K1 users: what lenses do you use?

TJWest · 08-02-2019, 10:31 PM - **1 Like**

I have only had my K1 for a few weeks, but this is what I am using on it:

28-105mm - This lens is simply amazing for the price. Shoots way above its price point. Really nothing major to complain about it.
90mm Tamron macro - This was great on my k30 and it is even better on my K1. I bought this about five years ago, so not the newest version, but still. Besides suffering from CA, it is freaking nice for the price.
DA 40mm LImited - great lens on the K30 and works pretty well stopped at F8 or better. It produces great shots and colors. Great for landscape and portraits
FA 35mm F2 - I got this yesterday (the updated version) - WOW. First few shots are really impressing me. Super sharp. Lovely colors. This is going to steal all the DA 40mm limited time on my K1.

I took a similar shot with my 28-105mm as with the 35mm. The zoom had massive CA in the light reflections on the ripples.. The 35mm ZERO. And this is not a fault of the zoom by any large means. It is a shot that would make most lenses cringe.
The first one is with the zoom, the second one is with the 35mm. Very impressed indeed! I will be posting more on my flickr account and on the K1 pics thread going forward. For less than 400 Euros, it is a worthy prime.

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**RICHARD L.** · 10-02-2019, 06:24 AM

Last winter, I purchased a used DFA 28-105 mm from KEH in Atlanta. It was like new and the results with the K1 have not ceased to amaze me (I'm a landscape artist). I have a good collection of Pentax lenses (ten 6X7, fifteen 645 and thirty-five FA and DA lenses in all) that fit on the K1 with the proper Pentax adapter. Particularly, I have a quartet of 4 magnificent FA lenses that I use very often : FA 20 mm f/2.8, FA 28 mm f/2.8, FA 35 mm f/2 and FA 50 mm f/1.4. For telephotography, I use an FA* 80-200 mm f/2.8 and an FA* 300 mm f/4.5 with very satisfying results. I also have a DFA 100 mm f/2.8 Macro that gives exciting close-ups.

**Mikesul** · 10-02-2019, 12:03 PM

Great shot of the granite desert. You capture the sense of texture well.

**S.M.** · 10-03-2019, 06:58 AM

I use many lenses but more frequently the FA macro 100mm 2.8, the K 50mm 1.4, the Photar 25mm 2 (adapted from RMS to Pentax K) and the FA 80-320mm 4.5-5.6.

**iheiramo** · 10-03-2019, 07:18 AM

I have mostly M series primes. I have plenty of them to cover focal lengths from 28 to 300mm. I also use F17-28FE to cover the wide end and occasionally Takumar 200/3.5.

I think that these lenses perform better on K1ii than on APSC and focal lengths are better when used on FOV they were designed.

hadi · 10-03-2019, 01:02 PM

I have gone through a considerable collection of lenses for the K1. Going from the widest:
Rokinon 14mm 2.8
Pentax 24-70 2.8
Pentax 31mm 1.8
Pentax 35mm 2.4
Pentax 50mm 1.4
Pentax 50mm 1.7
Pentax 77mm 1.8
Rokinon 85mm 1.4
Sigma 85mm 1.8
Pentax 100mm 2.8 Macro
Tamron 70-200mm 2.8
Tamron 70-300mm

and i'm trying to sell most of those lenses as my most used lenses are the prime in the 'normal' to 'telephoto portrait' lenses.
my GO-TO for most situations is my Sigma 85mm 1.4.
i'm really disliking all zooms

**Kevin B123** · 10-03-2019, 01:17 PM

My bag would not be without the D FA28-105, and I keep the M 50 f1.7 & FA 35 f2 there too. They weight very little and have 49mm threads so I can use my CPL and ND filters. The M 50 at f11 or f16 is a fantastic landscape lens, everyone should have one.
My bag will be complete when the D FA 70-200 f4 arrives (C'mmon Ricoh!).

