If you could only have one Limited prime lens (inc. the 20-40).......
Posted 25/08/2018 - 18:48
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I would suggest the FA 31mm Ltd. Something about the rendering, the way it transitions from in-focus to out of focus sets it apart in my opinion. Also a very handy focal length whether you use aps-c or FF
Peter
My Flickr page
My Flickr page
Posted 25/08/2018 - 19:03
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pschlute wrote:
I would suggest the FA 31mm Ltd. Something about the rendering, the way it transitions from in-focus to out of focus sets it apart in my opinion. Also a very handy focal length whether you use aps-c or FF
I would suggest the FA 31mm Ltd. Something about the rendering, the way it transitions from in-focus to out of focus sets it apart in my opinion. Also a very handy focal length whether you use aps-c or FF
Would be nice!! But even used it would be more than I could justify spending. The Ltd primes are just within the threshold. Finding used is not simple where I live and SRS is the only retailer I trust.
WIth kids etc and running around ApsC is already borderline bulky enough without even thinking about FF. For film I am more than sorted with MF lenses, just prefer AF with the digitals.
K5, K200 and several film Pentax cameras!
Posted 25/08/2018 - 20:03
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Looking around maybe the 35mm ltd may be the best all rounder? I once had the 35mm 2,4 once that I sold for no good reason I can remember.
I think a prime with all the potential limitations may well suit me more.
I think a prime with all the potential limitations may well suit me more.
K5, K200 and several film Pentax cameras!
Posted 25/08/2018 - 20:13
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Mike-P wrote:
35mm is the sharpest of the bunch and has the advantage of 1:1 macro.
35mm is the sharpest of the bunch and has the advantage of 1:1 macro.
I`ve had so long with zooms I would like something different! It looks pretty. Just got a few days left to think about it. Is it quick enough with the AF? I am comparing it to the SDM system, and the compromise between being physically small enough to be unobtrusive and able to catch quick moving toddlers? F 2.8 would be easily fast enough.
K5, K200 and several film Pentax cameras!
Posted 25/08/2018 - 23:28
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I chose to start with the 21mm Limited because I wanted a one lens travel kit. This ended up being my K-5 with the SMC 21mm Limited.
I really like the field of view and the sharpness is good.

005 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr
It focuses close enough for general travel photos with decent bokeh wide open.

009 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr
It is great for starbursts.

007 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr
It is tiny and light!
Wish it were weather sealed though...
I really like the field of view and the sharpness is good.

005 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr
It focuses close enough for general travel photos with decent bokeh wide open.

009 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr
It is great for starbursts.

007 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr
It is tiny and light!
Wish it were weather sealed though...
Posted 26/08/2018 - 00:14
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I've only had 2 ltd's
The 15mm and the 20-40mm
Both excellent for what they are.
But seeing as you mentioned it I'd take the
16-85mm if it was a choice from those 3.
I have no experience of the other ltd's
The 15mm and the 20-40mm
Both excellent for what they are.
But seeing as you mentioned it I'd take the
16-85mm if it was a choice from those 3.
I have no experience of the other ltd's
I know what i like, If not always why.
Posted 26/08/2018 - 06:53
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Never had a limited lens... Are they that much better than zooms ? My 24-70mm will take some beating... On my K1. its not light. But neither is a bag full of primes. With all that lens swapping.
Open to being convinced..
Open to being convinced..
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses
Stuart..
Stuart..
Posted 26/08/2018 - 09:33
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I've had quite a few of them and the one I've kept is the 43mm. It is light, fast and although not the sharpest in MTF tests it has a certain "quality" to it that can't really be defined in lines per mm.


Best regards, John
Posted 26/08/2018 - 09:48
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johnriley wrote:
I've had quite a few of them and the one I've kept is the 43mm. It is light, fast and although not the sharpest in MTF tests it has a certain "quality" to it that can't really be defined in lines per mm.

I've had quite a few of them and the one I've kept is the 43mm. It is light, fast and although not the sharpest in MTF tests it has a certain "quality" to it that can't really be defined in lines per mm.

