Pentax MF Prime Recommendations for the Sony NEX system

carbonmotion

carbonmotion

macrumors 6502a
I'm running a NEX-3 with plans to upgrade to a NEX-6 this year. I'd like some recommendations on MF Primes. I do travel photography, event photography, model photography, and timelapse and brochure video work. In addition to the e-mount 18-55mm kit lens and e-mount 35mm prime, I'm thinking about getting a Pentax MF 50mm f/1.4 (portraits) and Pentax MF 135mm f/2.5 (sniping at events). What do you guys think?

Background Story
Ever since I started shooting in high school, I obsessed about getting a full frame DSLR. Eventually, I got the Nikon D700 + D200 and a collection of niceish glass to go with them. For a long time, I had ran a modeling and wedding photography side gig and those cameras served me well. Since getting the NEX, I've been selling my Nikon gear off and all I have left is a Nikkor 50 F/1.8 and some mid-range zooms.
 
I can't really help your pentax issue but I can seriously recommend MF lenses especially if you feel like you are upto the challenge.

I borrowed a friends Leica R 35mm f/2 the past weekend and it worked like a dream on my 6D.

I'm also planning on getting a Hasselblad to EOS adapter to put some of my old hasselblad lenses on there as well.

It's really refreshing to have a focus throw that isn't a few cm between close focus and infinity and the contrast from the Leica was great!
 
I own a lot of Pentax lenses :)

I'm going to recommend the SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.2 if you can afford it, an amazing lens, otherwise any of the 50mm f/1.4 lenses (K, M or A).
 
Pentax have a bucket load of terrific primes, many oldies still outperforming thousand dollar pro zoom lenses of today.

You're going to want to look out for the M and K series lenses.

The newer A series lenses are also manual focus, but have electronic aperture communication with the Pentax bodies (useless for you) so these lenses will cost more in comparison to the M and K series.

Pentaxforums have a great database of just about ever Pentax lens ever made including user reviews.

M Series Primes Database and user reviews

K Series Primes Database and user reviews


I agree with twitch31, the 50mm f/1.4 is a great lens. Stopped down to f/5.6 it's razor sharp. You can view the image at 100% and almost not realise you're looking at a crop.

I've never been lucky enough to own or use the A Series 50mm f/1.2 as twitch31 recommends but it looks great!

The 135mm f/2.5 seems to rate well with users as well, the only problem I see with it being used for "event sniping" is nailing focus with that very shallow depth of field and constantly moving subjects.
 
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Buy Nikon, Canon or Minolta. I use Pentax and don't want you and others driving up the prices for older Pentax lenses.
 
don't forget m42

good suggestions so far. don't forget the m42 lenses. I have a m42 to NEX adaptor that works well. m42 lenses are cheap and there are some winners out there.

pentax forums has a lens review section with many user reviews on their manual primes.
 
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