Manual lens as default for your DSLR

Ira · 08-05-2010, 04:37 AM

Originally posted by jboyde

I respect it!!!

That shot really does have a beautiful look to it.

Ira · 08-05-2010, 04:39 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

My copy cost me US$66.66;

Knowing your buying history, were you drunk at the time?

Recercare · 08-05-2010, 04:52 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Banitess

Hi all, I know its the age of digital and auto focus but does anyone here still use a good, old-fashioned manual lens as default on his/her DSLR? If yes, which one and why? Thanks!

I shoot manual 100% of the time.
I think I understand what you mean by "default" lens. It's a lens that is very versatile, meaning you can use it indoors and outdoors, a lens that works well for different kinds of photography (nature, urban, family snaps, everyday use, industrial etc.)

I think you should be looking at something in the 24-35mm range. It's wide enough for indoor use and street photography, and at the same time long enough for half or whole body portraits. It will also work fine for landscapes. I can recommend the following lenses:

1: Approx $100-200 USD: K35mm F3.5, K28mm F3.5, K(or A)24mm F2.8. The first two are extraordinary lenses. The last one is nice.
2. Approx $200-300 USD: K30mm F2.8, K35mm F2. The first one is magnificent. The last one is nice.
3. Approx $300-500 USD: M28mm F2, K28mm F2. Both are very good.

Kind regards
lars

uccemebug · 08-05-2010, 04:53 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Banitess

Hi all, I know its the age of digital and auto focus but does anyone here still use a good, old-fashioned manual lens as default on his/her DSLR? If yes, which one and why? Thanks!

I use my manual focus lenses almost exclusively (with a Katseye) on an old *istDS.

**Aristophanes** · 08-05-2010, 05:10 AM

AF when anything in the frame is moving. MF when nothing is.

Banitess · 08-05-2010, 08:36 PM

Excellent responses!!

Thanks for the recommendations. It seems the 50mm and Takumars are quite a favorite. FYI I recently got a Pentax 50mm, 1.7 and it hasn't left my K200D yet.

Stover and Jboyde, great photos!

Thanks and again.

Dawise1 · 08-05-2010, 08:57 PM

Default lenses, either Pentax-A 50mm 1.4 or Pentax-A 28mm 2.8. Love using old glass!

**bkpix** · 08-05-2010, 09:17 PM - **1 Like**

While I sometimes shoot with any of an assortment of manual lenses on my K-7 and especially my K20D (which I fitted with a Katzeye screen for the purpose), the digital bodies just seem best suited to autofocus photography. Even the Katzeye doesn't make manual focus especially easy or certain.

The old lenses are fun, I agree, but to get the job done I tend to use the new ones.

hangu · 08-05-2010, 10:06 PM - **1 Like**

I use a few Angenieux 35mm, 28mm, Takumar 85mm, 50mm, Vivitar S1 90mm, A35-105mm, Voigtlander 40mm and some more. No AF for me.

RioRico · 08-06-2010, 05:55 AM

Originally posted by Ira

Originally posted by RioRico:

My copy cost me US$66.66;

Knowing your buying history, were you drunk at the time?

Only on the thrill of the hunt. And maybe a little Listerine.

stevewig · 08-06-2010, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

..........

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

........

Rio, how do you use the Nikkor 85/2? Is this a non-AI lens that can be "force-fit"?

**Canada_Rockies** · 08-06-2010, 04:15 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Banitess

Hi all, I know its the age of digital and auto focus but does anyone here still use a good, old-fashioned manual lens as default on his/her DSLR? If yes, which one and why? Thanks!

Two of my most used lenses are the M 400/5.6 and the M 100/4 macro. I also manually focus my other three commonly used lenses (the DAs) a fair bit of the time. If the SDM fails on any one of the three DA lenses, I will keep them and manually focus them. The important part to me is the glass.

RioRico · 08-07-2010, 12:21 AM

Originally posted by stevewig

Rio, how do you use the Nikkor 85/2? Is this a non-AI lens that can be "force-fit"?

