LBA advice and options

Conqueror · 03-21-2013, 02:56 PM

So I might be in the market for something. Probably at the wider end and probably a prime.

I currently have

K7 + kit 18-55mm WR
50-200mm WR
55-300mm
100mm macro WR
35mm FA f2

Will probably sell the 50-200mm soon.

Quite tempted by the 31mm FA but it seems almost irrational lust and I have something not too far off in terms of focal length. I would sell the 35mm FA if I got it.

21mm DA and 15mm DA seem like possibilities. Read a lot of good things about the 15mm, but that 21mm is creeping into contention. Have seem some very decent shots with it. Think I've rightly or wrongly ruled out the Sigma 10-20mm variable aperture ver and righly or wrongly ruled out the Samyang 14mm (price has gone up it seems).

Also desperately trying to hold off getting hands on newer sensor tech (K-5 etc.). Some people saying the newer sensor has really transformed their DA 21mm.

Adam · 03-21-2013, 03:13 PM

The k-5 sounds like a great idea for an upgrade
!

Conqueror · 03-21-2013, 03:19 PM

Yes it does seem tempting. But supposedly there is a new body on the way (K-3?), price at launch may be prohibitive for me though. It may impact K-5ii prices perhaps. Can't see much new K-5 mk1 stock about. The 2nd hand K-5 mk1s are still holding a fair bit of value.

Good glass always important, but then how long do I hold off the body upgrade? Dilemas

EarlVonTapia · 03-21-2013, 03:30 PM

The DA 560mm f5.6 makes a fantastic, everyday walkaround lens.

It will also kill LBA dead.

Happy to help!

**boriscleto** · 03-21-2013, 03:31 PM - **2 Likes**

I don't see 5 50mm lenses in your list. You don't have LBA...

jimr-pdx · 03-21-2013, 04:19 PM

My wide side is covered by the Sigma 15 (fisheye) and SMC-A 24mm, with a Rikenon 28mm on the side. All are f/2.8 and full frame friendly, if those sort of rumors have a grip on you

and all three yield excellent results. In the mid-range I do have the DAs 40 and 70 and both are amazing. That 50-200WR is good if you're a foul-weather shooter and the 50-135 is out of your budget or weight class, but I agree for most images the 55-300 is the preferred option. I had the 50-200 for a while and its bokeh was more consistent than the 55-300; both can do great things.

I only have three 50mm and a 55, so take my advice with a grain of LBA salt

Sagitta · 03-21-2013, 04:22 PM

Ha! Who could possibly own 5 50mm lens... uh... *counts*

*mutters under breath* Pentax-M 50 f/2, two Sears 50 f/1.7s, two Sears 50 f/2's, and the Pentax M 50 1.4.

HA! I *don't* own six!

Back to the OP, I'd go for one of the UWA primes if it was a prime you were really after. Autofocus isn't nearly as important when you start getting that far out since your DOF is hitting insane levels, so you could consider the Samyang/Bower/Vivitar 14mm and take the extra cash and sink that into a camera upgrade/other lens of some sort.

**mattt** · 03-21-2013, 04:56 PM

Samyang 8mm F/E

**klh** · 03-21-2013, 05:14 PM

Originally posted by Sagitta

Ha! Who could possibly own 5 50mm lens... uh... *counts*

*mutters under breath* Pentax-M 50 f/2, two Sears 50 f/1.7s, two Sears 50 f/2's, and the Pentax M 50 1.4.

HA! I *don't* own six!

HA! I don't own six either.

Super Tak 1.4, M1.4, (2) A 1.7, and FA1.4

**boriscleto** · 03-21-2013, 05:26 PM

I'm no @Digitalis but I do own 17...

Plus 5 55s...

**klh** · 03-21-2013, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

I'm no @Digitalis but I do own 17...

Plus 5 55s...

17! Sounds like a case for "My Strange Addiction"

**jatrax** · 03-21-2013, 05:37 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

i don't see 5 50mm lenses in your list. You don't have lba...

roflmao

**baro-nite** · 03-21-2013, 05:37 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Conqueror

Read a lot of good things about the 15mm, but that 21mm is creeping into contention. Have seem some very decent shots with it.

Just a thought, from one who's far enough into LBA I've finally started selling a few things. First identify where you feel your equipment is lacking, for the photography you particularly want to do (not the photography you think you might like to do, or that you see others doing, however well). Then identify whether or not this lack really calls for a new lens, as opposed to developing some aspect of technique or thinking. If, after all that, you have determined that a new lens really would be useful, you should have a pretty definite idea of what kind of lens you need. Then it becomes much easier to sort through the options.

drugal · 03-21-2013, 06:05 PM

Both the 15 and the 21 are great ( I own both ). I would suggest looking at what you shoot most with your kit lens and using that to decide. If you have it pegged on 18, get the 15, otherwise get the 21.

Or just get both, like a person with true LBA

jimr-pdx · 03-21-2013, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by drugal

just get both, like a person with true LBA

Very true - LBA people don't use the phrase "this or that... " very often when choosing lenses!

Since we're baring our closets, mine are SMC-A f/1.7, -M f/2, Rikenons XR 50/2 and 55 f/2.2.

