The Pentax K and M42 lens club

[maverickh]

Edit by pinholecam:
Lets make this a thread to celebrate the merits of the Pentax legacy instead.
There are so many M42 and K mount lenses out there and so many Pentax users (as well as others have them).
The Takumar is one of the best out there for M42 and so are many legendary K,M,A,F,FA lenses.

So lets just share photos and information about the wonderful Pentax K and M42 lenses here with a Lens Club!
Do share picts, info, user impressions from your legacy lenses be it apsc or FF.



2016 has finally arrived and the wait for Pentax's FF is fast approaching especially now that we are officially in 2016. If the announced timeframe holds true, then, not many more months to wait.

Pentax has many lens that are FF ready. Those of us who has FF lens, lets post pictures taken with some of these lens to showcase their potential when mated with a FF camera. This is to drum up excitement and interests in both the lens and the upcoming FF .

Kindly contribute . (edit : APSC or FF camera is fine, do share)

Cheers and Happy New Year.

 

[maverickh]

I will kick start with one taken with Pentax FA 20mm f/ 2.8

DSC08529 by maverick_h, on Flickr

 

[pinholecam]

Thanks for starting the thread.
As discussed, lets change it to a 'Lens Club' instead for the Pentax mount lenses.
(I've changed the title and added some more info on the first thread)

Do try to give some info, thoughts, etc on the lens to form a better knowledge and information pool if possible.
(Eg. "This lens is small for a 20mm f2.8". or "I like using this lens because..... " )

 

[pinholecam]

I do write often on the Pentax lenses in my "Random ramblings of a lens junkie" APAD threads.
But here's to this lens club.


Pentax K28/3.5
I can't say this enough.
Go get this lens if you have not already done so.
IQ is superb on this 28mm.
If you stop down your 50mm lens at f5.6-f8 and see that sort of sharpness, this lens has the same but on a wide 28mm FOV.



20151206-DSC08679-1 by jenkwang, on Flickr


DSC08757 by jenkwang, on Flickr


20151227-DSC08896-1 by jenkwang, on Flickr


20151227-DSC08900-1 by jenkwang, on Flickr


20151230-DSC09211-1 by jenkwang, on Flickr

In fact, some guy on FM forums (a rather high end forum, mostly landscape shooters) have tried out quite a few legacy 28mm, and this one comes on top.

 

[oceanpriest]

K 24mm f2.8

 

[pinholecam]

K 24mm f2.8

Like the look on film.

The K24/2.8 is certainly one of the most versatile lenses I have used.
Close up, its still decent bokeh.
f2.8 for lower light or some shallow DOF for isolation.

 

[oceanpriest]

Like the look on film.

The K24/2.8 is certainly one of the most versatile lenses I have used.
Close up, its still decent bokeh.
f2.8 for lower light or some shallow DOF for isolation.

yeah, it's my all around lens. if can only bring 1 lens for trip, without thinking twice, this is it ;p

 

[Nikonzen]

Somewhere in Indian Territory a man sits silently...rolling his fingers on a desktop...and staring at his small collection of M42 and K mounts...

 

[moronfans]

I have not been shooting much lately. But when I do, i use my FA*24 alot.

 

[fengwei]

Thanks Franz for such a long overdue thread. Hope more M42/K mount lens users can chip in and share your lenses/pics/stories related to the fantastic K and M42.

 

[felixcat8888]

K85mm F1.8

Pauline130 by Felix Tan, on Flickr

Pauline123 by Felix Tan, on Flickr

 

[pinholecam]

yeah, it's my all around lens. if can only bring 1 lens for trip, without thinking twice, this is it ;p

Yes, same here if I had less lenses.

 

[pinholecam]

Adding some more to that K24/2.8 mention by Oceanpriest.

A wonderful FOV on FF.
Does help that its smallish too which is always a Pentax strength.


Space capsule by jenkwang, on Flickr



DSC04515 by jenkwang, on Flickr



Lake Chuzenji, Nikko #2 by jenkwang, on Flickr



20141105-DSC05546-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr


Often, lenses these days are very clouded by online reviews that can't go beyond MTF figures.
These don't darn care about how you gonna haul that macho big, heavy 24/1.4 in tow with other stuff to the vantage point.
So to me, the K24/2.8 is one of those nice, good sized/weight options.

 

[maverickh]

A fine example of the scope with which this len can cover on FF . Pentax A 15mm f/ 3.8


Melbourne, Dockside, I think this vessel is located near the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

DSC01975 by maverick_h, on Flickr




Hi Ben, make a contribution with this rare lens .

 

[maverickh]

Some samples from FA 20mm f/2.8


This place needs no introduction

DSC04857A by maverick_h, on Flickr

 

[ranchy]

wow so many photos liao.. hehe.

I don't have much landscape shots.. So will be more on people..

FA50 1.4, the auto lens which is available for Pentax. Can't wait for them to update the 1.4 version.
A very value for money lens right now if you can get one .. Small and compact.

On the K-01


On the K30



On FF:



Some may love or hate the bokeh. But still, it is a nice lens to use..

 

[maverickh]

The K 135 f/2.5 is another much underrated lens. It has a good size and can easily fit into a small bag when travelling. Sharp when stopped down to f/3.5 and above. The price is also rather attractive. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a mid-telephoto lens. Get one if you come across one in the 2nd hand market.

Here are some recent pictures taken with this lens.

DSC03755 by maverick_h, on Flickr


DSC03761 by maverick_h, on Flickr


DSC03775 by maverick_h, on Flickr


DSC03787 by maverick_h, on Flickr

 

[pinholecam]

wow so many photos liao.. hehe.

I don't have much landscape shots.. So will be more on people..

FA50 1.4, the auto lens which is available for Pentax. Can't wait for them to update the 1.4 version.
A very value for money lens right now if you can get one .. Small and compact.



Some may love or hate the bokeh. But still, it is a nice lens to use..

Nice samples.

IMO, its a fallacy to think that any lens will give good bokeh in all situations (despite what some articles may loudly proclaim).
Firstly, its highly subjective.
Secondy, different bkgnd types, aperture settings, bkgnd distance, focus distance will all affect the bokeh in various ways (favorably or un-favourably).


All said, size, price, flare tolerance, general sharpness and bokeh in most situations, the Pentax 50/1.4 design is one of the best all rounded 50mms out there.

 

[pinholecam]

Add to the K135/2.5 pool here.

Generally fast, not very expensive, reasonably sized for the isolation they can give for portraits.


20151121-DSC08230 by jenkwang, on Flickr



The water diviner by jenkwang, on Flickr
Coupled with the still reasonable size of this lens, I find that its perhaps the best compromise between portability/encumbrance as well as having a full body portrait focal length and mid reach lens for landscapes (on FF).


20151121-DSC08292-1 by jenkwang, on Flickr

 

[Yamakasi]

I have not been shooting much lately. But when I do, i use my FA*24 alot.

Although some people commented that the FA*24 is the weakest of the FA* series of lenses, to me, the lens is still capable of producing its magic..

IMGP2556 by Unforgiven28, on Flickr

IMGP2601 by Unforgiven28, on Flickr