Seven Lenses

Ummm, the DA* 16-50mm is a WR lens as well, its just not in its name. All of the DA* range of lenses are weather resistant (WR).

Yeah I know that .. brain fart. Guess I was just so shocked at seeing John select the kit lens over the 16-50 when I know he has both !

I'm rationalisng down to one the DA 35mm f2.4

My seven would be:

DA* 16-50
DA* 50-135
DA* 55mm
DA* 300mm
D-FA 100 Macro WR
Sigma 30mm 1.4
Sigma 8-16mm

Mine are:

DA*16-50
DA*60-250
DA*300
FA 35 f2
FA 77
D-FA 100
FA 135

I can't live with just 7: so I have to add 5 more

DA* 16-50mmm
DA* 55mm 1.4
D-FA 100mm Macro
DA* 60-250mm
A* 300mm f2.8 with AF 1.7x TC permanently attached (so counts as one)
Sigma 50-500mm

Canon 50D and MP-E 65mm

Nothing under 16mm & I am rather surprised my Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 and 100-300mm f4 lenses aren't in there .. perhaps it's time they went.

DA12-24
a 24mm prime (to be decided)
FA31Ltd
M50/1.7
DFA100WR
DA55-300

Set is complete except for the DA12-24 and the 24mm prime. Nice to dream of is the FA*250-600. Chances that you see me with all those lenses are slim as I hate to carry more that two or three as too much choice makes life complicated.

walk around kit
FA31Ltd + DFA100WR

architecture / city kit
DA12-24 + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR

landscape / nature kit
24mm prime + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR

wildlife kit
24mm prime + DA55-300
or, if dreams come thru,
24mm prime + M50/1.7 + FA*250-600

All in all, 6 lenses will make me happy

Wow, some folks certainly like walking around with bazookas or at least tremendous weight in a shoulder bag. Mine present team are

DA 15mm f4
DA 21mm f3.2
DA 35mm f2.8
DA 40mm f2.8
A 50mm f1.4
DA 70mm f2.4
DFA 100mm f2.8

I rarely carry more than my K-5 and a spare lens and often go out with only one. I am thinking of consolidating and disposing of the DA 40mm and possibly the DA 35mm too, since while fine lenses their focal lengths are neither one thing nor t'other on crop sensors. If I do this, I might get an old but compact A 300mm instead or capitulate to the bazooka tendency and try a zoom, possibly a Sigma 17-50mm f2.8. In which case the DA 21mm will go too. All a winter fantasy really. Come next March I expect I'll have the same team, or very similar.

If I had to select a favourite it would be the old A 50s, f1.4 or f1.7. I have got as far as handling the FA limiteds, but I've never owned one. Heresy I know, but in truth I think their legendary rep is oversold and if I wanted to shell out big bucks I'd choose a Zeiss or Voigtlander (if I could find one) over them any day.

I am happy with my 5 lenses. I may swap my tokina 100-300mm for the sigma after version...

I'd be really interested to know on what basis you chose the 60-250 over the 70-200 and especially 100-300.

WR?????

My 7 I would hang on to would be

DA* 16-50
DA* 55
DA* 50-135
Sigma 105 Macro
Sigma 100-300
Sigma 150-500
Sigma 70-200

Regards
George

K 28/3.5
DA 35/2.4
K 55/1.8
DA* 50-135
K 100/4 macro
K 120/2.8
K 200/4

I've worked out why it's seven. One fewer than I'd actually like! This kit would keep both a digital body and a KX or MX happy.

If I can make this an "in my dreams" 7 lens line up it would go something like this.

DA 12-24
DA* 16-50
DA* 50-135
DA* 300mm
Sigma 30mm 1.4
Tamrom SP 90 Macro
Cosina 28 2.8 just because I have become quite attached to it.

I am surprised with the amount of DA*s listed. Going by the other forums they are Pentax's version of the antichrist. Howls of despair anytime someone mentions SDM