What are your 3 favorite lenses?

Zav · 09-22-2009, 12:42 AM

1 - Voigtlander 125mm
2 - FA31
3 - FA 77

It was easy, I only have 5 lenses (one of them being the kit lens). I need something wide now!

**Digitalis** · 09-22-2009, 03:35 AM

Pentax FA31mm f/1.8 Limited - I really should have to explain why this lens is me favourite...
Pentax K 50mm f/1.2 - because of the sheer SPEED of this lens...and it's jaw dropping resolution when stopped down.
Pentax FA77mm f/1.8 Limited - an awesome lens, I really like the FOV on full frame cameras.

(ZAV, I envy you; owning a voigtlander 125mm f/2.5 - I only found out about those lenses until after they were discontinued)

axl · 09-22-2009, 06:32 AM

Tough call.
But I'll try:
3rd - DA*50-135
incredibly useful range. Great IQ, built quality, SDM, WR...
do I need to go on?

2nd - Sigma 10-20 (V1)
incredible lens if you know what to do with it

1st - and here I'm sorry but I ccan't decide so I'll hand it to my ltds.
FA31ltd & DA40ltd. One day I like one next day the other. I keep thinking whether to sell one so I don't have to feel bad for not using one of them. Why I like them?
31- just suberb lens, everything what one can love about lens. Just sometimes it's too big, and that's where 40 comes in. Being 1 stop slower and probably 1/4 or 1/5th of the size, having as great colours and pop and sharpness as 31.
Sorry for no pics but I don't think I ccould pull that off on my phone.

BR
Peter

vizjerei · 09-22-2009, 07:42 AM

FA 77mm f/1.8 LTD
Color, Contrast, Bokeh

FA 35mm f/2 - my everyday lens, great normal lens for K10D, good for indoor and outdoor

K 50mm f/1.2 - it is like all in one paint brush for artist. Being all manual make you take to time plan your shots, and with its range of aperture choice you can be very creative.

gnaztee · 09-22-2009, 07:43 AM

#1: DA 12-24 (Heavy for travel, but I would never leave it out of my bag)

#2: DA 35 Ltd. (Can't imagine a more versatile fixed focal length lens)

For Macro

And Street/Travel

#3: DA 55-300 (Lightweight reach with very good IQ, good for sports in Southern Arizona, where the sun always shines)

WMBP · 09-22-2009, 08:18 AM

I'm not sure I'm capable of picking my three "favorite" lenses. I do like some lenses more than others, but it really depends on what I'm doing. If I'm hiking in the Grand Canyon, my favorite lens is definitely the Sigma 10-20. If I'm shooting birds on the Gulf Coast, I'm going to be using the Tamron 70-300. It's not a great lens but it's the best long telephoto lens I've got. Inside a church shooting a wedding, I'm probably going to be using the Pentax DA* 50-135 f/2.8. I don't really LIKE that lens much (proof of a defect in my judgment, no doubt). But for that task, it's definitely my tool of choice.

Now, if I'm going to list the lenses that I just like in themselves, for some intangible reason, I guess my choice would be as follows.

1) Sigma 28 f/1.8 EX DG Macro. I had a problem with this lens and had to send it off to Sigma for repair. It just came back yesterday and I'm really happy to have it back. To me this is a nearly perfect focal length for candid shooting: just slightly wider than "normal". Lens is sharp, fast, and personally I love its solid construction.

2) Pentax 40 limited. If I want something a bit longer than the Sigma 28, this lens is sharp and just plain fun to have on the camera.

3) I don't know how to pick #3. I don't have another lens that I'm "emotionally attached" to, that I just like. I guess I'd say the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 DC (not HSM). Or perhaps the Sigma 10-20.

Funny thing is that I have favored zoom lenses for a long time - but the Sigma 28 and Pentax 40 have gotten me excited about primes for the first time. I also have the Pentax 35 FA f/2 and the Pentax FA 50 f/1.4 but neither of these really "grabs" me; not sure why. I still feel a bit handicapped shooting with fixed-focal length lenses and yet I find that I like the challenge.

Will

Pentax_XTC · 09-22-2009, 08:24 AM

No photos to post now, since I'm hard at work at my day job.

But I would have to say:

1st
DA*50-135
Incredible IQ that is silent and WR with a good reach.

2nd
DA*16-50
Incredible IQ, silent, great for long night landscape exposures and WR.

3rd
DA 18-250
Better than kit lens IQ, that's a great "you can only pack one lens in your bag for the trip" lens. It's hard to beat the versitility of a superzoom.

D W · 09-22-2009, 09:36 AM

35mm film - FA 31,43,77.
Dslr - DA 15 21 35
645 - 33-55, 120, 300EDIF
67 - 35 45 400EDIF

**gofour3** · 09-22-2009, 10:38 AM

This is my first string lens kit, that can handle any shooting/lighting situation.
All lenses have a 52mm filter thread, so I only need to take one set of filters for either colour or b&w slide film.

