best small lenses for K-01

Tonto · 04-24-2013, 07:08 PM

I have decided to save for a DFA100 WR- I most likely have a K01 in my future and this would make a fantastic people shooting lens and ultra macro/wildlife lens on the Q

jon404 · 04-25-2013, 09:11 PM

I have a Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, and a Pentax A 50mm f/1.4. Both inexpensive, both just great. Use the 28mm a LOT more than the 50mm. F/5.6 is the sweet spot.

**Tony Belding** · 04-27-2013, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by jon404

I have a Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, and a Pentax A 50mm f/1.4. Both inexpensive, both just great. Use the 28mm a LOT more than the 50mm. F/5.6 is the sweet spot.

I also have both of those lenses. 28mm is pretty close to a "true normal" lens for APS-C. My 28mm has a very stiff aperture ring which is a nuisance when using it on older film cameras, but it works just fine on newer bodies that set the aperture internally. However... I just got a new 21mm Limited! I've only given it a very brief test today, but I think it's going to be fantastic. I can already see the image quality humiliates my old Vivitar 19mm, plus the 21mm is smaller and lighter and has autofocus.

**ivanvernon** · 04-27-2013, 05:04 PM

Originally posted by hypernotactive

Don't forget all the m42 lenses out there.
Work great on the K01 in av mode.

Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2

Don't forget all the Helios lenses out there either. The K-01 with focus peaking makes them very nice to use in Av mode, or Scene mode, which is just a more saturated Av. For closeup subjects, you can use the manual lenses (like my Helios 44K-4 58mm f 2.0) like a locked-focus macro lens. Just set minimum range and move camera forwards/backwards until the target gets that white, shimmering outline and press the shutter button. As much as I love the IQ of my various manual focus lenses, I always thought twice before using them just because of the focusing delays. Now with focus peak on K-01, I have been using them much more often.

jon404 · 04-27-2013, 09:12 PM

@ivanvernon -- that's a great idea, to put it on peak focus and move back and forth til it lights up. Will try it tomorrow.

Basically, what I'm getting from this thread is that there are LOTS of good inexpensive lenses out there, just waiting for K-01 owners to give them a second life. What a deal!

Travis Butler · 04-28-2013, 08:26 PM

Well, the camera repair guy didn't have any compact primes to sell (at least at the moment), but he did give me this to play around with... ought to be interesting, even if it is not at all the small, light walking-around lens I wanted; the thing is pretty darn heavy.

Travis Butler · 04-28-2013, 09:11 PM

Originally posted by ivanvernon

Don't forget all the Helios lenses out there either. The K-01 with focus peaking makes them very nice to use in Av mode, or Scene mode, which is just a more saturated Av.

How do you like the Helios lenses? I've heard bits and reviews suggesting they're pretty good, enough to tempt me; and I've bid on several on fleabay in the $20-40 range, only to have them sniped out from under me because I'm never sure how much it's worth to go for. I've already got a Takumar 1.4, a Yashica 1.9 and 2.0, and an Industar 50 in 50mm M42, and still playing around with them to see what they can do; is there something that really stands out about the Helios to make it worth getting one, beyond LBA?

(I also keep getting tempted by Meyer Optik/Pentacon 50's and even an occasional Zeiss Jena in the same price range, but have the same problem with them getting sniped out because I'm never sure it'll be worth enough to me to go above $40-50.)

tromboads · 04-28-2013, 11:39 PM

nope. All LBA. You have a bunch of sweet 50's. And unless you have a truck load of bodies? whats the point, (besides LBA :P)

Still, didn't stop me getting a little 58mm f2. But if I knew now what I know now.

Docrwm · 04-29-2013, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by Travis Butler

Well, the camera repair guy didn't have any compact primes to sell (at least at the moment), but he did give me this to play around with... ought to be interesting, even if it is not at all the small, light walking-around lens I wanted; the thing is pretty darn heavy.

That's a very unique lens and a beast weight-wise. It's listed here if you want to know more about it (it's hard to find the info on it as it doesn't fit cleanly in a lens category):
SMC Pentax-AF 35-70mm F2.8 Reviews - M Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

**ivanvernon** · 04-29-2013, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by Travis Butler

How do you like the Helios lenses? I've heard bits and reviews suggesting they're pretty good, enough to tempt me; and I've bid on several on fleabay in the $20-40 range, only to have them sniped out from under me because I'm never sure how much it's worth to go for. I've already got a Takumar 1.4, a Yashica 1.9 and 2.0, and an Industar 50 in 50mm M42, and still playing around with them to see what they can do; is there something that really stands out about the Helios to make it worth getting one, beyond LBA?

(I also keep getting tempted by Meyer Optik/Pentacon 50's and even an occasional Zeiss Jena in the same price range, but have the same problem with them getting sniped out because I'm never sure it'll be worth enough to me to go above $40-50.)

I was real lucky to get my Helios 44-K-4 58mm f 2.0 at a very reasonable price. This one fits directly because it is K-mount, so it functions just like a a Pentax M lens. Construction-wise, it is a fairly heavy and durable lens. In terms of image quality, it is sharp and renders colors very nicely, better, I think, than my Pentax A f 1.7, although for focal length the two lens are interchangeable. In my view, the Helios 44 58 mm is just as good as the Pentax M and A series, and I would not feel bad about bidding the lens up to $60 or $75 if necessary. On the other hand, there are some very reliable Russian sellers on eBay that you can contact to quote you on the exact lens you want for a preset price. I highly recommend the Helios 44-K-4 based on my own experience and because you do not have to fool around with adapter rings. Good luck.

