[Pansottin]

I´m considering seriously a system switch based on the new Pentax K-1, but as far as I know it is not possible to adapt Canon EOS EF or Zeiss ZE (for EOS) glass to the Pentax K mount.
What could be the Pentax (or other quality brands like Sigma) equivalent to:

Fast primes:
Zeiss ZE 35mm f2.0 Distagon?
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM?
Zeiss ZE 85mm f1.4 Planar?

Macro:
Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro IS USM?
Canon EF 65 MP-E f2.8 Macro 1-5x magnification?
(don't think this last one is possible at least with just one lens solution from any brand).

What flash could be a substitute for the Canon 600EX-RT?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[RonHendriks1966]

The fa31mm/F1. 8 but that is sharp from f2.5
Find a FA*85mm/F1. 4
The 100mm macro from Pentax is also good.

[MadMathMind]

Zeiss ZE 35mm f2.0 Distagon

FA31 Limited. It may not have as much resolution as the Zeiss but it's a favorite around here for good reason. It's got character like any other.

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM?

F/FA50 f/1.4 or F/FA f/1.7 (sharper) if you can afford the lower speed.

Zeiss ZE 85mm f1.4 Planar

FA77 Limited. 1/2 step slower but I think you'll love this lens. It's probably not as sharp but it was recently crowned the best Pentax lens ever.

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro IS USM?

DFA100 mm Macro. Probably very equivalent.

[UncleVanya]

Fast primes:
Zeiss ZE 35mm f2.0 Distagon?
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM?
Zeiss ZE 85mm f1.4 Planar?

Macro:
Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro IS USM?
Canon EF 65 MP-E f2.8 Macro 1-5x magnification?
(don't think this last one is possible at least with just one lens solution from any brand).

What flash could be a substitute for the Canon 600EX-RT?

Ziess ZK lenses exist and are as far as I know optically the same. They are manual focus and offer aperture automation. In the forum marketplace there are some of these for sale in both 35mm and 85mm unless these have sold recently. The Pentax FA* 85mm f/1.4 is very very good as an alternative. The FA 77mm f/1.8 is a very nice alternative but not quite as long or shallow in depth of field. I gave up my A* 85mm f/1.4 (one of the finest 85mm lenses ever made in my opinion - sharp sharp sharp!) to go with the FA 77 Limited since I need autofocus with modern DSLR's. I just have not done that well with longer focal length manual focus lenses.

The 50mm f/1.4 has a few options. Pentax makes a fine 50mm f/1.4 which is nice but noisy. They also make a 55mm f/1.4 which is technically a crop sensor lens but Sandy Hancock and others have shown it is quite capable on the K-1, YMMV.

The macro options are interesting. The DFA 100mm Weather Resistant (WR) lens is very very nice. I highly recommend it. The only > 1:1 macro lens for Pentax that I am aware of is the: Laowa 60mm 2:1 manual lens. https://www.ephotozine.com/article/venus-laowa-60mm-f-2-8-2-1-macro-lens-user-review-27046

The AF540FGZ is the most capable flash from Pentax. The AF360FGZ is the same basic features with less total power in a smaller package.

As an alternative to the Zeiss lenses the FA 31 Limited (f/1.8) is a fabulous lens. The FA 77 Limited (f/1.8) as mentioned is a great portrait lens albeit shorter than the 85mm you use today. The FA 43 Limited (f/1.9) is a fantastic normal perspective lens that might give the Zeiss 50mm a run for the money in other ways.

The FA Limiteds are one of the reasons to think about Pentax - they are screw drive, not silent, not crazy fast focusing but not slow either. The rendering is legendary - I am not sure I can coax them to their highest potential but here are a couple of shots I like from my FA 77 and FA 31...

All taken on crop camera (K-3 or K-50)
FA 77 wide open:




FA 31 wide open:


Some DFA 100 shots of various sorts:



Additional shots here:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskuEBrPk

---

Last edited by UncleVanya; 05-15-2016 at 10:17 AM.

[08amczb]

I have neighter of these lenses (), but these are highly regarded ones:
FA 31 F1.8 Limited, Sigma 35 F1.4 Art
DA* 55 F1.4
FA* 85 F1.4
DFA 100 F2.8 Macro
There is no super macro lens for pentax, but you can use microscope lenses or extension tubes or reversed lenses.

I think cactus transevers can translete between pentax body and canon flash, but there is the Pentax AF540 FGZ II flash also.

[Pansottin]

This is a very nice forum with very kind and supportive participants .-)

The Canon 100mm L f2.8 IS USM is a 1:1 macro.
Good news if there are Pentax equivalence .-) for 1:1 macro factor.

