What's the cheap , auto-focus prime lens(es) for K-x?

fractal · 02-14-2010, 07:12 PM

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I don't think the 43 limited falls into the category of cheap Julia.

From the comparison tests i've seen done, the FA50/1.7 appears sharper wide open than the FA50/1.4.

Andi Lo · 02-16-2010, 12:30 AM

Originally posted by tokyoso

there's always the nikon 35mm f1.8 af-s.... for $180.

I'm looking at a few SMC Takumar 135 / 3.5 here locally. I see you have it. is that a lens you would recommend?

Yeah but that's pretty much the one and only AF-S that's cheap. Although luckily 35mm is probably the one that you should have if you can only have one.

As for SMC Tak 135, sometimes it can be nice or really bad (PF and misfocus; this lens have some extreme focus throw...). The problem with this lens is its focal length, many people (me included) find it pretty hard to use. I recommend the 2.5 version or the Bokeh Monster (Pentacon 135) more, but the 135/3.5 is the cheapest of the three. I'll post some shots in the tak thread just so we dont derail this thread further

yuwlyuwl · 02-17-2010, 01:29 AM

Thank you all for the reply.

I have reservation for some of the "quality" talks

but I'll reserve that for other times.

For now, I'm debating if I should get the 50-135 F/2.8 (about $800) or just a ~$350 prime (40mm f/2.8 or 50mm f/1.4, not sure which one), and get (maybe) a 200mm prime later.

My primary goal is to shoot for the kids (both portraits and in-action), with the need to do general photography too (since I cannot possibly afford every lens I may have a need for, my lenses have to multi-task.)

My K-x delivery was attempted today by UPS but I wasn't home

I did order it with the 18-50 kit plus 50-300. According to some feedback and samples on this forum about the 50-200mm and 50-300mm, the kit lenses are going to be good for me for a while since I'm newbie to photography/DSLR.

summonbaka · 02-17-2010, 04:01 AM

Originally posted by yuwlyuwl

Thank you all for the reply.

For now, I'm debating if I should get the 50-135 F/2.8 (about $800) or just a ~$350 prime (40mm f/2.8 or 50mm f/1.4, not sure which one), and get (maybe) a 200mm prime later.

My primary goal is to shoot for the kids (both portraits and in-action), with the need to do general photography too (since I cannot possibly afford every lens I may have a need for, my lenses have to multi-task.)

I recommend trying the lenses first, you have got there a great range for you to know what do you shoot the most. If you find that you use more the 18-55 (in the wide half) but sometimes want a little more reach, you could also consider something like a 17-70 f/4. If you shoot more in one specific focal lenght (35mm or 50mm for example) then by all means consider the prime. The 50-135 is a nice lens but it could make the 50-300 redundant, but if you need a faster lens in that range that could be the one you want.

As i've read here, there are plenty of places were you can rent lenses. Rent the one you want for some days and see if it is what you want.

yuwlyuwl · 05-03-2010, 11:56 PM - **1 Like**

Canon | 85mm f/1.8 USM Autofocus Lens | 2519A003 | B&H Photo

Canon Telephoto EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Autofocus Lens
for only $380 brand new, from B&H.

This is (part of) what makes me regret the choice of K-x

I still am satisfied the the kit-lens performance, but I knew I wanted a autofocus portrait lens when I decided to buy a DSLR.

Well, if YOU going in the position of considering the DSLR plus some cheap yet solid prime lens, you shouldn't consider just the price of the camera+kit lens alone - don't make the same mistake I did.

bayareahdv · 05-04-2010, 12:22 AM

Pentax SMC Pentax-F 50mm F/1.7 AF Lens - eBay (item 350347024309 end time May-27-10 13:27:19 PDT)

http://cgi.ebay.com/SMC-PENTAX-F-50MM-F1-7-SUPER-RARE-PRIME-LENS-/3004239777...item45f2aa1b1f

$230-50

you just have to get one used i found a fa 50mm macro for 150

Marc Sabatella · 05-04-2010, 08:09 PM

Originally posted by yuwlyuwl

Canon Telephoto EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Autofocus Lens
for only $380 brand new, from B&H.

DA70 is not much more than that - prodigital2000 regularly sells it for $400 and change.

Quote:

Well, if YOU going in the position of considering the DSLR plus some cheap yet solid prime lens, you shouldn't consider just the price of the camera+kit lens alone

True, but unless you go with Sony, it's all going to average out in the end. A couple of Pentax lenses are more expensive than the others, but the reverse is just as true.

yoshizuki · 05-06-2010, 01:42 AM

i use the da 40 for almost everything. Very fast auto focus, very compact. Autofocus at wide aperatures like f1.4, especially in low light, is not very good. I just use a takumar 1.4 for those situations. Shooting with live view zoom is a plus.

