Sleeper manual focus PK lenses?

[squirrel$$$bandit]

To be clear, I don't have the three Limiteds anymore...got rid of them when I quit DSLRs for Rangefinders! Maybe someday. The 31 is possibly my favorite lens ever...the rendering is so lovely, it handles marvelously, and I even adore the lens cap.

I like the build quality of the K series, too; I assume many of them are the same formulations as the SMC Takumar M42 lenses that preceded them. But my heart is really with the Ms, which are so small and complement the LX so well. I think they're prettier to look at than the A lenses, as well.

Didn't know those Zeiss lenses even existed!

 

[p.giannakis]

I had a Rikenon XR 50 f/1.7 and it was an excellent lens.

 

[Kent]

There are some unspectacular - and thus often overlooked - lenses. This makes them highly affordable, although they perform really well. At least, they offer great value.

The M 1.7/50 can be found very cheap, as well as the M 2.8/28. Both lenses are more than decent performers, highly underrated (esp. the 1.7/50).

The A 1.4/50 is a fantastic lens IMHO and also much cheaper than the equally good competitor Nikkor 1.4/50 AI. Two of the best 50mm lenses I know.

For the short tele length, the M 2.8/100 is pretty good and still very affordable.

If you're lucky, you can find the M-set 2.8/28, 1.7/50 and 2.8/100 in very nice condition together for under €100,- ! (Well, that's what I did.)

 

[raid]

I love my SMC 85/1.8. This is a great lens. It is not a sleeper lens, though.

 

[f16sunshine]

The K mount f3.5/150mm is a unique and excellent lens.
It's very compact for it's focal length. I'm guessing it's a bit faster than f3.5 as well.
The vf is brighter than one might expect although, I suppose the magnification may make it look that way.
I've used it on my MX for portraits and was really happy.

 

[raid]

The 50/1.4 is a classic. I have one in M mount and one in M42 mount.

Raid

There are some unspectacular - and thus often overlooked - lenses. This makes them highly affordable, although they perform really well. At least, they offer great value.

The M 1.7/50 can be found very cheap, as well as the M 2.8/28. Both lenses are more than decent performers, highly underrated (esp. the 1.7/50).

The A 1.4/50 is a fantastic lens IMHO and also much cheaper than the equally good competitor Nikkor 1.4/50 AI. Two of the best 50mm lenses I know.

For the short tele length, the M 2.8/100 is pretty good and still very affordable.

If you're lucky, you can find the M-set 2.8/28, 1.7/50 and 2.8/100 in very nice condition together for under €100,- ! (Well, that's what I did.)

 

[oltimer]

The top sleeper in my opinion of the Pentax line; is the Asahi Takumar 83mm F1.9 in the 37 mount. With adapters it goes on any Pentax 35mm system, plus Digital. This lens has a 10 bokeh

 

[raid]

This is a $1000 sleeper lens 🙂
For many, it is a good reason to let is sleep.

 

[nobbylon]

I have the 'K' 50mm 1.4 and in every respect always thought it was on par with my V2 Summilux. At some point I will convert it for M use.
I've just bought a 28 2.8 and will be using both on my KM and ME.

 

[BlackXList]

My little pentax kit consists of a 50 1.7, the aforementioned (and wonderful) 24-35, a 135mm (off the top of my head I think it's the 3.5 and a 2x teleconverter.

With one lens on the camera, the rest fits into a small pouch, it's incredible how much goodness they managed to fit in small packages.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

The SMC Pentax 35/3.5 lens is excellent.

The SMC Pentax-M 28/3.5 is very good.

The SMC Pentax-M 50/1.7 lens is excellent.
The XR Rikenon 50/2.0 lens is often highly praised.

I sold my copy of the fabled SMC Pentax 85/1.8 lens.
I'm perfectly happy with my SMC Pentax-M 100/2.8 lens.

The SMC Pentax-M 75-150/4.0 and SMC Pentax-A 35-105/3.5 are excellent zoom lenses.

Chris

 

[johannielscom]

For a nice index of Pentax lenses: http://www.klassik-cameras.de/Pentax_Takumar_e.html

and if you want to get into Tamron Adaptalls (which also have a few gems amongst them!): http://www.adaptall-2.org/index.html.

 

[raid]

Thanks! He has many great lenses there. WOW.

 

[FrozenInTime]

I was always keen on the original 40mm f/2.8 Pancake lens - the only lens I still have.

 

[Trius]

And there's this one... well, anyway, we can dream..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1870-Pentax...ic-Takumar-Asahi-Opt-Near-Mint-/191767951331?

Cheaper than some Leica lenses ...

 

[oftheherd]

I wouldn't discount some of the Vivitar TX mount lenses. I have/had the 24mm, the 300mm, and a couple of others. The ones I have/had were very good. Especially the 24mm and the 300mm.

 

[aoresteen]

And there's this one... well, anyway, we can dream..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1870-Pentax...ic-Takumar-Asahi-Opt-Near-Mint-/191767951331?

I had forgotten about that one! For $2,000 I would really consider it but $6k is way too much.

 

[aoresteen]

Ah thanks! Never tried that one. There's a K version, I assume it's the same formula.

.....

Yes there is a K version and it's the same formula as the SMC Takumar 3.5 in M42.

 

[Fixcinater]

Top sleepers for me in no particular order:

50/4 Macro, 100/4 Macro, 28/3.5, 35/3.5, 55/1.8 , 150/3.5, Kaleinar 100/2.8. Some of the Sigma XQ lenses are interesting, and generally go for cheap.

Not sleepers but great:
85/1.8 (I have S-M-C Tak version), 50/1.4, early Helios 58/2 (or Biotar 58/2, preferably), Vivitar Series 1 AKA Lester Dine 105/2.5 1:1 Macro.

 

[raid]

How good are the macro lenses?