FF Wide angle lens

atomx · 03-27-2015, 12:13 AM

Im getting ready for the Pentax FF release later in the year or early next year... I currently have the FA 31mm, 43mm and DFA 100mm macro. Other than the old FA 20mm f2.8 there doesn't seem to be a FF wide angle lens currrently available. I think there is a DFA 24-70mm zoom on the road map but not primes. Surely Pentax need a new wide angle prime?

I wonder weather the current FA primes will get an update to DC motors to bring them in-line with the new DFA lens?

**savoche** · 03-27-2015, 12:20 AM

You could also hope they'll revive the old FA*24/2

Oh, and it looks like there'll be a wide zoom as well, something like a 15-30.

Adam · 03-27-2015, 12:33 AM

Originally posted by atomx

Im getting ready for the Pentax FF release later in the year or early next year... I currently have the FA 31mm, 43mm and DFA 100mm macro. Other than the old FA 20mm f2.8 there doesn't seem to be a FF wide angle lens currrently available. I think there is a DFA 24-70mm zoom on the road map but not primes. Surely Pentax need a new wide angle prime?

I wonder weather the current FA primes will get an update to DC motors to bring them in-line with the new DFA lens?

Pentax said they're planning to release new lenses, rather than re-releasing old ones. There are plenty of manual focus FF lenses currently available from Samyang, like the 24mm F1.4.

biz-engineer · 03-27-2015, 12:49 AM

FA 24, FA 20-40, Samyang 14, Samyang 16 , Samyang 24, all Samyang are manual focus, but for wide angle, you may just set your focus at the hyperfocal distance.

Last edited by biz-engineer; 03-27-2015 at 01:29 AM.

**geomez** · 03-27-2015, 01:15 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

FA 24, FA 20-40, Samyang 14, Samyang 16 , Samyang 24.

Samyang 16 is APSC

At least mine is.

atomx · 03-27-2015, 01:40 AM

Yep Samyang 16 is APS-C i nearly clicked the buy button on this one before I realised it was aps-c... I wasn't aware the 24... ill have to check it out..

**geomez** · 03-27-2015, 01:47 AM

Originally posted by atomx

Yep Samyang 16 is APS-C i nearly clicked the buy button on this one before I realised it was aps-c... I wasn't aware the 24... ill have to check it out..

I just tested my 16 out on a F2F body. The image circle is quite a bit larger than APSC. It barely vignettes on the corners.

VisualDarkness · 03-27-2015, 04:14 AM

Don't forget the Sigma 20/1.8 and its siblings.

6BQ5 · 03-27-2015, 06:37 AM

The big question with these lenses is how sharp are the corners, even when stopped down to something like f/8?

From what I have read online all of these lenses do great on APS because the corners are normally cropped out. Users tend to forget about this since they only see the center in their APS bodies and are then disappointed with FF performance.

I think Pentax is wise to say that they will release new lenses rather than rerelease old ones. The new ones may be based off of older designs, which is a good start. Updating the optical formula to make the lenses as tele-centric as possible, new coatings, better materials, etc has to be taken into account.

Dlanor Sekao · 03-27-2015, 07:25 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

FA 24, FA 20-40, Samyang 14, Samyang 16 , Samyang 24, all Samyang are manual focus, but for wide angle, you may just set your focus at the hyperfocal distance.

Samyang 16mm is APS-C so be careful with that one .

normhead · 03-27-2015, 07:30 AM

With the advances in design and manufacturing technology over the last few years, there's probably a reason why Pentax doesn't plan to re-introduce any of the old lenses. That would be passing on a chance to improve on old designs. All the old lenses do is give you something to work with, until something more modern comes out.

hoopsontoast · 03-27-2015, 07:36 AM

FA20-35, I love mine on APS-C and Film, supposed to be very good still on FF (Sony A7).

biz-engineer · 03-27-2015, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by normhead

With the advances in design and manufacturing technology over the last few years, there's probably a reason why Pentax doesn't plan to re-introduce any of the old lenses. That would be passing on a chance to improve on old designs. All the old lenses do is give you something to work with, until something more modern comes out.

