$10,000 Dream Lens Collection - What Would You Buy?

hangu · 04-26-2010, 04:02 PM

Imagine all your lenses have been taken away and you're only left with a Pentax camera body and $10,000. You must spend the $10,000 on a collection of lenses to last you for the rest of your life. These are the last lenses you will ever use. What would you buy? Of course, you would want a collection of lenses along every focal length and for every situation you'll ever be in, so you can't spend that $10,000 on a single prime lens. Pragmatism is key.

This is mostly for the dreamers among us who either don't have 10k to spend on lenses or haven't spent that much yet. For the people who have spent 10k to build their lens collection, how would you do it differently this time around?

I know it's difficult to judge the value of certain rare lenses but try your best. Non-Pentax lenses are of course allowed. The only rule is that they must be compatible with a Pentax K-mount body, with or without the use of an adapter that does not lose stops or infinite focus. Also, be very specific. Don't just say 50mm Leica, give the model name and aperture number at least. Don't worry about fragility, let us pretend that SDM is as eternal as the stars and sky.

My current dream collection:

SMC Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited - $700
SMC Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited - $800
SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro - $500
Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 Aspherical Wide Angle - $900
SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited - $500
SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited - $700
Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar 125mm f2.5 - $700
Voigtlander 180mm f/4 APO-Lanthar SL - $500
SMC Pentax-FA* 300mm F2.8 ED [IF] - $2,500
SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] - $800
SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM - $1300

Total: just barely under $10,000

I'm definitely going to revise this as time goes on, as there are several gaps in here. I also realize how little 10k is in regard to camera equipment... I'm an MF user and this list certainly doesn't reflect that at all. I'll have more money shortly in the future so I'll be taking steps to make this list happen, you should too.

So what is your list?

Quicksand · 04-26-2010, 04:22 PM

Actually, hangu, my list wouldn't be all that different, probably. I'd probably ditch the Voigtlander 125 and 180mm lenses and the DA 35mm, add the DFA 100mm WR, and add a teleconverter that would work well with the FA*300mm.

I really don't want to give up all the Takumars I already have. They're pretty nice! But for $10K in modern lenses, for free, I could probably talk myself into it.

Is there a K-mount Nokton 35/1.2? I thought not. I'd take an A 50/1.2 in its place.

northcoastgreg · 04-26-2010, 04:29 PM

I'm not sure I could spend $10,000 on lenses, but I'll give it a try:

Pentax DA 10-17 - $550
Pentax FA 31 - $1200
Pentax A 50 1.2 ~ $500
Pentax D FA 100 macro WR - $650
Pentax DA* 300 - $1300
Pentax DA* 16-50 - $1000
Sigma 500 4.5 EX - $4500

If I had all these lenses, I'm not sure when I'd have time to use them all.

hangu · 04-26-2010, 04:34 PM

Originally posted by Quicksand

Actually, hangu, my list wouldn't be all that different, probably.
I really don't want to give up all the Takumars I already have. They're pretty nice! But for $10K in modern lenses, for free, I could probably talk myself into it.
Is there a K-mount Nokton 35/1.2? I thought not. I'd take an A 50/1.2 in its place.

Aw c'mon, get a bit creative here and give me some effort! I'll admit my list is somewhat pedestrian and expected, but I'll change it up. I was hoping for people to come up with unexpected answers like an Angenieux lens or a rare Carl Zeis lens.

There is a 35mm 1.2 for the Leica M mount. I recall seeing a Leica - Pentax adapter but it might not have been the Leica M.
BA236B Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 Aspherical Wide Angle Leica M Mount Lens - Black

Frankly, besides the FA* 300mm, DA16-50mm, SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm and the 3 FA LTDss, I would get all manual focus lenses. Perhaps the 35mm DA macro deserves some attention as well.

**Ex Finn.** · 04-26-2010, 04:35 PM

DA 12-24
DA*16-50
DA* 60-250
and PENTAX 125 SDP 5-inch Apochromatic Refractor, if could find one.
That was easy.

Cheers, Mike.

twitch · 04-26-2010, 04:43 PM

DA15
DA*16-50
FA31
DA40
FA77
DFA100 Macro
DA*50-135
DA*60-250
DA*300

Yes, I'd be happy with those

SOldBear · 04-26-2010, 04:48 PM

OMG! I hope my wife doesn't see this thread....

If I were buying new, my lens collection would cost more than $10,000

Fortunately, I spent much, much less than that by buying used, and selling off what I don't need.

SteveM · 04-26-2010, 04:50 PM

I'll bite...

K30/2.8
K85/1.8 (or SMC Tak version)
K135/2.5 (or SMC Tak version)
K200/2.5
A*1200 (or A*600)

Quicksand · 04-26-2010, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by hangu

Aw c'mon, get a bit creative here and give me some effort!

But those are the ones I really want!