Munki · 10-03-2019, 10:41 PM

Regrettably sold my DFA 100 and 28-105, I'm now left with the 31, 43 and 77.

Will look at getting the 28-105 again soon, cause that was such a great lens and I have no idea why I sold it.

**BruceBanner** · 10-03-2019, 11:18 PM

Originally posted by Munki

Regrettably sold my DFA 100 and 28-105, I'm now left with the 31, 43 and 77.

Will look at getting the 28-105 again soon, cause that was such a great lens and I have no idea why I sold it.

I do... to afford the 31, 43 and 77!

As a DFA100 owner who sold theirs and replaced with FA77, I don't miss it. Macro was not my thing and I have replaced the need for macro with other glass. DFA100 was also a lot more of a AF hunter than the FA's are.

You have the trio!! Be happy!!

Munki · 10-04-2019, 05:58 AM

Originally posted by BruceBanner

I do... to afford the 31, 43 and 77!

As a DFA100 owner who sold theirs and replaced with FA77, I don't miss it. Macro was not my thing and I have replaced the need for macro with other glass. DFA100 was also a lot more of a AF hunter than the FA's are.

You have the trio!! Be happy!!

hahaha I actually had the trio before selling the other pair! I love doing macro, but just never had time for it. So rather than having it sit around and collect dust, I decided to let it go to someone else to use. I personally didn't have issues with its focus. I've tried both versions too. The new WR one is a very very nice lens, but yeah, I prefer the 77 for portraits to be honest.

The 28-105 was definitely a silly mistake. It was a beautiful lens with quick focus. I'm now stuck with no WR lenses!

hadi · 10-04-2019, 06:53 AM

Originally posted by Munki

Regrettably sold my DFA 100 and 28-105, I'm now left with the 31, 43 and 77.

Will look at getting the 28-105 again soon, cause that was such a great lens and I have no idea why I sold it.

shooting those 3 lenses in crop mode allows you to be more versatile.
shooting at 1.8 or 1.9 also makes your images more versatile.
shooting in panorama if the 31 isn't wide enough also makes you more versatile.

i personally would take the 3 amigos over the 28-105 any day.

just...stay away from water and dust

Munki · 10-04-2019, 07:33 AM

Originally posted by hadi

shooting those 3 lenses in crop mode allows you to be more versatile.
shooting at 1.8 or 1.9 also makes your images more versatile.
shooting in panorama if the 31 isn't wide enough also makes you more versatile.

i personally would take the 3 amigos over the 28-105 any day.

just...stay away from water and dust

I didn't get a full frame camera to shoot in crop! :P haha

I really do appreciate the trio and perfectly fine to use them, however, some days when I'm out with the kids, it's just so much easier to have a zoom lens you can rely on. And that 28-105 is the lens to do just that. So I've definitely convinced myself to get it back on my lens roster. I'm still going to keep the three sisters though!

bdery · 10-04-2019, 07:42 AM

Originally posted by hadi

i personally would take the 3 amigos over the 28-105 any day.

Horses for races. The princesses create images with more artistic and technical qualities, no doubt. I do own two of the three.

the 28-105 offers convenience, simplicity, WR in a reliable package with no real flaws.

Originally posted by Munki

I really do appreciate the trio and perfectly fine to use them, however, some days when I'm out with the kids, it's just so much easier to have a zoom lens you can rely on. And that 28-105 is the lens to do just that. So I've definitely convinced myself to get it back on my lens roster. I'm still going to keep the three sisters though!

