Lens wish list - A different approach

I have been particularly interested in the recent discussions on what lenses you should have after the kit lens and suggestions on standard sets of lenses.

I was wondering if aspiring experts needed a broad range of knowledge not only in different focal length and speed lenses but different types as well. So I had a go at putting together a different sort of lens wish-list that might give a complete all-rounder a good grounding.


In no particular order I think the aspiring expert should have, or at least used, an example from each of the following:

Prime – probably starting somewhere between 30 & 55mm but could also be a long or wide prime. I started with a 50mm AF F1.7 and it certainly made me concentrate on my shot framing.

Macro lens – probably the 90, 100 or 105mm but could be a number of others.

Super Zoom – at one time this would have been a 28-200 or 300mm but now would be an 18-200 or 250mm.

Kit lens – easy, the 18-55 & 50-200mm but wasn’t the kit for the *istD something like an 18-35mm? You might also want to separately include the light weight versions.

A lens with a plastic mount – FA-J or one of the new light weight versions. Just so that you can comment on how good or bad these are.

Very long lens – something that gets to somewhere between 400 & 600mm

Fast lens – F2.8 or faster.

Constant aperture zoom – I still lust after a 70-200mm F2.8, but could equally be something like a Sigma 18-50 f2.8, DA*16-50 or DA*60-250mm F4.

Limited Lens

Pancake Lens – like the DA40 or manual equivalent. Makes your SLR look like a compact

Portrait lens – Not that I have one but I assume that the 77mm f1.8 limited is the definitive example.

Reflex (mirror) lens – The Pentax 400-600 reflex zoom is probably the most desirable but the Tamron 500mm or Sigma 600mm are good examples. I guess you might need to have at least tried a duff cheap one as well.

* lens – including DA* lenses but could be one of the older * lenses.

SDM lens

Power zoom – 28-105mm?

Weather resistant lens – WR or sealed DA*

Manual focus lens – Something like a Pentax A 50mm F1.7.

A soft lens – I’m not sure about this but I think Pentax produced some soft 85mm lenses, manual, F & FA for portraiture. I think there are issues with auto aperture.

Adaptall II lens – With both PK & PKA adaptors.

Super wide rectilinear – 10-20mm, 12-24mm, DA ED 14mm or a DA 15mm.

Fish eye lens – 10-17mm or one of the Sigma primes?



Not lenses but probably still relevant;

A Tele-Converter

Extension tubes

Reversing adaptor


Obviously any particular lens could cover one or more of these items. The trouble is that just having just one example maybe not enough

I’m sure I have probably missed some important items and maybe gone over the top with others but is this a good start or possibly just an excuse to defend the need for a large lens collection?

Glyn

This is just an excuse to have a large lens collection! But hey, if that makes you happy - go for it!

Have fun picking a kit bag to house all that lot - you wouldn't want to be out taking photos and get caught without that crucial piece of glass! Tamrac do something suitable, as seen here: link

What a serious case of LBA!

Well, these are the problems with LBA, not in any order.
1. Never having the correct lens mounted.
2. Indecision as to what lenses to take with you.
3. Multiple camera bags (leads to BBA).
5. Multiple bodies, not to mention tripods, heads, flashes, lighting gear etc., etc.
6. Damaged shoulder and back muscles
7. Dreadful effect on finances.

Been there, done that!

Plus, the trouble is, as far as I'm concerned, there doesn't seem to be any really major positive effects.

After having some 20 different lenses, I decided to take the cure and have a reality check on my real needs rather than wants!

Decided that all I "needed" was 1 body, 1 standard zoom (DA 16-45 just replaced by DA 17-70), 1 telephoto zoom (DA55-300 recently replaced by DA*60-250, albeit with a brief dose of residual LBA virus, a Tamron 70-200 f2.8!) and 1 macro (FA 50 macro), and I've settled on just a couple of bags and a lens case, all of which can be mounted on a waist belt. Oh! I've also kept my trusty Metz 54 MZ3 flashgun and simplified my tripods/monopod/heads collection.

Sold off 17 lenses, 2 tripods, 1 monopod, 1 body, studio lights and several bags and accessories, resulting in improved finances and not suffering any of the above LBA problems, still have some remnants to go!

Good for you, but don't forget that you're not cured and could revert back at any time!

I too need a clear out, but it is not easy to let go of anything. By way of example I have:

K 55 F2.0
M 50 F1.7
A 50 F1.7(x2)
A 50 F1.4
FA 50 F1.4.

Steve

That list feels very familiar

I don't meet all of the items in my original list but I'm not too far off But to be honest I have a very small favourite set of lenses (DA*16-50, DA55-300, DA35 macro and at the moment, possibly because I've only have it a few weeks, the DFA100 macro). I know it makes sense to sell off the rest of the collection but it probably just needs a bit of a kick to initiate some commitment

Glyn

Try poverty!

Nah, easy. I will just resist, I will resist, I will ...., I ...., I ....

Honestly though, I'm much more content these days to concentrate on my abilities ( :lol, in both taking and processing my images and on that matter, I'm really impressed with the improvements in Silkypix Pro, 30 day beta version here link