{"id":171997,"date":"2022-08-09T14:14:08","date_gmt":"2022-08-09T13:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/?p=171997"},"modified":"2022-08-09T14:16:38","modified_gmt":"2022-08-09T13:16:38","slug":"best-pentax-lenses-for-dslr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/buying-advice\/best-pentax-lenses-for-dslr\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Pentax lenses in 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you trying to work out what’s the best Pentax lenses for your <\/strong>APS-C or full-frame DSLR? These are our top lens picks to extend your camera kit bag.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pentax lenses \u2013 a summary<\/h2>\n

The K-mount was introduced in 1976 primarily for Pentax 35mm cameras like the legendary Pentax K1000.<\/p>\n

Nearly 50 years on, all Pentax 35mm and DSLR cameras use K-mount lenses – the mount is the same physical size<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

How to choose a Pentax lens<\/h3>\n

Digital age lenses are denoted with a ‘D<\/strong>‘. More specifically, ‘DA<\/strong>‘ or ‘DA*<\/strong>‘ lenses are designed primarily for APS-C format cameras while ‘D FA<\/strong>‘ or ‘D FA*<\/strong>‘ lenses are for full-frame.<\/p>\n

Despite getting in on the DSLR action early with the APS-C format *ist D in 2003, it would take Pentax another thirteen years to create a full-frame DSLR in the shape of the K-1 in 2016. As such, there are plenty APS-C format lenses to choose from, and a more limited full-frame range.<\/p>\n

Those with an APS-C format camera like the Pentax K-70 can use full-frame lenses with a 1.5x focal length multiplier (approx). For example, the professional Pentax-D FA* 50mm f\/1.4 SDM AW lens on a Pentax K-70<\/a> becomes a 76.5mm lens<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Likewise, attach an APS-C lens to the full-frame Pentax K-1<\/a> or K1 II and it’ll work, albeit with a 1.5x crop to avoid vignetting. There’s an in-camera automatic ‘Crop Mode’ for such a set up. However, to get the most resolution out of a lens with the full-frame K-1 or K-1 II, you’ll want a full-frame lens<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In recent lenses, ‘SDM’\/ ‘DC’ \/ ‘PLM’ \/ ‘IF<\/strong>‘ all refer to the autofocus motor. For example, ‘SDM’ denotes supersonic direct-drive motor<\/em><\/strong> and is responsible for the high-accuracy and autofocus speed performance.<\/p>\n

Pentax also places a high standard on the build-quality and operability of its lenses, with ‘AW<\/strong>‘ or ‘WR<\/strong>‘ referring to all weather or weather resistance<\/strong>. ‘HD<\/strong>‘ and ‘SP<\/strong>‘ are lens coatings that reduce flare and protect the lens surface respectively, while ‘AL<\/strong>‘ and ‘ED<\/strong>‘ are types of lens elements designed to improve image quality.<\/p>\n

Every Pentax DSLR<\/a> since the Pentax K100D in 2007 features sensor shift stabilisation (‘Shake Reduction’)<\/strong>. As such, modern Pentax lenses do not need to add optical image stabilisation to the mix.<\/p>\n

Good news is there’s a heck of a lot of Pentax lenses, covering virtually all genres of photography<\/strong>. We can’t sensibly include all the excellent lenses<\/a>, so for this round-up APS-C and full-frame lenses are grouped together by focal length; wide, standard, telephoto and super zoom.<\/p>\n

Within these categories we include third party options. We also highlight which genres they are particularly suited to, including the likes of macro photography and portraits.<\/p>\n

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What\u2019s the best Pentax lens for wide-angle photography?<\/h2>\n

Best APS-C wide-angle zoom lens<\/h2>\n

HD Pentax-DA* 11-18mm F2.8 ED DC AW<\/h2>\n

Price | \u00a31349 \/ $1296<\/h3>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"HD\t\t\t

HD Pentax-DA* 11-18mm F2.8 ED DC AW lens<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

At a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Aperture range f\/2.8 to f\/22<\/li>\n
  • Weighs 704g<\/li>\n
  • 17.5-27.5mm equivalent focal length<\/li>\n
  • 82mm Filter diameter<\/li>\n
  • In production<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Completing the trinity of f\/2.8 zoom lenses for APS-C format, the 11-18mm is the widest of the three, offering an equivalent 17.5-27.5mm focal length. It doesn’t go quite as wide as the full-frame 15-30mm f\/2.8 equivalent, but this professional-grade lens is well-suited to landscape photography<\/a>. It’s an AW (all-weather) lens with HD lens coating, while the lens construction comprises 16 elements in 11 groups with ED (extra low dispersion) elements.<\/p>\n

    When you consider the benefits of APS-C over full-frame, size and weight has to feature. The three f\/2.8 lens put together weigh about half that of their full-frame equivalents. If you can live without the bright f\/2.8 maximum aperture, then the Pentax DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL [IF] is a slightly more cost-effective and compact wide-angle zoom lens with slightly further reach.<\/p>\n