Help me not to part with my beloved K-01

Penta · 05-01-2019, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by pres589

If the DA 15 is too slow at f4 max aperture then the DA 21's f3.2 should probably be off the table as well. Go looking for a DA 14 perhaps? That said, for a crop kit, I wouldn't consider anything but the SMC DA 15 for my wide angle option. Get a mini tripod and a cable release?

The Sigma and Tamron 17-50's are both great lenses. Sigma is probably a bit better built and a bit sharper. I think the Tamron has prettier rendering and handles high contrast scenes well. My sister has basically built a side photo business around a copy of that lens. The DA 18-135 is a solid do-all zoom that, while not perfect at all focal lengths, is extremely good in the middle and covers a large zoom range. Build quality is excellent and I love the copy I own. You can't go wrong with any of these three in my estimation.

If you are not happy with the photos you've taken, where you were expecting more something or other, share here! This forum is full of excellent photogs and helpful folks that can get you on the right track or at least considering how to get there. Share with EXIF data so we can see what the camera was doing at the time.

The DA 14mm is a bit out of my league in terms of budget even on the used market, looks like it would be a great lens for my purposes though, maybe one day.

Yes, I can't see any other option really than the 17-50mm right now, just annoyed it's relatively big for the K-01 and I really don't need the zoom capabilities as I have primes to cover 24mm, 40mm, 50mm.

Originally posted by normhead

The biggest thing going for the K-01 is the image quality. Same as my wife's K-5, which she still uses. I think if anything, the above shows you can find a lens for it. You just have to decide what's important to you and go for it. I found the camera difficult to use of telephoto work. But for wide angle, especially indoors, it was a great camera.

The K-01 does have amazing image quality but was designed/best suited for pancakes/primes, my wish is Ricoh release a K-02 with a nice wide, fast prime pancake kits lens (focal range between 16-21mm f2), updated autofocus, EVF, and I will sell all my worldly possessions to get hold of it.

**caliscouser** · 05-01-2019, 01:11 PM - **1 Like**

K-01 + DA 21 f/3.2 is a killer combo.

That would be my first choice in your shoes.
Second choice would be sell the K-01 and get a Ricoh GR I or II.
Third K-01 + 17-50 f/2.8

Penta · 05-02-2019, 02:34 PM

I came across this Tamron 17mm at quite a good price (the later version 151b), it doesn't really look ideal for my current needs (f3.5; MF), but I do have an unexplainable fetish for old glass... anyone had any experience with it?

Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 17mm f/3.5 (51B/151B) Lens Reviews - Tamron Adaptall Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Penta · 05-03-2019, 05:02 PM

Thanks for highlighting the Tamron 17-50mm guys and gals, if you haven't seen this guys evangelical praise of the lens, its worth a watch:

You Tube

**Perfessor5646** · 05-23-2019, 11:11 AM

Following up on my previous post. I have taken my K-01 w/the 18-135 on a few outings. As normhead pointed out, handling it as a telephoto is a bit challenging to compose with. That may be in part due to being far sighted with old eyes. I like an OVF when using longer lenses. Being blessed with an over abundance of lenses and body choices, I’ll most likely keep the 21mm Ltd or a 35mm on the K-01 and take a DSLR when I need more reach.

ZombieArmy · 06-25-2019, 10:30 AM

I know it's not wide but the 40 XS is the best lens for the K-01 ever. Super fast and super accurate focus while delivering the IQ goods. The DA 21 would likely be my next choice, they can be had very cheap used.

reh321 · 06-25-2019, 02:57 PM

Originally posted by Penta

Thanks for highlighting the Tamron 17-50mm guys and gals, if you haven't seen this guys evangelical praise of the lens, its worth a watch: Tamron 17-50mm Review: High Value, Pro Quality - YouTube

I think you want the word "evangelistic" instead of "evangelical".

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05-01-2019, 10:08 AM	#46
Penta Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 42 Original Poster	Originally posted by pres589 If the DA 15 is too slow at f4 max aperture then the DA 21's f3.2 should probably be off the table as well. Go looking for a DA 14 perhaps? That said, for a crop kit, I wouldn't consider anything but the SMC DA 15 for my wide angle option. Get a mini tripod and a cable release? The Sigma and Tamron 17-50's are both great lenses. Sigma is probably a bit better built and a bit sharper. I think the Tamron has prettier rendering and handles high contrast scenes well. My sister has basically built a side photo business around a copy of that lens. The DA 18-135 is a solid do-all zoom that, while not perfect at all focal lengths, is extremely good in the middle and covers a large zoom range. Build quality is excellent and I love the copy I own. You can't go wrong with any of these three in my estimation. If you are not happy with the photos you've taken, where you were expecting more something or other, share here! This forum is full of excellent photogs and helpful folks that can get you on the right track or at least considering how to get there. Share with EXIF data so we can see what the camera was doing at the time. The DA 14mm is a bit out of my league in terms of budget even on the used market, looks like it would be a great lens for my purposes though, maybe one day. Yes, I can't see any other option really than the 17-50mm right now, just annoyed it's relatively big for the K-01 and I really don't need the zoom capabilities as I have primes to cover 24mm, 40mm, 50mm. Originally posted by normhead The biggest thing going for the K-01 is the image quality. Same as my wife's K-5, which she still uses. I think if anything, the above shows you can find a lens for it. You just have to decide what's important to you and go for it. I found the camera difficult to use of telephoto work. But for wide angle, especially indoors, it was a great camera. The K-01 does have amazing image quality but was designed/best suited for pancakes/primes, my wish is Ricoh release a K-02 with a nice wide, fast prime pancake kits lens (focal range between 16-21mm f2), updated autofocus, EVF, and I will sell all my worldly possessions to get hold of it.

05-01-2019, 01:11 PM - 1 Like	#47
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	K-01 + DA 21 f/3.2 is a killer combo. That would be my first choice in your shoes. Second choice would be sell the K-01 and get a Ricoh GR I or II. Third K-01 + 17-50 f/2.8

05-02-2019, 02:34 PM	#48
Penta Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 42 Original Poster	I came across this Tamron 17mm at quite a good price (the later version 151b), it doesn't really look ideal for my current needs (f3.5; MF), but I do have an unexplainable fetish for old glass... anyone had any experience with it? Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 17mm f/3.5 (51B/151B) Lens Reviews - Tamron Adaptall Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

05-23-2019, 11:11 AM	#50
Perfessor5646 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Louisville, KY Photos: Albums Posts: 605	Following up on my previous post. I have taken my K-01 w/the 18-135 on a few outings. As normhead pointed out, handling it as a telephoto is a bit challenging to compose with. That may be in part due to being far sighted with old eyes. I like an OVF when using longer lenses. Being blessed with an over abundance of lenses and body choices, I’ll most likely keep the 21mm Ltd or a 35mm on the K-01 and take a DSLR when I need more reach.

06-25-2019, 10:30 AM	#51
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	I know it's not wide but the 40 XS is the best lens for the K-01 ever. Super fast and super accurate focus while delivering the IQ goods. The DA 21 would likely be my next choice, they can be had very cheap used.

06-25-2019, 02:57 PM	#52
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by Penta Thanks for highlighting the Tamron 17-50mm guys and gals, if you haven't seen this guys evangelical praise of the lens, its worth a watch: Tamron 17-50mm Review: High Value, Pro Quality - YouTube I think you want the word "evangelistic" instead of "evangelical".