[baro-nite]

Found a K 28mmF3.5 and tested it yesterday.
Never thought I would be able to use a 28mm lens as a bird lens but heres the proof

Congrats -- one of my favorite K lenses. Try it reversed! Either you are a very crafty wildlife stalker or that is one tame coot. Nice shot!

[johnyates]

This lens is a true gem! Click on shots to getter bigger versions.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aliasant]

Congrats -- one of my favorite K lenses. Try it reversed! Either you are a very crafty wildlife stalker or that is one tame coot. Nice shot!

Hahaha

He was very tame I think. Spring is here and around this lake the birds get feeded by hoards of strawlers equiped with bread and what not.

I will try it reversed when the bugs crawl up from their hidings. The resolution is fantastic and the rendering very nice. Paid about 50usd for it. Well worth it
Will be glued to the K3 for a while.

[paulh]

I wish I'd recomposed this to get more of the petals in focus, but I like the bokeh
*istD + K55/1.8 at f/2 or so

[monochrome]

The reason I ask is that I've been trying to educate myself on older Pentax lenses (I'm specifically looking for a mid-focal length, manual focusing lens) and my impression was that the K-series was a much warmer (almost Canon-like) lens, but with the M-series, you start to get the cooler tones that are closer to the modern DA Limited lines I'm familiar with.

It has been my opinion that the K lenses are somewhat warmer than the M and forward lenses, particularly the 50/1.4. In addition to coatings updates, the optical formula for the A50/1.4 was reportedly tweaked to be a bit sharper f/2 and above. I've always thought the M50/1.4 was an especially cool rendering lens.

There are so many cult classics in the K series, transitioning as they did from the metal and large element Takumar lenses to bayonet, but with more glass than the M's generally. Old guys like me love them. There were also some true Milestone lenses - K28/2, K85/1.8, K200/2.5 in the range.

K28/3.5 and K35/3.5 are extremely sharp and best or second best of their FL Pentax has ever made. K24/3.5 is the old Tak formula with a bayonet stuck on the rear. The K24/2.8 has more contrast and is a bit sharper but gives up some magic in the bargain.

In the mid-range you want to look for the 85, 105 120 and 135/2.5. The 85/1.8 is pricey (though I missed one here last month for 60% of market price by 5 minutes).

Any of them, well maintained, is beautiful and sublime to the hand - a real pleasure to hold and focus if you enjoy the experience of photographing over and above capturing images.

[CreationBear]

Any of them, well maintained, is beautiful and sublime to the hand - a real pleasure to hold and focus if you enjoy the experience of photographing over and above capturing images.

Thanks for the reply--that testimonial should be ad-copy for anyone trying to sell one. (FWIW, I think what you're describing is analogous to what I've experienced in my other love, flyfishing--the combination of a vintage flyreel mounted on a split-cane rod is its own reward...catching fish is often an afterthought.)


At any rate, since I've learned that my "style" of photography tends toward the slow and methodical (i.e. tripod plus Live View) it's good to know that you can still get great glass in an un-chipped lens.

[monochrome]

a vintage flyreel mounted on a split-cane rod is its own reward...catching fish is often an afterthought

Leonard and Hardy? Orivis and, well, Orvis?

FWIW, there's something redeeming about a Winston WT 8' 4wt. TMF with a pre-98 Ross Gunnison. When Missouri spring branches got overrun with Beemer-fishers 15 years ago I kept only that combo.

You've reached that place where making a delicate cast to the perfect spot with the right dry, getting a good drift, then a good lift and another pass - doesn't have to bring a rise to be satisfying.

[jimr-pdx]

Had I not just picked up an SMC-A 50/2.8 Macro I would be seeking the K55; uniformly excellent shots going on here!

[CreationBear]

Winston WT 8' 4wt. TMF with a pre-98 Ross Gunnison

Graphite doesn't get any better...a classic combination. (Though definitely try swinging a soft-hackle for maximum Zen).


Had I not just picked up an SMC-A 50/2.8 Macro...


jimr-pdx-- I'll look forward to seeing samples from this lens (only, of course, if they won't put auction prices out of sight.

) That's a lens that's come onto my radar lately since I can't imagine myself needing much more than 1:2 magnification (or AF for that matter) for my style of shooting. Of course, I suppose I could kill two birds with one stone and pick up a Zeiss 35mm Distagon with all the money I've been "saving" by almost-but-not-quite buying all these other lenses lately...isn't that how it works?

[jimr-pdx]

I could kill two birds with one stone and pick up a Zeiss 35mm Distagon with all the money I've been "saving" by almost-but-not-quite buying all these other lenses lately...isn't that how it works?

Works for me

[monochrome]

SMC-A 50/2.8 Macro...

I fell for the FA version in February. It actually seems to be replacing my K50/1.4 in some cases (since this is the K Club).

[omdc008]

K5+F 50 1.7+ Vivitar 1+2+3 Close-up lens

[richardwong]

I really like the colours and rendering of this lens. 3D ish reminds me of a wider version of the FA77 ltd. I like having this on my K-01 when I go out.

[Jonathan Mac]

A few from the K 55/1.8.

[dngr]

A few from the K 55/1.8.

Those are all stellar, but that last one...wow