Pentax K-5 prime lens options?

[Riverman]

The new Pentax K-5 looks like a pretty kick ass DSLR. I know lots of old manual Pentax lenses could mount on it but looking at the current fixed length offerings from Pentax, I'm a bit underwhelmed. They don't seem to have chosen cropped focal lengths that would equate to focal lengths that I'm familiar with from film SLRs. For example, what's the point of their 40mm pancake lens that is 'specially designed for DSLR' if it gives me a weird 60mm FOV?

Likewise, the 21mm DA prime seems less useful as it's pretty slow. The best Pentax DSLR lens seems to be the 18 to 50 zoom.

If designing lenses for their DSLR system, why could Pentax offer some lenses that gave us a 24mm or 28mm equivalent FOV at f2.8, then something faster at lengths equivalent to 35 and 50.

Annoying, because the K5 looks killer.

 

[kshapero]

The new Pentax K-5 looks like a pretty kick ass DSLR. I know lots of old manual Pentax lenses could mount on it but looking at the current fixed length offerings from Pentax, I'm a bit underwhelmed. They don't seem to have chosen cropped focal lengths that would equate to focal lengths that I'm familiar with from film SLRs. For example, what's the point of their 40mm pancake lens that is 'specially designed for DSLR' if it gives me a weird 60mm FOV?

Likewise, the 21mm DA prime seems less useful as it's pretty slow. The best Pentax DSLR lens seems to be the 18 to 50 zoom.

If designing lenses for their DSLR system, why could Pentax offer some lenses that gave us a 24mm or 28mm equivalent FOV at f2.8, then something faster at lengths equivalent to 35 and 50.

Annoying, because the K5 looks killer.

yes, I have noticed this. The new 35/2.4 is an attempt to offer a 50mm (52mm) standard lens. But the rest are a little weird.

 

[Riverman]

But even that 35 is pretty slow. I seem to recall that Nikon have a DX lens that is very fast and is almost exactly equivalent to a gentle wide 35mm on film. Come on Pentax give us something like that! I don't want no zoom lens!

K5 looks seriously sweet though.

 

[f16sunshine]

You can always use Legacy Glass. I had a SMC Takumar f2/35 (M42) that was really quite a lens especially for the $75 I had to pay for it. Are the "A" lenses linked with this new body?

 

[kshapero]

But even that 35 is pretty slow. I seem to recall that Nikon have a DX lens that is very fast and is almost exactly equivalent to a gentle wide 35mm on film. Come on Pentax give us something like that! I don't want no zoom lens!

K5 looks seriously sweet though.

But take into account that the Pentax offers in body IS, so that Pentax 35 is not so bad.

 

[eddie1960]

a lenses are linked as far as i understand
there is an SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited that would be a perfect (albeit a little wide) normal pricey but one of the nicest lenses made (really designed for FF cameras
as a matter of fact any of the limited series lenses would be nice with this camera
the legacy glass gives you more options just like it does with leica
I use legacy manual focus almost exclusively now with the rare exception
Sigma makes a very nice 30 mm 1.8 for far less than the limited lens (though not as nice imho still very good)

 

[zuikologist]

You will find plenty of anecdotal evidence that the new 35/2.4 is closer to 35/2.0 - this seems to be a new incarnation of the FA 35/2.0, which is a spectacular lens.

Regarding the DA 21/3.2 - excellent lens which, with in body IS and great high ISO performance of the K5 means this is a very usable lens.

The DA 40/2.8 - beautiful tiny lens, on film and digital. Highly recommended, whatever the focal length is on digital.

BTW - the old FA 28/2.8 and 35/2.0 and 100/2.8 are excellent, reasonably priced lenses.

 

[Riverman]

Hmm. It sounds like there are some options. I'm really tempted by the K-5. On paper it looks better than either of Nikon or Canon's equivalent APS-C offerings.

 

[shyoon]

The Sigma 30mm f1.4 is an option.

 

[ChrisN]

Looking at the usable ISO available, who needs a fast wide? You don't need it! The DA 21/3.2 gives excellent images (check the test results at Photozone if you're into that sort of thing) and is more compact than my 35/2 Summicron. I've just ordered the DA15/4 to give me a 21mm-equivalent. As mentioned above, the legacy lens range fills most needs, with the Pentax-A 24/2.8 (35mm-e), Pentax-F 28/2.8 (42mm-e), FA 31/1.8 LTD (46mm-e), FA 35/2 AL (52mm-e), DA 35 Macro, DA 40/2.8, FA 43/1.7, FA 50/1.4, FA 77/1.8, and a raft of older and off-brand lenses that play quite happily with the K-mount. Some are getting harder to find and more expensive, but no worse than other brands where quality is recognised.

 

[jwnash1]

I use the Voightlander Ultron 40mm as a longish standard lens on my K10 and am extremely pleased with it. On a K10 it comes in at 61.6mm equivalent and on a K5 should be around 61.2mm. At f2.0 it gives sharp results and stopped down to 5.6 it becomes outstanding. Price is very reasonable and the metal build rivals that of the Pentax FA 43 which it resembles.
John

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I know the K5 chip is supposed to be "all that" but has anyone looked at the focusing screen? This is going to be the main limiting factor for focusing legacy lenses. Does the K5 have a focus indicator like Nikon? If so, that might help.

Ben
(with increasingly middle-aged eyes)

 

[zuikologist]

I know the K5 chip is supposed to be "all that" but has anyone looked at the focusing screen? This is going to be the main limiting factor for focusing legacy lenses. Does the K5 have a focus indicator like Nikon? If so, that might help.

Ben
(with increasingly middle-aged eyes)

Focus indication in finder, glass pentaprism finder and level/tilt indicator for straight horizons.

 

[Tompas]

Pentax also has a DA 2.8/14 (21mm in 'full frame') that gets very good reviews.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Focus indication in finder, glass pentaprism finder and level/tilt indicator for straight horizons.

Now you're speaking my language.

Ben

 

[rover]

Where you will see mirror images in lists of Canon and Nikon gear, Pentax does jump out as different, but if you can get past the stigma, they do have a lot to offer. I am happy I decided on the K10d when I gave in to the desire for a DSLR, and will be happy again when I replace it with a K5.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

31mm Limited is where it's at. A stunner.

 

[kshapero]

I use the Voightlander Ultron 40mm as a longish standard lens on my K10 and am extremely pleased with it. On a K10 it comes in at 61.6mm equivalent and on a K5 should be around 61.2mm. At f2.0 it gives sharp results and stopped down to 5.6 it becomes outstanding. Price is very reasonable and the metal build rivals that of the Pentax FA 43 which it resembles.
John

How is manual focus on these rigs?

 

[Vics]

I had the pancake 40mm Takumar for my K1000 bodies back in the late 70s. It was half of a travel pair with the 85mm 1.8 my wife and I used on our first trip to Europe in '78.
Vic

 

[shadowfox]

K5 looks it means business. Very cool.

But why is it not a full-frame DSLR ???

I mean, for a company who kept their lens mount compatible with so many great lenses of old, it's odd that they didn't jump at the chance to regain their spot as a professional camera manufacturer once more.