[cpritchardv]

Hi everyone!

So, I might be getting the K-1 sometime in the next month or so, and I want to get a lens with it, but I wanted some advice. I currently have a k-5II, 18-135mm, DA 35mm limited macro, DA 15mm limited, 50mm 1.4 super tak, 85mm 1.9 super tak, and a strange 50mm Industar lens. I really enjoy the versatility of the 18-135, but the 35mm, and the super tak's have spoiled me with sharpness, so I wanted to get a comparable lens.

I have around 1000 USD I can spend on a lens, and seeing as how the only FF compatible lenses I have are m42 mount, I'd like to pick up something new. I think I've narrowed it down to either the FA 31mm, or the new pentax 24-70mm.


What do you think? I travel a lot, so the WR is nice, but I've read so much about the 31mm on the forums it seems legendary, and is faster than the zoom. Or, would any of you recommend another lens? (I thought about the 28-105, and I still consider it an option, but I think I'd rather get something a bit higher quality if I can spend the money)


I had a side question, since I'm still trying to figure this out. The FA 31mm, when put on a full frame, would look like putting a 21mm lens on my K-5II?


Thanks!

[jatrax]

The FA 31mm, when put on a full frame, would look like putting a 21mm lens on my K-5II?

Yes, field of view-wise.

The 28-105 is reported to be very good, likely as good as the DA 16-85, a notch or so up from the 18-135.

The 24-70 is very good, I'm using it on my K-3II while waiting for the K-1 to arrive.

The FA 31mm is amazing, but it will be a single focal length. If you are OK with that then fine, but for me if you can only get one, get the 24-70 or the 28-105. Based on reviews (limited so far) that I've seen you will not be dissappointed in the 28-105 except that it is slow. If you need f/2.8 then get the 24-70.

Another thought is weight. The 24-70 is a beast. Compared to the 18-135 or 16-85 it is huge and heavy. Do you want to carry that around? If yes, go with the 24-70 if no go with the 28-105. I consider the FA 31mm to be a specialist lens, nice to have but not essential in my bag. YMMV.

[ChristianRock]

How about a FA 43 plus the DFA 100 macro?

[VoiceOfReason]

I'd get the 24-70 for the WR.

[pathdoc]

The 24-70 is a beast. Compared to the 18-135 or 16-85 it is huge and heavy.

And the 18-135 is not exactly the smallest or lightest zoom I've ever seen.

The FA 31mm, when put on a full frame, would look like putting a 21mm lens on my K-5II?

A 20mm lens on full-frame has a 30mm field of view on a Pentax 1.5 crop sensor camera, and vice versa. So yeah, turn your 18-135 to the appropriate zoom setting, tape or rubber-band it there, and walk around with that for a bit and see how it feels. Or borrow/rent a DA21/3.2 if that's an option (actually, don't, because you'll probably end up wanting to buy it ).

[UncleVanya]

I'm assuming the Super Tak's are all m42 screwmount. Do you use a Pentax adapter and screw them on and off or do they have dedicated adapters "permanently" affixed? I ask because swapping primes when some are bayonet and others are screwmount is potentially slow. If all act like bayonet lenses then ignore that concern.

Primes are lovely - besides sharpness there is a distinctly different feel to taking pictures - it's more active, you zoom with the feet you try things to frame the shot that you might pass over with a zoom due to ease of framing. Are you able to enjoy zooms? Is speed important to you?

Do you need to shoot weddings or events? If that's the case the only rational option is a good fast zoom for most people.

[cpritchardv]

Everyone has been extremely helpful!

I have been finding myself in many more situations recently when I've needed a faster lens, and used the 50mm tak, which words, but dealing with full manual all the time is a bit annoying.

I think the biggest thing I have against the 24-70mm is the weight, as some have mentioned. The K-1 isn't light either, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on a store model last week, and together they were pretty hefty. This is a concern of mine, since I do like to do a bit of trekking. However, it would be more versatile than the 31mm and has the WR too.

I had thought about the FA 43, but I think I'd want something a bit wider than that.

---------- Post added 04-29-16 at 02:00 AM ----------

I'm just an amateur at the moment, but I have been shooting events for school and things, so a fast zoom would definitely be useful. The super taks are all m42s, and I have a genuine pentax adapter, which is a pain to take on and off, but it's manageable.

[UncleVanya]

Everyone has been extremely helpful!

I have been finding myself in many more situations recently when I've needed a faster lens, and used the 50mm tak, which words, but dealing with full manual all the time is a bit annoying.

I think the biggest thing I have against the 24-70mm is the weight, as some have mentioned. The K-1 isn't light either, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on a store model last week, and together they were pretty hefty. This is a concern of mine, since I do like to do a bit of trekking. However, it would be more versatile than the 31mm and has the WR too.

I had thought about the FA 43, but I think I'd want something a bit wider than that.

---------- Post added 04-29-16 at 02:00 AM ----------

I'm just an amateur at the moment, but I have been shooting events for school and things, so a fast zoom would definitely be useful. The super taks are all m42s, and I have a genuine pentax adapter, which is a pain to take on and off, but it's manageable.

