[Lowell Goudge]

How fast is fast, there is also the samyang 35/1.4 but it is a bit pricy, or any SMC tak K, or M 35/2

[Alizarine]

DA 35 2.4 for a prime and Tamron 17-50 for zoom, the former is more versatile and way sharper than I first thought, only gripe about it is it's not weathersealed and has no quick-shift (but of course, it's a budget lens!)

[emalvick]

I'd keep it simple and you with that 35... But, I'd also look at an A or M 1.4 or similar to pay with. Some of those can be had for less than $50, like a 50 1.7

I did something like that with my k10. I got pretty good with the manual focus.

[mickey]

Have a look at one of the Sigma 17-70 lenses.
There's two versions.
I've used the f2.8-4.5 version with my k10 for a while. Good lens.
There's also the newer 2.8-4 version.

Failing that, I'd recommend the da35 2.4 or da40 2.8.

[RioRico]

When I shoot the squirmin' vermin (grandkids) in their not-brightly-lit home with my K20D, I tend to use either the F35-70 (very fast AF) with ISO bumped a bit, or a MF Vivitar-Kiron 24/2. Last visit (last week) I tried the MF Vivitar-Cosina 19-35 but am leaning to get the AF version.

These are fairly cheap lenses. But consider: Wider lenses do well in lower light. Shooting at 20mm essentially gives a 2.5-f-stop advantage over shooting at 50mm. For motion-stopping, 50/1.4 and 35/2 and 24/2.8 and 20/3.5 are equivalent; and 24/2.0 is like 50/1.0. Plus, wider focal lengths have thicker DOF, so a moving target is more likely to be in focus.

So I recommend that you get the fastest widest AF zoom you can, like the Tamron 17-50/2.8; or a fast wide prime, like a 24/2 in either MF or AF.
________________________________

NOTE: The motion-stopping equivalents are based solely on the AOV ratios. Any given shutter speed will limit motion to the same angular range at these equivalents. Think about it.

[eddie1960]

How fast is fast, there is also the samyang 35/1.4 but it is a bit pricy, or any SMC tak K, or M 35/2

some of the old lenses in the 35 2.0 are kind of silly lately on price. I paid less for the DA 35 2.4 i just bought than some of the (admittedly better built) taks have been listed at lately
OTOH I have full af and flash control and can shoot in tav mode
and i have a 3.5 tak when i want manual

[normhead]

DA 35/2.4, fast, auto focus, and cheap (within your budget) as a new lens goes.

I know this is sick... and I'm sure the speed of the auto-focus has a lot to do with it, but this $200 lens is the highest rated Pentax lens on DxO. So, not only cheap, but apparently really really good. The pictures I took with when I first got it just blew me away. Not only that it focuses pretty close making it a poor man's macro.

[eddie1960]

I know this is sick... and I'm sure the speed of the auto-focus has a lot to do with it, but this $200 lens is the highest rated Pentax lens on DxO. So, not only cheap, but apparently really really good. The pictures I took with when I first got it just blew me away. Not only that it focuses pretty close making it a poor man's macro.

i just bought mine from a forum member today. same time i saw a tak 35 2.0 for $25 more than I paid from someone else. I couldn't pass it up price is just stellar from the image quality I have seen.

[Alizarine]

I know this is sick... and I'm sure the speed of the auto-focus has a lot to do with it, but this $200 lens is the highest rated Pentax lens on DxO. So, not only cheap, but apparently really really good. The pictures I took with when I first got it just blew me away. Not only that it focuses pretty close making it a poor man's macro.

The AF is pretty fast with the DA35 2.4. It's my most-recommended lens, and somewhat replaced my kit lens as the primary glass mounted on the body. Ever since I got it I used my 50 1.4 less.

[jakeblues]

FA 35/2

you'll get great images.

[td186]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, just and update.. I received my DA35 2.4 in the mail that I bought from a forum member and next I'll b getting a manual fast fifty to play with. Hopefully sometime in the near future get the tamron 17-50.
Thanks again everyone

[FrancisK7]

Fa50/1.4

[eddie1960]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, just and update.. I received my DA35 2.4 in the mail that I bought from a forum member and next I'll b getting a manual fast fifty to play with. Hopefully sometime in the near future get the tamron 17-50.
Thanks again everyone

I just grabbed a DA35 from a forum member as well. great little lens, been glued to the camera for a week now

[EJMzagsfan]

These are fairly cheap lenses. But consider: Wider lenses do well in lower light. Shooting at 20mm essentially gives a 2.5-f-stop advantage over shooting at 50mm. For motion-stopping, 50/1.4 and 35/2 and 24/2.8 and 20/3.5 are equivalent; and 24/2.0 is like 50/1.0. Plus, wider focal lengths have thicker DOF, so a moving target is more likely to be in focus.

Thats pretty informative Rico. Guess thats common sense, but i havent thought of some of those as fast lenses in my head and it is very hard sometimes to nail the focus with a 50 1.4.

[RioRico]

i havent thought of some of those as fast lenses in my head and it is very hard sometimes to nail the focus with a 50 1.4.

Yeah, we think of 50/1.4 as fast (and I do love my Fast Fifties) but do the math and be amazed: My Zenitar 16/2.8 (slightly fishy on APS-C) has an AOV (angle of view) equivalent to a 12mm rectilinear lens. So in terms of stopping motion, it is twice as fast as a 50/1.4! Of course, one does not substitute for the other. Different tools for different tasks, etc.