Correct.

hadi · 10-04-2019, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by Munki

I didn't get a full frame camera to shoot in crop! :P haha

I really do appreciate the trio and perfectly fine to use them, however, some days when I'm out with the kids, it's just so much easier to have a zoom lens you can rely on. And that 28-105 is the lens to do just that. So I've definitely convinced myself to get it back on my lens roster. I'm still going to keep the three sisters though!

that may be true, however, i find that the versatility of the 1.8 (or faster) far trumps any advantage that the 28-105 offers. especially in low light, and also in traveling.

though the 28-105 does cover a HUGE range, but i find that after dark, unless you REALLY crank up the ISO and bring a tripod or something, shooting with it can become a pain.

where as shooting the 3 amigos in crop or whatever, gives you that added benefit. i rather get the shot, than miss it due to a slower lens.

but thats just my opinion

MJKoski · 10-04-2019, 12:10 PM - **2 Likes**

Zeiss 50mm makro-planar f/2 .ZK. It is the big brother of 35mm macro ltd in every way. Longer option 100mm WR Macro. I just swapped 15mm Irix and few Fuji WR primes for Pentax 15-30mm WR zoom as well which is my 2nd copy. First one died when I slipped on the rocks few years ago. This combination, 15-30, Zeiss 50MP and 100mm WR is optically class A+ for Pentax K-1 system.

On the wide side I have Samyang 12mm Fisheye ordered but it has not arrived yet. It will be my 3rd copy as I already had one for Nikon and another for Pentax.

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10-02-2019, 12:03 PM	#153
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Great shot of the granite desert. You capture the sense of texture well.

10-03-2019, 06:58 AM	#154
S.M. Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Merano (BZ) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 108	I use many lenses but more frequently the FA macro 100mm 2.8, the K 50mm 1.4, the Photar 25mm 2 (adapted from RMS to Pentax K) and the FA 80-320mm 4.5-5.6.

10-03-2019, 07:18 AM	#155
iheiramo Unoriginal Poster Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Espoo Photos: Albums Posts: 3,182	I have mostly M series primes. I have plenty of them to cover focal lengths from 28 to 300mm. I also use F17-28FE to cover the wide end and occasionally Takumar 200/3.5. I think that these lenses perform better on K1ii than on APSC and focal lengths are better when used on FOV they were designed.

10-03-2019, 01:02 PM	#156
hadi Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Posts: 563	I have gone through a considerable collection of lenses for the K1. Going from the widest: Rokinon 14mm 2.8 Pentax 24-70 2.8 Pentax 31mm 1.8 Pentax 35mm 2.4 Pentax 50mm 1.4 Pentax 50mm 1.7 Pentax 77mm 1.8 Rokinon 85mm 1.4 Sigma 85mm 1.8 Pentax 100mm 2.8 Macro Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 Tamron 70-300mm and i'm trying to sell most of those lenses as my most used lenses are the prime in the 'normal' to 'telephoto portrait' lenses. my GO-TO for most situations is my Sigma 85mm 1.4. i'm really disliking all zooms

10-03-2019, 01:17 PM	#157
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,176	My bag would not be without the D FA28-105, and I keep the M 50 f1.7 & FA 35 f2 there too. They weight very little and have 49mm threads so I can use my CPL and ND filters. The M 50 at f11 or f16 is a fantastic landscape lens, everyone should have one. My bag will be complete when the D FA 70-200 f4 arrives (C'mmon Ricoh!).

10-03-2019, 10:41 PM	#158
Munki Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 246	Regrettably sold my DFA 100 and 28-105, I'm now left with the 31, 43 and 77. Will look at getting the 28-105 again soon, cause that was such a great lens and I have no idea why I sold it.

10-03-2019, 11:18 PM	#159
BruceBanner Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 5,404	Originally posted by Munki Regrettably sold my DFA 100 and 28-105, I'm now left with the 31, 43 and 77. Will look at getting the 28-105 again soon, cause that was such a great lens and I have no idea why I sold it. I do... to afford the 31, 43 and 77! As a DFA100 owner who sold theirs and replaced with FA77, I don't miss it. Macro was not my thing and I have replaced the need for macro with other glass. DFA100 was also a lot more of a AF hunter than the FA's are. You have the trio!! Be happy!!

