Hands down, the 50-135. It doesn't even need new coatings, just a PLM motor. That lens is Samurai Sword sharp with matrix slow mo focusing compared to the PLM bullet time speed.
Its not bad, but not even close to Sig18-35/1.8 if we want a zoom lens for comparison. I've just returned soaking wet shooting ice hockey company tournament in snow with DA*50-135. And I would love DA* 35-150/2.8 :))
I agree, 50-135 great focal range. However, my pick would be the 60-250 f4. What I would like to see is a 2,8 version with a faster focusing speed. I'm happy with it as is, but with those changes it would become dynamite.
I have both the 50-135 F2.8 and the 60-250 F4. For what I do the 50-135 is really good for video of Trains. The Internal Zoom and IF make it great for this. The only let down on the 60-250 F4 is the External Zoom. Just makes the Zoom a little awkward. I would love to see both lenses up graded with the PLM, but I would also love to see the 60-250 F4 with an Internal Zoom. Would make it larger but it would be a great Lens.
I am going to agree with you Lee. Would love to see a PLM version of the 50-135. I picked up a like new one a few months ago and love it, focus is plenty fast for what I am using it for.
Sig100-300/4 is better and very fast focusing.. even though being camera driven AF, it is in real shooting scenarios about as fast focusing as my HD DA55-300PLM WR :D And it will be cute to have such lens with strong fast ring or linear ultrasonic actuators for focusing...mmm!
My opinion is relative to my limited experience having only used a dslr for 1 year , the pentax k70 . So my choice may not resonate with other photographers , I've recently had the pleasure of shooting with a DA* lens for the first time , namely the pentax DA*300mm f4 , I'm blown away by the image quality compared to my other lenses , BUT ,the focus is so slow .... My personal wish is for the DA*300mm f4 to be overhauled and given a plm motor , I love how fast my 55-300mm plm lens focuses, so please pentax , give us more plm lenses !
You are not alone Paul! I've yet to try the DA*300 but I did own the DA*200, DA*50-135 & DA*16-50 all suffering from the same slow to focus SDM motor! Now that I've had the chance to use the updated DA*16-50 PLM I can't tell you how much I'd love to see new versions of all those DA* lenses!
Zeiss 50/3.5 Tessar collapsable. Preferably the prewar formulation, single hard coating. Option for uncoated (beautiful muted color was available from it) would be lovely. The ultimate normal lens of FF, perfect portrait lens on APS-C format. Runner up, the Zeiss 50/2 Sonnar collapsible, also prewar, also with the early single hard coating. Those lenses would teach you all what real glass is all about.
I'm basically waiting for a revamped version of the DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 SDM lens. The photos that I've seen taken with that lens look very amazing. Hopefully it ends up having a PLM motor, but if Ricoh decides to use a DC motor or newer SDM motor, I won't have any issues with it as long as it focuses fast enough. I would also like a revamp of the DA* 60-250mm f/4. I've seen loots of nice photos taken with that lens as well.
One big reason I went with Pentax in 2009 was the 16-50mm SDM. I'd grown to love the 24mm angle of view on film and only Pentax had an f/2.8 zoom that went that wide; every other lens began at 18mm. It was a decision I've never regretted, and when the SDM lens took a knock that took it out of commission, it was honourably retired and replaced with the new PLM version. I noticed that one of your previous answers, from James Mincey, asked for fast wide primes like a new version of the FA 24mm f/2. I'd go along with that, and you won't be surprised that I'd like to see a 16mm f/2 in the range.
I've been revitalised by the 16-50 PLM, it has definitely gave me a new found love for the focal range it covers. Good shout on the 24mm range, was that on APSC or full frame?
@@LeeIveson I'd previously been using Minolta manual focus gear. Of course that meant that when I went digital, I wasn't already tied to any particular lens mount. I still have the Tamron 24mm f/2.5, now with a K lens mount so I can use it as a 36mm equivalent lens on the Pentax.
I agree with others seeking an update to the 50-135mm. I like the look of the images I get but the focus is a bit slow. I also think the PLM motor would be more reliable.
Pentax 60-250 DA* SDM. A PLM version of this fast, sharp lens would be terrific. It’s already a fast focus lens but I live in fear of that SDM drive failing. I use it for wildlife and when I stumble on a flower it is decently close focusing. The 55-300 PLM is great, but the wider aperture on the 60-250 is nice. Make it all-weather or at least weather resistant and it would be perfect. Pentax?
