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Additions to my range of primes

Posted 26/03/2012 - 19:09 Link
I have an opportunity to purchase a couple of lenses (Limiteds - Yey!) and I was wondering if they would be a good compliment to my current primes.
the combo would be a good group for travelling especially, but one I was wondering if it is too close to what I have.

So, What I currently have are:-
DA 35mm F2.4 AL
FA 50mm F1.4
K 55mm F1.8

What are reserved for me are:-
DA 21mm F3.2 Limited
DA 40mm F2.8 Limited.

So, it would be a selection of 21, 35, 40, 50 and 55 in the bag.
Is it worth getting the 40mm as well? Is it too close to either the 35 and 50? Is it really that good to stand on its own merits?
TBH, the price is a bargain, and it is in excellent condition, in fact both Limiteds are.
What would you do? Get both and have done with it, or just get the 21mm?

Ultimately I want the 70mm too, but you don't find many of those around secondhand, and might have to save up to get new.
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JohnX
Posted 26/03/2012 - 19:15 Link
Buy first, think later!

Try them.

Sell on what you don't decide to keep.
Frogfish
Posted 26/03/2012 - 19:33 Link
If they are a bargain then you have little (if anything) to lose as you can always sell them on.

For me I'd keep 21 / 40 / 50 and sell the other two. Plenty of room there later for the 15 (sell 21) / a 28-31 / 70
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Posted 26/03/2012 - 19:39 Link
Sell the 35 and 55? Never! LOL
I love the 35 and the 55 is perfect on my MZ-5n film SLR.

I think you guys are right, buy both, and enjoy them in Tallinn in May. Anyway, they are such tiny lenses, it means I can leave the 16-45 at home..........
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Frogfish
Posted 26/03/2012 - 19:41 Link
Offertonhatter wrote:
Sell the 35 and 55? Never! LOL

LBA is a harsh mistress
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Posted 26/03/2012 - 19:43 Link
Frogfish wrote:
Offertonhatter wrote:
Sell the 35 and 55? Never! LOL

LBA is a harsh mistress

Tell me.........
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johnha
Posted 27/03/2012 - 00:37 Link
40mm is an excellent focal length (for film), but as an equivelent 60mm on APS-C I'm not sure? I have the M 40mm pancake and it was perfect for my Super-A, but would I want a 60mm equivelent?

The 21mm would be my choice (unless you fancy the 15)!
JAK
Posted 27/03/2012 - 01:01 Link
If the 40mm is that good a price, buy it and try it and then decide.
It is close to the 35mm and 50mm though so maybe not worth it if you might loose value on it.

I always preferred the 40mm on the ME to the 50mm.

John
John K
Posted 27/03/2012 - 13:30 Link
Well I am now the proud owner of both. Looks like I am going out this evening to have a play with them.

Thanks for your advises all.
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smc
Posted 30/03/2012 - 18:40 Link
The DA 40mm works on film. I use mine on an MZ6 - lovely results, colours pop and rendering is very 3D when shot wide open.
Posted 31/03/2012 - 16:31 Link
I think you guys are right, buy both, and enjoy them in Tallinn in May.Comment Image
chaude
Posted 01/04/2012 - 14:05 Link
I'm a fairly minimalistic traveller/backpacker and have opted for a 3 prime set up that I've just managed to complete this year.

I've got the 14mm 31mm and 70mm. As I don't really do any teles I never felt the need to go above anything more than 80-100mm and below that I can always use my feet to zoom in

UWAs like the 14mm are great when travelling to cities, they offer a much better prospective at times and are also extremely versatile, the 15mm has the edge when it comes to size but the f2.8 on the 14mm makes it a whole lot more useable indoors.

Personally if you were to purchase the 21mm and 40mm I'll get rid of the 35mm as it seems far too close to each other, and if you can do without it selling the 50mm will also raise funds for you to purchase the 70mm or a UWA. I'm probably in no position to speak though as I'm not the best photographer around by any means, but that's simply coming from a budget and minimalist's point of view.

but hey well, you've bought them so enjoy!
DaveHolmes
Posted 01/04/2012 - 17:20 Link
If you shoot both 35mm-film and digital then buy both and keep all!!

I just picked up a Pentax-M 50mm 1.4 to pair up with my Pentax-MG

I have the FA50-1.4 and FA28-2.8 which switch between my K-x and MZ-7 (I'd eventually like the FA28 to be paired with the MZ-7 and get FA's 20,35 & 100macro to go with the 50 as my digital 4-lens kit!)

M40-2.8 on an MESuper and (if the new battery fixes the meter) a 55mm-1.8 Tak on a Honeywell-Spotmatic
........................................................................
Digital:
Pentax K5- Vivitar 19mm 3.8; FA35mm f2; D-Xenon 100mm macro f2.8; DA50-200mm WR...
Flash:
Yongnuo YN-560; Vivitar 285HV; Cactus V4 triggers...
Film:
Pentax-MX & M50mm f1.4; Spottie & 55mm f1.8; MG & M40mm 2.8...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/daveholmesphotos/
Posted 02/04/2012 - 19:51 Link
Don't worry Dave, I have and I will.

I have both the 21mm and 40mm now for a week, and I am loving them both. So Sharp! The Limited Legend really is true! I don't know why I did'nt buy some limiteds earlier.

They are so tiny, in fact on another thread I asked about a bag for travel where (I thought) my Lowe sling 202 would not be enough. Well, currently in the sling is the 21mm, 35mm, 50mm 40mm, 105mm macro and 50-135mm. Oh and yes still plenty of room for my Pano LX-5 too. The tiny lenses are stacked, yet still very easy to get at. With a bit of re-arranging, I will be able to got my MZ-5n and 55mm in too.

So you you could say I am a very happy chappy.....
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rparmar
Posted 03/04/2012 - 01:43 Link
Cherguevara wrote:
I think you guys are right, buy both, and enjoy them in Tallinn in May.

Get the pig's knuckles and sauerkraut with beer from the local brewery (forget the name).
Listen to my albums free on BandCamp. Or visit my main website for links to photography, etc.

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