Pentax Fa Lens

Can I use the pentax fa lenses i have on a digital camera? what brands? only pentax- who makes the best digital SLR today anyway?

In addition to FA, Pentax DSLR's will accept all K-mount lenses including the old manual focus ones (however some issues with older Ricoh Lenses) AND AND AND with a <$20 adapter you can use old m42/screw mount lenses (and keep center weighted stop down metering!)

2006-07-27 11:23:10 by Backcloud

First test Panasonic DMC-GH2 with 50mm F1.4 Pentax FA lens @F4 in 1080p24 (24L) 17mb/sec mode and auto ISO. The GH2 also has the higher 24mb/sec ...

I am thinking of buying this lens for my film SLR (A pentax SF-10) but I am looking to moving into a Canon dSLR in a couple years, so I would like to purchase glass that is compatible with what I have now, and what I would buy in the future (the Canon 5D is well beyond my pricepoint - looking at mid to entry level dSLR)

The mounts are different between Pentax and Canon gear. It won't work.

2007-10-11 07:55:05 by peakbagger66

Price: $849.95

Macro lens features a full 1:1 image magnification ratio (1X, Life Size).
PENTAX SP (Super Protect) coating on front lens element helps repel dust, water, and grease, while minimizing fingerprints.
WR Weather Resistant design is ideal for use on popular PENTAX weather resistant DSLR bodies.

If so... are there any compatibility issues? I would appreciate good answers. thankyou.

I have several Pentax SLRs and DSLRs. All use the KAF bayonet type lenses, and I haven't found any compatibility issues. That is the one reason I went with Pentax DSLRs. I get to save money on lenses. I can shoot film or digi and only switch whichever lens I want to use. It makes it a lot lighter when carrying around two different cameras all day.

2007-04-07 16:06:41 by HT

Must Have Manufacturer's Warranty of 90+ Days
Transferable
(This Contract May Be Purchased Here Regardless If The Product Was Purchased Elsewhere): Service Contract Starts From Date of Purchase

I am planning to purchase the Pentax k20D body only, which means I'll be in need of a lens. My focus will be portrait photography so I'm looking into what would be the best lens for that. So far I've read that the Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens is great for portrait photography because it gives great blur and minimizes distortion pretty well. I also looked into the Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras for its low price. I like the variety in the zoom of this lengths, but its aperture is obviously not in comparison to the SMCP-FA.

I'm looking for a lens that is great for head shots, can also take great pictures at body length, and great pictures when trying to incorporate background with model.. Any suggestions?

The consesus among photographers is that the best portrait lenses are between 85-105mm on a 35mm camera (full frame dslr)

The 50mm on a 35mm camera is the one which is closest to the human eye in terms of field of view.

Anything under 50mm is liable to "distort" portraits especially when you are close to the subject.

An 85mm would give you good head shots and you would be able to get full length shots in easy enough by moving a little.
Get the fastest lens you can (lowest f number) so that you are able to throw the background out of focus.
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2009-04-20 00:39:18 by kiksumazz

Anyone used / own the Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens? How do you like it? Do you recommend it for portrait photography? Does this camera need a more powerful external flash?

Anyone used / own the Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras? How do you like it? Do you recommend this for portrait photography? Does this camera benefit from an external flash?

Although I don't own any Pentax equipment, I vote for the 50mm f1.4 lens. As someone already said, it closely approximates the old 35mm "ideal" portrait length of between 85mm to 105mm. The f1.4 aperture also gives you better performance in low-light, non-flash situations.

I will admit to having a bias against variable aperture zoom lenses. So, I suggest looking at the Tamron AF70-200mm f2.8 Di LD (IF) zoom. If you need a wider view, I suggest the Pentax SMC DA Star 16-50mm f2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM. In my opinion, these 2 zooms and the 50mm f1.4 would be a great kit. (NOTE: Someone will probably complain that you're duplicating a focal length with the 16-50mm and a 50mm prime. Ignore them. You need the fast 50mm f1.4 for reasons already stated).

Any camera that can use an external flash will definitely benefit. The built-in "pop up" flash is harsh and unflattering since its direct flash. It is also not very powerful. Yes, you can buy diffusers and they do help but nothing replaces an off-camera flash. A good flash mounted on a flash bracket will allow you to use bounce flash which is more natural and flattering. The Pentax AF540FGZ would be an excellent choice. You can find a wide selection of off-camera flash brackets at http://www.bhphotovideo.com

Another personal bias: I think it looks really amateurish to have a flash mounted on the camera.

2009-04-19 23:44:27 by kiksumazz