K28/2 - The best and fastest MF wide-angle that Pentax has made.

K50/1.2 - No need to explain, perfection!

K85/1.8 – Fast, great softfocus/bokeh and light weight.

Phil.

yeatzee · 09-22-2009, 11:01 AM

#1 - Sigma 105mm Macro

I could go on and on with photos from this lens.... but I wont for your sake

What can I say? I like macro

#2 - Pentax M 50mm F/1.7

<--- WIDE OPEN

This lens is probably the most fun to use out of my 4. The smooth manual focus ring, small size, the wide aperture, and shear cheapness makes for one lens every pentaxian should have.

#3 - My DA 55-300mm
I just acquired this lens so Im still getting the feel for it, but already I can tell being able to go farther than 105mm will be awesome! I've only got one shot with it uploaded on my computer so this is it

nulla · 09-22-2009, 12:06 PM

1. FA 77 ltd
2. DA* 16-50
3. DA* 50-135

TKH · 09-22-2009, 12:44 PM

Originally posted by jsherman999

.

FA 77ltd
DA 35ltd

You are my man.

1. FA77
Number one because its the newest in the bag.

2. All time darling DA35. As good as the best tell.

3. DA15. The little wonder.

Ah, what do you mean with "your three favourite lenses". Who needs more than that? :-)

Rainer

Pentaxor · 09-22-2009, 03:31 PM

my number one love >>> A 50mm 1.2

need to say more?

raymeedc · 09-22-2009, 05:16 PM

Call me old-fashioned, but the oldies but goodies are still my favorites. It's actually impossible to narrow my favorites down to just three, as my choices change depending on my needs at the moment, but for the purposes of keeping within the parameters of the OPs request:

1 - 55mm f:1.8 Super or Super-Multi-Coated Takumar..... The Standard, in all respects.
2 - 35mm f:3.5 Super or Super-Multi-Coated Takumar..... If ever a lens can be called a gem, this little bubble elemented number is it.
3 - 28mm f:3.5 Super or Super-Multi-Coated Takumar..... Pure scenic pleasure.

Leya216 · 09-22-2009, 07:08 PM

LOVE LOVE LOVE this photo!

Originally posted by gnaztee

09-22-2009, 03:35 AM	#17
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Pentax FA31mm f/1.8 Limited - I really should have to explain why this lens is me favourite... Pentax K 50mm f/1.2 - because of the sheer SPEED of this lens...and it's jaw dropping resolution when stopped down. Pentax FA77mm f/1.8 Limited - an awesome lens, I really like the FOV on full frame cameras. (ZAV, I envy you; owning a voigtlander 125mm f/2.5 - I only found out about those lenses until after they were discontinued) Last edited by Digitalis; 09-22-2009 at 03:40 AM.

09-22-2009, 03:31 PM	#28
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	my number one love >>> A 50mm 1.2 need to say more? Last edited by Pentaxor; 09-25-2009 at 10:37 AM.

09-22-2009, 07:08 PM	#30
Leya216 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 184 Original Poster	Awesome photo LOVE LOVE LOVE this photo! Originally posted by gnaztee

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09-22-2009, 12:42 AM	#16
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	1 - Voigtlander 125mm 2 - FA31 3 - FA 77 It was easy, I only have 5 lenses (one of them being the kit lens). I need something wide now!

09-22-2009, 06:32 AM	#18
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Tough call. But I'll try: 3rd - DA*50-135 incredibly useful range. Great IQ, built quality, SDM, WR... do I need to go on? 2nd - Sigma 10-20 (V1) incredible lens if you know what to do with it 1st - and here I'm sorry but I ccan't decide so I'll hand it to my ltds. FA31ltd & DA40ltd. One day I like one next day the other. I keep thinking whether to sell one so I don't have to feel bad for not using one of them. Why I like them? 31- just suberb lens, everything what one can love about lens. Just sometimes it's too big, and that's where 40 comes in. Being 1 stop slower and probably 1/4 or 1/5th of the size, having as great colours and pop and sharpness as 31. Sorry for no pics but I don't think I ccould pull that off on my phone. BR Peter

09-22-2009, 07:42 AM	#19
vizjerei Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,418	FA 77mm f/1.8 LTD Color, Contrast, Bokeh FA 35mm f/2 - my everyday lens, great normal lens for K10D, good for indoor and outdoor K 50mm f/1.2 - it is like all in one paint brush for artist. Being all manual make you take to time plan your shots, and with its range of aperture choice you can be very creative.

