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Pentax lenses, my first buys
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:48 pm    Post subject: Pentax lenses, my first buys Reply with quote
I got this list with some lenses that I can buy, but alas I cannot afford them all and have to make some choices. So I once again turn to you guys to see if there are any on the list that I should pick, right now I want a 100-135ish lense and a 50ish lense. And these are the ones that I have picked out from the list

50-55 range
K:
Pentax SMC-M 50/1,7
Pentax SMC-M 50/1,4
Pentax SMC-M 50/2,0
Pentax SMC-M 50/4,0 Macro
M42:
Pentax SMC 50/1,4
Pentax Super-Takumar 50/1,4
Pentax Auto-Takumar 55/1,8
Pentax SMC 55/1,8
Pentax Super-Takumar 55/1,8

100-135 range:
K:
Pentax SMC-M 100/2,8
Pentax SMC-M 135/3,5
M42:
Pentax SMC Takumar 135/2,5
Pentax Super Takumar 135/3,5
Pentax SMC Takumar 135/3,5

I am also getting the Pentax Super takumar 85/1,9 i think. Anyways, are there any of the lenses that are considered a best buy in each range?


PostPosted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:07 pm    Post subject: Re: Pentax lenses, my first buys Reply with quote
zewrak wrote:
Anyways, are there any of the lenses that are considered a best buy in each range?


I would buy SMC 50mm f/1.7 and SMC 135mm f/3.5. I have heard only good things about them and they are not too expensive. But prices for Pentax lenses have rised lately Sad


PostPosted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:08 pm    Post subject: Re: Pentax lenses, my first buys Reply with quote
zewrak wrote:

Pentax SMC-M 50/1,7
Pentax Super-Takumar 50/1,4

Pentax Super-Takumar 100/2,8

These are the lenses from your list I own and each of these lenses is a real keeper. I can't help you with the others, I'm afraid.


PostPosted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
From what I've seen -

Any M42 Takumar 55/1.8

Any M42 Takumar 135/3.5

I have an SMC 55/1.8 and a "Super" 135/3.5

I'm sure you can get these for less than $30 each, if you give it time.

These are by far the best value for money in Pentax lenses, and I don't think there is much point in preferring an SMC vs a "Super".

The K-mount lenses almost all go for double or more the M42 lenses, and I doubt they are double the value.


PostPosted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
What makes the 135/3.5f better then the 135/2.8f?

And thank you all for your answers.


PostPosted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
If you plan to use M42 lenses don't restrict your self to Pentax only, they are great lenses , but so many others available out there.

I have not much experience with K lens yet.
I have in the past many M42 Pentax lenses.
I found old ones before Super-Takumar low quality lenses, Super, SMC are nice lenses all except 28mm f3.5.

I highly recommend from your list.

105mm f2.8
55mm f2
55mm f4 macro
135mm f3.5


PostPosted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
If you plan to use M42 lenses don't restrict your self to Pentax only, they are great lenses , but so many others available out there.


Well, until I get a bit more experience with the manual lenses, I thought I'd start with collecting some Pentax lenses. I am also going to pickup some Pentax film bodies. Economy is also a huge aspect for me and the Pentax lenses are quite cheap (having a wife and kids costs alot).

Will all M42 lenses work out? I got some Mamiya lenses also on my list here that I have been eyeballing. They seem to be in another league pricewise though. Also some Yashica and Tamrons. However, I seem to recall that there was some problems with Mamiya and Yashica lenses on Pentax K10D, might be their own mounts though? I've been looking at the Mamiya SX 28/2,8.

Quote:

I highly recommend from your list.

105mm f2.8
55mm f2
55mm f4 macro
135mm f3.5


Hm. Once again the 3.5 version of the 135mm?


PostPosted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
YES.


PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Don't sleep on vivitar lenses either I own a Vivitar 135/2.5 it is cheap and super sharp. There are so many M42 gems you can get cheap but you have to stike when the oven's hot Very Happy


PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:24 am    Post subject: Re: Pentax lenses, my first buys Reply with quote
zewrak wrote:
I got this list with some lenses that I can buy, but alas I cannot afford them all and have to make some choices.