Yeh a good 50-140 is critical for a system. I'm glad to report that the Fuji XF50-140 is excellent, it supports a triple Linear Motor (fuji's equivalent to PLM). I don't know all the ins and outs of focusing motors but if Fuji can manage it then I am hopeful Pentax can too. And yes, I did giggle at a bit of this video, because you explained why certain lenses you didn't gravitate towards (thinking it was a focal length/range issue) when in fact it was AF related. This is why no pros shoot Olympics with Pentax! Even Sigma have a dedicated 'Sport' range of lenses (along with their Contemporary and Art series). Lens AF is incredibly important to the success rate of the shoot. I salute your dedication to Pentax, bending the will of the system to genres it is not well suited towards, it is very admirable! But there are easier ways (cheaper even as well!).
I like the look of that 50-140, a few years back I did look into the XT-2 & that lens but ended up sticking with the K3 after I picked up the 55-300PLM. Which is what kept me in the Pentax system, which your right in saying is probably not going to be a professional sports photographers first pick. In saying that it's been fine for the level of sports I shoot, especially using the K3iii. The weather sealing helps out too! I think I'm drawn to the underdog options with most things which is good in some ways & not so much in others. I originally bought my 7DII with the intentions of putting it up against my K3 to see how a dedicated sports/action camera from around the same time period compared & then selling it. Turns out I really enjoyed using the 7DII + 70-200 combo for the Motocross/Enduro shoots! I've actually bought an adaptor to try that EF 70-200 f4 lens on the little Canon R50 I picked up, which I'm a little scared of doing because I think I'll really like the vehicle tracking AF capabilities. But at the end of the day switching systems for me at the moment is not going to make sense financially or results wise, at least for what I shoot. If I end up getting head hunted by the AMA Supercross for my World class skills I'll maybe have to pick up a camera with one of those global shutters or whatever they have 🤣
I agree, but I also have the DFA 70-200 f2.8, so I dunno. The sharpness on it is not great on Katie. I often stop down to 3.2 or 4 to get usable sharpness out of it.
The ultimate lens would be an 10-600mm F2.8 lol. Just kidding, it would be huge! There are so many lenses that have come and gone, I loved the EF 18-135mm lenses on a cropped body, and would love an F4 version of that, sure it would be bigger, but a constant aperture would be nice. I did a video myself, on the question so many photographers ask, especially biginners, "whats the best lens". There isn't one! I Digress, I also love lenses with character, those that emulate the likes of the Helios 44, 58mm F2, now that would be a nice lens to remake, and have viltrox come close with the 56mm F1.7 they just released?
Yeah I think your ultimate lens would double up as a good piece of gym equipment with how heavy it would be haha! I've yet to try any of those Helios lenses yet, but I have seen a number of unreal images that have been made by other photographers using them. The lens at the end of this video had a load of character (FA50mm f1.4 classic) the rainbow flare effect is not for everyone but super fun to shoot with for me at least!
I was never a fast action shooter so i still use my original 16 to 50 zoom. Pentax made so many great lenses over the years i dont think its fair to pick just one. If i could ask them to reissue a modern remake id ask for the 55 1.8 full frame. I wouldn't care if they kept the M42 screw mount, though id be curious if they could make it even sharper than the original. That lens still commands a premium on the used market - its a real gem. I use it as a relay lens on some of my microscopes. It works perfectly. Oddly i found that the rest of my collection of 50 to 58 mm lenses cant be used for that purpose because of hot spots.
Beyond the DA* 50-135 F2.8, rather obvious candidates for new iterations would be the DA* 55 F1.4 (another SDM let-down), the DA* 300 F4 (similar story), and the DA15 F4 Ltd. (slightly faster aperture, say F3.2, like the DA 21 Ltd., and a bit less iffy corner sharpness, please). Just my two bits.
You can just buy DFA*50/1.4 and forget that 5mm :) It makes no sense to design any additional 50/55mm lens. There are more important focal lengths uncovered to be solved first.
