Best prime with Pentax DS

Parchiao · 7th July 2008

What is a good prime lens to use with the DS as a carry everywhere camera? I need something really sharp and unique, was thinking of a Sigma 30/1.4 but decided that it was not sharp enough, and I am not sure if the HSM will be a problem. The 35/2.8 macro is on top my list currently. Is there some alternative?

flowerpot · 7th July 2008

each prime is sharp and unique in its own way...

21,31, 35f2, 40, 43, 50f1.4...70,77. Take ur pick

i would go for the 21 or 40 or 43 and the 50...

hjbyeo · 7th July 2008

Versatility? Either the DA 21mm or DA 35mm macro.

Of course, there's the legendary 31mm which I won't be able to recommend as I have not bought this expensive lens yet!!

airconvent · 7th July 2008

The DA40mm is very sharp in my experience using it but may be a little too long for walk about close up snapshots plus its price is not that expensive, under $400 for a second hand one. The DA21 would be ideal too as its wide enough for general purpose use but cost $100 more...

istDeS · 8th July 2008

The Sigma 30/1.4 do not have the HSM for Pentax. If you want something compact to go with your DS for walkaround. The DA 35/2.8 macro Ltd is a good choice. If you want something wider, can go for DA 21mm Ltd. The close focus of the 21mm also make it a versatile lens. For me, the DA Ltd are all sharp and unique on its own.

fengwei · 8th July 2008

If just one lens, I'd go w/ the FA31. That's the lens I'd keep if I can only have one lens

hjbyeo · 8th July 2008

Originally Posted by airconvent

The DA40mm is very sharp in my experience using it but may be a little too long for walk about close up snapshots plus its price is not that expensive, under $400 for a second hand one. The DA21 would be ideal too as its wide enough for general purpose use but cost $100 more...

For your info, DA 21mm will cost you at least 150 if not 200 dollars more. No one's going to sell you below 500 2nd hand, or at least I won't.

flowerpot · 8th July 2008

Originally Posted by fengwei

If just one lens, I'd go w/ the FA31. That's the lens I'd keep if I can only have one lens

u r bad leh...recommend the most expensive one...

fengwei · 8th July 2008

Originally Posted by flowerpot

u r bad leh...recommend the most expensive one...

Well, he didn't say anything about price. And I know Parchiao has very high standard

Problem is, he had the FA31 before, but sold it away ...

hjbyeo · 8th July 2008

Originally Posted by fengwei

Well, he didn't say anything about price. And I know Parchiao has very high standard Problem is, he had the FA31 before, but sold it away ...

Wah.. standard so high.. is he looking for something even better than FA31?

If he just want to mix it up with just his DS, maybe just the DA35mm will do.

Parchiao - you can come down to the Pentax meet for a couple of shots with my precious DA 35mm. Yes, *my preciousz....*.

Parchiao · 8th July 2008

Originally Posted by fengwei

Well, he didn't say anything about price. And I know Parchiao has very high standard Problem is, he had the FA31 before, but sold it away ...

Kek kek kek, don't reveal so much leh. I will still get the 31 and 77 again when the time is right. For now, I just need something that I am more willing to carry every where.

Parchiao · 8th July 2008

Originally Posted by hjbyeo

Wah.. standard so high.. is he looking for something even better than FA31?

If he just want to mix it up with just his DS, maybe just the DA35mm will do.

Parchiao - you can come down to the Pentax meet for a couple of shots with my precious DA 35mm. Yes, *my preciousz....*.

Akan Datang, hope all goes well in he next 24hrs.

My standard not high lah, need to impress the missus to justify more lenses.

airconvent · 8th July 2008

Originally Posted by hjbyeo

For your info, DA 21mm will cost you at least 150 if not 200 dollars more. No one's going to sell you below 500 2nd hand, or at least I won't.

haha..actually I did get an offer for one below $500 while searching for it but in ended up with another one instead. You're right, though. That's a special price. Most are selling for around $550 or so...

airconvent · 8th July 2008

Originally Posted by Parchiao

Kek kek kek, don't reveal so much leh. I will still get the 31 and 77 again when the time is right. For now, I just need something that I am more willing to carry every where.

Then you should go for the pancakes. Since getting them, I did not even bother to bring along my zooms anymore. its so compact that I treat it as a P&S unlike my former 30f1.4 and sigma 18-50mm which tends to be very heavy and bulky. Just the 40mm and 21mm should cover most of your range....now waiting patiently to complete my target trio...

Parchiao · 9th July 2008

HoooHooooooo! Got the 35mm macro, really stunning lens in a small package, like using one of those PnS cameras. Balances well with the DS too.

fengwei · 9th July 2008

Originally Posted by Parchiao

HoooHooooooo! Got the 35mm macro, really stunning lens in a small package, like using one of those PnS cameras. Balances well with the DS too.

