Need advice: BIG Trip this summer.

Bagga_Txips · 11-21-2013, 01:30 PM

Oh dear, here I go again. Backpacking with primes? A 40XS is a must have.

But I think the first thing the OP should do is either to get the current 18-135 checked out, or buy a SECOND 18-135, compare them and sell the worst one of the two. For ethical reasons I prefer the former option.

Taking non-WR primes into a dusty environment is a massive mistake in my opinion. A much better choice would be a DSLR with 18-135, plus a K-01 with a 40XS. And both lenses should be permanently mounted, never removed from the body.

Bagga_Txips · 11-21-2013, 01:39 PM

Or maybe take K-5 with 100 WR macro, plus K-01with 40XS.

Backup second body, pan and stitch for wide angle with the 40, crop for tele with the 100, and never have an open body, thus preventing dust on the sensor.

And as a side note, I can strongly recommend the Sirui 0025 carbon fibre tripod, it's a gem.

audiobomber · 11-23-2013, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

I'm going to have to retract this statement. I just shot some photos that show poor resolution and CA on the edges. This did not show up for me before, so I have to figure out if my lens has changed, or whether the way I use it camouflaged the border weakness (I rarely use 18mm at wide apertures, and I often center the subject at 135mm).

I went out today with the DA 55-300 and found the same thing, poor resolution and CA around the edges. My 18-135 and 55-300 are very close in performance according to my previous testing, so it's clear that the 18-135mm has not changed. What's changed is that I am now shooting both lenses on a much more demanding 24mp sensor, with no AA filter. I had only used primes on the K-3 previously. It is clearly more demanding of lens quality.

pentax_sam · 11-23-2013, 05:17 PM

Well, I just bought the DA 35mm f/2.8 Ltd. for $375 used, plus $20 shipping. We'll see how much I love it. Anything I should know about this lens now that I have one headed my way?

tibbitts · 11-23-2013, 05:52 PM - **2 Likes**

I'm not familiar with the area where you'll be hiking, but my experience with moving from primes to zooms many years ago was that the overall quality with the zooms - even 1980s-technology zooms - was at least as good, simply because I got to fill the frame precisely. Admittedly, I was comparing mostly "consumer-grade" lenses - 1970s SMCT 28/3.5, 35/3.5, 50/1.4, 135/3.5, 200/4 vs. 1980s era consumer zooms, so your mileage may vary. But even with Kodachrome, and later Velvia, what I might have gained with primes got lost when I had to crop to get the exact composition you wanted. And to some extent, stopping down below f8 is somewhat of an equalizer among lenses of otherwise differing quality. Today, I find I use higher-iso sometimes in landscapes, because it allows me to get images that I couldn't with Kodachrome, where wind-induced movement (of the subject) would have detracted from the result, and that leaves even less ability to crop without losing quality.

In any case, it's pretty easy for sample variation to account for more discrepancy in performance than design differences do, so you have to test whatever lenses you do select very carefully.

pentax_sam · 11-23-2013, 09:38 PM

You do have a point, the versatility is nice. Looks like I'm gonna be able to keep the zoom though, and I think I'll be happy with that decision, since I really don't want to take my 35mm on nasty campouts. I have a long time to think about what I'm gonna bring to Philmont, but I just bought the 35mm, so I guess I'll discover which I prefer.

Sandy Hancock · 11-23-2013, 11:18 PM

Given your trip is months away, I would wait and have a good look at the DA limited 20-40 zoom. Versatile, high quality, compact and weather sealed. If you want a telephoto, add a DFA100WR: compact, sharp and much faster than your current zoom at the long end.

By all means get the DA15 in the meantime though. Keep it in a well sealed bag on your trip and only break it out when it's safe to do so.

pentax_sam · 12-02-2013, 09:15 AM

Well, my DA35 arrived, in wonderful condition!

haggis · 12-16-2013, 05:09 PM

Hi Sam,

please tell how your experiences are. I'm basically in a similiar position, and very interested to know how good the combination of 18-135 and 35 2.8 ltd are for travelling!

Have you considered something below 18mm as well? Or don't you think you'll need it?

Cheers, Haggis

pentax_sam · 12-21-2013, 09:58 PM

You know, I would like a nice wide angle. The DA 15mm seems very nice. I'm just going to make do with what I have for a while though. I may even sell the 18-135, but I may not.

