newbie...Please help finding lens for k1000 slr!

Alliecat · 11-04-2017, 11:48 PM

Just have to chime in, YAY for getting a K1000!

Best camera ever made.

I like zooms and do most of my shooting with them; they'll give you some versatility in composition as you learn to use the camera. Mine are all Pentax except for a Tokina wide angle zoom which has been quite satisfactory.
You can find lots of "old" K-mount lenses on eBay, often for great prices. Just make sure the seller has good feedback, and I wouldn't buy anything in less than excellent condition.
Have fun and enjoy your wonderful camera!

LesDMess · 11-05-2017, 09:11 AM

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

I've always seen the M40mm as a bit of a marginal deal, considering you can get the 50/f1.7 for a lot less money, and end up with a lens which is almost as small, faster and with significantly better IQ...

I sure would like to see evidence of that significantly better IQ when you get a chance to post it.

nickthetasmaniac · 11-09-2017, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by LesDMess

I sure would like to see evidence of that significantly better IQ when you get a chance to post it.

I realise this isn't what you're asking for, but it's notable that the M40mm is the lowest rating 'normal' M lens (by some margin), and the M50/f1.7 is the highest...

Pentax M Prime Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Lord Lucan · 11-09-2017, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by Alliecat

Just have to chime in, YAY for getting a K1000!

Best camera ever made.

The K1000 is/was a good solid camera, but to claim it is/was the best ever is a bit rich. For example it is only better than the KM if you think that a self-timer is a disadvantage, because the K1000 was actually a KM with the self-timer (and certain other minor features) removed to save cost. Neither was as good as the contemporary KX or K2 (all were built to the same solid standard) .. but never mind that. Also, beware, the later K1000s were inferior to the earlier ones, with some metal parts replaced by plastic as Pentax aimed it even further down-market, trading by then on the K1000's rather over-stated reputation.

LesDMess · 11-09-2017, 07:35 PM

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

I realise this isn't what you're asking for,...

Too bad as I was so looking forward to seeing evidence of significantly better IQ . . .

**gofour3** · 11-10-2017, 09:38 AM

The poor M40/2.8 does not get a lot of love, but I have produced many very nice shots with it. I use it quite a lot when travelling, as it weights almost nothing. All those old MF Pentax standard/normal lenses are optically good, you just need to get the one that handles best for you. Some many find the M40/2.8 too small, which it is, but you can use aperture priority or hyperfocal focusing to reduce your interaction with the lens.

Phil.

LesDMess · 11-11-2017, 08:26 AM

Originally posted by gofour3

The poor M40/2.8 does not get a lot of love, but I have produced many very nice shots with it. I use it quite a lot when travelling, as it weights almost nothing. All those old MF Pentax standard/normal lenses are optically good, you just need to get the one that handles best for you. Some many find the M40/2.8 too small, which it is, but you can use aperture priority or hyperfocal focusing to reduce your interaction with the lens.

Phil.

I take the reviews here for what they are - more as user perspectives/opinions, as opposed to technically accurate. Since the gear is now many years older and generally picked up used in who knows what condition, one review may claim a total disaster while another may have an immaculate sample.

It seems to me the M40/2.8 is considered "too expensive" and takes a little getting used to as opposed to being so optically bad unless of course the sample was damaged.

**gofour3** · 11-11-2017, 10:13 AM

Originally posted by LesDMess

It seems to me the M40/2.8 is considered "too expensive" and takes a little getting used to as opposed to being so optically bad unless of course the sample was damaged.

Exactly!

Phil.

LesDMess · 11-11-2017, 11:58 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by gofour3

Exactly!

Phil.

A casual test I did of my 50mm lenses - including the 40mm and a 500mm mirror lens, using my K20D shows no significant optical advantages/disadvantages among the Pentax lenses as they are all limited by the 14.6MP sensor. I would consider the mirror lens to be optically challenged.

Full res version -> Pentax Lenses 01

You can see how limiting the 14.6MP sensor results are when you compare to scanned film.

Full res version -> Pentax SMC Macro 50mm f4 serie

And of course you can see from the optical enlargement in the far right how much more detail was captured on film using this lens that could not be resolved by my 4000dpi Coolscan scanner.

I have tested my Pentax prime lenses on film and I didn't find any that was significantly better or worse when it comes to resolving detail. As I said, I've bought all my manual focus prime lenses from the used market - condition unknown and cheap, so perhaps I've just been really lucky?

**gofour3** · 11-11-2017, 08:11 PM

Originally posted by LesDMess

A casual test I did of my 50mm lenses - including the 40mm and a 500mm mirror lens, using my K20D shows no significant optical advantages/disadvantages among the Pentax lenses as they are all limited by the 14.6MP sensor. I would consider the mirror lens to be optically challenged.

Thanks for posting! I have also found the M40/2.8 to be excellent at f/11, your tests show the same.

