[Seeck]

2 years ago I have sold all my Canon gear (5d mkII / 24mm f1.4 / 17-40mm f4 / 85mm f1,8) to go for the K1 with the 31mm limited.
Yes.. I went from my somewhat ideal set of lenses to - literally - one 'limited' lens. I guess I like limitations from time to time, but after 2 years it's time to think about buying a new lens.

To get some inspiration I am curious to hear about the lenses you all are using and in what situations. Are here also any frequent vintage glass users?

Im curious to hear about your most loved lenses and it's time to confess what your dislikes about them!

[Sandy Hancock]

I have a core set of "pro" zooms - DFA15-30/2.8 (landscapes mainly), DFA24-70/2.8 (events mainly) and DFA*70-200/2.8 (events/portraits), as well as the general purpose DFA28-105 (walkaround/landscapes) and the exceptional DFA150-450 (wildlife, landscapes)

Then there's the thee "pro" f/1.4 primes - Sigma Art 35 (environmental portraits), DFA*50 (group portraits, low light) and FA*85 (portraits) plus the f/2.0 FA*24 (landscape/environmental portrait)

And the three FA Limiteds - 31, 43 and 77 (compact three lens kit/anything where bokeh is king)

A Fisheye (Samyang 12/2.8), a macro (DFA100WR) and a collection of old/special interest lenses (FA20, F28, FA50/1.4, A50/1.2, Daguerrotype 64/2.9, K135/2.5, FA135/2.8)

I don't feel I'm missing out on much.

Yes, there are lots of aficionados of legacy lenses (Takumars, old SMC Pentax, Russian M42 lenses, etc). Pentax cameras work brilliantly with old manual glass.

[kiwi_jono]

Everyone will have their own needs and I expect you will see a range of answers. Some prefer zooms, some primes and some like wide lenses and some need long telephotos.

For me, roughly in order of most commonly carried and used (at the moment anyway):
* FA 31 f1.8 Limited
* FA 77 f1.8 Limited
* DFA 28-105
* Sigma EX 20mm f1.8
* FA 50 f1.4

Also sometimes use:
* Samyang 85mm f1.4
* Tamron SP 500mm f8 mirror (a lot of fun)
* Tamron SP 70-200 f2.8
* Cheap Sigma 70-300

For once I'm pretty happy with what I have and currently don't feel too strong a LBA. The weakest lens that I use fairly frequently is probably the Sigma 20mm but even that is up to the job stopped down but it is a bit bulky and if I some day see a deal on a FA20, I might be tempted!

Also would not mind something a bit wider. Tried to get a Samyang 14mm but the one I got was badly decentered but manufacturer said it was within spec. eventually got a refund from supplier but I have given up on Samyang now (despite have a couple of their lenses that I like). Personally I'm not keen to get a DFA* 15-30 (even though its IQ looks great), as its too big, heavy and expensive for my needs and I have learnt from the Tamron 70-200 that it rarely makes to my bag due to weight and size.

But thats just my use case.

[Sandy Hancock]

To add to my previous post, Pentax should be releasing a modern 85/1.4 later this year (the FA*85 is 27 years old and a bit soft wide open for modern tastes), and a 35/1.4 or thereabouts is in the pipeline. A fast ultra-wide is also on the roadmap, so hopefully all those bases will be covered in the not-too-distant future.

[Sluggo]

There's an awful lot the FA31 does right. I've only had the K1ii for a month or so, and the 31 gets more than its share of time mounted up.

The manual focus A*85/1.4 is a go-to for concert shooting, always with live view, focus peaking and a loupe-type viewfinder attachment. That is an unconventional but comfortable combo and the speed is a luxury compared to the standard f/2.8 zooms.

A Tamron 70-200/2.8 also gets some use for concerts, and just a little bit of birding. It's obviously more versatile than the A*85 -- but even with its pretty good autofocus, my keeper rate with it is lower than with the manual focus prime.

I've kept a DA*16-50 (which got lots of use on the APS-C K-3ii) for general purpose wide shots, mostly when set up with some kind of off camera or bounce flash. Seems like a waste sometimes to use it in crop mode on a full frame body, but it is reliable, reasonably compact, and gives Good Enough results for what I use it for. Still I've been reaching more for the FA31 instead of it lately.

I am on the lookout for a quality wide autofocus lens like the FA*24. Once acquired, that might let me decide to sell off the 16-50. Either way I don't currently plan on buying a full frame short-end zoom.

Seems a little simplistic to say, but the 31+85 pair is enough for almost all the photography I like to do.

[Paul the Sunman]

I overlap a lot with Sandy,

The new Pentax FF lenses are all great. The DFA 28-105 is a near-ideal walk around zoom, quite light and compact. OK, it would be nice to have 24 some times, but not at the expense of the added weight of the DFA 24-70, which I don't have or covet.

The DFA* 70-200 is a revelation. Beautifully sharp and clean (but heavy). The DFA 15-30 is not quite in the same league, but is really very good for a fast ultra-wide zoom, ideal for architecture and interiors. The DFA 150-450 is just wonderfull, and easily hand-holdable, used mostly for wildlife.

The FDA* 50 f/1.4 is from a different planet. It is astonishingly sharp. It's a little prone to CA wide open, but that's easily fixed in post-processing.

The Tamron 90mm macro, is a little old fashioned in its handling, but very solid optically. Very content with it. The Sigma 35mm Art is top-class.