I am not impressed with the advances of the DA 18-50, DA18-135 and DA 18-85. I prefer the backward technology of the older FA limited versus DA35 2.4 and DA50 1.8.
Basically, with the new plastic lenses, it's more an advance is profit margin for Ricoh rather than advances in mechanical and optical quality.

lytrytyr · 03-27-2015, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by 6BQ5

The big question with these lenses is how sharp are the corners, even when stopped down to something like f/8?

From what I have read online all of these lenses do great on APS because the corners are normally cropped out. Users tend to forget about this since they only see the center in their APS bodies and are then disappointed with FF performance.

That is the conventional wisdom, but it doesn't always apply.
For the A20/2.8 and FA 20/2.8 (same optical diagram),
the corners on APS-C are worse than the corners on FF,
due to the notorious "mid-field dip."

See my August 22, 2013 review of the A20/2.8:

SMC Pentax-A 20mm F2.8 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

normhead · 03-27-2015, 10:22 AM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

That is the conventional wisdom, but it doesn't always apply.
For the A20/2.8 and FA 20/2.8 (same optical diagram),
the corners on APS-C are worse than the corners on FF,
due to the notorious "mid-field dip."

See my August 22, 2013 review of the A20/2.8:

SMC Pentax-A 20mm F2.8 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Well, that's a nice representative sample.

But, there is nothing like the DA 18-135 in old glass. Excellent centre sharpness at all focal lengths for at least one ƒ-stop, excellent centre and edge at 24mm. The new DFA* 70-200 I'm guessing is going to be excellent, faster AF, and WR. Let's not get carried away here. The new glass is going toe expensive, but it is going to be better too. As for the FA ltd. they are still being made.. so what's the problem?

03-27-2015, 12:13 AM	#1
atomx Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Melbourne,Australia Posts: 67	FF Wide angle lens Im getting ready for the Pentax FF release later in the year or early next year... I currently have the FA 31mm, 43mm and DFA 100mm macro. Other than the old FA 20mm f2.8 there doesn't seem to be a FF wide angle lens currrently available. I think there is a DFA 24-70mm zoom on the road map but not primes. Surely Pentax need a new wide angle prime? I wonder weather the current FA primes will get an update to DC motors to bring them in-line with the new DFA lens?

03-27-2015, 12:33 AM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by atomx Im getting ready for the Pentax FF release later in the year or early next year... I currently have the FA 31mm, 43mm and DFA 100mm macro. Other than the old FA 20mm f2.8 there doesn't seem to be a FF wide angle lens currrently available. I think there is a DFA 24-70mm zoom on the road map but not primes. Surely Pentax need a new wide angle prime? I wonder weather the current FA primes will get an update to DC motors to bring them in-line with the new DFA lens? Pentax said they're planning to release new lenses, rather than re-releasing old ones. There are plenty of manual focus FF lenses currently available from Samyang, like the 24mm F1.4. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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03-27-2015, 12:20 AM	#2
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	You could also hope they'll revive the old FA*24/2 Oh, and it looks like there'll be a wide zoom as well, something like a 15-30.

03-27-2015, 12:49 AM	#4
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	FA 24, FA 20-40, Samyang 14, Samyang 16 , Samyang 24, all Samyang are manual focus, but for wide angle, you may just set your focus at the hyperfocal distance. Last edited by biz-engineer; 03-27-2015 at 01:29 AM.

03-27-2015, 01:15 AM	#5
geomez Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roanoke, Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,760	Originally posted by biz-engineer FA 24, FA 20-40, Samyang 14, Samyang 16 , Samyang 24. Samyang 16 is APSC At least mine is.