Congrats on the new lens. It's a great performer indeed, I'm sure you'd love it

hjbyeo · 10th July 2008

Congrats.. it's really a very nice lens..

flowerpot · 10th July 2008

that 35mm macro on the 6 MP CCD would be a killer combi...

skypacker · 10th July 2008

Yeah, although I too don't have a FA31 Ltd, but I lust after this lens; so it would be the first choice, followed by the DA35 Ltd, FA43 Ltd, DA40 Ltd and DA21 Ltd.

My friend had the Sigma 30/1.4 for his Canon 40D, and it was lousy- soft and fuzzy images corner to corner even stopped down. If the Pentax version is anything similar, then I'd stay far, far away from it.

creampuff · 10th July 2008

Originally Posted by skypacker

Yeah, although I too don't have a FA31 Ltd, but I lust after this lens; so it would be the first choice, followed by the DA35 Ltd, FA43 Ltd, DA40 Ltd and DA21 Ltd.

My friend had the Sigma 30/1.4 for his Canon 40D, and it was lousy- soft and fuzzy images corner to corner even stopped down. If the Pentax version is anything similar, then I'd stay far, far away from it.

The FA31 Ltd is definitely so much better than the Sigma 30mm. I have also seen images from the Sigma from a Nikon camera. Quite obvious back focusing. Center sharpness was good but the corners... well let's just say cannot make it. The thing that's holding me back from getting the FA31 is with the crop factor, it's neither wide nor narrow enough for me... and I guess the cost as well.

7th July 2008	#1
Parchiao Deregistered Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,937	Best prime with Pentax DS What is a good prime lens to use with the DS as a carry everywhere camera? I need something really sharp and unique, was thinking of a Sigma 30/1.4 but decided that it was not sharp enough, and I am not sure if the HSM will be a problem. The 35/2.8 macro is on top my list currently. Is there some alternative?

7th July 2008	#2
flowerpot Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Both East n West Posts: 2,240	Re: Best prime with Pentax DS each prime is sharp and unique in its own way... 21,31, 35f2, 40, 43, 50f1.4...70,77. Take ur pick i would go for the 21 or 40 or 43 and the 50... __________________ ~Towards Sublime Gallery~

7th July 2008	#3
hjbyeo Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Posts: 1,950	Re: Best prime with Pentax DS Versatility? Either the DA 21mm or DA 35mm macro. Of course, there's the legendary 31mm which I won't be able to recommend as I have not bought this expensive lens yet!! __________________ Pentaxian \| apwp flickr

7th July 2008	#4
airconvent Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,105	Re: Best prime with Pentax DS The DA40mm is very sharp in my experience using it but may be a little too long for walk about close up snapshots plus its price is not that expensive, under $400 for a second hand one. The DA21 would be ideal too as its wide enough for general purpose use but cost $100 more... __________________ Pentax:Kx,K1000,18250,DA21,40,70, FA50f1.4+f1.7,AF360,Sigma600f8, Fuji F200EXR

8th July 2008	#5
istDeS Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: "River end" Posts: 2,913	Re: Best prime with Pentax DS The Sigma 30/1.4 do not have the HSM for Pentax. If you want something compact to go with your DS for walkaround. The DA 35/2.8 macro Ltd is a good choice. If you want something wider, can go for DA 21mm Ltd. The close focus of the 21mm also make it a versatile lens. For me, the DA Ltd are all sharp and unique on its own.

8th July 2008	#6
fengwei Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bukit Gombak Posts: 9,096	Re: Best prime with Pentax DS If just one lens, I'd go w/ the FA31. That's the lens I'd keep if I can only have one lens

9th July 2008	#15
Parchiao Deregistered Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,937	Re: Best prime with Pentax DS HoooHooooooo! Got the 35mm macro, really stunning lens in a small package, like using one of those PnS cameras. Balances well with the DS too.

10th July 2008	#17
hjbyeo Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Posts: 1,950	Re: Best prime with Pentax DS Congrats.. it's really a very nice lens.. __________________ Pentaxian \| apwp flickr

10th July 2008	#18
flowerpot Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Both East n West Posts: 2,240	Re: Best prime with Pentax DS that 35mm macro on the 6 MP CCD would be a killer combi... __________________ ~Towards Sublime Gallery~

10th July 2008	#19
skypacker Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 786	Re: Best prime with Pentax DS Yeah, although I too don't have a FA31 Ltd, but I lust after this lens; so it would be the first choice, followed by the DA35 Ltd, FA43 Ltd, DA40 Ltd and DA21 Ltd. My friend had the Sigma 30/1.4 for his Canon 40D, and it was lousy- soft and fuzzy images corner to corner even stopped down. If the Pentax version is anything similar, then I'd stay far, far away from it. __________________ --- K20D, DA16-50, DA50-135, DA 55-300.