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04-24-2013, 07:08 PM	#61
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	I have decided to save for a DFA100 WR- I most likely have a K01 in my future and this would make a fantastic people shooting lens and ultra macro/wildlife lens on the Q

04-25-2013, 09:11 PM	#62
jon404 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 696	I have a Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, and a Pentax A 50mm f/1.4. Both inexpensive, both just great. Use the 28mm a LOT more than the 50mm. F/5.6 is the sweet spot.

04-27-2013, 02:55 PM	#63
Tony Belding Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hamilton, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 781	Originally posted by jon404 I have a Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, and a Pentax A 50mm f/1.4. Both inexpensive, both just great. Use the 28mm a LOT more than the 50mm. F/5.6 is the sweet spot. I also have both of those lenses. 28mm is pretty close to a "true normal" lens for APS-C. My 28mm has a very stiff aperture ring which is a nuisance when using it on older film cameras, but it works just fine on newer bodies that set the aperture internally. However... I just got a new 21mm Limited! I've only given it a very brief test today, but I think it's going to be fantastic. I can already see the image quality humiliates my old Vivitar 19mm, plus the 21mm is smaller and lighter and has autofocus.

04-27-2013, 05:04 PM	#64
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Originally posted by hypernotactive Don't forget all the m42 lenses out there. Work great on the K01 in av mode. Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2 Don't forget all the Helios lenses out there either. The K-01 with focus peaking makes them very nice to use in Av mode, or Scene mode, which is just a more saturated Av. For closeup subjects, you can use the manual lenses (like my Helios 44K-4 58mm f 2.0) like a locked-focus macro lens. Just set minimum range and move camera forwards/backwards until the target gets that white, shimmering outline and press the shutter button. As much as I love the IQ of my various manual focus lenses, I always thought twice before using them just because of the focusing delays. Now with focus peak on K-01, I have been using them much more often.

04-27-2013, 09:12 PM	#65
jon404 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 696	@ivanvernon -- that's a great idea, to put it on peak focus and move back and forth til it lights up. Will try it tomorrow. Basically, what I'm getting from this thread is that there are LOTS of good inexpensive lenses out there, just waiting for K-01 owners to give them a second life. What a deal!

04-28-2013, 09:11 PM	#67
Travis Butler Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kansas City Posts: 55	Originally posted by ivanvernon Don't forget all the Helios lenses out there either. The K-01 with focus peaking makes them very nice to use in Av mode, or Scene mode, which is just a more saturated Av. How do you like the Helios lenses? I've heard bits and reviews suggesting they're pretty good, enough to tempt me; and I've bid on several on fleabay in the $20-40 range, only to have them sniped out from under me because I'm never sure how much it's worth to go for. I've already got a Takumar 1.4, a Yashica 1.9 and 2.0, and an Industar 50 in 50mm M42, and still playing around with them to see what they can do; is there something that really stands out about the Helios to make it worth getting one, beyond LBA? (I also keep getting tempted by Meyer Optik/Pentacon 50's and even an occasional Zeiss Jena in the same price range, but have the same problem with them getting sniped out because I'm never sure it'll be worth enough to me to go above $40-50.)

04-28-2013, 11:39 PM	#68
tromboads Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Melbs Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,240	nope. All LBA. You have a bunch of sweet 50's. And unless you have a truck load of bodies? whats the point, (besides LBA :P) Still, didn't stop me getting a little 58mm f2. But if I knew now what I know now.

04-29-2013, 08:52 AM	#69
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Travis Butler Well, the camera repair guy didn't have any compact primes to sell (at least at the moment), but he did give me this to play around with... ought to be interesting, even if it is not at all the small, light walking-around lens I wanted; the thing is pretty darn heavy. That's a very unique lens and a beast weight-wise. It's listed here if you want to know more about it (it's hard to find the info on it as it doesn't fit cleanly in a lens category): SMC Pentax-AF 35-70mm F2.8 Reviews - M Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

04-29-2013, 09:29 AM	#70
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Originally posted by Travis Butler How do you like the Helios lenses? I've heard bits and reviews suggesting they're pretty good, enough to tempt me; and I've bid on several on fleabay in the $20-40 range, only to have them sniped out from under me because I'm never sure how much it's worth to go for. I've already got a Takumar 1.4, a Yashica 1.9 and 2.0, and an Industar 50 in 50mm M42, and still playing around with them to see what they can do; is there something that really stands out about the Helios to make it worth getting one, beyond LBA? (I also keep getting tempted by Meyer Optik/Pentacon 50's and even an occasional Zeiss Jena in the same price range, but have the same problem with them getting sniped out because I'm never sure it'll be worth enough to me to go above $40-50.) I was real lucky to get my Helios 44-K-4 58mm f 2.0 at a very reasonable price. This one fits directly because it is K-mount, so it functions just like a a Pentax M lens. Construction-wise, it is a fairly heavy and durable lens. In terms of image quality, it is sharp and renders colors very nicely, better, I think, than my Pentax A f 1.7, although for focal length the two lens are interchangeable. In my view, the Helios 44 58 mm is just as good as the Pentax M and A series, and I would not feel bad about bidding the lens up to $60 or $75 if necessary. On the other hand, there are some very reliable Russian sellers on eBay that you can contact to quote you on the exact lens you want for a preset price. I highly recommend the Helios 44-K-4 based on my own experience and because you do not have to fool around with adapter rings. Good luck.