FA31 and DA*300, what next?

David&karen · 09-28-2011, 09:49 AM

Hi everyone. If you read my earlier thread on trying to get a good copy of the DA* 16-50 Pentax lens(tried one more time for a total of 4 copies) I am now going with primes, and using a 18-55WR or 18-135WR for rainy days. I have the DA* 300 and it is exceptional, darn near perfect. I just bought the FA 31 today, so it will be here in a couple of days(wife uses the DA 35 f2.4, a really sharp lens!). I have decided on the DA*55, and the 100 macro WR for the tele end(I MIGHT get a DA*200, but I have the Tamron 70-200 F2.8 already...). What do you all think would be good to fill in the below 31mm primes? I was thinking DA15 and DA21, but if you have other ideas lets hear them!

David

**Rondec** · 09-28-2011, 11:08 AM

I would decide between the DA 15 and DA 14 -- obviously slower speed versus bigger size. I don't know that I personally would need a prime between 15mm and 31mm, but if you think you do, the 21mm is definitely a good choice.

elho_cid · 09-28-2011, 11:30 AM

I'm very happy with DA14 and FA*24. Only problem is that the FA24 is only available used.

Eagle_Friends · 09-28-2011, 11:31 AM

DA 15mm would be the next best choice. Then you'll just have to complete the trio with the FA 43mm and FA 77mm

touch7stone · 09-28-2011, 12:25 PM

Go with 15mm or 77mm, but actually for myself I like 43mm better than 31mm so you may also consider it.

Frogfish · 09-28-2011, 01:05 PM

DA 15 Ltd - simply stunning lens. Super sharp but it's the gorgeous colours and rendering that have sold me on this lens after just two months with it. However I also love the 43 Ltd which would fill the gap between 31 & 55 nicely. I do see that the just wonderful Contax Zeiss 85/1.4 (mount converted to PK) I have would also fit very nicely into your kit (and NO you can't have mine) !

TOUGEFC · 09-28-2011, 01:14 PM

You cant go wrong with the DA15 to fill in the wide end

**Clinton** · 09-28-2011, 01:22 PM

Take a long look at the Sigma 8-16mm if you're thinking about wide angle.

hcc · 09-28-2011, 02:01 PM

Your lenses cover above 18mm. A nice addition would be the DA10-17mm fisheye. The lens is quite versatile, being both a fisheye (180 deg) at 10mm and a wide angle at 17mm.

I bought the DA10-17mm recently based upon advice from PF Pentaxians and they were 'spot on'. A very interesting lens.

Food for thoughts.

Reportage · 09-28-2011, 02:44 PM

Just a thought if you are having bad luck finding a copy you like....how about Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 which for the money is pretty good and depending on where you buy, quite a long warranty.

twitch · 09-28-2011, 03:39 PM

I sympathise with you on your 16-50 plight. I only tried 2 copies before I gave up and swapped for a 12-24, but 4 copies ...

.

The glass half empty view is that it is ridiculous that Pentax can't produce a decent wide-normal quality zoom, what is possibly the most useful/needed lens in any manufacturers lineup. The glass half-full view is that the primes in this range are superb and the choices are numerious.

If it's wide you want then I think the DA15 is a great fit if you take mainly landscapes. It's a joy to use and produces terrific images. I like my DA21 too, it's actually a more versatile focal length than the 15 if it's mainly shots of people that you want to take.

Of course the DA12-24 is an option too. I've just returned from a trip having taken over 4,000 photos with that lens in just a few weeks. The experience confirmed again that while the lens has fantastic image quality and a great travel lens, I couldn't wait to get it off my camera when I got home and I doubt I'll be touching it again for some time. It's just not an enjoyable lens to use compared to the DA15 & DA21, it's too big and the hood is a royal PITA.

My tip on the most under rated limited lens though is the DA70, not that it has a bad reputation by any means, but I just can't say enough good things about it. The IQ is just stunning as is the handling. I think I prefer it to my FA77 which cost me a whole lot more.

Good luck with your choice....

David&karen · 09-29-2011, 01:10 AM

Well, there sure is a lot to think about here! Just so you all know, my wife has a 12-24 DA lens, and I do enjoy using that one! As to the Sigma 8-16, I just don't know about that focal length. When I was using Nikon I had the 14-24 and found that length very awkward, just not long enough...I think I would try the Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 first as it goes longer. Next week I am going to get the DA15mm and matbe take the advice for a Tamron 17-50. Keep the ideas coming!

David

David&karen · 09-29-2011, 01:13 AM

I forgot: The 70mm really interests me, but I really want all the teles to be WR, so that is why I skipped that one.

Emacs · 09-29-2011, 02:00 AM

Originally posted by Frogfish

DA 15 Ltd - simply stunning lens. Super sharp but it's the gorgeous colours

Looks sharp actually. In order to see what the sharp is take a look at any of FA ltds or CZs. Colors are very specific. Very saturated and greens looks just poor sometimes (blues are great though).
About the DA70: it's more a universal purpose lens. Again, it looks sharp, but details are worse than on 77Ltd. The skintones are much worse than on 77Ltd and the portraits taken with this lens will need deeper PP.

TOUGEFC · 09-29-2011, 02:18 AM

Originally posted by Emacs

Looks sharp actually. In order to see what the sharp is take a look at any of FA ltds or CZs. Colors are very specific. Very saturated and greens looks just poor sometimes (blues are great though).

Agreed, the DA15 is sharp but it is no where near the realm of sharpness of the FA ltds.