What some people do is buy the cheap Chinese adapters, remove the spring that locks it in place and then use a removable thread locker that holds the adapter onto the lens "permanently". Then you treat them as bayonet lenses all the time. I do as you do because my use of M42 is limited.

As for weight you could go 28-105 (half the weight roughly at less than half the price). That's not fast so then you could add an FA 35 f/2 and maybe a 24mm 2.8 and a DA or FA or F 50mm f/1.7 (DA 1.8).

[cpritchardv]

What some people do is buy the cheap Chinese adapters, remove the spring that locks it in place and then use a removable thread locker that holds the adapter onto the lens "permanently". Then you treat them as bayonet lenses all the time. I do as you do because my use of M42 is limited.

Doesn't this not remove the possibility to focus to infinity becuase the flange puts the lens slightly further away from the censor?

Could you maybe link me to what you recommend? I'd love to be able to do away with using my fingernail or a pen to remove the adapter from the camera.

[jatrax]

Doesn't this not remove the possibility to focus to infinity becuase the flange puts the lens slightly further away from the censor?

No, you have to use flangeless adapters. There are cheap flanged ones and they work as you describe. The ones mentioned above look just like the Pentax OEM one. Manufacturing is variable, sometimes OK, sometimes poor. But it is a good way to combine k-mount and M42 in the same bag. I used this method on my 400mm M42 lens because it was too awkward to screw on the camera.

But be very careful to pull off the little springs on the 'cheap' adapters, they can cause the lens to get stuck on the camera.

[cpritchardv]

but if you take out the locking mechanism, then doesn't the lens shift on the mount when you are focusing? how do you prevent that?

[UncleVanya]

but if you take out the locking mechanism, then doesn't the lens shift on the mount when you are focusing? how do you prevent that?

The springs in the mount are pretty tight. But I don't use this method so I can only say - I'm not sure.

[clackers]

Everyone has been extremely helpful!

I have been finding myself in many more situations recently when I've needed a faster lens, and used the 50mm tak, which words, but dealing with full manual all the time is a bit annoying.

I think the biggest thing I have against the 24-70mm is the weight, as some have mentioned. The K-1 isn't light either, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on a store model last week, and together they were pretty hefty. This is a concern of mine, since I do like to do a bit of trekking. However, it would be more versatile than the 31mm and has the WR too.

I had thought about the FA 43, but I think I'd want something a bit wider than that.

---------- Post added 04-29-16 at 02:00 AM ----------

I'm just an amateur at the moment, but I have been shooting events for school and things, so a fast zoom would definitely be useful..

For your zoom you want fast, light, auto and WR, Cpritchardv..


I reckon if you choose three of those four criteria a lens will present itself.

[edo]

For 1000$ buy this. It's more rewarding, more fun, more options, more coverage and a better return on investment.

Fisheye lens. Choice like zenitar 16mm, Peleng, etc.. Is yours.

Replace your takumar with bayonet pentaxes. Cheap as hell..

Oh, and get a 135mm, it's cheap and great to use on full frame.

---------- Post added 04-30-16 at 01:15 AM ----------

Another options, master the art of the takumars, metering and stoping down with the lens lever...

Then buy all focal lengths in those beautiful metal taks and you are set...

I did not shoot extensively with takumars yet with my k1 obviously, but the limited time I had played with 24mm tak and 50mm 1.4 on my k1 is that they offer a first class experience.

It's all in the routine. If it become a second nature, and master the art of the tak, then it's going to hugely rewarding.

Swapping m42 and PK is a pita!

The adapter trick is not good, the lens will land on the floor one day you will realize.

Go all tak, with a 1000$ you are the king in that land.

[pentaxbuff]

For 1000$ buy this. It's more rewarding, more fun, more options, more coverage and a better return on investment.

Fisheye lens. Choice like zenitar 16mm, Peleng, etc.. Is yours.

Replace your takumar with bayonet pentaxes. Cheap as hell..

Oh, and get a 135mm, it's cheap and great to use on full frame.

---------- Post added 04-30-16 at 01:15 AM ----------

Another options, master the art of the takumars, metering and stoping down with the lens lever...

Then buy all focal lengths in those beautiful metal taks and you are set...

I did not shoot extensively with takumars yet with my k1 obviously, but the limited time I had played with 24mm tak and 50mm 1.4 on my k1 is that they offer a first class experience.

It's all in the routine. If it become a second nature, and master the art of the tak, then it's going to hugely rewarding.

Swapping m42 and PK is a pita!

The adapter trick is not good, the lens will land on the floor one day you will realize.

Go all tak, with a 1000$ you are the king in that land.

Hello I have been upgrading my Takumar m42 lenses as I am anticipating using them when I purchase a K-1, could you provide a little more insight on the results you had? Any vignetting etc from some of the wider angles? How well was the 50 1.4 ?
Thanks
Ray