Best lens for handheld museum photography?

[Timarete]

FOr a 6 foot statue you would need to be pretty far. If your budget is around $400 with filters, i think that you can actually pick up two primes. I love primes, i am a little biased here.
If you have a little time and check the used lenses here and there, you should be able to find a M50mm f1.7 and F28mm f2.8 for a total of $300. They both use 49mm filters so you can use the same filters on both and keep your budget under $400.
For $400 i think that this is a combo that would allow you to shoot in most situation and get very, very good image quality.

The used M and F lenses sound tempting at those prices, but won't they require some expensive adapter to work with a K-mount body?

 

[deudeu]

Nope, those are k-mount lenses!

 

[deudeu]

Oh, just one little warning. The M lens has metering issues on my GX-10. It takes a bit to get used to. Work with the histogram to set up your exposure.
Also the focusing can be a little tricky, especially wide open and with a penta-miror.
It takes a little practice, but once you have figured it out, it is beautiful!

 

[JerryPH]

Sigma 30mm F/1.4 HSM in a Pentax compatible mount.

Museums are all about low light. I can post some examples later.

 

[deudeu]

Sigma 30mm F/1.4 HSM

Museums are all about low light. I can post some examples later.

Very good reviews on Pentax cameras for this lens as well. Count $400 though.

 

[Timarete]

Sigma 30mm F/1.4 HSM in a Pentax compatible mount.

Museums are all about low light. I can post some examples later.

Great. I'd love to see some.