The Canon EF 65 MP-E f2.8 Macro 1-5x magnification; means it´s a 5:1 macro.
Maybe only the Laowa (not quite at the same league)

[CarlJF]

The Canon EF 65 MP-E f2.8 Macro 1-5x magnification; means it´s a 5:1 macro.
Maybe only the Laowa (not quite at the same league)

This lens is unique to Canon. You won't find a perfect substitute in any other brand. It's the kind of situation where you get the lens first and then buy the body that fits with it...

[Pansottin]

This lens is unique to Canon. You won't find a perfect substitute in any other brand. It's the kind of situation where you get the lens first and then buy the body that fits with it...

You´re 100% right; Carl.
I used to use Canon back in the film days. Switched to Nikon and back to Canon in the digital age BUT the process was the lens first (the MP-E) and the body after .-)
If this lens where a Pentax, Nikon or other brand lens; that would be my brand of choice. Its a unique lens indeed. Very convenient and very specialized. Its my main tool to design part of my style.

Maybe I´ll keep a Canon body (even a used 6D body because its full frame) just for that lens and a core Pentax system for everything else.

[Imp]

Also you can check out the lens roadmap - just search for that and it'll pop up - if you haven't seen it already. I believe Pentax is planning to release approx. 24, 35, 50, & 85mm lenses in the upcoming year, if you'd like to plan ahead a bit.

---------- Post added 05-15-16 at 02:02 PM ----------

Zeiss ZE 35mm f2.0 Distagon?

There is the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 which is superb, although it might not have the fastest auto focus on a Pentax body.

[Pansottin]

Also you can check out the lens roadmap - just search for that and it'll pop up - if you haven't seen it already. I believe Pentax is planning to release approx. 24, 35, 50, & 85mm lenses in the upcoming year, if you'd like to plan ahead a bit.

---------- Post added 05-15-16 at 02:02 PM ----------


There is the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 which is superb, although it might not have the fastest auto focus on a Pentax body.

Looking forward for future Sigma ART solutions for the K mount.
Yes the Sigma 35mm f1.4 is superb.

---------- Post added 05-15-16 at 11:08 AM ----------

Looking forward for future Sigma ART solutions for the K mount.
Yes the Sigma 35mm f1.4 is superb.

What about Tilt & Shift solutions for the K mount?
Apart from the very good and expensive Schneider-Kreuznach offers.
Thanks.

[Imp]

What about Tilt & Shift solutions for the K mount? Apart from the very good and expensive Schneider-Kreuznach offers. Thanks.

None from Pentax, but Rokinon has a 24mm f/3.5 TS lens: Rokinon Tilt-Shift 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC Lens for Pentax TSL24M-P

[Pansottin]

None from Pentax, but Rokinon has a 24mm f/3.5 TS lens: Rokinon Tilt-Shift 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC Lens for Pentax TSL24M-P

Thank you .-)

[btnapa]

I´m considering seriously a system switch based on the new Pentax K-1, but as far as I know it is not possible to adapt Canon EOS EF or Zeiss ZE (for EOS) glass to the Pentax K mount.
What could be the Pentax (or other quality brands like Sigma) equivalent to:

Fast primes:
Zeiss ZE 35mm f2.0 Distagon?
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM?
Zeiss ZE 85mm f1.4 Planar?

Macro:
Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro IS USM?
Canon EF 65 MP-E f2.8 Macro 1-5x magnification?
(don't think this last one is possible at least with just one lens solution from any brand).

What flash could be a substitute for the Canon 600EX-RT?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Get the FA 31, 43 and 77 (The Three Amigos). They are legends in the Pentax world. For Macro the D FA 100 is a no brainer. With these four lenses you will have one compact and super capable package. I have all four. They were great on my K3 and K5iis and they are unreal on the K1. For flash, you can get the Pentax 540 or the Metz 52 AF-1 or three other offerings from Metz. I own both the Metz 52 AF-1 and Pentax 540. On my K3 the Metz has the edge. Although 540 is no slouch. I have not tried them on the K1 yet.

BTW, I am a former long-term (12 years) Canon owner who switched three years ago and never looked back. Canon has nothing to match K1 in dynamic range and high ISO capability. Not even close. All the other goodies and capabilities of the K1 are icing on the cake.

[interested_observer]

Zeiss also still produces lenses in the M42 (the old Pentax screw mount) - the ZS mount line.... They use to list the various lenses, but it appears that you need to contact them directly. Pentax has a K to M42 adapter available.

• ZS Lenses | ZEISS United States

Also, you can convert the older Contax Zeiss lenses (the FF version of the AS mount) to the K mount. I have done it twice and they are perfect. Check Leitax.com for the remount hardware kits.

Additionally, you can search the now discontinued Zeiss ZK mount (Pentax K mount).

• https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/227446-carl-zeiss-t-zk-mou...ro-planar.html

[skunktail]

What about Tilt & Shift solutions for the K mount?
Apart from the very good and expensive Schneider-Kreuznach offers.
Thanks.

there is also the Arax 35mm T-S (Arax 35mm f/2.8 TS Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database)