[Richdog]

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Hi guys, I currently have the following lenses:

*The standard K10D kit 18-55mm lens.
*Tamron 90mm 1:1 macro.
*An old Pentax 28mm-80mm.
*An old 70mm-210mm.

I consider the kit lens and the Tamron as leagues ahead in quality compared to the older lenses form my dads SLR days and am looking to get a couple more, the highest quality ones I can get for the money.

Just wondering what you guys consider the essential high-quality lenses that everyone needs to own for their K10D!

[Leya216]

DA 14mm
DA 21mm
FA 43mm
DA 70mm
DA 50-200mm

[KennJ]

To a point I think it depends on what you shoot as far as order of importance.
I find a short wide macro @16,18 or 21mm , a medium zoom say 25-70mm and a long zoom w/macro of 70-300mm works pretty well in most instances. Add on a tele-extender of 1.4 and you can handle most anything that comes your way.
Not that the desire for better lenses won't always be there mind you.Not to even mention the new line that will be out soon.

[davemdsn]

Actually, my Dad has the 18-55 and I have the 16-45. The 16-45 is noticeably better.

I have the FA 100mm f2.8 macro and would hold it up against any other macro in it's mm range with high confidence. It was a bit on the expensive side when new, but worth it. I do have high regard for the Tamron as well.

Most people here would recommend the FA 50mm f1.4, and I would completely agree. A must have in any Pentax collection. One of my most used lenses.

I have the DA 50-200, which is quite sharp, but quite slow. I don't use it that much because I don't need longer tele very often. I got it for those few occasions when I do.

One of my most used lenses is the Tamron 28-75 f2.8. I would like a bit more wide angle, but the overall range is great for a lot of what I do and it is sharp and fast.

My favorite lens is the FA* 85mm f1.4. Incredible! Not a must have for everyone because it is not very versatile, being too long for a a walk around lens. Great if you shoot a lot of people, as I do.

[Cideway]

1. Sigma 10-20
2. Pentax DA 16-45 (DA* 16-50)
3. Pentax DA 50-200 (DA* 50-135)
4. Pentax FA 50 f1.4
5. Pentax DA* 200 f2.8

[FotoPete]

Hahah If you are insane and have loads of CASH!

DA 12-24/4
FA*28-70/2.8
FA*80-200/2.8
FA*300/2.8
...DA40 just for kicks

If I had a K10D...somehow..but still keeping in line with my typical budget

Vivitar S1 28-90/2.8-3.5
Vivitar S1 70-210/3.5 Kiron made...(or the Komine one)

SMC-A 50/1.4
Ric-XR 135/2.8
RMCII 200/3.5
SMC-K 300/4 (the fastest 300mm I can afford haha..not right now anyhow.)


Currently I'm broke cuz I just ordered one of those focusing screens from China haha. Its 14GBP or something so thats $31CAN plus 5GBP shipping so $10-11 shipping.

I can understand if HK still uses Pounds to conduct business but China...man... Anyhow, its a heck of a lot cheaper than the KatzEye, but $41 for me is a lot already. I'll report back once I receive it if its good or not haha.

[volosong]

If I were only allowed to own five lenses, and only five, they would be:

1.) FA50/1.4
2.) DA16-45/4
3.) Tokina AT-X 28-80/2.8
4.) Sigma EX 70-200/2.8
5.) Tamron 90/2.8 macro

Tough choices. Not counted as a "lens" would be extension tubes or teleconverters. The only lens on this list I don't own is the DA16-45/4, and probably won't purchase one. That new 2.8 DA* looks nice to me. In the meantime, I have the kit lens.

[Tyler]

I would say the

-DA 10-17 Fisheye
-DA 21mm
-DA* 16-50
-DA* 50-135
-the DA 300mm f2.8 when it comes out

and then maybe a 1.4x teleconverter for the 300 for that extra reach. If only I could actually afford all those lenses (im only 15 :P)

[blende8]

As a documentary photographer I think the following are essential:

The working horses, kit lenses:
Either 2.8/16-50 and 50-135
or 2.8/28-70 and 70-200
or 2.8/17-70 or something like that.

Add to that an 1.4/50.

Everything else is not essentially necessary.

I have found myself in love with the DA10-17 recently. I use it much more than I have expected. It is in my 'wedding kit' now. Really very useful, not just for fun shots.

I also have a DFA 100 Macro for, well, macros. Also useful for portraits.

If you need something longer like 200 or 300mm ist up to you. For docu 200 is normally enough.

If you would limit yourself to only one lens, I think for me it would be the 2.8/28-70. Currently I have the Tokina 2.6-2.8, which is excellent.

[John P]

Hahah If you are insane and have loads of CASH!

DA 12-24/4
FA*28-70/2.8
FA*80-200/2.8
FA*300/2.8
...DA40 just for kicks

If I had a K10D...somehow..but still keeping in line with my typical budget

Vivitar S1 28-90/2.8-3.5
Vivitar S1 70-210/3.5 Kiron made...(or the Komine one)

SMC-A 50/1.4
Ric-XR 135/2.8
RMCII 200/3.5
SMC-K 300/4 (the fastest 300mm I can afford haha..not right now anyhow.)


Currently I'm broke cuz I just ordered one of those focusing screens from China haha. Its 14GBP or something so thats $31CAN plus 5GBP shipping so $10-11 shipping.

I can understand if HK still uses Pounds to conduct business but China...man... Anyhow, its a heck of a lot cheaper than the KatzEye, but $41 for me is a lot already. I'll report back once I receive it if its good or not haha.

From what store did you order the focusing screen?

[Flaco]

Great thread. I don't have the K10, but have the K100D. My choices would be the following

Pentax 50mm 1.4
Tamron 28-75mm 2.8
Pentax 10-17mm or Sigma 10-20
Sigma 70-200mm 2.8
Tamron 90mm macro

You can see the ones I have now in my sig

[option]

Current:
DA 10-17
DA 18-55
DA 50-200
M 50 1.7

Ideal:
DA 10-17
DA* 16-50
DA* 50-135
FA 31 Ltd (or maybe the DA* 35 if it ends up being fast)
DA* 200

and a 1.4 TC

maaaybe if I was doing more wildlife stuff, Id swap the 50-135 for the 60-250 and the 200 for the 300...

Weather sealing is very important to me.

[blende8]

Ideal:
DA 10-17
DA* 16-50
DA* 50-135
FA 31 Ltd (or maybe the DA* 35 if it ends up being fast)
DA* 200

and a 1.4 TC

Exactly.
Although I would perhaps replace the DA* 55 for the FA31. Depends ...

[Kendall015]

I totally agree about the Tamron 90mm Macro. I "borrowed" my mom's mid-eighties version (adaptall P/KA mount), and it is easily my favorite lens despite not having autofocus. I'm sure the new versions with autofocus are quite amazing as well, and I bet they don't weigh a ton like the old ones do.

I would also recommend the Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4. It is great for portraits, though you have to stand back a bit.

[FotoPete]

From what store did you order the focusing screen?

eBay Seller: cowy07: Lenses Filters, Film Cameras items on eBay.com

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