Lee for portrait lenses would you recommend any of the new 50mm that came out? I shoot street photography and abandoned building with an occasional street portrait. Trying to figure out that portrait lens
I don't shoot many portraits, well unless Motocross riders with their helmets on can be classed as portraits? But the FA50 classic f1.4 I was sent out did a fantastic job for me with those shots, plus if you want to get creative look for some strong back-lit scenes & shoot wide open at f1.4 for the rainbow flare effect that thus lens can create. Other than that I always say its worth having the plastic fantastic DA50 f1.8 which it great for the price, and finally I used to have a Sigma 50mm f1.4 which was soft wide open, not sure If I had a bad copy but I was not that keen on that lens.
Hi Lee, & everyone , i'm looking for help just got a K1 first pentax camera, but when i put a sigma 50mm f1.4 EX DG HMS pentax fit ,nothing works , camera turns on get back screen , but can't adjust anything or live view, when the lens is off everything works ok, i'm waiting for another lens to arrive to try, but just wondered if anyone had any ideas , cheers Kevin
Sorry to hear that Kevin, I'm not sure what that could be to be honest, maybe try cleaning the electrical contacts on both the camera & lens see if that helps.
@@LeeIveson thanks Lee, i tried contacts ,lens & camera , firmware up to date nothing , so popped in to local WEX at south gosforth camera works fine with other lenses & the sigma 50mm works great on crop but not full frame , they said they have had a few problems with 3rd party sigmas on FF 50m & 70-200 ect . so i sent it back & ordered a sigma 50mm 1.4 instead :)
For me, it’d be the 250-600 - a smaller version of that, maybe into the 800mm range would be killer. Either that or a new 18-135 AW PLM with better IQ, that’s my current walkabout while in civilization (mind you, I haven’t tried the new 16-50 AW PLM yet, this might be my 18-135 replacement all ready to go)
Hands down, the 50-135. It doesn't even need new coatings, just a PLM motor. That lens is Samurai Sword sharp with matrix slow mo focusing compared to the PLM bullet time speed.
This is the truth 👌
Its not bad, but not even close to Sig18-35/1.8 if we want a zoom lens for comparison.
I've just returned soaking wet shooting ice hockey company tournament in snow with DA*50-135.
And I would love DA* 35-150/2.8 :))
I agree, 50-135 great focal range. However, my pick would be the 60-250 f4. What I would like to see is a 2,8 version with a faster focusing speed. I'm happy with it as is, but with those changes it would become dynamite.
I have both the 50-135 F2.8 and the 60-250 F4. For what I do the 50-135 is really good for video of Trains. The Internal Zoom and IF make it great for this. The only let down on the 60-250 F4 is the External Zoom. Just makes the Zoom a little awkward. I would love to see both lenses up graded with the PLM, but I would also love to see the 60-250 F4 with an Internal Zoom. Would make it larger but it would be a great Lens.
I am going to agree with you Lee. Would love to see a PLM version of the 50-135. I picked up a like new one a few months ago and love it, focus is plenty fast for what I am using it for.
Da* 300/4 with PLM and new coatings
Sig100-300/4 is better and very fast focusing.. even though being camera driven AF, it is in real shooting scenarios about as fast focusing as my HD DA55-300PLM WR :D And it will be cute to have such lens with strong fast ring or linear ultrasonic actuators for focusing...mmm!
My opinion is relative to my limited experience having only used a dslr for 1 year , the pentax k70 . So my choice may not resonate with other photographers , I've recently had the pleasure of shooting with a DA* lens for the first time , namely the pentax DA*300mm f4 , I'm blown away by the image quality compared to my other lenses , BUT ,the focus is so slow ....
My personal wish is for the DA*300mm f4 to be overhauled and given a plm motor , I love how fast my 55-300mm plm lens focuses, so please pentax , give us more plm lenses !
You are not alone Paul! I've yet to try the DA*300 but I did own the DA*200, DA*50-135 & DA*16-50 all suffering from the same slow to focus SDM motor! Now that I've had the chance to use the updated DA*16-50 PLM I can't tell you how much I'd love to see new versions of all those DA* lenses!
Zeiss 50/3.5 Tessar collapsable. Preferably the prewar formulation, single hard coating. Option for uncoated (beautiful muted color was available from it) would be lovely. The ultimate normal lens of FF, perfect portrait lens on APS-C format.
Runner up, the Zeiss 50/2 Sonnar collapsible, also prewar, also with the early single hard coating.
