Trying to improve my setup..

hagiri_11 · 10-14-2011, 04:26 AM

I would like to ask for opinions from fellow PF users..

I'm trying to improve my K-mount only setup, with an aim to make it lighter. I like going out with maybe 3 to 4 lenses max, and prefer shooting wide and closeups rather than birds or other distant objects (which require tele)

My current kit has too many overlapping focal lengths, and a lens which I think is too heavy for me.
Currently, I have:

1. Pentax-M 28mm f2.8
2. Pentax-DA 35mm f2.8 Macro Ltd.
3. Pentax-DA L 55-300mm f4-5.6
4. Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 Macro OS HSM
5. Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 Macro
6. Carl Zeiss Biometar 80mm f2.8 (K mount using Pentacon->K mount adapter)

My ideal setup:
1. A walkaround prime - DA 35mm f2.8, pretty much decided on this.
2. A walkaround wide to standard zoom - ?
3. Tele prime - currently CZ 80mm, may change
4. A UWA or WA prime/zoom - ?
5. Backup long tele, if needed - DA L 55-300mm, also decided

My ideas:
1. Getting a light, but not too expensive UWA or WA prime or zoom -> always wanted a WA prime/zoom, I feel like 28mm is not enough
2. Getting a light and good wide to standard walkaround zoom.

My primary walkaround, the Sigma 17-70, is I think too heavy for me, being an OS and HSM lens. I prefer lighter lenses. I may sell it.
Also, I got a used Sigma 18-50 to compare to the 17-70. It is an OK lens, but didn't have anything spectacular to it. Tried to sell it, but couldn't. Not enough interest for the lens in my country. May try to sell off by reducing the price further.
So, I'm considering to get a used DA 16-45 or a used non-HSM non-OS Sigma 17-70 to replace the current Sigmas as a all-rounder zoom

3. Keeping the CZ as my telephoto prime. Or maybe replacing it with something better, but not too expensive.

Would prefer autofocus lenses, but MF lenses are also fine with me, as long as they're light. Cost is also a factor, wouldn't want to spend too much.

Last edited by hagiri_11; 10-14-2011 at 04:54 AM.

RioRico · 10-14-2011, 04:49 AM

UWA: I love my Tamron 10-24. It serves for both tight spaces and 'scapes.
Walkabouts: Sure, get a lighter-weight Sigma 17-70.
Others: Keep the DA's and the Biometar.

For a lightweight kit, try small MF primes: SuperTak 28/3.5, 55/1.8. And the little M135/3.5 is great. A couple of my favourites barely weigh 100g each: Enna Tele-Sandmar 100/4.5 and CZJ Tessar 50/2.8 (aluminium, 12 iris blades, Exakta mount), both easily modded for PK mount. Some days, those 5 are my carry-kit.

hagiri_11 · 10-14-2011, 05:03 AM

@RioRico : I've read around that the Tamron 10-24 has a huge, bulky hood. Does it get in your way often? I have a rather small bag..

RioRico · 10-14-2011, 05:26 AM

Originally posted by hagiri_11

@RioRico : I've read around that the Tamron 10-24 has a huge, bulky hood. Does it get in your way often? I have a rather small bag..

The hood is large. Reversed, it's not so bad. It doesn't get in my way, but I don't usually leave the K20D+Tamron in my Ameribag with the hood un-reversed. When in my bag, the lens cap is on and the hood is reversed. Pulling the camera out, removing the cap and flipping the hood only takes about 6 seconds. But it's normally around my neck anyway, ready for action!

I can't compare the Tamron with the Sigma 10-20's in size or optics. Dismounted, it's not much different than my DA18-250. I store both of those in small soft bags within my Ameribag, along with a couple small primes and maybe the DA10-17. That's my basic kit, out of my ~225 lenses.

paperbag846 · 10-14-2011, 11:05 AM

I would go with the 10-24 or the 12-24, the 35 macro, and the 55-300 as my everyday kit.

Keep the biometar because it's a sweet lens

.

Sell the sigmas.

If you need a light walk-around normal, try to find one of those old 28-80 F lenses that were replaced by our 18-55s.

hcc · 10-14-2011, 01:24 PM

Coming back from the original post, here is my thoughts:

1. A walkaround prime: DA 35mm f2.8, also decided - The DA35mm has the right focal length for an all-round prime; I use the FA31mm f1.8.

2. A walkaround wide to standard zoom - DA18-250mm/Tamron 18-250mm - an easy choice IMHO

3. Tele prime - currently CZ 80mm, may change - FA*300mm f4.5 - Cheaper than the DA*300mm f4, the FA*300mm f4 is a superb telezoom, ad yet is relatively light weight and small in size.

4. A UWA or WA prime/zoom - DA10-17mm Fisheye -If you are interested in fisheye and WA

5. Backup long tele, if needed - DA L 55-300mm, also decided

I won the three above suggestions and I can recommend the.

Hope that the comment will help.

audiobomber · 10-14-2011, 02:24 PM

DA 16-45, 10-17mm, 35mm, teleprime. The teleprime shouldn't be over 100mm, so it can double as a tight portrait lens.

or

DA 18-135, 15mm, 35mm, teleprime.

hagiri_11 · 10-15-2011, 03:08 AM

I went out searching for a UWA today.

Finally, I went ahead and bought a Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6. The DA 15 was too expensive for me, and I didn't manage to find the Tamron 10-24.

Initially, after reading reviews, I was afraid that the Sigma would be large and heavy, seeing that it had a 77mm filter size. Turns out that its quite light indeed.

Now, to settle the Standard Zoom problem..