10-04-2019, 05:58 AM	#160
Munki Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 246	Originally posted by BruceBanner I do... to afford the 31, 43 and 77! As a DFA100 owner who sold theirs and replaced with FA77, I don't miss it. Macro was not my thing and I have replaced the need for macro with other glass. DFA100 was also a lot more of a AF hunter than the FA's are. You have the trio!! Be happy!! hahaha I actually had the trio before selling the other pair! I love doing macro, but just never had time for it. So rather than having it sit around and collect dust, I decided to let it go to someone else to use. I personally didn't have issues with its focus. I've tried both versions too. The new WR one is a very very nice lens, but yeah, I prefer the 77 for portraits to be honest. The 28-105 was definitely a silly mistake. It was a beautiful lens with quick focus. I'm now stuck with no WR lenses!

10-04-2019, 06:53 AM	#161
hadi Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Posts: 563	Originally posted by Munki Regrettably sold my DFA 100 and 28-105, I'm now left with the 31, 43 and 77. Will look at getting the 28-105 again soon, cause that was such a great lens and I have no idea why I sold it. shooting those 3 lenses in crop mode allows you to be more versatile. shooting at 1.8 or 1.9 also makes your images more versatile. shooting in panorama if the 31 isn't wide enough also makes you more versatile. i personally would take the 3 amigos over the 28-105 any day. just...stay away from water and dust

10-04-2019, 07:33 AM	#162
Munki Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 246	Originally posted by hadi shooting those 3 lenses in crop mode allows you to be more versatile. shooting at 1.8 or 1.9 also makes your images more versatile. shooting in panorama if the 31 isn't wide enough also makes you more versatile. i personally would take the 3 amigos over the 28-105 any day. just...stay away from water and dust I didn't get a full frame camera to shoot in crop! :P haha I really do appreciate the trio and perfectly fine to use them, however, some days when I'm out with the kids, it's just so much easier to have a zoom lens you can rely on. And that 28-105 is the lens to do just that. So I've definitely convinced myself to get it back on my lens roster. I'm still going to keep the three sisters though!

10-04-2019, 07:42 AM	#163
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by hadi i personally would take the 3 amigos over the 28-105 any day. Horses for races. The princesses create images with more artistic and technical qualities, no doubt. I do own two of the three. the 28-105 offers convenience, simplicity, WR in a reliable package with no real flaws. Originally posted by Munki I really do appreciate the trio and perfectly fine to use them, however, some days when I'm out with the kids, it's just so much easier to have a zoom lens you can rely on. And that 28-105 is the lens to do just that. So I've definitely convinced myself to get it back on my lens roster. I'm still going to keep the three sisters though! Correct.

10-04-2019, 08:34 AM	#164
hadi Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Posts: 563	Originally posted by Munki I didn't get a full frame camera to shoot in crop! :P haha I really do appreciate the trio and perfectly fine to use them, however, some days when I'm out with the kids, it's just so much easier to have a zoom lens you can rely on. And that 28-105 is the lens to do just that. So I've definitely convinced myself to get it back on my lens roster. I'm still going to keep the three sisters though! that may be true, however, i find that the versatility of the 1.8 (or faster) far trumps any advantage that the 28-105 offers. especially in low light, and also in traveling. though the 28-105 does cover a HUGE range, but i find that after dark, unless you REALLY crank up the ISO and bring a tripod or something, shooting with it can become a pain. where as shooting the 3 amigos in crop or whatever, gives you that added benefit. i rather get the shot, than miss it due to a slower lens. but thats just my opinion

10-04-2019, 12:10 PM - 2 Likes	#165
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	Zeiss 50mm makro-planar f/2 .ZK. It is the big brother of 35mm macro ltd in every way. Longer option 100mm WR Macro. I just swapped 15mm Irix and few Fuji WR primes for Pentax 15-30mm WR zoom as well which is my 2nd copy. First one died when I slipped on the rocks few years ago. This combination, 15-30, Zeiss 50MP and 100mm WR is optically class A+ for Pentax K-1 system. On the wide side I have Samyang 12mm Fisheye ordered but it has not arrived yet. It will be my 3rd copy as I already had one for Nikon and another for Pentax.