[WPRESTO]

Zoom or prime? For zoom, the 28~105mm is smaller/lighter, longer range, and less expensive than the 24~70mm. For a prime, a used FA 50mm f1.7 is the great bargain, and any version of the 40mm f2.8 will provide the smallest & lightest combo possible. Both of these primes, from f4 certainly, will deliver IQ about as good as it gets.

---------- Post added 03-07-18 at 07:17 AM ----------

Never have to ask this question, because I only have very sharp lenses, and this is how I sharpen my lenses.

That procedure will sharpen the lenses? And here I thought I was only removing water spots

[Zivelot]

My two most used lenses are the 43mm limited and F 28mm 2.8 on my K-1. Both keep the camera compact and they are terrific lenses. If you need zoom just go with the 28-105mm. I have not got one but everyone says it is a very good zoom from Pentax to pair your K-1 with.

[monochrome]

Interesting responses. Mike Johnston suggested carrying a prime overlapped by a zoom. And IIRC his example was the FA43 Limited and the D FA 28~105. Or maybe I inhaled. At any rate those are the popular choices and I concur.

[aslyfox]

Never have to ask this question, because I only have very sharp lenses, and this is how I sharpen my lenses.

perhaps if you were using a Pentax as oppose to that type

you wouldn't have to whittle as much to make it sharp

[leekil]

perhaps if you were using a Pentax as oppose to that type

you wouldn't have to whittle as much to make it sharp

Or perhaps a Pent-ax would sharpen the Canon faster using its five blades.

[pacerr]

The Tamron SP AF 28-75/2.8 has served me well on both FF film and APS-C DSLRs for many years. Plays well with the Tamron Pz-AF 1.4x TC or about 35-50mm of extension tubes when a little more reach or near-macro range is desired. Occasionally nice used copies show up in the $250-300 price bracket.

[aslyfox]

perhaps I am wrong but I thought I read that generally speaking lens developed specifically for macro are reputed to be " sharp " overall

can any one confirm that

I know I really like my D FA 100mm f2.8 macro

but I have done no testing on it

and it would be a short [ 3.2 " ] ( pun intended ) telephoto lens


https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DFA-100mm-F2.8-Macro-Lens.html

[clickclick]

perhaps I am wrong but I thought I read that generally speaking lens developed specifically for macro are reputed to be " sharp " overall

I think that is a reasonably safe generalization. The other thing you'll find is that macro lenses tend to have very flat field curvature - believe the goal would be none if possible.

[Gerbermiester]

I'll chime in with my 2 cents, the Da 50mm f/1.8 is an excellent full frame lens despite being listed as aps-c.

Having shot and owned the FA 50mm f/1.4, the F 50mm f/1.7, and the Da 50mm f/1.8, the Da is my favourite. I like it best in terms of oof rendering, contrast, and low aberation levels wide open. The F 50mm f/1.7 is a bit sharper wide open (in my experience) but only very slightly. I don't care for the soap bubble bokeh that the F 50mm f/1.7 can produce in the specular highlights, but that's more so a personal preference than an marker of quality.

So far, I have to agree with all the lenses suggested on this thread.
Here's a sample of the k-1 with the Da 50mm f/1.8 wide open

[lukulele]

F24-50 if you can find one. Manually speaking, many of the A series primes are terrific. The lens reviews are there to help you.

[surfar]

F24-50

Yes, you can find them with the Japenese Ebay sellers(honest,reliable people to deal with)

many of the A series primes are terrific

Yes,M/K series too...but no A feature.

if you can find one

A 35-105 f3.5...the manual version of the DFA 28-105!

---------- Post added 03-17-18 at 02:38 PM ----------

Or maybe I inhaled.

I'm guessing you did something that Bill would never own up to!

[monochrome]

I'm guessing you did something that Bill would never own up to!

I could never run for public office. The oppo research would be too easy. They wouldn’t even need to pay people to make stuff up.