10-14-2011, 04:26 AM	#1
hagiri_11 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Photos: Albums Posts: 63	Trying to improve my setup.. I would like to ask for opinions from fellow PF users.. I'm trying to improve my K-mount only setup, with an aim to make it lighter. I like going out with maybe 3 to 4 lenses max, and prefer shooting wide and closeups rather than birds or other distant objects (which require tele) My current kit has too many overlapping focal lengths, and a lens which I think is too heavy for me. Currently, I have: 1. Pentax-M 28mm f2.8 2. Pentax-DA 35mm f2.8 Macro Ltd. 3. Pentax-DA L 55-300mm f4-5.6 4. Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 Macro OS HSM 5. Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 Macro 6. Carl Zeiss Biometar 80mm f2.8 (K mount using Pentacon->K mount adapter) My ideal setup: 1. A walkaround prime - DA 35mm f2.8, pretty much decided on this. 2. A walkaround wide to standard zoom - ? 3. Tele prime - currently CZ 80mm, may change 4. A UWA or WA prime/zoom - ? 5. Backup long tele, if needed - DA L 55-300mm, also decided My ideas: 1. Getting a light, but not too expensive UWA or WA prime or zoom -> always wanted a WA prime/zoom, I feel like 28mm is not enough 2. Getting a light and good wide to standard walkaround zoom. My primary walkaround, the Sigma 17-70, is I think too heavy for me, being an OS and HSM lens. I prefer lighter lenses. I may sell it. Also, I got a used Sigma 18-50 to compare to the 17-70. It is an OK lens, but didn't have anything spectacular to it. Tried to sell it, but couldn't. Not enough interest for the lens in my country. May try to sell off by reducing the price further. So, I'm considering to get a used DA 16-45 or a used non-HSM non-OS Sigma 17-70 to replace the current Sigmas as a all-rounder zoom 3. Keeping the CZ as my telephoto prime. Or maybe replacing it with something better, but not too expensive. Would prefer autofocus lenses, but MF lenses are also fine with me, as long as they're light. Cost is also a factor, wouldn't want to spend too much. Last edited by hagiri_11; 10-14-2011 at 04:54 AM.

10-14-2011, 01:24 PM	#6
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Coming back from the original post, here is my thoughts: 1. A walkaround prime: DA 35mm f2.8, also decided - The DA35mm has the right focal length for an all-round prime; I use the FA31mm f1.8. 2. A walkaround wide to standard zoom - DA18-250mm/Tamron 18-250mm - an easy choice IMHO 3. Tele prime - currently CZ 80mm, may change - FA300mm f4.5 - Cheaper than the DA300mm f4, the FA300mm f4 is a superb telezoom, ad yet is relatively light weight and small in size. 4. A UWA or WA prime/zoom - DA10-17mm Fisheye -If you are interested in fisheye and WA 5. Backup long tele, if needed - DA L 55-300mm, also decided I won the three above suggestions and I can recommend the. Hope that the comment will help. Last edited by hcc; 10-15-2011 at 12:01 AM.*

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10-14-2011, 04:49 AM	#2
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	UWA: I love my Tamron 10-24. It serves for both tight spaces and 'scapes. Walkabouts: Sure, get a lighter-weight Sigma 17-70. Others: Keep the DA's and the Biometar. For a lightweight kit, try small MF primes: SuperTak 28/3.5, 55/1.8. And the little M135/3.5 is great. A couple of my favourites barely weigh 100g each: Enna Tele-Sandmar 100/4.5 and CZJ Tessar 50/2.8 (aluminium, 12 iris blades, Exakta mount), both easily modded for PK mount. Some days, those 5 are my carry-kit.

10-14-2011, 05:03 AM	#3
hagiri_11 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Photos: Albums Posts: 63 Original Poster	@RioRico : I've read around that the Tamron 10-24 has a huge, bulky hood. Does it get in your way often? I have a rather small bag..

10-14-2011, 05:26 AM	#4
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by hagiri_11 @RioRico : I've read around that the Tamron 10-24 has a huge, bulky hood. Does it get in your way often? I have a rather small bag.. The hood is large. Reversed, it's not so bad. It doesn't get in my way, but I don't usually leave the K20D+Tamron in my Ameribag with the hood un-reversed. When in my bag, the lens cap is on and the hood is reversed. Pulling the camera out, removing the cap and flipping the hood only takes about 6 seconds. But it's normally around my neck anyway, ready for action! I can't compare the Tamron with the Sigma 10-20's in size or optics. Dismounted, it's not much different than my DA18-250. I store both of those in small soft bags within my Ameribag, along with a couple small primes and maybe the DA10-17. That's my basic kit, out of my ~225 lenses.

10-14-2011, 11:05 AM	#5
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	I would go with the 10-24 or the 12-24, the 35 macro, and the 55-300 as my everyday kit. Keep the biometar because it's a sweet lens . Sell the sigmas. If you need a light walk-around normal, try to find one of those old 28-80 F lenses that were replaced by our 18-55s.

10-14-2011, 02:24 PM	#7
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	DA 16-45, 10-17mm, 35mm, teleprime. The teleprime shouldn't be over 100mm, so it can double as a tight portrait lens. or DA 18-135, 15mm, 35mm, teleprime.

10-15-2011, 03:08 AM	#8
hagiri_11 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Photos: Albums Posts: 63 Original Poster	I went out searching for a UWA today. Finally, I went ahead and bought a Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6. The DA 15 was too expensive for me, and I didn't manage to find the Tamron 10-24. Initially, after reading reviews, I was afraid that the Sigma would be large and heavy, seeing that it had a 77mm filter size. Turns out that its quite light indeed. Now, to settle the Standard Zoom problem..