Hi John, how do you feel about the 43mm as a general all purpose lens? It would roughly be equivalent to the Takumar 55mm or maybe a 60mm focal length? With an Olympus EM5 I have the 25mm permanently attached and with the Pentax film cameras I have only really used the 50mm primes as I never really felt much need for other focal lengths as what I aimed to do was perfectly covered by a "normal" field of view.
I am no pixel peeper!!!!!
There is a DA 40mm at SRS at a good price at the moment. THough a pancake on a K3 may look a little daft! I am looking to have an overall smaller kit.
K5, K200 and several film Pentax cameras!
Posted 26/08/2018 - 10:23
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Reading several of your comments above, I wonder why the 16-85 is suggested at all - although it is a fine lens, it is quite a big bulky beast.
Staying with zooms, perhaps the 18-135 would be the most versatile option. It is fairly compact and light for its range (a good range for both indoor and in-the-park shots), and it seems perfectly balanced on any Pentax APS-C body, Its focusing is fast and accurate. It has excellent sharpness in the centre circle of the field of view (i.e. the 15mm circle on the sensor), and its relative softness in the corners would seem irrelevant to captures of active children.
If it must be a Limited lens, then the 20-40 zoom or the 35mm prime would seem to be the more suitable of the available options. A wider prime might give unpleasant distortions of facial features in the more close-up shots.
Cheers.
Philip
Staying with zooms, perhaps the 18-135 would be the most versatile option. It is fairly compact and light for its range (a good range for both indoor and in-the-park shots), and it seems perfectly balanced on any Pentax APS-C body, Its focusing is fast and accurate. It has excellent sharpness in the centre circle of the field of view (i.e. the 15mm circle on the sensor), and its relative softness in the corners would seem irrelevant to captures of active children.
If it must be a Limited lens, then the 20-40 zoom or the 35mm prime would seem to be the more suitable of the available options. A wider prime might give unpleasant distortions of facial features in the more close-up shots.
Cheers.
Philip
Posted 26/08/2018 - 10:37
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I have all of the (SMC) DA limited primes and if I had to keep just one it would be the 35mm without a doubt, though it would pain me to lose the 21mm and 70mm.
Maybe if I tried the 31mm I'd prefer the extra speed but I don't know if it'd be enough to sacrifice the macro capability.
The 35mm does everything well, since we're showing some examples:
Product shots:

IMGP6967a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Landscape:

IMGP9442a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Cityscape:

Dotonbori by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Street:

Tokyo by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Portrait:

Raquel by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Macro, of course:

Ladybird by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
And everything in between.
Maybe if I tried the 31mm I'd prefer the extra speed but I don't know if it'd be enough to sacrifice the macro capability.
The 35mm does everything well, since we're showing some examples:
Product shots:

IMGP6967a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Landscape:

IMGP9442a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Cityscape:

Dotonbori by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Street:

Tokyo by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Portrait:

Raquel by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Macro, of course:

Ladybird by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
And everything in between.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Posted 26/08/2018 - 10:39
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If we're talking APS-C then the 40mm or 43mm both give superb results as an approximately 60mm/64.5mm lens. A long standard lens, especially considering many early fast standard lenses for full frame were 58mm.
For the K-1 full frame camera then the 43mm will be preferable as it is properly intended for full frame. Its only drawback is that there is no QuickShift facility.
I prefer the 43mm to the 50mm f/1.4 as it has more "character". It will be interesting to see how the new D-FA* 50mm f/1.4 works out.
For the K-1 full frame camera then the 43mm will be preferable as it is properly intended for full frame. Its only drawback is that there is no QuickShift facility.
I prefer the 43mm to the 50mm f/1.4 as it has more "character". It will be interesting to see how the new D-FA* 50mm f/1.4 works out.
Best regards, John
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438 posts
15 years
Budapest
I ask as the Pentax cashback at the moment might knock them below the psychological barrier to ownership.....! On another system I only use a 50mm equivalent prime even though I have other lenses including zooms for it. Indeed, I never felt the need to change lenses at all (indeed I should probably get some of them sold on). When I get the chance to shoot film I pretty much only use a Pentax M50mm...... But with the DSLRs I have only ever had zooms before.
Also the DA* lenses are beginning to feel a little bulky and as I haven`t been using any cameras at all that much recently I am starting to wonder about a total reallignment of my lenses to kick start my interest again. I suppose it`s the primes that Pentax were always famous for. Don`t want to change systems and am happy enough with the K3II as it is hard to get the best from but a big step up from the K5.
I suppose a limitation could get things interesting again. I also need to start taking pictures of the kids regularly again as they are growing up a bit too quickly.