In a temporary, cash-grab measure the SMC 17mm has left the building. I have tried several ways to get below 18mm (DA16-45, Sigma 15FE, Rokinon 8FE and the 17FE) and find the Pentax Fish-Eye oldie suits me best. The Takumar version is probably the same optical formula and is more easily found, yet ironically it's more expensive; presumably the compact-mirrorless crowd prefers just an M42 adapter to the PK? Anyway, unless a DA15Ltd appears at the opportune moment I will spend half that price for another SMC 17FE. Good stuff.
Also leaving the building is the DA50-200wr. It was once my only WR option but the 18-135 now fills that need. With the 55-300wr's arrival it seems the 50-200 has lost more value than one might expect; ah well I got enough for it.
Once I am moved and unpacked I can determine any needs for incoming gear. The 8mm fisheye, SMC-A 24mm and Quantaray 100-300mm have been inaccessible, and their absence caused some surprising shifts in my lineup (e.g. SMC 17 and Tak 'the beast' 300mm, both f/4). The prime hole between 24 and 50 may or may not need filling, along with the 50-105 space - but Not with f/1.4 mini-Beasts from Rokinon! I would prefer the Mitakon f/2 at 85mm (or the SMC-M but that tends to be expensive), both far more compact. A few 35mm f/2 lenses are also out there to combat the Rokinon 35/1.4. I just feel that f/2 is bright enough and the extra bulk needed to reach f/1.4 is more than I choose to bear.
active status: da18-135, a50 1:2, st105, m200, tk300
within reach: qr28-70, old heavy MF zooms
out of reach: Rok8fe, a24, q28-90 1:2, q100-300
my wish list? SMC 17fe, faster mid-tele zoom?