50-55 range
K:
Pentax SMC-M 50/1,7
Pentax SMC-M 50/1,4
Pentax SMC-M 50/2,0
Pentax SMC-M 50/4,0 Macro
M42:
Pentax SMC 50/1,4
Pentax Super-Takumar 50/1,4
Pentax Auto-Takumar 55/1,8
Pentax SMC 55/1,8
Pentax Super-Takumar 55/1,8


I consider the Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55/1.8 (or 55/2.0, as it is the same lens) as the best bang for the buck in M42 mount. As a general rule, my favorite Pentax lenses in M42 mount are the old Takumar preset series. I love preset lenses and I find them very easy to use on all kind of cameras, including Canon DSLRs. Of course, they have only basic coatings. If you want better coatings, then the more recent Super-Multi-Coated series is the way to go. The lenses are not preset, but they have a very useful "auto/manual" switch to allow stopped down light metering (and depth of field preview) on almost every camera. The newer "SMC-Takumar" series are not so well finished in my opinion (rubber focusing ring instead of black lacquered metal with ribbed grip).

As for K-mount, my favorite is the Pentax SMC-M 50/1.7. Usually, I don't like very much the "M" series lenses, which are often more compact versions of previous lenses with inferior optical quality, but this 50/1.7 lens is a real neat lens, also usable for macro on extension rings or on a bellows. Be warned that K-mount lenses are usable on fewer cameras models than M42 lenses. Also K-mount lenses with no "A" setting require manual stopped-down metering in "M" mode with the "green button" when used on Pentax DSLRs, which is less convenient than the automatic stopped-down metering available in "Av" mode with the M42 lenses.

zewrak wrote:
100-135 range:
K:
Pentax SMC-M 100/2,8
Pentax SMC-M 135/3,5
M42:
Pentax SMC Takumar 135/2,5
Pentax Super Takumar 135/3,5
Pentax SMC Takumar 135/3,5


In M42, my favorite is the SMC-Takumar 135/2.5 (version II, the one with 6 elements in 5 groups) or the preset Takumar/Super Takumar 135/3.5 (version I, the one with 5 elements in 4 groups). The preset Takumar 100/2.8 is my favorite for portrait in this range.

In K-mount, just avoid the Takumar 135/2.5, which is an inferior lens with single coatings. As a rule of thumb, stay away from any K-mount lens labeled as "Takumar,' as it was an economy line of cheap lenses designed as entry level kit lenses (yes, zooms were still scarce and expensive at that time -- happy times Wink ).

zewrak wrote:
I am also getting the Pentax Super takumar 85/1,9 i think.


In M42, the Super-Multi-Coated Takumar or SMC-Takumar 85/1.8 is a better lens. In K-mount, the Pentax SMC 85/1.8 is the same lens. Here's a great page about 85mm lenses on Frank Mechelhoff's website:
http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Pentax_Takumar_85mm.html

Cheers!

Abbazz


PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
zewrak wrote:
What makes the 135/3.5f better then the 135/2.8f?

And thank you all for your answers.


The f/3.5 is a bit sharper than the 2.8 at wider apertures (below f/8 or so) and is also somewhat lighter, while only being half a stop slower.


PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hallo!

My choice:

Pentax SMC-M 50/1,7
Pentax SMC-M 100/2,8
Pentax SMC-M 135/3,5

I don´t know, which cam you use.

If your cam is a pentax K ..... (or IST D..), then M42-Objektives are not so adapted.

regards peter


PostPosted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Pentax SMC-M 50/1,7
Pentax SMC-M 50/1,4

Both are real gems. The 1.7 is tack sharp on all apertures, the 1.4 has beatiful bokeh & colors.

Pentax SMC-M 135/3,5

I have this one, not my favourite, but not a bad lens either.

Tom


PostPosted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
New to the forum.

Try K-mount lenses if you are using Pentax or K-mount body.
Recommend a K-50/1.7 & K-135/3.5 (either KM or KA, KA is better and more expensive). They are cheap in ebay.

Very Happy


PostPosted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Also, have a look at my brother lenses collection :

http://forum.mflenses.com/my-manual-focus-lenses-on-flickr-t6603.html

Wink
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