Those lenses would teach you all what real glass is all about.
I'm basically waiting for a revamped version of the DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 SDM lens. The photos that I've seen taken with that lens look very amazing. Hopefully it ends up having a PLM motor, but if Ricoh decides to use a DC motor or newer SDM motor, I won't have any issues with it as long as it focuses fast enough.
I would also like a revamp of the DA* 60-250mm f/4. I've seen loots of nice photos taken with that lens as well.
That's my pick the 50-135. But I'd also agree the 60-250 or even the 300 f4 would be nice too!
Would love to see a modern 28mm with a wide aperture 1.4? That would give me a focal range of about 40mm on my K3iii
One big reason I went with Pentax in 2009 was the 16-50mm SDM. I'd grown to love the 24mm angle of view on film and only Pentax had an f/2.8 zoom that went that wide; every other lens began at 18mm. It was a decision I've never regretted, and when the SDM lens took a knock that took it out of commission, it was honourably retired and replaced with the new PLM version.
I noticed that one of your previous answers, from James Mincey, asked for fast wide primes like a new version of the FA 24mm f/2. I'd go along with that, and you won't be surprised that I'd like to see a 16mm f/2 in the range.
I've been revitalised by the 16-50 PLM, it has definitely gave me a new found love for the focal range it covers. Good shout on the 24mm range, was that on APSC or full frame?
@@LeeIveson I'd previously been using Minolta manual focus gear. Of course that meant that when I went digital, I wasn't already tied to any particular lens mount. I still have the Tamron 24mm f/2.5, now with a K lens mount so I can use it as a 36mm equivalent lens on the Pentax.
I agree with others seeking an update to the 50-135mm. I like the look of the images I get but the focus is a bit slow. I also think the PLM motor would be more reliable.
Pentax 60-250 DA* SDM. A PLM version of this fast, sharp lens would be terrific. It’s already a fast focus lens but I live in fear of that SDM drive failing. I use it for wildlife and when I stumble on a flower it is decently close focusing. The 55-300 PLM is great, but the wider aperture on the 60-250 is nice. Make it all-weather or at least weather resistant and it would be perfect. Pentax?
Yeah I feel that sometimes with my 55-300PLM especially at the long end, would be awesome to have somthing in that range at f4 with PLM!
Yeh a good 50-140 is critical for a system. I'm glad to report that the Fuji XF50-140 is excellent, it supports a triple Linear Motor (fuji's equivalent to PLM). I don't know all the ins and outs of focusing motors but if Fuji can manage it then I am hopeful Pentax can too.
And yes, I did giggle at a bit of this video, because you explained why certain lenses you didn't gravitate towards (thinking it was a focal length/range issue) when in fact it was AF related. This is why no pros shoot Olympics with Pentax! Even Sigma have a dedicated 'Sport' range of lenses (along with their Contemporary and Art series). Lens AF is incredibly important to the success rate of the shoot. I salute your dedication to Pentax, bending the will of the system to genres it is not well suited towards, it is very admirable! But there are easier ways (cheaper even as well!).
I like the look of that 50-140, a few years back I did look into the XT-2 & that lens but ended up sticking with the K3 after I picked up the 55-300PLM. Which is what kept me in the Pentax system, which your right in saying is probably not going to be a professional sports photographers first pick. In saying that it's been fine for the level of sports I shoot, especially using the K3iii. The weather sealing helps out too! I think I'm drawn to the underdog options with most things which is good in some ways & not so much in others. I originally bought my 7DII with the intentions of putting it up against my K3 to see how a dedicated sports/action camera from around the same time period compared & then selling it. Turns out I really enjoyed using the 7DII + 70-200 combo for the Motocross/Enduro shoots! I've actually bought an adaptor to try that EF 70-200 f4 lens on the little Canon R50 I picked up, which I'm a little scared of doing because I think I'll really like the vehicle tracking AF capabilities. But at the end of the day switching systems for me at the moment is not going to make sense financially or results wise, at least for what I shoot. If I end up getting head hunted by the AMA Supercross for my World class skills I'll maybe have to pick up a camera with one of those global shutters or whatever they have 🤣
Lee
The Pentax 35-105 3.5 a lens full of primes it has apature 3.5 available at all focal ranges
Hmm I'll need to take a look at that one!