JACOBY · 05-06-2010, 02:42 AM

I use my 50mm 1.7 all the time got a 35mm coming in the mail any day now. They manual focus buts thats what I'm use to Great Site

02-16-2010, 12:30 AM	#32
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	Originally posted by tokyoso there's always the nikon 35mm f1.8 af-s.... for $180. I'm looking at a few SMC Takumar 135 / 3.5 here locally. I see you have it. is that a lens you would recommend? Yeah but that's pretty much the one and only AF-S that's cheap. Although luckily 35mm is probably the one that you should have if you can only have one. As for SMC Tak 135, sometimes it can be nice or really bad (PF and misfocus; this lens have some extreme focus throw...). The problem with this lens is its focal length, many people (me included) find it pretty hard to use. I recommend the 2.5 version or the Bokeh Monster (Pentacon 135) more, but the 135/3.5 is the cheapest of the three. I'll post some shots in the tak thread just so we dont derail this thread further Last edited by Andi Lo; 02-16-2010 at 12:40 AM.

05-03-2010, 11:56 PM - 1 Like	#35
yuwlyuwl New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Seattle WA, USA Posts: 23 Original Poster	85mm f/1.8 Autofocus Lens for less than $400? Canon \| 85mm f/1.8 USM Autofocus Lens \| 2519A003 \| B&H Photo Canon Telephoto EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Autofocus Lens for only $380 brand new, from B&H. This is (part of) what makes me regret the choice of K-x I still am satisfied the the kit-lens performance, but I knew I wanted a autofocus portrait lens when I decided to buy a DSLR. Well, if YOU going in the position of considering the DSLR plus some cheap yet solid prime lens, you shouldn't consider just the price of the camera+kit lens alone - don't make the same mistake I did.

05-06-2010, 02:42 AM	#39
JACOBY Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: PGH PENNA Posts: 340	50mm I use my 50mm 1.7 all the time got a 35mm coming in the mail any day now. They manual focus buts thats what I'm use to Great Site

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02-14-2010, 07:12 PM	#31
fractal Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,547	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I don't think the 43 limited falls into the category of cheap Julia. From the comparison tests i've seen done, the FA50/1.7 appears sharper wide open than the FA50/1.4.

02-17-2010, 01:29 AM	#33
yuwlyuwl New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Seattle WA, USA Posts: 23 Original Poster	Thank you all for the reply. I have reservation for some of the "quality" talks but I'll reserve that for other times. For now, I'm debating if I should get the 50-135 F/2.8 (about $800) or just a ~$350 prime (40mm f/2.8 or 50mm f/1.4, not sure which one), and get (maybe) a 200mm prime later. My primary goal is to shoot for the kids (both portraits and in-action), with the need to do general photography too (since I cannot possibly afford every lens I may have a need for, my lenses have to multi-task.) My K-x delivery was attempted today by UPS but I wasn't home I did order it with the 18-50 kit plus 50-300. According to some feedback and samples on this forum about the 50-200mm and 50-300mm, the kit lenses are going to be good for me for a while since I'm newbie to photography/DSLR.

02-17-2010, 04:01 AM	#34
summonbaka Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kagoshima, Japan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 237	Originally posted by yuwlyuwl Thank you all for the reply. For now, I'm debating if I should get the 50-135 F/2.8 (about $800) or just a ~$350 prime (40mm f/2.8 or 50mm f/1.4, not sure which one), and get (maybe) a 200mm prime later. My primary goal is to shoot for the kids (both portraits and in-action), with the need to do general photography too (since I cannot possibly afford every lens I may have a need for, my lenses have to multi-task.) I recommend trying the lenses first, you have got there a great range for you to know what do you shoot the most. If you find that you use more the 18-55 (in the wide half) but sometimes want a little more reach, you could also consider something like a 17-70 f/4. If you shoot more in one specific focal lenght (35mm or 50mm for example) then by all means consider the prime. The 50-135 is a nice lens but it could make the 50-300 redundant, but if you need a faster lens in that range that could be the one you want. As i've read here, there are plenty of places were you can rent lenses. Rent the one you want for some days and see if it is what you want.

05-04-2010, 12:22 AM	#36
bayareahdv Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: California Photos: Albums Posts: 55	Pentax SMC Pentax-F 50mm F/1.7 AF Lens - eBay (item 350347024309 end time May-27-10 13:27:19 PDT) http://cgi.ebay.com/SMC-PENTAX-F-50MM-F1-7-SUPER-RARE-PRIME-LENS-/3004239777...item45f2aa1b1f $230-50 you just have to get one used i found a fa 50mm macro for 150

05-04-2010, 08:09 PM	#37
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by yuwlyuwl Canon Telephoto EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Autofocus Lens for only $380 brand new, from B&H. DA70 is not much more than that - prodigital2000 regularly sells it for $400 and change. Quote: Well, if YOU going in the position of considering the DSLR plus some cheap yet solid prime lens, you shouldn't consider just the price of the camera+kit lens alone True, but unless you go with Sony, it's all going to average out in the end. A couple of Pentax lenses are more expensive than the others, but the reverse is just as true.

05-06-2010, 01:42 AM	#38
yoshizuki Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 74	i use the da 40 for almost everything. Very fast auto focus, very compact. Autofocus at wide aperatures like f1.4, especially in low light, is not very good. I just use a takumar 1.4 for those situations. Shooting with live view zoom is a plus.