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01-24-2010, 06:23 AM   #16
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Pretty satisfied, but not completely

This is my present prime lineup:

FA 28 mm 2.8
K28 mm 3.5 Shift (more of a collector's item than something I use a lot, it's not wide enough on APC)
FA 35mm 2.0
FA 50mm 1.4 (and F 1.4 and A 1.4)
A* 85mm 1.4
M 100mm 4.0 macro
A* 200mm f2.8
F* 300mm 4.5
A* 600mm 5.6

As my main fields of shooting are indoor concerts, landscape and nature they all get some use. I also have 1.4X, 2X converters and the 1.7X AFA, making the line-up even more flexible. I am well aware that the list can cause some drooling out there in Pentaxland, but I have actually aquired most of these lenses far below the present ebay prices and over quite a few years. The only lenses I have bought new are the FA 50mm when it was still cheapish and the A* 85mm, and that was in 1986.

What I feel is missing is a WA (currently using the 16-45 zoom but wanting a prime, I'd love to have a 12-ish prime for architecture and interiors of churches and such) and a better macro (preferably the A* 200mm if I happen to stumble over one at a good price). The A* 400mm 2.8 and the F*/FA* 600mm 4.0 lenses would look nice on display in a cupboard, but actually I think they would get very little use due to weight.

For concerts I pack the bag with the 35, 50, 85 and 200mm lenses. Fast glass covering close up to far away shots, depending on the venue and how close I can get to stand. I often shoot classical music chamber concerts and of course don't want to disturb the musicians or the audience, then the 200mm comes in handy.

For landscape it's the 16-45mm, the 28mm, 85 mm and 300mm.

The 600mm comes along only if I decide beforehand to use it, it's too heavy and bulky to bring along just in case. And I still need a better tripod to get the best out of it. But it is a lovely lens, and it won't be for sale until after my funeral.

Kjell

01-24-2010, 07:22 AM   #17
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My prime set up is perfect for me and each lens has been hand picked (versus similar lenses) for the images they produce.

Sigma 30
FA 50
FA 77
Sigma 70 macro

c[_]
01-24-2010, 07:43 AM   #18
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QuoteOriginally posted by Zav Quote
There is a Zeiss 18 f2,8.
I will remember that. Thanks
01-24-2010, 07:48 AM   #19
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My current DA limited collection is:

21 - 35 - 40 and 70

They are all great for me but I still need a zoom lens beside my 16-45

01-24-2010, 08:21 AM   #20
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My current prime lens line-up is

15/4, 21/3.2, 24/2, 28/2.8, 35/2, 43/1.9, 77/1.8, 135/2.8 all Pentax AF lenses. Also, have the Tamron 90/2.8 1:1 macro.

If I want the absolute small package then the 21, 28, 43 are tiny (just carry it in my pockets). The 15, 35 aren't too much larger either but need a fanny pack.

For low light, it will be the 24/2, 35/2, 43/1.9, 77/1.8.
35/2, 43/1.9 are small low light duo.

If I want to carry just one lens, and don't mind the size it will be the 24/2, if I want smaller it will be the 21/3.2 (I've had the 15 for only a few days, so I don't know about that yet)

My favorite lens of the bunch is the FA43/1.9 but 43 can be too long for a walk-around lens.

All I want is for Pentax to make a f1.4 lens wider than 35, preferably a 30mm, and I will consider my prime line-up complete.

Last edited by pcarfan; 01-24-2010 at 05:47 PM.
01-24-2010, 08:46 AM   #21
axl
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QuoteOriginally posted by JohnBee Quote
Can anyone comment on the validity of the 35mm over that of the 28?
This has been one of my biggest issues as I can't honestly think of an advantage between the two.
easy answer to that one is to get 31ltd.
It's faster than both and sits nicely in the middle
01-24-2010, 08:49 AM   #22
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My Current Prime Lenses

I do well with the following...

smc Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited
smc Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited

I will be purchasing the smc Pentax DA* 200mm f/2.8 at the end of the month.

01-24-2010, 08:49 AM   #23
axl
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QuoteOriginally posted by pcarfan Quote

15/4, 21/2.3, 24/2, 28/2.8, 35/2, 43/1.9, 77/1.8, 135/2.8 all Pentax AF lenses. Also, have the Tamron 90/2.8 1:1 macro.

If I want the absolute small package then the 21, 28, 43 are tiny (just carry it in my pockets). The 15, 35 aren't too much larger either but need a fanny pack.

