if there's a consensus on any must-have lenses that should be staples in everyone's Pentax collection. As far as I'm aware, the 50mm 1.4 is definitely a must-have lens.

01-04-2009, 06:42 PM	#13
felix68 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 281	FA50 for the Money I have to agree with the FA50 for $200. Can't beat the speed or the price. My biggest must have at the moment is the FA31 Limited. Not cheap but I love the focal length on APS-C and it is a magnificent lens.

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01-04-2009, 02:43 PM	#2
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	nobody can explain LBA but in all reality unless you have an unlimited budget, you should focus on purchasing lenses for your particular use and style of photography. something that will best suit your needs.

01-04-2009, 02:48 PM	#3
sinus007 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 292	The ones you like AND need. All others are optional.

01-04-2009, 02:49 PM	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by ChomickiP Hey, I just thought I'd start this thread to see if there's a consensus on any must-have lenses that should be staples in everyone's Pentax collection. As far as I'm aware, the 50mm 1.4 is definitely a must-have lens. A few fast primes. For me, it would be, with presently available lenses: 14/2.8, 21/3.2 31/1.8, 50/1.4, 77/1.8 (or 70/2.4), DFA 100/2.8 Macro. If we don't stick with new, I'd say the A20/2.8, A24/2,8, A35/2.8, A50/1.4, A*85/1.8 A100/2.8 Macro (with some reservations). I bet you get a lot of votes for the 16-60 and 50-135, but I don't use zooms, so don't have much experience. The samples of those two lenses that I tried were very good, zooms just don't fit my photography style.

01-04-2009, 02:49 PM	#5
bruloup Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sugar Notch PA Posts: 206	Seamus in an obvious moment of clarity!@!!! that being said.... Super Tak 55 1.8

01-04-2009, 02:58 PM	#6
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by bruloup Seamus in an obvious moment of clarity!@!!! that being said.... Super Tak 55 1.8 thank you. and as a VERY OPEN supporter of the 55mm 1.8 (regardless of Takumar series) Id say you have given the best recommendation. I was tempted to say the 55mm 1.8 myself.

01-04-2009, 03:23 PM	#7
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	If you're just building your kit up, the DA 18-55 is a good backup lens and body-companion for when you want to sell a body.

01-04-2009, 03:34 PM	#8
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	ChomickiP, you realise this is you now on the slippery slope of LBA.

01-04-2009, 03:37 PM	#9
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Originally posted by séamuis nobody can explain LBA but in all reality unless you have an unlimited budget, you should focus on purchasing lenses for your particular use and style of photography. something that will best suit your needs. Originally posted by bruloup Seamus in an obvious moment of clarity!@!!! that being said.... Super Tak 55 1.8 Forget all this clarity stuff!! Buy every lens you see. Max out the credit card, sell the house and live in your car if you have to. Try them all. Or better yet get James King to adopt you. Then you have access to almost every lens known. Seriously, I agree. At one time I was a lens hound as well. Then realized that you only need what you will actually shoot with. A pro wildlife shooter might need a 600 or 1200mm lens but the rest of us just need a decent kit that covers the range. My essential kit is: Pentax FA*300mm f4.5 Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 Pentax DA 16-45mm f4 Pentax FA50mm f1.4 Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro Sigma 24mm f2.8 Sigma 10-20mm Pentax AF1.7TC I have a few others but when I go out, that's usually what's in the bag. I never find I'm wanting for anything else. I had the 3 amigos for quite awhile (31,43,77mm) and even though they are beautiful lenses (both optically and craftsmanship). They never got enough use to warranty keeping them. of course that could easily change....

01-04-2009, 03:47 PM	#10
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	Never mind the FA50/1.4, if you've got the cash, then most definitely the FA43/1.9 Ltd--solid metal construction and very nice IQ. If you don't have the cash, then the FA50 is still an excellent lens, in it's own right, though. I noticed that in your sig that you don't have anything on the longer end past 80mm. There are several decent choices in affordable telezooms (under $400 new); my top pick is the DA55-300, which comes in at around $300 new. If you don't need as much reach, then either the DA50-200 or F70-210 are good, affordable choices. As for your 18-55, it's a pretty decent lens for the money, so it won't hurt to keep it around for a while until you get a little more experience under your belt as to whether you prefer primes or zooms. If you want to explore primes more, and you're interested in macro/closeup work, then the DA35 or DFA100 lenses are both excellent choices. HTH, Heather

01-04-2009, 06:08 PM	#11
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	FA50 1.4 is simply a must own lens. Very versatile, super sharp, great IQ, nice bokeh, and inexpensive. This lens should be in everyone's gear bag. Everything else is going to depend upon your taste and shooting style. c[_]

01-04-2009, 06:21 PM	#12
Kei Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 207	For ultimate IQ seeker: all prime lens For starters: the kit lens For people who wants convenience and light load (me): 18-250mm For the little voice in my head: any lens I don't yet have Seriously tho, it is widely accepted here the FA50 is a must have lens in most scenario. The wide aperture and small size means it always leaves you the option to have a very fast lens without significant addition to the load. Not to mention it is still in production so there's no need to fight for it in fleabay's bidding war. I just got myself the FA50 and I have to agree to all of this.

01-04-2009, 07:04 PM	#14
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	My essential kit is what is in my sig line. I could "live" without the Sigma 20-40mm now that I have the DA 21mm. If I ever get a DA* or FA* 300mm, I may give up the DA 55-300mm zoom. Of course I still have my previous essential kits

01-04-2009, 07:14 PM	#15
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Quote: As far as I'm aware, the 50mm 1.4 is definitely a must-have lens. No, it is not. Everyone has an opinion, dontcha know.