Okay, okay, since I'm saving money by not getting the Voigtlanders, and adding the D FA 100mm macro, a TC, and an A 50/1.2 won't break the bank, I'll have this mysterious stranger throw in a Sigma 8-16mm and a DA 10-17mm fisheye, too.

So to recap:

Sigma 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 - $700
SMC Pentax-DA 10-17mm Fisheye - $500
SMC Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited - $700
SMC Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited - $800
SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited - $500
SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited - $700
SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.2 - $500
SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR - $650
SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] - $800
SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM - $1300
SMC Pentax-FA* 300mm F2.8 ED [IF] - $2,500\

That leaves me $350 for a teleconverter. I can has Bing cashback?

Ira · 04-26-2010, 05:16 PM

I would buy the Super Tak 85. 1.8 for $400 and $9,600 worth of weed!

If the goal is to take the most creative pictures, this formula is the best.

At least if focus doesn't count.

Quicksand · 04-26-2010, 05:19 PM

Originally posted by Ira

I would buy the Super Tak 85. 1.8 for $400 and $9,600 worth of weed!

Ira, you seem to have a . . . let's see, how to put this delicately . . . particular fixation on that lens. It won't make you breakfast, you know.

(I should even TALK about lens fixations.)

Ira · 04-26-2010, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by Quicksand

Ira, you seem to have a . . . let's see, how to put this delicately . . . particular fixation on that lens. It won't make you breakfast, you know.

(I should even TALK about lens fixations.)

My wife makes me breakfast all the time, but that doesn't help with my photography.

I just have a thing for these Taks, and that's an FL and speed that I can really learn to live with.

pcarfan · 04-26-2010, 05:29 PM

Can the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 be used on a pentax K mount?

hangu · 04-26-2010, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by Ira

I would buy the Super Tak 85. 1.8 for $400 and $9,600 worth of weed!

If the goal is to take the most creative pictures, this formula is the best.

At least if focus doesn't count.

You guys are making a mockery of my thread.

Originally posted by pcarfan

Can the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 be used on a pentax K mount?

My mistake, Leica M rangefinder lenses do not currently have an adapter for Pentax K mount and probably never will.

Quicksand · 04-26-2010, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by pcarfan

Can the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 be used on a pentax K mount?

As far as I know, it's Leica M mount, for rangefinders. So no, not even with a mount conversion.

EDIT: ^^^ hangu's got it covered.

04-26-2010, 04:02 PM	#1
hangu Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NYC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,071	$10,000 Dream Lens Collection - What Would You Buy? Imagine all your lenses have been taken away and you're only left with a Pentax camera body and $10,000. You must spend the $10,000 on a collection of lenses to last you for the rest of your life. These are the last lenses you will ever use. What would you buy? Of course, you would want a collection of lenses along every focal length and for every situation you'll ever be in, so you can't spend that $10,000 on a single prime lens. Pragmatism is key. This is mostly for the dreamers among us who either don't have 10k to spend on lenses or haven't spent that much yet. For the people who have spent 10k to build their lens collection, how would you do it differently this time around? I know it's difficult to judge the value of certain rare lenses but try your best. Non-Pentax lenses are of course allowed. The only rule is that they must be compatible with a Pentax K-mount body, with or without the use of an adapter that does not lose stops or infinite focus. Also, be very specific. Don't just say 50mm Leica, give the model name and aperture number at least. Don't worry about fragility, let us pretend that SDM is as eternal as the stars and sky. My current dream collection: SMC Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited - $700 SMC Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited - $800 SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro - $500 Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 Aspherical Wide Angle - $900 SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited - $500 SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited - $700 Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar 125mm f2.5 - $700 Voigtlander 180mm f/4 APO-Lanthar SL - $500 SMC Pentax-FA* 300mm F2.8 ED [IF] - $2,500 SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] - $800 SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM - $1300 Total: just barely under $10,000 I'm definitely going to revise this as time goes on, as there are several gaps in here. I also realize how little 10k is in regard to camera equipment... I'm an MF user and this list certainly doesn't reflect that at all. I'll have more money shortly in the future so I'll be taking steps to make this list happen, you should too. So what is your list?

04-26-2010, 05:08 PM	#9
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Originally posted by hangu Aw c'mon, get a bit creative here and give me some effort! But those are the ones I really want! Okay, okay, since I'm saving money by not getting the Voigtlanders, and adding the D FA 100mm macro, a TC, and an A 50/1.2 won't break the bank, I'll have this mysterious stranger throw in a Sigma 8-16mm and a DA 10-17mm fisheye, too. So to recap: Sigma 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 - $700 SMC Pentax-DA 10-17mm Fisheye - $500 SMC Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited - $700 SMC Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited - $800 SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited - $500 SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited - $700 SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.2 - $500 SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR - $650 SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] - $800 SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM - $1300 SMC Pentax-FA* 300mm F2.8 ED [IF] - $2,500\ That leaves me $350 for a teleconverter. I can has Bing cashback? Last edited by Quicksand; 04-26-2010 at 05:16 PM.