03-27-2015, 01:40 AM	#6
atomx Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Melbourne,Australia Posts: 67 Original Poster	Yep Samyang 16 is APS-C i nearly clicked the buy button on this one before I realised it was aps-c... I wasn't aware the 24... ill have to check it out..

03-27-2015, 01:47 AM	#7
geomez Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roanoke, Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,760	Originally posted by atomx Yep Samyang 16 is APS-C i nearly clicked the buy button on this one before I realised it was aps-c... I wasn't aware the 24... ill have to check it out.. I just tested my 16 out on a F2F body. The image circle is quite a bit larger than APSC. It barely vignettes on the corners.

03-27-2015, 04:14 AM	#8
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Don't forget the Sigma 20/1.8 and its siblings.

03-27-2015, 06:37 AM	#9
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	The big question with these lenses is how sharp are the corners, even when stopped down to something like f/8? From what I have read online all of these lenses do great on APS because the corners are normally cropped out. Users tend to forget about this since they only see the center in their APS bodies and are then disappointed with FF performance. I think Pentax is wise to say that they will release new lenses rather than rerelease old ones. The new ones may be based off of older designs, which is a good start. Updating the optical formula to make the lenses as tele-centric as possible, new coatings, better materials, etc has to be taken into account.

03-27-2015, 07:25 AM	#10
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Originally posted by biz-engineer FA 24, FA 20-40, Samyang 14, Samyang 16 , Samyang 24, all Samyang are manual focus, but for wide angle, you may just set your focus at the hyperfocal distance. Samyang 16mm is APS-C so be careful with that one .

03-27-2015, 07:30 AM	#11
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	With the advances in design and manufacturing technology over the last few years, there's probably a reason why Pentax doesn't plan to re-introduce any of the old lenses. That would be passing on a chance to improve on old designs. All the old lenses do is give you something to work with, until something more modern comes out.

03-27-2015, 07:36 AM	#12
hoopsontoast Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 861	FA20-35, I love mine on APS-C and Film, supposed to be very good still on FF (Sony A7).

03-27-2015, 09:26 AM	#13
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	Originally posted by normhead With the advances in design and manufacturing technology over the last few years, there's probably a reason why Pentax doesn't plan to re-introduce any of the old lenses. That would be passing on a chance to improve on old designs. All the old lenses do is give you something to work with, until something more modern comes out. I am not impressed with the advances of the DA 18-50, DA18-135 and DA 18-85. I prefer the backward technology of the older FA limited versus DA35 2.4 and DA50 1.8. Basically, with the new plastic lenses, it's more an advance is profit margin for Ricoh rather than advances in mechanical and optical quality.

03-27-2015, 10:00 AM	#14
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by 6BQ5 The big question with these lenses is how sharp are the corners, even when stopped down to something like f/8? From what I have read online all of these lenses do great on APS because the corners are normally cropped out. Users tend to forget about this since they only see the center in their APS bodies and are then disappointed with FF performance. That is the conventional wisdom, but it doesn't always apply. For the A20/2.8 and FA 20/2.8 (same optical diagram), the corners on APS-C are worse than the corners on FF, due to the notorious "mid-field dip." See my August 22, 2013 review of the A20/2.8: SMC Pentax-A 20mm F2.8 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

03-27-2015, 10:22 AM	#15
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by lytrytyr That is the conventional wisdom, but it doesn't always apply. For the A20/2.8 and FA 20/2.8 (same optical diagram), the corners on APS-C are worse than the corners on FF, due to the notorious "mid-field dip." See my August 22, 2013 review of the A20/2.8: SMC Pentax-A 20mm F2.8 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Well, that's a nice representative sample. But, there is nothing like the DA 18-135 in old glass. Excellent centre sharpness at all focal lengths for at least one ƒ-stop, excellent centre and edge at 24mm. The new DFA* 70-200 I'm guessing is going to be excellent, faster AF, and WR. Let's not get carried away here. The new glass is going toe expensive, but it is going to be better too. As for the FA ltd. they are still being made.. so what's the problem?