09-28-2011, 09:49 AM	#1
David&karen Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 327	*FA31 and DA300, what next?** Hi everyone. If you read my earlier thread on trying to get a good copy of the DA* 16-50 Pentax lens(tried one more time for a total of 4 copies) I am now going with primes, and using a 18-55WR or 18-135WR for rainy days. I have the DA* 300 and it is exceptional, darn near perfect. I just bought the FA 31 today, so it will be here in a couple of days(wife uses the DA 35 f2.4, a really sharp lens!). I have decided on the DA55, and the 100 macro WR for the tele end(I MIGHT get a DA200, but I have the Tamron 70-200 F2.8 already...). What do you all think would be good to fill in the below 31mm primes? I was thinking DA15 and DA21, but if you have other ideas lets hear them! David

09-28-2011, 03:39 PM	#11
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I sympathise with you on your 16-50 plight. I only tried 2 copies before I gave up and swapped for a 12-24, but 4 copies ... . The glass half empty view is that it is ridiculous that Pentax can't produce a decent wide-normal quality zoom, what is possibly the most useful/needed lens in any manufacturers lineup. The glass half-full view is that the primes in this range are superb and the choices are numerious. If it's wide you want then I think the DA15 is a great fit if you take mainly landscapes. It's a joy to use and produces terrific images. I like my DA21 too, it's actually a more versatile focal length than the 15 if it's mainly shots of people that you want to take. Of course the DA12-24 is an option too. I've just returned from a trip having taken over 4,000 photos with that lens in just a few weeks. The experience confirmed again that while the lens has fantastic image quality and a great travel lens, I couldn't wait to get it off my camera when I got home and I doubt I'll be touching it again for some time. It's just not an enjoyable lens to use compared to the DA15 & DA21, it's too big and the hood is a royal PITA. My tip on the most under rated limited lens though is the DA70, not that it has a bad reputation by any means, but I just can't say enough good things about it. The IQ is just stunning as is the handling. I think I prefer it to my FA77 which cost me a whole lot more. Good luck with your choice.... Last edited by twitch; 09-28-2011 at 03:48 PM.

09-29-2011, 02:00 AM	#14
Emacs Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Moscow Posts: 1,223	Originally posted by Frogfish DA 15 Ltd - simply stunning lens. Super sharp but it's the gorgeous colours Looks sharp actually. In order to see what the sharp is take a look at any of FA ltds or CZs. Colors are very specific. Very saturated and greens looks just poor sometimes (blues are great though). About the DA70: it's more a universal purpose lens. Again, it looks sharp, but details are worse than on 77Ltd. The skintones are much worse than on 77Ltd and the portraits taken with this lens will need deeper PP. Last edited by Emacs; 09-29-2011 at 02:20 AM.

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09-28-2011, 11:08 AM	#2
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	I would decide between the DA 15 and DA 14 -- obviously slower speed versus bigger size. I don't know that I personally would need a prime between 15mm and 31mm, but if you think you do, the 21mm is definitely a good choice.

09-28-2011, 11:30 AM	#3
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	I'm very happy with DA14 and FA*24. Only problem is that the FA24 is only available used.

09-28-2011, 11:31 AM	#4
Eagle_Friends Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	DA 15mm would be the next best choice. Then you'll just have to complete the trio with the FA 43mm and FA 77mm

09-28-2011, 12:25 PM	#5
touch7stone New Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4	Go with 15mm or 77mm, but actually for myself I like 43mm better than 31mm so you may also consider it.

09-28-2011, 01:05 PM	#6
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	DA 15 Ltd - simply stunning lens. Super sharp but it's the gorgeous colours and rendering that have sold me on this lens after just two months with it. However I also love the 43 Ltd which would fill the gap between 31 & 55 nicely. I do see that the just wonderful Contax Zeiss 85/1.4 (mount converted to PK) I have would also fit very nicely into your kit (and NO you can't have mine) !

09-28-2011, 01:14 PM	#7
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	You cant go wrong with the DA15 to fill in the wide end

09-28-2011, 01:22 PM	#8
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,912	Take a long look at the Sigma 8-16mm if you're thinking about wide angle.

09-28-2011, 02:01 PM	#9
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	Your lenses cover above 18mm. A nice addition would be the DA10-17mm fisheye. The lens is quite versatile, being both a fisheye (180 deg) at 10mm and a wide angle at 17mm. I bought the DA10-17mm recently based upon advice from PF Pentaxians and they were 'spot on'. A very interesting lens. Food for thoughts.

09-28-2011, 02:44 PM	#10
Reportage Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 739	Just a thought if you are having bad luck finding a copy you like....how about Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 which for the money is pretty good and depending on where you buy, quite a long warranty.

09-29-2011, 01:10 AM	#12
David&karen Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 327 Original Poster	Well, there sure is a lot to think about here! Just so you all know, my wife has a 12-24 DA lens, and I do enjoy using that one! As to the Sigma 8-16, I just don't know about that focal length. When I was using Nikon I had the 14-24 and found that length very awkward, just not long enough...I think I would try the Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 first as it goes longer. Next week I am going to get the DA15mm and matbe take the advice for a Tamron 17-50. Keep the ideas coming! David

09-29-2011, 01:13 AM	#13
David&karen Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 327 Original Poster	I forgot: The 70mm really interests me, but I really want all the teles to be WR, so that is why I skipped that one.

09-29-2011, 02:18 AM	#15
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by Emacs Looks sharp actually. In order to see what the sharp is take a look at any of FA ltds or CZs. Colors are very specific. Very saturated and greens looks just poor sometimes (blues are great though). Agreed, the DA15 is sharp but it is no where near the realm of sharpness of the FA ltds.