Phil.

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11-04-2017, 11:48 PM	#31
Alliecat Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East of Everywhere, Canada Posts: 740	Just have to chime in, YAY for getting a K1000! Best camera ever made. I like zooms and do most of my shooting with them; they'll give you some versatility in composition as you learn to use the camera. Mine are all Pentax except for a Tokina wide angle zoom which has been quite satisfactory. You can find lots of "old" K-mount lenses on eBay, often for great prices. Just make sure the seller has good feedback, and I wouldn't buy anything in less than excellent condition. Have fun and enjoy your wonderful camera!

11-05-2017, 09:11 AM	#32
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac I've always seen the M40mm as a bit of a marginal deal, considering you can get the 50/f1.7 for a lot less money, and end up with a lens which is almost as small, faster and with significantly better IQ... I sure would like to see evidence of that significantly better IQ when you get a chance to post it.

11-09-2017, 04:12 PM	#33
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Originally posted by LesDMess I sure would like to see evidence of that significantly better IQ when you get a chance to post it. I realise this isn't what you're asking for, but it's notable that the M40mm is the lowest rating 'normal' M lens (by some margin), and the M50/f1.7 is the highest... Pentax M Prime Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

11-09-2017, 04:43 PM	#34
Lord Lucan Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: South Wales Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,960	Originally posted by Alliecat Just have to chime in, YAY for getting a K1000! Best camera ever made. The K1000 is/was a good solid camera, but to claim it is/was the best ever is a bit rich. For example it is only better than the KM if you think that a self-timer is a disadvantage, because the K1000 was actually a KM with the self-timer (and certain other minor features) removed to save cost. Neither was as good as the contemporary KX or K2 (all were built to the same solid standard) .. but never mind that. Also, beware, the later K1000s were inferior to the earlier ones, with some metal parts replaced by plastic as Pentax aimed it even further down-market, trading by then on the K1000's rather over-stated reputation.

11-09-2017, 07:35 PM	#35
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac I realise this isn't what you're asking for,... Too bad as I was so looking forward to seeing evidence of significantly better IQ . . .

11-10-2017, 09:38 AM	#36
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,089	The poor M40/2.8 does not get a lot of love, but I have produced many very nice shots with it. I use it quite a lot when travelling, as it weights almost nothing. All those old MF Pentax standard/normal lenses are optically good, you just need to get the one that handles best for you. Some many find the M40/2.8 too small, which it is, but you can use aperture priority or hyperfocal focusing to reduce your interaction with the lens. Phil.

11-11-2017, 08:26 AM	#37
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by gofour3 The poor M40/2.8 does not get a lot of love, but I have produced many very nice shots with it. I use it quite a lot when travelling, as it weights almost nothing. All those old MF Pentax standard/normal lenses are optically good, you just need to get the one that handles best for you. Some many find the M40/2.8 too small, which it is, but you can use aperture priority or hyperfocal focusing to reduce your interaction with the lens. Phil. I take the reviews here for what they are - more as user perspectives/opinions, as opposed to technically accurate. Since the gear is now many years older and generally picked up used in who knows what condition, one review may claim a total disaster while another may have an immaculate sample. It seems to me the M40/2.8 is considered "too expensive" and takes a little getting used to as opposed to being so optically bad unless of course the sample was damaged.

11-11-2017, 10:13 AM	#38
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,089	Originally posted by LesDMess It seems to me the M40/2.8 is considered "too expensive" and takes a little getting used to as opposed to being so optically bad unless of course the sample was damaged. Exactly! Phil.

11-11-2017, 11:58 AM - 2 Likes	#39
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by gofour3 Exactly! Phil. A casual test I did of my 50mm lenses - including the 40mm and a 500mm mirror lens, using my K20D shows no significant optical advantages/disadvantages among the Pentax lenses as they are all limited by the 14.6MP sensor. I would consider the mirror lens to be optically challenged. Full res version -> Pentax Lenses 01 You can see how limiting the 14.6MP sensor results are when you compare to scanned film. Full res version -> Pentax SMC Macro 50mm f4 serie And of course you can see from the optical enlargement in the far right how much more detail was captured on film using this lens that could not be resolved by my 4000dpi Coolscan scanner. I have tested my Pentax prime lenses on film and I didn't find any that was significantly better or worse when it comes to resolving detail. As I said, I've bought all my manual focus prime lenses from the used market - condition unknown and cheap, so perhaps I've just been really lucky?

11-11-2017, 08:11 PM	#40
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,089	Originally posted by LesDMess A casual test I did of my 50mm lenses - including the 40mm and a 500mm mirror lens, using my K20D shows no significant optical advantages/disadvantages among the Pentax lenses as they are all limited by the 14.6MP sensor. I would consider the mirror lens to be optically challenged. Thanks for posting! I have also found the M40/2.8 to be excellent at f/11, your tests show the same. Phil.

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