Small rant....I guess I'm a little miffed at Pentax.

vmax84 · 08-21-2009, 04:49 AM

K100D owner along with kit lens and cheapo Tamron 70-300mm zoom. Have had a Pentax (MG) camera for 25 years of some sort.

Anyway, I can't seem to find the selection of lens that nikon and canon have in the "fast 50" flavor. I do have my kit lens from 1984 off my film MG camera, but it's manual focus and I want an autofocus lens of this capability (low light).

I'm on *************** once in a while and it seems like I'm always seeing the "fast 50's" from canon and nikon pop up for reasonable money.

I would actually be looking for something like a "fast 28" or something like that......the 50 just seems like it has too much zoom for indoor flashless work for me. But they don't seem to be there.

Rant off.

vmax84

Edit: It seems like Pentax use to offer the type of lens I'm looking for, but I don't believe they make them any more. Why?

Peter Zack · 08-21-2009, 05:08 AM

If Pentax doesn't offer the lens you want, then look at the Sigma line. I have the 28mm f1.8 and a very good lens, I'll probably add the 24mm to my kit at some point. They have the 30mm and 20 mm as well. Both very good and fast lenses. There's also always the FA50mm f1.4 as well.

I think we have a lot of great choices in primes and that's not even considering the Limiteds.

Pentax being smaller is updating their lens lineup for Digital a bit slower than some others but remember that a number of he lenses offered by other brands are old lenses that they still produce but may not have the best coatings for digital use.

vmax84 · 08-21-2009, 05:16 AM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

If Pentax doesn't offer the lens you want, then look at the Sigma line. I have the 28mm f1.8 and a very good lens, I'll probably add the 24mm to my kit at some point. They have the 30mm and 20 mm as well. Both very good and fast lenses. There's also always the FA50mm f1.4 as well.

I think we have a lot of great choices in primes and that's not even considering the Limiteds.

Pentax being smaller is updating their lens lineup for Digital a bit slower than some others but remember that a number of he lenses offered by other brands are old lenses that they still produce but may not have the best coatings for digital use.

I guess I kinda forget about Sigma and Tamron. Are there any other lens manufacturers I can look at in the 15-40mm range? Might even look at an "off-brand" type of lens, just to give it a whirl and stay under budget.

vmax84

Daveinozbikes · 08-21-2009, 05:26 AM

Saw an adapter on ebay. fits any Nikon lens to Pentax bayonet. You might like to check that out.

Peter Zack · 08-21-2009, 05:49 AM

I haven't tried the Nikon adapter but have read mixed reports. It works but image quality suffers. It has a corrective lens to adjust the register distance.

There are only really 3 3rd party companies, Tokina (no PKA mounts, and Sigma or Tamron. Sigma has the biggest line by far.

If you want a fast wide, get the Pentax 14mm f2.8. In that focal range there's nothing faster and if there were, you'd have to sell the car to buy it.

Wheatfield · 08-21-2009, 06:42 AM

This is, at the moment, Pentax's biggest failing, in my opinion. They don't have a fast normal lens for their DSLR line. The closest they come to it is the 31/1.8, which is a nice lens, but it's not a 1.4.
I think they were pretty retarded when they put the 35/2.8 macro on the market, even though it is a very good optic. It's too close in focal length to the 40 and no faster.
What they should have put on the market instead is something in the range of a 30mm f/1.4.

mattdm · 08-21-2009, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

What they should have put on the market instead is something in the range of a 30mm f/1.4.

The DA★ 30mm, for example.

GerryL · 08-21-2009, 03:28 PM

..and something affordable.
It would seem that everything they come up with now requires a bit of money.
Although less than the money you have to shell for the Canikons but still a sizable amount.

Jonson PL · 08-21-2009, 03:32 PM

For a fast normal lens, there is also the FA 35/2

little laker · 08-21-2009, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by vmax84

I guess I kinda forget about Sigma and Tamron.

vmax84

Sigma actually has a nice selection of smaller primes.
10mm F2.8 EX DC Fisheye HSM
20mm F1.8 EX DG
24mm F1.8 EX DG
28mm F1.8 EX DG
30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM
50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
They do have more, not offered in Pentax mount. I imagine that they might just make them, if enough people ask

That is unless they're planning on dropping that lens, or re-introducing it.

