Best prime lens for beginner? (28/50mm)

axl · 09-05-2010, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by Michaelina2

Hands down... slam dumk... no question... Get it!

+1 to this opinion!

stover98074 · 09-05-2010, 03:11 PM

Originally posted by SirJangly

Not sure what I am going for, I am totally new to all of this. I do like the bokeh effect, and prefer sharp images also. I also enjoy vivid colors. Ugh, I want everything

lol

Takumar, Auto Takumar, Super Takumar, SMC Takumar - all M42 lenses that can be adapted with an inexpensive adapter to your camera. Your decision will be a 2.5 or 3.5 in this line of lenses. I have a Takumar 135 3.5 that is quite nice - a 1964 preset lens. All Takumars have great optics and outstanding builds.

I also have an inexpensive Jupiter 11A 135 4.0 that is great to use. The optics are very good for my level of photography but the build is not quite as nice as the Takumars - at least on the copy of the lens I am using - but still a wonderful lens and blast to use.

Reference material on 135 lenses in case you are interested

135mm Lens War

This is an example of the Takumar 135 3.5, taken a few weekends ago.

DaveHolmes · 09-06-2010, 04:36 PM

I just bought a 50mm f2 from a well known aution site, hoping it'll be a good indoor portrait lens but will let you know.
Is my first prime to go along with the 18-55 & 50-200mm kit zooms on the K-x

KxBlaze · 09-07-2010, 12:59 AM

F 28mm. This lens is amazing and you can find out for just over 200.

ipank123 · 09-09-2010, 03:41 AM

Today, Pentax just launch new DA 35mm prime for the price of $220 based on Pentaxforum info. This could be an answer for OP as well as for me, since I am in the same situation - a beginner looking for a prime lens. Knowing that I got my K-x for $500 compare to $650 MSRP, I hope the price would dip further 20% to $170. Compare that to DA 40 or DA 70. Both are around $500!

I'm very excited to hear this since I am new to Pentax and DSLR and I'm currently looking for a lens would work as a "P&S" lens. I have purchased SMC Pentax M 50mm f1.7, and even though it is a great lens, I have two reservations:

1. 50mm on APS-C sensor does not have the same field of view as 35mm film. It makes the fifty less versatile to use indoor or if you want to take group photos.
2. Manual focus. The lack of focusing screen on DSLR also compound this problem. I took my kids to the park. Trying to get a good photos is a PAIN.

Now, I will say that when the stars are aligned or when I shoot stationary objects, I get AMAZING pictures from the fifty. This has more to do with my amateur skill than anything else. I am still practicing with it. Getting good pictures with it feels very rewarding. However, for time-critical pictures of my family, I will wait and see how good the new DA 35mm will be.

Marc Sabatella · 09-09-2010, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by ipank123

Today, Pentax just launch new DA 35mm prime for the price of $220 based on Pentaxforum info. This could be an answer for OP as well as for me, since I am in the same situation - a beginner looking for a prime lens. Knowing that I got my K-x for $500 compare to $650 MSRP, I hope the price would dip further 20% to $170. Compare that to DA 40 or DA 70. Both are around $500!

Actually, the DA40 is only $340 from any legitimate dealer, although some dealers will try to scam you into paying more. Note even with legit dealers, you usually have to add to cart to see the actual price on most Pentax lenses - apparently Pentax likes people to advertise only the "list" price. Also, the DA70 sometimes dips down to $400-ish when prodigital2000 feels like offering a deal.

But the new DA35 is indeed looking like it's going to be the default answer to this question from now on.

redeleon · 09-10-2010, 03:37 PM

the new 35mm f/2.4 might fit in the bill

agsy · 09-10-2010, 03:59 PM

SMC Takumar 50mm 1.4 (latter version). I am actually planning on putting mine for sale (with adapter). Superb superb lens!

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09-05-2010, 11:31 AM	#31
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by Michaelina2 Hands down... slam dumk... no question... Get it! +1 to this opinion!

09-05-2010, 03:11 PM	#32
stover98074 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 153	Originally posted by SirJangly Not sure what I am going for, I am totally new to all of this. I do like the bokeh effect, and prefer sharp images also. I also enjoy vivid colors. Ugh, I want everything lol Takumar, Auto Takumar, Super Takumar, SMC Takumar - all M42 lenses that can be adapted with an inexpensive adapter to your camera. Your decision will be a 2.5 or 3.5 in this line of lenses. I have a Takumar 135 3.5 that is quite nice - a 1964 preset lens. All Takumars have great optics and outstanding builds. I also have an inexpensive Jupiter 11A 135 4.0 that is great to use. The optics are very good for my level of photography but the build is not quite as nice as the Takumars - at least on the copy of the lens I am using - but still a wonderful lens and blast to use. Reference material on 135 lenses in case you are interested 135mm Lens War This is an example of the Takumar 135 3.5, taken a few weekends ago.

09-06-2010, 04:36 PM	#33
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	I just bought a 50mm f2 from a well known aution site, hoping it'll be a good indoor portrait lens but will let you know. Is my first prime to go along with the 18-55 & 50-200mm kit zooms on the K-x

09-07-2010, 12:59 AM	#34
KxBlaze Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,602	F 28mm. This lens is amazing and you can find out for just over 200.

09-09-2010, 03:41 AM	#35
ipank123 New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10	Today, Pentax just launch new DA 35mm prime for the price of $220 based on Pentaxforum info. This could be an answer for OP as well as for me, since I am in the same situation - a beginner looking for a prime lens. Knowing that I got my K-x for $500 compare to $650 MSRP, I hope the price would dip further 20% to $170. Compare that to DA 40 or DA 70. Both are around $500! I'm very excited to hear this since I am new to Pentax and DSLR and I'm currently looking for a lens would work as a "P&S" lens. I have purchased SMC Pentax M 50mm f1.7, and even though it is a great lens, I have two reservations: 1. 50mm on APS-C sensor does not have the same field of view as 35mm film. It makes the fifty less versatile to use indoor or if you want to take group photos. 2. Manual focus. The lack of focusing screen on DSLR also compound this problem. I took my kids to the park. Trying to get a good photos is a PAIN. Now, I will say that when the stars are aligned or when I shoot stationary objects, I get AMAZING pictures from the fifty. This has more to do with my amateur skill than anything else. I am still practicing with it. Getting good pictures with it feels very rewarding. However, for time-critical pictures of my family, I will wait and see how good the new DA 35mm will be.

09-09-2010, 08:10 AM	#36
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by ipank123 Today, Pentax just launch new DA 35mm prime for the price of $220 based on Pentaxforum info. This could be an answer for OP as well as for me, since I am in the same situation - a beginner looking for a prime lens. Knowing that I got my K-x for $500 compare to $650 MSRP, I hope the price would dip further 20% to $170. Compare that to DA 40 or DA 70. Both are around $500! Actually, the DA40 is only $340 from any legitimate dealer, although some dealers will try to scam you into paying more. Note even with legit dealers, you usually have to add to cart to see the actual price on most Pentax lenses - apparently Pentax likes people to advertise only the "list" price. Also, the DA70 sometimes dips down to $400-ish when prodigital2000 feels like offering a deal. But the new DA35 is indeed looking like it's going to be the default answer to this question from now on.

09-10-2010, 03:37 PM	#37
redeleon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Albums Posts: 226	the new 35mm f/2.4 might fit in the bill

09-10-2010, 03:59 PM	#38
agsy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 551	SMC Takumar 50mm 1.4 (latter version). I am actually planning on putting mine for sale (with adapter). Superb superb lens!