Just ordered K7, looking for prime advise

sagar · 04-12-2010, 10:11 AM

Finally after lusting over it since K7 launch, I placed an order few mins back

Now looking for advise one prime for people/candid photography for around ~$400.
I am looking for lighter preferably limited series one with nice bokeh/background blur Also lens should AF through camera (so some older lenses can not be considered).

Pl suggest me some nice prime in my budget

krypticide · 04-12-2010, 10:50 AM

I absolutely love my FA 43mm F1.9 Limited. It's slight telephoto on APS-C, so keep that in mind. I just love the bokeh and how it renders out of focus areas of the image. I think it is around your budget. The 31mm and 77mm unfortunately cost a lot more.

SOldBear · 04-12-2010, 11:09 AM

I recommend either DA 40mm Ltd. or DA 21mm Ltd.. Which one depends on your shooting style. The DA 40mm Ltd. is a bit too "long" in many cases. I'd get the 21mm first. Sooner or later, you'll end up with all of the DA Ltd. lenses any way.

About your K-7 body, you may be interested in my recent post.

**EsBee** · 04-12-2010, 01:03 PM

I don't have a K-7, but I love my K-x and DA40 combo very much for street and candid shots. It would be the perfect setup if it wasn't for the shutter noise, which I've heard is quiet on K-7.

**rparmar** · 04-12-2010, 01:55 PM

Well, looking at US prices (Adorama) the Limiteds shape up like this:

DA40: $340
DA15: $500
DA21: $510
DA35: $540
DA70: $550
FA43: $580
FA77: $785
FA31: $965

The only one within your budget is the DA40. And they are all good lenses. Ipso facto.

Tuner571 · 04-12-2010, 04:07 PM

I have personally tried the DA 40mm and it is a great lens. It's well built as all limiteds are and produces amazing shots as well.

hcc · 04-12-2010, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by sagar

Finally after lusting over it since K7 launch, I placed an order few mins back

Now looking for advise one prime for people/candid photography for around ~$400.
I am looking for lighter preferably limited series one with nice bokeh/background blur Also lens should AF through camera (so some older lenses can not be considered).

Pl suggest me some nice prime in my budget

Welcome to the forum and congratulation for your new K-7.

First have you purchased the camera body only or do your have at least one lens?

Pentax is well-known for its excellent prime lenses. See for example the independent reviews at Welcome to Photozone! and www.slrgear.com where the Pentax primes shine. You will have an abundance of choices as illustrated by the earlier posts.

If you are interested to photograh people, a 50mm lens would be ideal. The FA50mm f1/4 is AF and wel regarded. An alternative is the Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4. It is MF but the IQ is regarded as better as the FA50mm for about the same price (~US$350).

These fast primes are really interesting to use on many situations and fascinating. I bought my Nokton 58mm for low-light outdoor shooting and I found to be using it a lot more because of the beautiful image quality. Definitely worth the investment!

Hope that the comment will help.

bdery · 04-12-2010, 06:54 PM

It really depends on your shooting style. Any Pentax prime will be excellent, some will be better at some specific tasks, but none will disappoint. Think about the focal lengths you want to use, and go that way.

You can also experiment with older/cheaper manual lenses until you find your sweet spot(s).

ivoire · 04-12-2010, 06:55 PM

The DA40 gets my vote. Sharp and compact, and in your price range. I like the 'wow' factor of the FA31, but don't shoot often enuff in that range to warrant purchasing it. Still, one of these LBA days, I will probably own one.

Pentaxor · 04-13-2010, 06:48 PM

basing from the current lens prices, looks like happy days are coming back again. man, it's been awhile that prices put a halt with lens purchase.

sagar · 04-20-2010, 05:44 AM

Thanks Folks, I have more or less short listed 35mm macro or 40mm now have to decide between them

rustynail925 · 04-20-2010, 06:17 AM

IMO You should try for the zooms first probably the kit lens before going for primes..
Anyway id vote for the 35mm macro it has more to offer for its close focusing advantage.

**rparmar** · 04-20-2010, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by sagar

Thanks Folks, I have more or less short listed 35mm macro or 40mm now have to decide between them

Well, good luck with that! Both excellent. DA 40 has the advantage of being minuscule, but for me it's actually too small. DA 35 has advantage of macro but costs $200 more and is distinctly larger (though not big).

Get back to us with some shots once you have made the big decision. Cheers!

JeffJS · 04-20-2010, 10:06 AM

Originally posted by sagar

Thanks Folks, I have more or less short listed 35mm macro or 40mm now have to decide between them

Ignoring any price difference, 35 f2.8 hands down.

If you still want a/the 40, see if you can locate a Pentax M40 f2.8. They may be slightly different but from what I've read, same basic optical formula as the DA40 (which is why the DA40 can be used on a film camera). It can be had for roughly 1/3 the price of the DA40.

Jon Schick · 04-20-2010, 02:27 PM

Congratulations on the new camera - make sure to upgrade the firmware to the latest version, and you'll love it.

I hope you ordered the kit lens? If so I'd suggest waiting to see where you feel it lets you down before deciding which prime to go for.

And in the meantime, try tracking down a few cheap old lenses - a mint condition 50mm SMCM f1.7 will be your friend for peanuts, and will do very nicely for portraits and candids.