At first I force-fit it. Then I decided to mod it. I should have started with something more prosaic, y'know like for practice, but it luckily survived my clutziness. As it was, the mod was simple. The lower edge of the aperture ring has a couple protrusions: an arc and a nub. Process: cut them off. Tools needed: Dremel with metal-cutting disk, cheap jeweler's screwdrivers. Machine shop: wood railing on back porch. Steps involved:

* Unscrew mount, remove aperture ring.
* Position aperture ring for cutting.
* Remove protrusions, so ring bottom is smooth.
* Sand off any burrs, blow dust away, and re-assemble.

Mine had a couple of aperture-link flags sticking down, which I also removed, probably needlessly. The aperture now has no detents, but big deal. It makes a snug fit on my K20D and, as it (safely) shorts the mount pins, I use it with Catch-In-Focus.

I did the same with a Tokina RMC 35-135 with similar base, and I may repeat the process with an Albinar (Tokina) 70-210. On a couple other lenses, the 'protrusions' are a ring all around the circumference of the base, not worth trying to slice away, so I just force-fit those. Haven't lost one yet!

68deluxe · 08-07-2010, 03:35 AM - **1 Like**

Had my K-x for 8 months or so now, just put a Pentax A 50mm 1.7 on it, it's not coming off until I need more reach.

edit: regardless of how crap I am at focusing manually!

Clicker · 08-07-2010, 05:31 AM

No, i stick to the AF because i've been having sight problems and other than hyper-focusing...AF is my best option.

08-06-2010, 08:14 AM	#41
stevewig Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 773	Originally posted by RioRico .......... 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 ........ Rio, how do you use the Nikkor 85/2? Is this a non-AI lens that can be "force-fit"?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Any caution on using a old manual lenses on DSLR???	gut1kor	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	9	07-15-2010 10:44 AM
How do you know when a pentax dslr is in focus with a manual lens?	justtakingpics	Pentax DSLR Discussion	19	05-22-2010 04:06 AM
Can I use old manual lenses on new K-m DSLR?	falamslam	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	3	12-15-2009 04:22 PM
DOF in Using a Manual Focus Lens on a DSLR	zx-m	Pentax DSLR Discussion	42	11-25-2009 12:51 AM
Manual focus on DSLR	leaton	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	11-14-2006 12:22 PM

08-05-2010, 04:37 AM	#31
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by jboyde I respect it!!! That shot really does have a beautiful look to it.

08-05-2010, 04:39 AM	#32
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by RioRico My copy cost me US$66.66; Knowing your buying history, were you drunk at the time?

08-05-2010, 04:52 AM - 1 Like	#33
Recercare Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sweden Posts: 359	Originally posted by Banitess Hi all, I know its the age of digital and auto focus but does anyone here still use a good, old-fashioned manual lens as default on his/her DSLR? If yes, which one and why? Thanks! I shoot manual 100% of the time. I think I understand what you mean by "default" lens. It's a lens that is very versatile, meaning you can use it indoors and outdoors, a lens that works well for different kinds of photography (nature, urban, family snaps, everyday use, industrial etc.) I think you should be looking at something in the 24-35mm range. It's wide enough for indoor use and street photography, and at the same time long enough for half or whole body portraits. It will also work fine for landscapes. I can recommend the following lenses: 1: Approx $100-200 USD: K35mm F3.5, K28mm F3.5, K(or A)24mm F2.8. The first two are extraordinary lenses. The last one is nice. 2. Approx $200-300 USD: K30mm F2.8, K35mm F2. The first one is magnificent. The last one is nice. 3. Approx $300-500 USD: M28mm F2, K28mm F2. Both are very good. Kind regards lars

08-05-2010, 04:53 AM - 1 Like	#34
uccemebug Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 962	Originally posted by Banitess Hi all, I know its the age of digital and auto focus but does anyone here still use a good, old-fashioned manual lens as default on his/her DSLR? If yes, which one and why? Thanks! I use my manual focus lenses almost exclusively (with a Katseye) on an old *istDS.