09-22-2009, 07:43 AM	#20
gnaztee Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 772	#1: DA 12-24 (Heavy for travel, but I would never leave it out of my bag) #2: DA 35 Ltd. (Can't imagine a more versatile fixed focal length lens) For Macro And Street/Travel #3: DA 55-300 (Lightweight reach with very good IQ, good for sports in Southern Arizona, where the sun always shines)

09-22-2009, 08:18 AM	#21
WMBP Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,482	I'm not sure I'm capable of picking my three "favorite" lenses. I do like some lenses more than others, but it really depends on what I'm doing. If I'm hiking in the Grand Canyon, my favorite lens is definitely the Sigma 10-20. If I'm shooting birds on the Gulf Coast, I'm going to be using the Tamron 70-300. It's not a great lens but it's the best long telephoto lens I've got. Inside a church shooting a wedding, I'm probably going to be using the Pentax DA* 50-135 f/2.8. I don't really LIKE that lens much (proof of a defect in my judgment, no doubt). But for that task, it's definitely my tool of choice. Now, if I'm going to list the lenses that I just like in themselves, for some intangible reason, I guess my choice would be as follows. 1) Sigma 28 f/1.8 EX DG Macro. I had a problem with this lens and had to send it off to Sigma for repair. It just came back yesterday and I'm really happy to have it back. To me this is a nearly perfect focal length for candid shooting: just slightly wider than "normal". Lens is sharp, fast, and personally I love its solid construction. 2) Pentax 40 limited. If I want something a bit longer than the Sigma 28, this lens is sharp and just plain fun to have on the camera. 3) I don't know how to pick #3. I don't have another lens that I'm "emotionally attached" to, that I just like. I guess I'd say the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 DC (not HSM). Or perhaps the Sigma 10-20. Funny thing is that I have favored zoom lenses for a long time - but the Sigma 28 and Pentax 40 have gotten me excited about primes for the first time. I also have the Pentax 35 FA f/2 and the Pentax FA 50 f/1.4 but neither of these really "grabs" me; not sure why. I still feel a bit handicapped shooting with fixed-focal length lenses and yet I find that I like the challenge. Will

09-22-2009, 08:24 AM	#22
Pentax_XTC Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Duluth, GA Posts: 365	No photos to post now, since I'm hard at work at my day job. But I would have to say: 1st DA50-135 Incredible IQ that is silent and WR with a good reach. 2nd DA16-50 Incredible IQ, silent, great for long night landscape exposures and WR. 3rd DA 18-250 Better than kit lens IQ, that's a great "you can only pack one lens in your bag for the trip" lens. It's hard to beat the versitility of a superzoom.

09-22-2009, 09:36 AM	#23
D W Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hogtown, ON, Canada Posts: 329	35mm film - FA 31,43,77. Dslr - DA 15 21 35 645 - 33-55, 120, 300EDIF 67 - 35 45 400EDIF

09-22-2009, 10:38 AM	#24
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	This is my first string lens kit, that can handle any shooting/lighting situation. All lenses have a 52mm filter thread, so I only need to take one set of filters for either colour or b&w slide film. K28/2 - The best and fastest MF wide-angle that Pentax has made. K50/1.2 - No need to explain, perfection! K85/1.8 – Fast, great softfocus/bokeh and light weight. Phil.

09-22-2009, 11:01 AM	#25
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	#1 - Sigma 105mm Macro I could go on and on with photos from this lens.... but I wont for your sake What can I say? I like macro #2 - Pentax M 50mm F/1.7 <--- WIDE OPEN This lens is probably the most fun to use out of my 4. The smooth manual focus ring, small size, the wide aperture, and shear cheapness makes for one lens every pentaxian should have. #3 - My DA 55-300mm I just acquired this lens so Im still getting the feel for it, but already I can tell being able to go farther than 105mm will be awesome! I've only got one shot with it uploaded on my computer so this is it

09-22-2009, 12:06 PM	#26
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	1. FA 77 ltd 2. DA* 16-50 3. DA* 50-135

09-22-2009, 12:44 PM	#27
TKH Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 371	Originally posted by jsherman999 . FA 77ltd DA 35ltd You are my man. 1. FA77 Number one because its the newest in the bag. 2. All time darling DA35. As good as the best tell. 3. DA15. The little wonder. Ah, what do you mean with "your three favourite lenses". Who needs more than that? :-) Rainer

09-22-2009, 05:16 PM	#29
raymeedc Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 951	Call me old-fashioned, but the oldies but goodies are still my favorites. It's actually impossible to narrow my favorites down to just three, as my choices change depending on my needs at the moment, but for the purposes of keeping within the parameters of the OPs request: 1 - 55mm f:1.8 Super or Super-Multi-Coated Takumar..... The Standard, in all respects. 2 - 35mm f:3.5 Super or Super-Multi-Coated Takumar..... If ever a lens can be called a gem, this little bubble elemented number is it. 3 - 28mm f:3.5 Super or Super-Multi-Coated Takumar..... Pure scenic pleasure.