Please Pentax, put a PLM motor in my favourite zoom lens: the DA* 60-250 f4! It's such a versatile optic, and plenty sharp enough.
I agree, but I also have the DFA 70-200 f2.8, so I dunno. The sharpness on it is not great on Katie. I often stop down to 3.2 or 4 to get usable sharpness out of it.
Takk!
The ultimate lens would be an 10-600mm F2.8 lol. Just kidding, it would be huge! There are so many lenses that have come and gone, I loved the EF 18-135mm lenses on a cropped body, and would love an F4 version of that, sure it would be bigger, but a constant aperture would be nice. I did a video myself, on the question so many photographers ask, especially biginners, "whats the best lens". There isn't one!
I Digress, I also love lenses with character, those that emulate the likes of the Helios 44, 58mm F2, now that would be a nice lens to remake, and have viltrox come close with the 56mm F1.7 they just released?
Yeah I think your ultimate lens would double up as a good piece of gym equipment with how heavy it would be haha! I've yet to try any of those Helios lenses yet, but I have seen a number of unreal images that have been made by other photographers using them.
The lens at the end of this video had a load of character (FA50mm f1.4 classic) the rainbow flare effect is not for everyone but super fun to shoot with for me at least!
Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 but it did get a update about a year ago under the new brand OM Systems.
I was never a fast action shooter so i still use my original 16 to 50 zoom. Pentax made so many great lenses over the years i dont think its fair to pick just one. If i could ask them to reissue a modern remake id ask for the 55 1.8 full frame. I wouldn't care if they kept the M42 screw mount, though id be curious if they could make it even sharper than the original. That lens still commands a premium on the used market - its a real gem. I use it as a relay lens on some of my microscopes. It works perfectly. Oddly i found that the rest of my collection of 50 to 58 mm lenses cant be used for that purpose because of hot spots.
Beyond the DA* 50-135 F2.8, rather obvious candidates for new iterations would be the DA* 55 F1.4 (another SDM let-down), the DA* 300 F4 (similar story), and the DA15 F4 Ltd. (slightly faster aperture, say F3.2, like the DA 21 Ltd., and a bit less iffy corner sharpness, please). Just my two bits.
You can just buy DFA*50/1.4 and forget that 5mm :) It makes no sense to design any additional 50/55mm lens. There are more important focal lengths uncovered to be solved first.
50-135/2.8 and 300/4 and I would be super happy!
Lee for portrait lenses would you recommend any of the new 50mm that came out? I shoot street photography and abandoned building with an occasional street portrait. Trying to figure out that portrait lens
I don't shoot many portraits, well unless Motocross riders with their helmets on can be classed as portraits? But the FA50 classic f1.4 I was sent out did a fantastic job for me with those shots, plus if you want to get creative look for some strong back-lit scenes & shoot wide open at f1.4 for the rainbow flare effect that thus lens can create. Other than that I always say its worth having the plastic fantastic DA50 f1.8 which it great for the price, and finally I used to have a Sigma 50mm f1.4 which was soft wide open, not sure If I had a bad copy but I was not that keen on that lens.
Hi Lee, & everyone , i'm looking for help just got a K1 first pentax camera, but when i put a sigma 50mm f1.4 EX DG HMS pentax fit ,nothing works , camera turns on get back screen , but can't adjust anything or live view, when the lens is off everything works ok, i'm waiting for another lens to arrive to try, but just wondered if anyone had any ideas , cheers Kevin
Sorry to hear that Kevin, I'm not sure what that could be to be honest, maybe try cleaning the electrical contacts on both the camera & lens see if that helps.
@@LeeIveson thanks Lee, i tried contacts ,lens & camera , firmware up to date nothing , so popped in to local WEX at south gosforth camera works fine with other lenses & the sigma 50mm works great on crop but not full frame , they said they have had a few problems with 3rd party sigmas on FF 50m & 70-200 ect . so i sent it back & ordered a sigma 50mm 1.4 instead :)
For me, it’d be the 250-600 - a smaller version of that, maybe into the 800mm range would be killer.
Either that or a new 18-135 AW PLM with better IQ, that’s my current walkabout while in civilization (mind you, I haven’t tried the new 16-50 AW PLM yet, this might be my 18-135 replacement all ready to go)