04-12-2010, 10:11 AM	#1
sagar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tampa Posts: 136	Just ordered K7, looking for prime advise Finally after lusting over it since K7 launch, I placed an order few mins back Now looking for advise one prime for people/candid photography for around ~$400. I am looking for lighter preferably limited series one with nice bokeh/background blur Also lens should AF through camera (so some older lenses can not be considered). Pl suggest me some nice prime in my budget

04-12-2010, 06:55 PM	#9
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	The DA40 gets my vote. Sharp and compact, and in your price range. I like the 'wow' factor of the FA31, but don't shoot often enuff in that range to warrant purchasing it. Still, one of these LBA days, I will probably own one. Last edited by ivoire; 04-12-2010 at 07:03 PM.

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04-12-2010, 10:50 AM	#2
krypticide Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,079	I absolutely love my FA 43mm F1.9 Limited. It's slight telephoto on APS-C, so keep that in mind. I just love the bokeh and how it renders out of focus areas of the image. I think it is around your budget. The 31mm and 77mm unfortunately cost a lot more.

04-12-2010, 11:09 AM	#3
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	I recommend either DA 40mm Ltd. or DA 21mm Ltd.. Which one depends on your shooting style. The DA 40mm Ltd. is a bit too "long" in many cases. I'd get the 21mm first. Sooner or later, you'll end up with all of the DA Ltd. lenses any way. About your K-7 body, you may be interested in my recent post.

04-12-2010, 01:03 PM	#4
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739	I don't have a K-7, but I love my K-x and DA40 combo very much for street and candid shots. It would be the perfect setup if it wasn't for the shutter noise, which I've heard is quiet on K-7.

04-12-2010, 01:55 PM	#5
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Well, looking at US prices (Adorama) the Limiteds shape up like this: DA40: $340 DA15: $500 DA21: $510 DA35: $540 DA70: $550 FA43: $580 FA77: $785 FA31: $965 The only one within your budget is the DA40. And they are all good lenses. Ipso facto.

04-12-2010, 04:07 PM	#6
Tuner571 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,549	I have personally tried the DA 40mm and it is a great lens. It's well built as all limiteds are and produces amazing shots as well.

04-12-2010, 06:33 PM	#7
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,001	Originally posted by sagar Finally after lusting over it since K7 launch, I placed an order few mins back Now looking for advise one prime for people/candid photography for around ~$400. I am looking for lighter preferably limited series one with nice bokeh/background blur Also lens should AF through camera (so some older lenses can not be considered). Pl suggest me some nice prime in my budget Welcome to the forum and congratulation for your new K-7. First have you purchased the camera body only or do your have at least one lens? Pentax is well-known for its excellent prime lenses. See for example the independent reviews at Welcome to Photozone! and www.slrgear.com where the Pentax primes shine. You will have an abundance of choices as illustrated by the earlier posts. If you are interested to photograh people, a 50mm lens would be ideal. The FA50mm f1/4 is AF and wel regarded. An alternative is the Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4. It is MF but the IQ is regarded as better as the FA50mm for about the same price (~US$350). These fast primes are really interesting to use on many situations and fascinating. I bought my Nokton 58mm for low-light outdoor shooting and I found to be using it a lot more because of the beautiful image quality. Definitely worth the investment! Hope that the comment will help.

04-12-2010, 06:54 PM	#8
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	It really depends on your shooting style. Any Pentax prime will be excellent, some will be better at some specific tasks, but none will disappoint. Think about the focal lengths you want to use, and go that way. You can also experiment with older/cheaper manual lenses until you find your sweet spot(s).

04-13-2010, 06:48 PM	#10
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	basing from the current lens prices, looks like happy days are coming back again. man, it's been awhile that prices put a halt with lens purchase.

04-20-2010, 05:44 AM	#11
sagar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tampa Posts: 136 Original Poster	Thanks Folks, I have more or less short listed 35mm macro or 40mm now have to decide between them

04-20-2010, 06:17 AM	#12
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	IMO You should try for the zooms first probably the kit lens before going for primes.. Anyway id vote for the 35mm macro it has more to offer for its close focusing advantage.

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04-20-2010, 06:33 AM	#13
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by sagar Thanks Folks, I have more or less short listed 35mm macro or 40mm now have to decide between them Well, good luck with that! Both excellent. DA 40 has the advantage of being minuscule, but for me it's actually too small. DA 35 has advantage of macro but costs $200 more and is distinctly larger (though not big). Get back to us with some shots once you have made the big decision. Cheers!

04-20-2010, 10:06 AM	#14
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by sagar Thanks Folks, I have more or less short listed 35mm macro or 40mm now have to decide between them Ignoring any price difference, 35 f2.8 hands down. If you still want a/the 40, see if you can locate a Pentax M40 f2.8. They may be slightly different but from what I've read, same basic optical formula as the DA40 (which is why the DA40 can be used on a film camera). It can be had for roughly 1/3 the price of the DA40.

04-20-2010, 02:27 PM	#15
Jon Schick Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: London Posts: 45	Congratulations on the new camera - make sure to upgrade the firmware to the latest version, and you'll love it. I hope you ordered the kit lens? If so I'd suggest waiting to see where you feel it lets you down before deciding which prime to go for. And in the meantime, try tracking down a few cheap old lenses - a mint condition 50mm SMCM f1.7 will be your friend for peanuts, and will do very nicely for portraits and candids.