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09-16-2014, 09:40 PM   #1
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Best affordable APS-C normal lenses?

What are the best affordable lenses (under $150 USD) that work out to be a normal focal length (between 43mm and 55mm)?

Any help would be awesome!

Thanks,
Bradley

09-16-2014, 09:51 PM   #2
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DA 1:1.8 50mm

BTW between 43mm and 55mm would not be considered "normal" on an APS-C sensor - 30mm +/- 5mm like the DA 35mm F2.4 would be normal.

Last edited by wildman; 09-16-2014 at 10:03 PM.
09-16-2014, 10:02 PM   #3
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DA 35mm f/2.4 is very good, but over your budget by $25 or so. Maybe you can find a used one.
09-16-2014, 10:16 PM   #4
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The DA35 is a 53mm equivalent on full frame, Bradley ... and is both affordable and sharp. :-)

Good for three-quarter portraits, pictures of friends together, etc ...

09-17-2014, 12:34 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by clackers Quote
The DA35 is a 53mm equivalent on full frame, Bradley ... and is both affordable and sharp. :-)

Good for three-quarter portraits, pictures of friends together, etc ...
+1 on DA35 F2.4
Shouldn't be to hard to find a good used copy as well
09-17-2014, 01:08 AM   #6
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DA 35 f/2.4
09-17-2014, 04:38 AM   #7
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DA35/2.4
Are you noticing a pattern here?

If you are willing to dabble with manual focus, 28mm is closest to the true normal for APS-C sensors. There are lots of variants from the FA series (OK, that's autofocus) down. Personally, I'm after the A28/2.0, but I gather they are pretty thin on the ground, and not cheap.


Last edited by Sandy Hancock; 09-17-2014 at 04:46 AM.
09-17-2014, 04:43 AM   #8
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Within your price and FL ranges (I'm assuming you mean 43-55mm in 35mm format terms, by your wording), there really is only one autofocus lens: the DA35/2.4. Foregoing AF, you can get some old 28s and such for <$100. Also many here (myself included) like the DA40/2.8 XS for its IQ and tiny size. Slightly longer than the range you give though... But I think your original question has been answered.
09-17-2014, 04:52 AM   #9
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Affordable Pentax primes, full auto: DA 35mm f2.4, DA 40mm XS, DA 50mm f1.8
Affordable Pentax legacy primes: M 50mm f1.7 and M 28mm f2.8 (or A series, which has auto aperture but costs more)
New K-mount, but full manual: Horus Bennu 50mm f1.7, Zenitar 50mm f2.0
Sigma, brand new: 30mm f1.4 (various versions, older ones are cheaper, but not quite as good as the latest art version)
Samyang also makes a 35mm f1.4, but its not super cheap and it has no AF.

Any of the ones mentioned will give you significantly better image quality and low light performance than the kit lenses. I recommend you get one of the Pentax DA lenses, unless you enjoy taking you time and doing manual photos
09-17-2014, 05:25 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sandy Hancock Quote
I'm after the A28/2.0, but I gather they are pretty thin on the ground, and not cheap.
Go for the Zeiss T* 28mm f/2 Sandy, I heard that the K version is based on this Zeiss design, but the M and A aren't. and the Zeiss has A setting. and is more expensive.
I was searching for a 28mm f/2 lens for some time, but because of the price ended up buying the Kiron 28/2 one.
09-17-2014, 05:32 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by mtux Quote
Go for the Zeiss T* 28mm f/2 Sandy, I heard that the K version is based on this Zeiss design, but the M and A aren't. and the Zeiss has A setting. and is more expensive.
I was searching for a 28mm f/2 lens for some time, but because of the price ended up buying the Kiron 28/2 one.
Or you could just buy a DA 35 ƒ2.4 off the shelf. Why go through a lot of grief for a half stop?
09-17-2014, 05:47 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
Or you could just buy a DA 35 ƒ2.4 off the shelf. Why go through a lot of grief for a half stop?
Because I want to have the option of reversing it for macros. An aperture ring and 49mm filter thread is a pre-requisite.
The sad thing is I used to have a Kiron 28/2.0, but sold it before I realised its potential. Did you get mine mtux?
09-17-2014, 05:47 AM   #13
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You need a Super Takumar 35/2. The first one with the 67mm thread.



It's like the 35/3.5 ate a 50/1.4

09-17-2014, 06:15 AM   #14
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40mm XS might fit the budget - used. From what I gather the 35mm f2.4 has better IQ.
09-17-2014, 06:23 AM - 1 Like   #15
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I mostly use manual focus lenses. I have a Ricoh Rikenon XR 2.8/28mm and Pentax A 1.7/50mm that I'm very pleased with. Both very sharp with nice bokeh. The Ricoh was $30 and the Pentax goes for about $60. If you can forego AF, I'd give these a go. One caveat about the Ricoh is that it's not an "A" lens, so you're limited to green button manual metering. Otherwise, it's a very nice lens.

Last edited by GibbyTheMole; 09-17-2014 at 07:16 AM.
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