Which focal lengths do Pentax excel at?

A comment in another thread sparked my thoughts for this post, which focal lengths do you think Pentax excels in producing?

My collection has always had at least one 35, 85 and 300 - I think these are their 3 consistently excellent focal lengths - obviously some are slightly weaker than others but for me these are their key strengths

35mm: The K35/3.5 is incredibly sharp and has a stunning reputation. The A35/2.0 was always with my LX kit. The FA35/2.0 gets many great reviews and a one point was extremely good value for a fast 35. The DA35/2.8 Macro Ltd is probably my best "all-rounder".

85mm: The FA*85/1.4 is my favourite portrait lens ever. The A*85/1.4 is regarded as the best portrait lens produced by many. The K85/1.8 still holds it's head high (after 40ish years) with IQ and Bokeh. The M85/2.0 was my favourite portrait lens in the film days (although I'm not so keen on digital).

300mm: The K300 is probably the weakest they produced? Every 300mm since has been absolutely top quality and build - the A&M *'s were an incredible design and quality in their time (and still hold up well today). The F*, FA* and DA* are simply top-notch, and the 2.8 versions are still very sought after.

Thanks for indulging my five minutes of nostalgia - what are your thoughts?

I can only state with certainty the lenses I am less enamoured with, sometimes after trying several samples.

There would be: M series 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/2 and all series the 120mm lenses. The FA 28-70mm f/4 always seemed a little short on character, a certain coldness or blandness about the images.

All the other lenses I've tried have been fine.

I quite like my K300.



Squirrel on a pole par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity

Likewise my M85/2



Rose par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity

I haven't ever been that happy with my K200/4 and prefer my M200/4. One of my favourites though is the M100/2.8.



Spider web par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity

Best wishes, Kris.

From my own experience, top end and mid range Pentax glass is optically superb, the focussing and tracking speed of the newer SDM lenses lets them down badly however.

I rarely use lenses from anybody's 'budget' range so can't comment.

Hi Kris - I'm not saying the K300 is a poor lens at all - simply that I think the subsequent models were significant improvements (as they should be really) - I owned one for several years and was very happy with it.

100mm: And yes I should have added 100mm to the "excel" list. The M and A 100/2.8's along with every AF 100 Macro lenses are all superb. Even the older K105 (ok so I'm cheating a bit) is a beauty.

I don't think any of us have been lucky enough to see, let alone use, the K35/1.4 or K300/2.0 - I can only imagine what they would have been like

John - I assume you don't include the FA120/4.0 645 Macro in your 120 reckoning? Although I did imply K mount lenses

Sadly the K300 is the only 300mm lens I have ever used apart from an abysmal modern Tamron 70-300mm zoom which has some of the worst purple fringing I have ever seen.



purple par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity

K.

You did imply K mount lenses LennyBloke, so I assumed that was the brief.

645 and 67 lenses, and indeed 110 and Q lenses, are another subject I think.

Yep I did - I think the K Mount range is big enough to consider in itself

30's - K30 f/2 and FA31 f/1.8, both are stellar

50's - 50 f/1.4 has always been well regarded for the image it produces, 50 f/1.7 or f/1.8 have always been equal or better than equivalent optically. LensTip gave the DA50 f/1.8 a great review. 50 f/1.2? Perhaps the best f/1.2 taking everything into consideration. The f/2.8 macro, everyone forgets about this one, needs a rebody but sharpness wise I doubt there are many 50s above it.

70-85s - LennyBloke has mentioned the highly regarded 85s, 77 is the compact version of the A85 and there is a thread on currently espousing the virtues of the DA70.

200s - The K200 f/2.5 has its fans, the A, F and FA f/2.8s are highly sought after even now and the DA continues this trend. 200 f/4.0 macro? by some accounts the 'ne plus ultra' telephoto macro.

So far? Currently I think the folioing Pentax lenses are very nice in terms of focal length and IQ

DA* 200mm (although i would like to try the DA* 300mm)

I really like the DA*55, I think its very overlooked, but its not cheap compared to other lenses of a similar focal length.

85mm f/1.4 is now my main choice, don't have the Pentax FA, but I the Sigma so far is superb.

Pentax Lenses I wish they made.

23mm f/1.4
135mm f/1.8

Not sure I'd put the 50's generally in the excelling category! The 55's yes, the DA* is IMO a step above the 50's, and the K55/1.8 is superb. I know many think the 50/1.2's are particularly good but I've never really got on with them - but I think its probably my lack of skill with such a large aperture that's the real problem

What purple fringing

I always did like my SMC Pentax-M 100mm f/2.8 lens: a pretty photo.



K.

I can see why that's a winner - Great combination of the photographers eye and the lens

Nobody else makes a 43mm, a 31mm or 77mm prime quite like Pentax.