03-21-2013, 02:56 PM	#1
Conqueror Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 440	LBA advice and options So I might be in the market for something. Probably at the wider end and probably a prime. I currently have K7 + kit 18-55mm WR 50-200mm WR 55-300mm 100mm macro WR 35mm FA f2 Will probably sell the 50-200mm soon. Quite tempted by the 31mm FA but it seems almost irrational lust and I have something not too far off in terms of focal length. I would sell the 35mm FA if I got it. 21mm DA and 15mm DA seem like possibilities. Read a lot of good things about the 15mm, but that 21mm is creeping into contention. Have seem some very decent shots with it. Think I've rightly or wrongly ruled out the Sigma 10-20mm variable aperture ver and righly or wrongly ruled out the Samyang 14mm (price has gone up it seems). Also desperately trying to hold off getting hands on newer sensor tech (K-5 etc.). Some people saying the newer sensor has really transformed their DA 21mm.

03-21-2013, 03:13 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	The k-5 sounds like a great idea for an upgrade ! 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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03-21-2013, 03:19 PM	#3
Conqueror Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 440 Original Poster	Yes it does seem tempting. But supposedly there is a new body on the way (K-3?), price at launch may be prohibitive for me though. It may impact K-5ii prices perhaps. Can't see much new K-5 mk1 stock about. The 2nd hand K-5 mk1s are still holding a fair bit of value. Good glass always important, but then how long do I hold off the body upgrade? Dilemas

03-21-2013, 03:30 PM	#4
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	The DA 560mm f5.6 makes a fantastic, everyday walkaround lens. It will also kill LBA dead. Happy to help!

03-21-2013, 03:31 PM - 2 Likes	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	I don't see 5 50mm lenses in your list. You don't have LBA...

03-21-2013, 04:19 PM	#6
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	My wide side is covered by the Sigma 15 (fisheye) and SMC-A 24mm, with a Rikenon 28mm on the side. All are f/2.8 and full frame friendly, if those sort of rumors have a grip on you and all three yield excellent results. In the mid-range I do have the DAs 40 and 70 and both are amazing. That 50-200WR is good if you're a foul-weather shooter and the 50-135 is out of your budget or weight class, but I agree for most images the 55-300 is the preferred option. I had the 50-200 for a while and its bokeh was more consistent than the 55-300; both can do great things. I only have three 50mm and a 55, so take my advice with a grain of LBA salt

03-21-2013, 04:22 PM	#7
Sagitta Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,081	Ha! Who could possibly own 5 50mm lens... uh... counts mutters under breath Pentax-M 50 f/2, two Sears 50 f/1.7s, two Sears 50 f/2's, and the Pentax M 50 1.4. HA! I don't own six! Back to the OP, I'd go for one of the UWA primes if it was a prime you were really after. Autofocus isn't nearly as important when you start getting that far out since your DOF is hitting insane levels, so you could consider the Samyang/Bower/Vivitar 14mm and take the extra cash and sink that into a camera upgrade/other lens of some sort.

03-21-2013, 04:56 PM	#8
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	Samyang 8mm F/E

03-21-2013, 05:14 PM	#9
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827	Originally posted by Sagitta Ha! Who could possibly own 5 50mm lens... uh... counts mutters under breath Pentax-M 50 f/2, two Sears 50 f/1.7s, two Sears 50 f/2's, and the Pentax M 50 1.4. HA! I don't own six! HA! I don't own six either. Super Tak 1.4, M1.4, (2) A 1.7, and FA1.4

03-21-2013, 05:26 PM	#10
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	I'm no @Digitalis but I do own 17... Plus 5 55s...

03-21-2013, 05:32 PM	#11
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827	Originally posted by boriscleto I'm no @Digitalis but I do own 17... Plus 5 55s... 17! Sounds like a case for "My Strange Addiction"

03-21-2013, 05:37 PM	#12
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by boriscleto i don't see 5 50mm lenses in your list. You don't have lba... roflmao

03-21-2013, 05:37 PM - 1 Like	#13
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	Originally posted by Conqueror Read a lot of good things about the 15mm, but that 21mm is creeping into contention. Have seem some very decent shots with it. Just a thought, from one who's far enough into LBA I've finally started selling a few things. First identify where you feel your equipment is lacking, for the photography you particularly want to do (not the photography you think you might like to do, or that you see others doing, however well). Then identify whether or not this lack really calls for a new lens, as opposed to developing some aspect of technique or thinking. If, after all that, you have determined that a new lens really would be useful, you should have a pretty definite idea of what kind of lens you need. Then it becomes much easier to sort through the options.

03-21-2013, 06:05 PM	#14
drugal Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Detroit suburbs Photos: Gallery Posts: 259	Both the 15 and the 21 are great ( I own both ). I would suggest looking at what you shoot most with your kit lens and using that to decide. If you have it pegged on 18, get the 15, otherwise get the 21. Or just get both, like a person with true LBA

03-21-2013, 06:10 PM	#15
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	Originally posted by drugal just get both, like a person with true LBA Very true - LBA people don't use the phrase "this or that... " very often when choosing lenses! Since we're baring our closets, mine are SMC-A f/1.7, -M f/2, Rikenons XR 50/2 and 55 f/2.2.