What are K-01 users using with their cameras?

I have been wondering as I'm really struggling with focus peaking and MF lenses; just can't seem to get it bang on.

The DA 35mm 2.4 seems an obvious solution but can be limiting as an all round choice. I haven't yet tried the 18-55mm kit lens.... My DA* 16-50mm obviously is excellent but looks ridiculous! This defeats the reason I got a K-01 in the first place!

Any of the smaller zooms work well? I'm thinking the Tamrons or "kit lens" standard zooms of this world. The ltds? Though these are quite pricey. I haven't used anything other than a few Pentax lenses. There isn't much of a size/weight premium with an ungripped K5 just a more discrete camera as doesn't look so 'serious' for city walking.

(I do have an M4/3rd camera I got after selling a load of stuff for more than I expected but struggle a bit to get on with it and with the longer lens takes up as much space as the K5!! A little lighter though, but with my big shoulder bag doesn't make enough difference to justify a 2nd system IMHO).

I use the following most often on the K-01:

M50 F1.4
A50 F1.7
K55 F1.8
M28 F3.5

Focus peaking works great on these lenses and is best on the M50 F1.4. I find it accurate and easy to use, especially so in dim conditions where any other form of manual focussing would be difficult.

Regards
David

The M28 3.5 (I have this and the K55 and the M50 1.7) is simpler as it is at infinity quickly.

I think my eyes are just really rubbish, I struggle to tell when the contrast is right to take the shot. Conversely I have no trouble with the focusing screens with the film cameras...

So far:
DA 14mm f2.8 (for night/indoor shots)
DA 40mm f2.8 XS (convenient to leave on the camera)
DA 17-70mm (useful range)
And as you suggest, the DA 35mm f2.4 is quite convenient.
I've not tried manual lenses on the K-01 yet but didn't manage too well with the Q using focus peaking.

John K

FA 28 2.8 on mine... Works a treat... Don't own any of the da primes, but if I did I'd be using them...

Best

Got rid of mine (:cry, but I found the 40mm XS a perfect companion. I also loved using a Sigma 28mm Mini-wide II, or Sigma 24mm Super-wide II - focus peaking worked a treat and is one of the best bits! In fact, I often went around with just the 40 and one of the other two. Zooms, as you have noted, seemed to defeat the object. (The only reason I don't do this now is that I bought a K-5 and a "serious" compact satisfies my light-travel needs.)

Regards

Tony

I use these particular lenses on my K-01
CHINON 50mm f/1.7
CHINON 135mm f/2.8
CHINON 28mm f/2.8
TOKINA 80-200 f/4.5
BELL & HOWELL 85-300mm f/5
.
All work smoothly and precisely with focus peaking, surely a gift from the gods!

It seems to be have designed for manual prime lenses.

I think my eyes and my glasses are wrong then.

Just tried a couple and have to completely agree.

John K

Da35mm 2.4
f50mm 1.4

anything bigger than small primes i struggle to hold it steady.

DA f2.4 35mm is the only lens I use with mine now.

Various, well it will be more when the K-01 gets repaired, just got to find that ruddy recipt.......(Sorry Chris, I am still looking)

But the following are superb.

Super-Tak 55mm F1.8
SMC-Tak 35mm F3.5
Mamiya-Sekor 55mm F1.4
CZJ 50mm F2.8
All the above are M42 lenses
K55 F1.8
M50 F1.7
Tak 135mm F2.5
Tamron 90mm F2.5 Macro
F28 2.8
FA50 1.4
DA35 2.4
DA40 2.8

Oh hold on, all of my small primes.........

Strangely, I have used my 50-135mm in Paris with the K-01. and although it is a big brute for the K-01, it was fine.
Still, all the small pentax primes are perfect for the k-01....