I also shoot with three supposedly crop lenses on the K1: the DA40 Limited, DA70 Limited, and DA 10-17 fisheye. The Limiteds are just about FF (especially the 70), and the fisheye is FF over 14-17.

That's way too much glass, and of course I can only carry a small subset for each outing, but it does everything I want. The only future release I am looking forward to is a fully functional 1.4x Pentax teleconverter for the 150-450, if the quality is good enough.

I was out yesterday shooting the St Kilda Festival in mostly bright sunlight. I took four lenses for the day: 70-200 (mostly for shooting performers on stage), 50, 28-105, 10-17 (drama). It was a perfect combination for the purpose.

[Nunavut]

I keep it pretty simple: the DFA 50mm f2.8 macro, SMC 55mm f1.8, and for inside scenes and low light the 77 and the FA 35 f2. Waiting for a fast ultra wide.

I have several da zooms but use them with the k3 which is better for carrying long distances outside.

[monochrome]

I bought the K-1 to use with a collection of legacy manual primes.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/5967-monochrome/?simple=1#aboutme

Using these lenses is my hobby - which camera I use them with is less important than using them.

I also use the Three Princesses, FA*200/2.8 and FA*300/4.5.

I regularly carry the three standard zooms, DFA15~30/2.8, DFA24~70/2.8 and DFA*70~200/2.8. I have changed my philosophy on the K-1. I use it for legacy FF lenses in place of (selling) film cameras. My longest AF lens is an FA*300/4.5 which will replace the 70~200 when I am shooting with a purpose. I sold the DFA15-30 and I’m debating selling the 24-70 and 70-200. I’m using the DA* Zooms on KP instead.

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Last edited by monochrome; 03-16-2019 at 03:16 PM.

[Pentikonian]

Another hobbyist here. I shoot whatever, but rarely people or street.

My most used lenses would be the 77/1.8 Ltd, then the 200/2.8 The 31 & 43 Ltds, 28-105, and 300/4 are used about equally and quite a bit less than the first two.

[joergens.mi]

28-105 all time on alk around zoom, sometimes with the modified 60-250

Irix 11mm, Pentax 15-30, 24-70, 70-200, 150-450 combined in the way needed

[virusn3t]

I have a love/hate thing with the DFA* 70-200, i mean, its an awesome lens, but heavy and impossible to not be noticed with a 1 foot black tube on a big camera, the second most used lens is the DFA*50.... i wish the 70-200 will be as fast as the 50 to focus...

And while i have the 31, DFA24-70 and DFA15-30 to cover wider frames.... i prefer the 50 as my walkaround lens.... if i could only bring 1 lens that would be, if 2 lenses the 50 and 70-200... if i could bring 3 the third would anyone expected to be used like the fisheye 11-17mm (lightweight and at 15mm is usable on K1) or the 31, maybe the 15-30 (its big and heavy) if the 15mm rectolinear was mandatory plus 2.8 constant

PS. I like and prefer portraits

[garywakeling]

Hmm basically any lens I own goes well on the K1, so if you are a person that can see the world through a single wide angle lens for a couple of years, I guess you have some choices to think over for a lens that works with your style of photography. If you desire wider or more telephoto range gives you a starting point. Wider I have always liked the 24mm view for MY photography , and on the telephoto end you pick, for myself the 200mm range works for me on the K1. Amongst these if you wish to expand the range you can choose a nice zoom at either end . If you like the feel of photos on the 31 limited then perhaps the 77mm might work well for you.
Lots to contemplate , enjoy the process

[gm4life]

In my K1-II/FF kit I have...

Rokinon 12mm Fisheye - great fisheye

Pentax DFA HD 28-105mm - phenomenal every day lens

Pentax FA HD 35mm - looking forward to a faster wide angle on pre-order

Pentax DFA* HD 50mm - truly a world class lens

Pentax DFA* HD 70-200mm - nearly as magnificent as the DFA * 50

Pentax DA* SMC 300 - awesome in FF mode for JPEG’s

On my radar is the upcoming DFA* HD 85mm and eventually the wide angle DFA* lens that is a ways out. I am also game for a nice DFA* 400mm F5.6 someday... I have resisted the DFA 150-450 due to size! I am in no rush but a FF TC would be nice as well. Granted I don’t have a FF kit that some of the folks on PF do but I got most everything covered.

In your case I think a DFA 28-105 is a good idea if you want an awesome walk around zoom. For a more standard view the DFA* 50 is hard to beat as well... Or maybe a telephoto is what you need the DFA* 70-200 is a gem too.

[twilhelm]

My usage is similar to monochrome. I bought the K-1 to use with my 3 FA Limiteds and a plethora of vintage glass. I have more modern offerings which are for my KP, previously K3. My long lenses are the DA*200, SMC K 300 and Vivitar Series 1 70-200 (1st version).

[mattb123]

My pro kit is 15-30 24-70, 70-200 for whatever I might run into. But I often like to go lighter with the other FA Limiteds, the 43 and 77 and right now a Sigma 24 on the wide end which is just so-so next to those FA Limiteds.
If you like the 31 the other two in that series would be a natural fit, I bet.

My favorite vintage lens is a Helios 44k-4, a k mount 55mm f/2 that is fun to shoot with and good at what it does (sharp plus swirly bokeh).