.....
that line up is really, but I mean really nice
How do you feel about 21 being the widest at times? Is there big difference between 21 & 24?
01-24-2010, 09:04 AM   #24
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My lineup - In bold are the ones I'm limiting myself to these days, and this restriction is kinda enjoyable:

15 f/4 Ltd
20 f/4 M
24 f/3.5 Tak
28 Vivitar (Komine) f/2.8 WA Close Focus
28 Vivitar (Komine) f/2.8 WA Close Focus 'A' setting
28 Vivitar (Kiron) f/2.5 M42
35 f/3.5 Tak
35 DA f/2.8 Limited Macro
50 FA f/1.7
50 f/1.4 Tak
50 f/1.7 A
55 f/1.2 Cosina
55 f/1.8 Tak
58 f/2 Helios Biotar 44-M-4
70 Sigma f/2.8 EX DG Macro
77 FA 1.8 Limited
85 f/2 M
105 f/2.5 Lester Dine (Kiron) Macro
135 f/3.5 Tak
135 f/3.5 K


Nikon
--------------
35mm f/1.8 G AF-S
50mm f/1.8 AF-D
85mm f/1.8 AF-D
105mm f/2.5 AIS
180mm f/2.8 AF ED IF
300mm f/4 AF ED IF


(I tend to shoot MF lenses more in the spring/summer, when it's not so cold out )




.

Last edited by jsherman999; 01-25-2010 at 04:41 PM.
01-24-2010, 09:40 AM   #25
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My ideal (available) prime lineup would be:

DA 15mm Ltd
FA 31mm Ltd
DA*55mm
D FA 100mm WR macro
DA*300mm

Note that I am not intending to acquire the above. I have satisfactory substitutes, with good to excellent IQ, greater versatility and lower cost.

Last edited by audiobomber; 01-24-2010 at 09:45 AM.
01-24-2010, 09:42 AM   #26
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My ideal prime set up would be...

DA15
FA20
FA31
DA40
FA50/1.4
FA77/1.8
A*85/1.4
F*300/4.5

Honorable mention: FA35/2

Jason
01-24-2010, 09:51 AM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by JohnBee Quote
Can anyone comment on the validity of the 35mm over that of the 28?
This has been one of my biggest issues as I can't honestly think of an advantage between the two.
If we're talking about the FA lenses, the 35 is a lot sharper at wide apertures. Actually, the 35 is perfectly OK to use at f2, while the 28 has to be stopped down to at least 4 or 5.6 to be sharp. At smaller apertures there is little difference. So the conclusion is: the 35 is the only choice for low light, while the 28 is better at being a bit wide. Only you know what you need more. I use my 35 much more than the 28.

The 31 Limited would probably be an outstanding midway, but it is also a lot better at ruining your household's economy.

Kjell
01-24-2010, 10:02 AM   #28
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QuoteOriginally posted by axl Quote
that line up is really, but I mean really nice
How do you feel about 21 being the widest at times? Is there big difference between 21 & 24?
The 21 would have been the widest prime for me as well, if not for Jsherman's thread on the 15's mind controlling abilities

I was quite happy with the 21, but there were some very rare occasions where I would have liked something wider, and didn't take the sigma 10-20 which is one fat lens. However, I've only had the 15 for a couple of days only and haven't done any real shooting with it, so I can't really help you much, but, I can tell you that 21 was fine when I had no other choice.

To me there is a huge difference between the 21 and 24. I think the only focal length I really 'see' is 24mm, so I love that focal length. The 21 at time surprises me with what it shows....I like the 24mm perspective very, very much.
01-24-2010, 10:12 AM   #29
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I have so much stuff anymore I can't decide what to take with me!

DA 15 f/4 Ltd
A 24 f/2.8
S-M-C Tak 28 f/3.5
DA 35 f/2.8 Ltd
Super Tak 50 f/2
S-M-C Tak 50 f/1.4
M 50 f/1.7
M 50 f/2
A 50 f/2
Super Tak 55 f/1.8
M 100 f/4 Macro
Super Tak 200 f/4
Super Tak 300 f/4
DA* 300 f/4

Not to mention the 12-24, 16-50, 50-135, 70-210, and 100-300!

Yikes!
01-24-2010, 10:18 AM   #30
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 35
For manual "slow photography" with maximum quality (manual focus!):

Zeiss Distagon T* 21/2.8 ZK
Zeiss Distagon T* 35/2.0 ZK
Zeiss Makro Planar T* 100/2.0 ZK

all interchangeable with my analog Pentax LX of course, AND no problems with SDM,
back focus, front focus, slow focus, bad AF system a.s.o...Just the lens and my eyes make the pictures sharp!

When I need AF, in bad light, or when I cannot practice slow photography:

DA*16-50/2.8
FA*85/1.4
DA*300/4.0

Have had soooooo many different lenses and now I think I finally have got it right..
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