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11-21-2013, 01:30 PM	#31
Bagga_Txips Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Waterford Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 454	Oh dear, here I go again. Backpacking with primes? A 40XS is a must have. But I think the first thing the OP should do is either to get the current 18-135 checked out, or buy a SECOND 18-135, compare them and sell the worst one of the two. For ethical reasons I prefer the former option. Taking non-WR primes into a dusty environment is a massive mistake in my opinion. A much better choice would be a DSLR with 18-135, plus a K-01 with a 40XS. And both lenses should be permanently mounted, never removed from the body.

11-21-2013, 01:39 PM	#32
Bagga_Txips Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Waterford Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 454	Or maybe take K-5 with 100 WR macro, plus K-01with 40XS. Backup second body, pan and stitch for wide angle with the 40, crop for tele with the 100, and never have an open body, thus preventing dust on the sensor. And as a side note, I can strongly recommend the Sirui 0025 carbon fibre tripod, it's a gem.

11-23-2013, 05:08 PM	#33
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by audiobomber I'm going to have to retract this statement. I just shot some photos that show poor resolution and CA on the edges. This did not show up for me before, so I have to figure out if my lens has changed, or whether the way I use it camouflaged the border weakness (I rarely use 18mm at wide apertures, and I often center the subject at 135mm). I went out today with the DA 55-300 and found the same thing, poor resolution and CA around the edges. My 18-135 and 55-300 are very close in performance according to my previous testing, so it's clear that the 18-135mm has not changed. What's changed is that I am now shooting both lenses on a much more demanding 24mp sensor, with no AA filter. I had only used primes on the K-3 previously. It is clearly more demanding of lens quality.

11-23-2013, 05:17 PM	#34
pentax_sam Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 66 Original Poster	Well, I just bought the DA 35mm f/2.8 Ltd. for $375 used, plus $20 shipping. We'll see how much I love it. Anything I should know about this lens now that I have one headed my way?

11-23-2013, 05:52 PM - 2 Likes	#35
tibbitts Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 2,196	I'm not familiar with the area where you'll be hiking, but my experience with moving from primes to zooms many years ago was that the overall quality with the zooms - even 1980s-technology zooms - was at least as good, simply because I got to fill the frame precisely. Admittedly, I was comparing mostly "consumer-grade" lenses - 1970s SMCT 28/3.5, 35/3.5, 50/1.4, 135/3.5, 200/4 vs. 1980s era consumer zooms, so your mileage may vary. But even with Kodachrome, and later Velvia, what I might have gained with primes got lost when I had to crop to get the exact composition you wanted. And to some extent, stopping down below f8 is somewhat of an equalizer among lenses of otherwise differing quality. Today, I find I use higher-iso sometimes in landscapes, because it allows me to get images that I couldn't with Kodachrome, where wind-induced movement (of the subject) would have detracted from the result, and that leaves even less ability to crop without losing quality. In any case, it's pretty easy for sample variation to account for more discrepancy in performance than design differences do, so you have to test whatever lenses you do select very carefully.

11-23-2013, 09:38 PM	#36
pentax_sam Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 66 Original Poster	You do have a point, the versatility is nice. Looks like I'm gonna be able to keep the zoom though, and I think I'll be happy with that decision, since I really don't want to take my 35mm on nasty campouts. I have a long time to think about what I'm gonna bring to Philmont, but I just bought the 35mm, so I guess I'll discover which I prefer.

11-23-2013, 11:18 PM	#37
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	Given your trip is months away, I would wait and have a good look at the DA limited 20-40 zoom. Versatile, high quality, compact and weather sealed. If you want a telephoto, add a DFA100WR: compact, sharp and much faster than your current zoom at the long end. By all means get the DA15 in the meantime though. Keep it in a well sealed bag on your trip and only break it out when it's safe to do so.

12-02-2013, 09:15 AM	#38
pentax_sam Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 66 Original Poster	Well, my DA35 arrived, in wonderful condition!

12-16-2013, 05:09 PM	#39
haggis New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9	Hi Sam, please tell how your experiences are. I'm basically in a similiar position, and very interested to know how good the combination of 18-135 and 35 2.8 ltd are for travelling! Have you considered something below 18mm as well? Or don't you think you'll need it? Cheers, Haggis

12-21-2013, 09:58 PM	#40
pentax_sam Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 66 Original Poster	You know, I would like a nice wide angle. The DA 15mm seems very nice. I'm just going to make do with what I have for a while though. I may even sell the 18-135, but I may not.