Personally I wish that they had a larger selection of longer primes including an 85mm, a 135mm, and a 200mm

vmax84 · 08-21-2009, 05:00 PM

I just don't understand why they dropped a couple decent looking lens..........seems like Pentax had a 35mm and a couple others smaller than the "fast 50" and all I can find on Amazon and such is "discontinuied". $%^&*# retards.

vmax84

TourDeForce · 08-21-2009, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by little laker

Sigma actually has a nice selection of smaller primes.
10mm F2.8 EX DC Fisheye HSM
20mm F1.8 EX DG
24mm F1.8 EX DG
28mm F1.8 EX DG
30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM
50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
They do have more, not offered in Pentax mount. I imagine that they might just make them, if enough people ask

That is unless they're planning on dropping that lens, or re-introducing it.

Personally I wish that they had a larger selection of longer primes including an 85mm, a 135mm, and a 200mm

The 28mm 1.8 is a nice lens, but the samples I've seen of the 30mm suffered badly from the characteristic Sigma yellow cast. I hate that. 24mm would be just about ideal for a normal lens, but I'm not familiar with it. Reviews I've seen have been mixed.

stevebrot · 08-21-2009, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by Jonson PL

For a fast normal lens, there is also the FA 35/2

Was...the last I saw it was no longer available new.

Steve

(Got mine a little over a year ago and glad I did...)

stevebrot · 08-21-2009, 06:19 PM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

There are only really 3 3rd party companies, Tokina (no PKA mounts, and Sigma or Tamron. Sigma has the biggest line by far.

You might want to include Cosina/Zeiss and Cosina/Voigtlander in that list. Prices are high, but so is the quality.

Ultron 40/2
Nokton 58/1.4
Distagon 28/2
Distagon 35/2
Planar 50/1.4

Steve

little laker · 08-21-2009, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by TourDeForce

The 28mm 1.8 is a nice lens, but the samples I've seen of the 30mm suffered badly from the characteristic Sigma yellow cast. I hate that. 24mm would be just about ideal for a normal lens, but I'm not familiar with it. Reviews I've seen have been mixed.

If your looking at a lens in that range it might be worth taking a look at the 30mm again.
I don't know if, or what they've changed on it, however at this time it's said to be one of Sigma's best primes.
Personally i only want full frame lenses, so I doubt that I'll buy one

08-21-2009, 04:49 AM	#1
vmax84 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 307	Small rant....I guess I'm a little miffed at Pentax. K100D owner along with kit lens and cheapo Tamron 70-300mm zoom. Have had a Pentax (MG) camera for 25 years of some sort. Anyway, I can't seem to find the selection of lens that nikon and canon have in the "fast 50" flavor. I do have my kit lens from 1984 off my film MG camera, but it's manual focus and I want an autofocus lens of this capability (low light). I'm on *************** once in a while and it seems like I'm always seeing the "fast 50's" from canon and nikon pop up for reasonable money. I would actually be looking for something like a "fast 28" or something like that......the 50 just seems like it has too much zoom for indoor flashless work for me. But they don't seem to be there. Rant off. vmax84 Edit: It seems like Pentax use to offer the type of lens I'm looking for, but I don't believe they make them any more. Why?

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08-21-2009, 05:08 AM	#2
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	If Pentax doesn't offer the lens you want, then look at the Sigma line. I have the 28mm f1.8 and a very good lens, I'll probably add the 24mm to my kit at some point. They have the 30mm and 20 mm as well. Both very good and fast lenses. There's also always the FA50mm f1.4 as well. I think we have a lot of great choices in primes and that's not even considering the Limiteds. Pentax being smaller is updating their lens lineup for Digital a bit slower than some others but remember that a number of he lenses offered by other brands are old lenses that they still produce but may not have the best coatings for digital use.

08-21-2009, 05:16 AM	#3
vmax84 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 307 Original Poster	Originally posted by Peter Zack If Pentax doesn't offer the lens you want, then look at the Sigma line. I have the 28mm f1.8 and a very good lens, I'll probably add the 24mm to my kit at some point. They have the 30mm and 20 mm as well. Both very good and fast lenses. There's also always the FA50mm f1.4 as well. I think we have a lot of great choices in primes and that's not even considering the Limiteds. Pentax being smaller is updating their lens lineup for Digital a bit slower than some others but remember that a number of he lenses offered by other brands are old lenses that they still produce but may not have the best coatings for digital use. I guess I kinda forget about Sigma and Tamron. Are there any other lens manufacturers I can look at in the 15-40mm range? Might even look at an "off-brand" type of lens, just to give it a whirl and stay under budget. vmax84

08-21-2009, 05:26 AM	#4
Daveinozbikes Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dawesville,Western Australia. Photos: Gallery Posts: 128	Saw an adapter on ebay. fits any Nikon lens to Pentax bayonet. You might like to check that out.