08-05-2010, 05:10 AM	#35
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	AF when anything in the frame is moving. MF when nothing is.

08-05-2010, 08:36 PM	#36
Banitess Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Hong Kong Photos: Gallery Posts: 43 Original Poster	Excellent responses!! Thanks for the recommendations. It seems the 50mm and Takumars are quite a favorite. FYI I recently got a Pentax 50mm, 1.7 and it hasn't left my K200D yet. Stover and Jboyde, great photos! Thanks and again.

08-05-2010, 08:57 PM	#37
Dawise1 New Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sydney Posts: 3	Default lenses, either Pentax-A 50mm 1.4 or Pentax-A 28mm 2.8. Love using old glass!

08-05-2010, 09:17 PM - 1 Like	#38
bkpix Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Creswell, Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 568	While I sometimes shoot with any of an assortment of manual lenses on my K-7 and especially my K20D (which I fitted with a Katzeye screen for the purpose), the digital bodies just seem best suited to autofocus photography. Even the Katzeye doesn't make manual focus especially easy or certain. The old lenses are fun, I agree, but to get the job done I tend to use the new ones.

08-05-2010, 10:06 PM - 1 Like	#39
hangu Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NYC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,071	I use a few Angenieux 35mm, 28mm, Takumar 85mm, 50mm, Vivitar S1 90mm, A35-105mm, Voigtlander 40mm and some more. No AF for me.

08-06-2010, 05:55 AM	#40
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Ira Originally posted by RioRico: My copy cost me US$66.66; Knowing your buying history, were you drunk at the time? Only on the thrill of the hunt. And maybe a little Listerine.

08-06-2010, 04:15 PM - 1 Like	#42
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Banitess Hi all, I know its the age of digital and auto focus but does anyone here still use a good, old-fashioned manual lens as default on his/her DSLR? If yes, which one and why? Thanks! Two of my most used lenses are the M 400/5.6 and the M 100/4 macro. I also manually focus my other three commonly used lenses (the DAs) a fair bit of the time. If the SDM fails on any one of the three DA lenses, I will keep them and manually focus them. The important part to me is the glass.

08-07-2010, 12:21 AM	#43
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by stevewig Rio, how do you use the Nikkor 85/2? Is this a non-AI lens that can be "force-fit"? At first I force-fit it. Then I decided to mod it. I should have started with something more prosaic, y'know like for practice, but it luckily survived my clutziness. As it was, the mod was simple. The lower edge of the aperture ring has a couple protrusions: an arc and a nub. Process: cut them off. Tools needed: Dremel with metal-cutting disk, cheap jeweler's screwdrivers. Machine shop: wood railing on back porch. Steps involved: * Unscrew mount, remove aperture ring. * Position aperture ring for cutting. * Remove protrusions, so ring bottom is smooth. * Sand off any burrs, blow dust away, and re-assemble. Mine had a couple of aperture-link flags sticking down, which I also removed, probably needlessly. The aperture now has no detents, but big deal. It makes a snug fit on my K20D and, as it (safely) shorts the mount pins, I use it with Catch-In-Focus. I did the same with a Tokina RMC 35-135 with similar base, and I may repeat the process with an Albinar (Tokina) 70-210. On a couple other lenses, the 'protrusions' are a ring all around the circumference of the base, not worth trying to slice away, so I just force-fit those. Haven't lost one yet!

08-07-2010, 03:35 AM - 1 Like	#44
68deluxe Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Australia/Africa Posts: 52	Had my K-x for 8 months or so now, just put a Pentax A 50mm 1.7 on it, it's not coming off until I need more reach. edit: regardless of how crap I am at focusing manually!

08-07-2010, 05:31 AM	#45
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	No, i stick to the AF because i've been having sight problems and other than hyper-focusing...AF is my best option.