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04-26-2010, 04:22 PM	#2
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Actually, hangu, my list wouldn't be all that different, probably. I'd probably ditch the Voigtlander 125 and 180mm lenses and the DA 35mm, add the DFA 100mm WR, and add a teleconverter that would work well with the FA*300mm. I really don't want to give up all the Takumars I already have. They're pretty nice! But for $10K in modern lenses, for free, I could probably talk myself into it. Is there a K-mount Nokton 35/1.2? I thought not. I'd take an A 50/1.2 in its place.

04-26-2010, 04:29 PM	#3
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,175	I'm not sure I could spend $10,000 on lenses, but I'll give it a try: Pentax DA 10-17 - $550 Pentax FA 31 - $1200 Pentax A 50 1.2 ~ $500 Pentax D FA 100 macro WR - $650 Pentax DA* 300 - $1300 Pentax DA* 16-50 - $1000 Sigma 500 4.5 EX - $4500 If I had all these lenses, I'm not sure when I'd have time to use them all.

04-26-2010, 04:34 PM	#4
hangu Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NYC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,071 Original Poster	Originally posted by Quicksand Actually, hangu, my list wouldn't be all that different, probably. I really don't want to give up all the Takumars I already have. They're pretty nice! But for $10K in modern lenses, for free, I could probably talk myself into it. Is there a K-mount Nokton 35/1.2? I thought not. I'd take an A 50/1.2 in its place. Aw c'mon, get a bit creative here and give me some effort! I'll admit my list is somewhat pedestrian and expected, but I'll change it up. I was hoping for people to come up with unexpected answers like an Angenieux lens or a rare Carl Zeis lens. There is a 35mm 1.2 for the Leica M mount. I recall seeing a Leica - Pentax adapter but it might not have been the Leica M. BA236B Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 Aspherical Wide Angle Leica M Mount Lens - Black Frankly, besides the FA* 300mm, DA16-50mm, SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm and the 3 FA LTDss, I would get all manual focus lenses. Perhaps the 35mm DA macro deserves some attention as well.

04-26-2010, 04:35 PM	#5
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	DA 12-24 DA16-50 DA 60-250 and PENTAX 125 SDP 5-inch Apochromatic Refractor, if could find one. That was easy. Cheers, Mike.

04-26-2010, 04:43 PM	#6
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	DA15 DA16-50 FA31 DA40 FA77 DFA100 Macro DA50-135 DA60-250 DA300 Yes, I'd be happy with those

04-26-2010, 04:48 PM	#7
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	OMG! I hope my wife doesn't see this thread.... If I were buying new, my lens collection would cost more than $10,000 Fortunately, I spent much, much less than that by buying used, and selling off what I don't need.

04-26-2010, 04:50 PM	#8
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	I'll bite... K30/2.8 K85/1.8 (or SMC Tak version) K135/2.5 (or SMC Tak version) K200/2.5 A1200 (or A600)

04-26-2010, 05:16 PM	#10
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	I would buy the Super Tak 85. 1.8 for $400 and $9,600 worth of weed! If the goal is to take the most creative pictures, this formula is the best. At least if focus doesn't count.

04-26-2010, 05:19 PM	#11
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Originally posted by Ira I would buy the Super Tak 85. 1.8 for $400 and $9,600 worth of weed! Ira, you seem to have a . . . let's see, how to put this delicately . . . particular fixation on that lens. It won't make you breakfast, you know. (I should even TALK about lens fixations.)

04-26-2010, 05:28 PM	#12
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by Quicksand Ira, you seem to have a . . . let's see, how to put this delicately . . . particular fixation on that lens. It won't make you breakfast, you know. (I should even TALK about lens fixations.) My wife makes me breakfast all the time, but that doesn't help with my photography. I just have a thing for these Taks, and that's an FL and speed that I can really learn to live with.

04-26-2010, 05:29 PM	#13
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978	Can the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 be used on a pentax K mount?

04-26-2010, 05:38 PM	#14
hangu Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NYC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,071 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ira I would buy the Super Tak 85. 1.8 for $400 and $9,600 worth of weed! If the goal is to take the most creative pictures, this formula is the best. At least if focus doesn't count. You guys are making a mockery of my thread. Originally posted by pcarfan Can the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 be used on a pentax K mount? My mistake, Leica M rangefinder lenses do not currently have an adapter for Pentax K mount and probably never will.

04-26-2010, 05:38 PM	#15
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Originally posted by pcarfan Can the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 be used on a pentax K mount? As far as I know, it's Leica M mount, for rangefinders. So no, not even with a mount conversion. EDIT: ^^^ hangu's got it covered.