08-21-2009, 05:49 AM	#5
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	I haven't tried the Nikon adapter but have read mixed reports. It works but image quality suffers. It has a corrective lens to adjust the register distance. There are only really 3 3rd party companies, Tokina (no PKA mounts, and Sigma or Tamron. Sigma has the biggest line by far. If you want a fast wide, get the Pentax 14mm f2.8. In that focal range there's nothing faster and if there were, you'd have to sell the car to buy it.

08-21-2009, 06:42 AM	#6
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	This is, at the moment, Pentax's biggest failing, in my opinion. They don't have a fast normal lens for their DSLR line. The closest they come to it is the 31/1.8, which is a nice lens, but it's not a 1.4. I think they were pretty retarded when they put the 35/2.8 macro on the market, even though it is a very good optic. It's too close in focal length to the 40 and no faster. What they should have put on the market instead is something in the range of a 30mm f/1.4.

08-21-2009, 06:55 AM	#7
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by Wheatfield What they should have put on the market instead is something in the range of a 30mm f/1.4. The DA★ 30mm, for example.

08-21-2009, 03:28 PM	#8
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	..and something affordable. It would seem that everything they come up with now requires a bit of money. Although less than the money you have to shell for the Canikons but still a sizable amount.

08-21-2009, 03:32 PM	#9
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	For a fast normal lens, there is also the FA 35/2

08-21-2009, 04:33 PM	#10
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	Originally posted by vmax84 I guess I kinda forget about Sigma and Tamron. vmax84 Sigma actually has a nice selection of smaller primes. 10mm F2.8 EX DC Fisheye HSM 20mm F1.8 EX DG 24mm F1.8 EX DG 28mm F1.8 EX DG 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM They do have more, not offered in Pentax mount. I imagine that they might just make them, if enough people ask That is unless they're planning on dropping that lens, or re-introducing it. Personally I wish that they had a larger selection of longer primes including an 85mm, a 135mm, and a 200mm

08-21-2009, 05:00 PM	#11
vmax84 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 307 Original Poster	I just don't understand why they dropped a couple decent looking lens..........seems like Pentax had a 35mm and a couple others smaller than the "fast 50" and all I can find on Amazon and such is "discontinuied". $%^&*# retards. vmax84

08-21-2009, 05:33 PM	#12
TourDeForce Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 514	Originally posted by little laker Sigma actually has a nice selection of smaller primes. 10mm F2.8 EX DC Fisheye HSM 20mm F1.8 EX DG 24mm F1.8 EX DG 28mm F1.8 EX DG 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM They do have more, not offered in Pentax mount. I imagine that they might just make them, if enough people ask That is unless they're planning on dropping that lens, or re-introducing it. Personally I wish that they had a larger selection of longer primes including an 85mm, a 135mm, and a 200mm The 28mm 1.8 is a nice lens, but the samples I've seen of the 30mm suffered badly from the characteristic Sigma yellow cast. I hate that. 24mm would be just about ideal for a normal lens, but I'm not familiar with it. Reviews I've seen have been mixed.

08-21-2009, 06:10 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Jonson PL For a fast normal lens, there is also the FA 35/2 Was...the last I saw it was no longer available new. Steve (Got mine a little over a year ago and glad I did...)

08-21-2009, 06:19 PM	#14
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Peter Zack There are only really 3 3rd party companies, Tokina (no PKA mounts, and Sigma or Tamron. Sigma has the biggest line by far. You might want to include Cosina/Zeiss and Cosina/Voigtlander in that list. Prices are high, but so is the quality. Ultron 40/2 Nokton 58/1.4 Distagon 28/2 Distagon 35/2 Planar 50/1.4 Steve

08-21-2009, 06:31 PM	#15
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	Originally posted by TourDeForce The 28mm 1.8 is a nice lens, but the samples I've seen of the 30mm suffered badly from the characteristic Sigma yellow cast. I hate that. 24mm would be just about ideal for a normal lens, but I'm not familiar with it. Reviews I've seen have been mixed. If your looking at a lens in that range it might be worth taking a look at the 30mm again. I don't know if, or what they've changed on it, however at this time it's said to be one of Sigma's best primes. Personally i only want full frame lenses, so I doubt that I'll buy one