Most Wanted Lens Thread!

Well I hope Mr P is reading this. My 28mm Shift is easily the best lens I own; sharp as a tack even fully wide open, delivers paper cuts at F8 and probably because of the palaver of using it: tripod with spirit levels, grid focussing screen, pre-set aperture, manual focus with DoF scale and filter wheel, every shot counts. I bought it for a book commission from BBC Publications who insisted that there should be no converging verticals and 5x4 at the very least was preferred. (why? small format book where all the illustrations were probably less than 5x4 on the page) There were absolutely NO complaints. I cant remember now what I paid for it but it did seem like a small fortune at the time. I would happily pay a small fortune again for a digi version. And just to head anyone off at the pass... perspective control in PS just isn't the same!

Easy... FA* 200mm f/4 Macro...

... maybe a D-FA version to include quick shift...

... mmm...

Most wanted lenses? The lenses I can't afford! (Sorry, I know that's not helpful!)

The DA* 50-135 F2.8

Those elusive DA* lenses

300 mm macro @ 4.0

Pentax DA* 55mm F/1.4 SDM

Should be the perfect portrait lens on digital. Would replace my A50mm 1.4 and my K50mm 1.2. Although I love both and can't see Pentax improving much on the 1.4 (well, maybe less longitudinal chromatic aberrations on the bokeh).

It's the 31mm f1.8 FA AL Ltd for me - I'd just adore one of those.

I can't justify the required level of expenditure to own one though. I'm happy enough with the results I get from my A 24/2.8 - purchased mint for £60 (10 years ago) - about a tenth of the RRP for the 31/1.8

I'm lucky enough to already own by dream lens (FA* 85mm F1.4) however if I was to pick one lens to add to my set-up it'd be a 300mm F2.8 - but know I'd never use it enough to warrant the enormous expense.

I'm not sure why but the limited lenses just don't appeal to me in the slightest.

Forgot to say why the 31 mm Ltd would be my ideal lens...basically because 50 mm (or thereabouts) is my favourite focal length for general purpose photography, I like fast primes and I like to travel light.

The ones that exist:

FA31, FA77, A*135/1.8, A*300/4.0

The ones that doesn't (if I ever get a K10D):

DA12 Limited, DA15-70/2.8 SDM

-- MW

If you have an AF camera, the F* 300 1:4.5 is a better bet than the A*. It's arguably even better optically, and has the ability to track flying birds. And the tripod mount/handle is a joy to use.

G

An ffordable and compact AF20mmf2.8 and even just a DA 35mm f2!