[Ira]

I'd say my default lens is the Super-Multi-Coated Macro Takumar 50mm f4, by the way (incredible lens).

Next one on my to-buy list!!!

[Marc Sabatella]

I don't have a "default" lens - I change them according to the situation. But for many situations where I do't have a specific need in mind, I do tend to use an old M28/2.8 as my main lens. And for concert photography, my main lenses are my M135/3.5 and M100/2.8. Because concert photography is such a big part of what I do, that 135 ends up being one of my most used lenses - always in the top 3 among the dozen or so lenses I own.

[Ira]

I don't have a "default" lens - I change them according to the situation. But for many situations where I do't have a specific need in mind, I do tend to use an old M28/2.8 as my main lens. And for concert photography, my main lenses are my M135/3.5 and M100/2.8. Because concert photography is such a big part of what I do, that 135 ends up being one of my most used lenses - always in the top 3 among the dozen or so lenses I own.

I would have thought that it would be longer than 135 for that stuff.

[Marc Sabatella]

No, 135 is generally about as long as I use, and really, I like 100 better. I'm usually shooting from right in front of the stage, and on relatively small stages (100-seat clubs, not 10,000-seat auditoriums). If you're mostly shooting much larger venues, then indeed you might need longer lenses to get similar closeups of performers.

[stover98074]

I own one autofocus lens, a Canon 85 1.8 that is used if I am shooting a moving subject and I cannot miss the shot. I shoot for fun, so I rarely need to get the shot so to speak. Almost 100% of the time a manual focus lens is used for my photographs.

I own several manual focus lenses and the portfolio changes over time. It is relatively easy to collect and sell them. I never really thought about collecting as part of the experience until writing this post, but I guess with the cost of the older lenses, one can indulge in collecting and that is part of the enjoyment. I share the sentiments that by using manual focus lenses you will learn. You have to control aperture and focus by hand. I quickly started to control shutter speed by hand and now shoot mostly in pure manual mode. I have also learned about shooting with different focal lengths. I am not sure if I would have gained this experience as quickly if I stayed with an autofocus lens. The camera’s lcd makes it relatively easy to chimp to get the desired exposure.

I have owned several M42 Super Takumar and M42 SMC Takumar lenses and they are wonderful. Outstanding build, very good optics and very easy to focus when compared to manual focusing with a modern autofocus lens. Currently I use a SMC 35 3.5, SMC 200 4 and my favorite is a M42 Asahi Pentax Autobellows paired with a range of enlarging lenses (Nikon, Schneider, Fujinon, Minolta). Most of my recent photography has been macro using the Autobellows. My signature has a link to an article on using enlarging lenses for macro in case there is an interest.

I have a Vivitar 28 2.0 in a Olympus mount and M42 17 3.5 Tokina that is a blast to use. I also have a pair of Zeiss lenses in a C/Y mount. A 50 1.4 and a 135 2.8. While I truly enjoy the Zeiss lenses I could easily part with the 135 2.8 and go with a Takumar 135 3.5 and plow the savings into the bank or another lens.

The manual focus lenses I use have no automation, so you have to stop down the aperture and of course focus by hand. They have good image quality in my opinion and outstanding build. When I capture an image with one I get a lot of satisfaction.

The wild Cooper’s Hawk was taken in early July in a residential yard with the Zeiss 135 2.8.

[Kerrowdown]

I use old manual all the time, cos they just do what I need 'em to do. See my sig

As for which one, depends on what I'm about, usually start off 50mm on one body and 85mm on the other.

[taiweitai]

I have a Vivitar 55mm 2.8 macro on mine k-x almost full time

[stevebrot]

A FA 35/2 is on the camera most of the time, but the majority of my serious work is done using manual focus, regardless of the lens mounted. I guess I just prefer to manage the focusing myself.


Steve

[RioRico]

I have a zillion or so lenses. About 80 of them mount on my K20D without undue assistance (bellows, reversal rings, etc). Exactly six (6) of those are AF. The DA18-250 is still my default in dynamic situations. The rest of the time, it's usually one of these:

Zenitar 16/2.8 -- Tokina 21/3.8 -- Sigma-Z 24/2.8 -- M28/3.8 -- Isco 35/2.8 -- S-Tak 35/3.5 -- Meyer 50/1.8 -- Macro-Tak 50M/4 -- Helios-44 58/2 -- Nikkor 85/2 -- Vivitar 90M/2.8 -- K135/2.5 -- Tele-Tak 200/5.6

Or any of the 60 other manual lenses. Different days, different defaults. Some days it's a LF or MF or enlarger lens on bellows. Some days, when I feel strong, it's the Vivitar Series 1 Version 1 70-210/3.5. Some days it's the weird Schneider Betavaron enlarger zoom (on 30mm extension). Some days it's an Industar-58U 75/3.5 fixed-focus. Ya just never can tell.

[Banitess]

Thanks all for your replies. Quite busy at the moment but I'll be going through this thread line-by-line later

[marcdsgn]

I use AF only when I can control the environment and be confident the focal point isn't going to move too much, otherwise it's just annoying. Case in point:

Last weekend was spent with extended family. I whipped out the K10D to catch a few quick shots of my kids playing around on go-carts. I made the crucial mistake of leaving the lens on AF mode and consequently lost some brilliant moments while my lens jumped back and forward trying to focus on my moving subjects. Later, I put it back to manual, pulled up the ISO and decreased the aperture to extend DOF. Got some nice action shots that way instead.

[epqwerty]

I personally don't think I have a default lens. I'd want to believe I use accordingly but I do find myself using my 50mm f1.4 alot or it seems to be the only on my camera the most. It's an m series version so manual focus and all. I think manual focus has a lot to do with how you brought up with camera usage. Like the younger crowd that has had af in their cameras tend to dislike manual focus lenses. Because hey are use to the luxury of it. While old shooters who have used manual lenses enjoy the feel of it

[jboyde]

My 40-80mm M lens is my go-to when I want the best of both worlds. Short-range zoom with great "near" prime IQ. And it goes macro at closer distances than any of my more modern lenses.

Aside from macro I like shooting wide open anyway so at least I can use Av.

[RioRico]

My 40-80mm M lens is my go-to when I want the best of both worlds. Short-range zoom with great "near" prime IQ.

You must have a superior copy, because the M40-80/2.8-4 gets no respect. My copy cost me US$66.66; it and the cruddy A35-80/4-5.6 (US$9) are the only Pentax lenses I want to sell. And my standards ain't that high. Maybe I need to take it for a walk again, see if I'm doing something wrong. For short-ish manual zooms, I'm a bit happier with a Zykkor 28-80/3.5-4.5 (US$17), and much much happier with a Nikon-mount Tokina RMC 35-135/3.5-4.5 (US$9).

[jboyde]

You must have a superior copy, because the M40-80/2.8-4 gets no respect. I have it; it and the cruddy A35-80/4-5.6 are the only Pentax lenses I want to sell. And my standards ain't that high. Maybe I need to take it for a walk again, see if I'm doing something wrong.

I respect it!!!