Primes in Paris

hcc · 12-27-2013, 11:39 PM - **1 Like**

I recently visited Paris (rapidly unfortunately) with my wife. We did the Eiffel Tower, Le Louvre plus some sightseeing in the streets. We had a K-7 and K-01. My wife used the K-01 with the DA18-135mm. She was very happy and did not change lenses. I used the K-7 with the DA15mm Ltd and Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4. Let me share my limited experience.

The surprise was the DA15mm in my opinion.

The wide angle with little distortion was perfect for street photography but also for shots from the Eiffel tower summit (see below). The DA15mm Ltd was superb outdoor both in sunny and grey (incl. rainy) weather conditions. It works well in the museum although I had to push up the ISO (not the best idea on a K-7).

The VL58mm f1.4 works well as usual and gave great shots. But the focal length was too long IMO. I should have taken my FA31mm Ltd in retrospect.

Beyond the places that we visited, and based on my previous visits at other locations in the City des Lumieres, I believe that the DA15mm Ltd completmented by the FA31mm would be a nice set of primes.

Would I use a zoom lens? I selected the primes because they are small, light and non-obstructive. I value highly the compactness of my primes as well as their outstanding IQ. No I would not use a zoom lens, .... but my wife had the zoom lens.

Hope that the experience my interest some....

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calculator01 · 12-27-2013, 11:53 PM

Fantastic shots. Interesting to read about the eternal prime versus zoom debate. I think the 15,31,77 would be all one needs... Or the 18-135. Or the 12-24. Or the 16-50. Or the 21,43,100. Etc...

abacus07 · 12-28-2013, 02:54 AM

My standard kit is the 15/40/DFA100WR and it can do just about everything. I do miss the 28mm focal length like you mention with wanting your FA31. And there isn't a true portrait lens although the DA40 does pretty well and I could always swap in a fast fifty. But the DA15 is almost essential for a prime lover.

tclausen · 12-28-2013, 03:13 AM

Very nice photos. I especially like that you by the 15mm bring context to your top-of-the-tower shots. Nicely done.

I agree with the 31+15mm partnership being good for cities and such, but also always advise (if there's room in the bag) to keep one longer lens at hand, mostly for a detail of a building, or such. I have lately leaned to schlepping along the 100/2.8, for it's macro capabilities, but the 70mm Ltd is hard to beat for compactness in this game.

wkraus · 12-28-2013, 05:12 AM

Originally posted by tclausen

Very nice photos. I especially like that you by the 15mm bring context to your top-of-the-tower shots. Nicely done.

I agree with the 31+15mm partnership being good for cities and such, but also always advise (if there's room in the bag) to keep one longer lens at hand, mostly for a detail of a building, or such. I have lately leaned to schlepping along the 100/2.8, for it's macro capabilities, but the 70mm Ltd is hard to beat for compactness in this game.

Great pics! I love the second one, wonderful light.

I always have the 21mm and 70mm Limiteds in my bag. They usually sit on top of each other, with a foam pad in between, inside a Sigg nylon isolation pouch (made for water bottles). This way they take no more space than a standard zoom lens. The rest of the kit varies. I grew up on prime lenses to go with my film SLRs. For many years my standard film combo was 28mm, 50mm, 100mm and 200mm. To replicate this in APS-C digital in a portable manner, I miss a compact 135mm lens with a Limited IQ level (the FA 135mm f/2.8 would probably qualify, but I don't have one). I usually take the Voigtlander Macro 125mm f/2.5, which is fantastic, but very heavy.

formercanuck · 12-28-2013, 03:42 PM

Great shots. I think I'd begin to feel claustrophobic living there... looks like +5 story buildings go on forever.

tclausen · 12-28-2013, 03:59 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by wkraus

Great pics! I love the second one, wonderful light.

I always have the 21mm and 70mm Limiteds in my bag. They usually sit on top of each other, with a foam pad in between, inside a Sigg nylon isolation pouch (made for water bottles). This way they take no more space than a standard zoom lens. The rest of the kit varies. I grew up on prime lenses to go with my film SLRs. For many years my standard film combo was 28mm, 50mm, 100mm and 200mm. To replicate this in APS-C digital in a portable manner, I miss a compact 135mm lens with a Limited IQ level (the FA 135mm f/2.8 would probably qualify, but I don't have one). I usually take the Voigtlander Macro 125mm f/2.5, which is fantastic, but very heavy.

Ahh, spiritual brothers...I've lamented the lack of a Pentax 135/2 Limited for a long time. Before the usual suspects jump in with "but Pentax made a wonderful M-something 135mm lens in the last millennia" (!), I mean a current, AF, Ltd, SMC or HD, new, wonderful 135mm, not some museum piece

(There, did I manage to get on the ignore-list of half of PF yet?)

EarlVonTapia · 12-28-2013, 04:54 PM

Originally posted by hcc

I recently visited Paris (rapidly unfortunately) with my wife. We did the Eiffel Tower, Le Louvre plus some sightseeing in the streets. We had a K-7 and K-01. My wife used the K-01 with the DA18-135mm. She was very happy and did not change lenses. I used the K-7 with the DA15mm Ltd and Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4. Let me share my limited experience.

The surprise was the DA15mm in my opinion.

The wide angle with little distortion was perfect for street photography but also for shots from the Eiffel tower summit (see below). The DA15mm Ltd was superb outdoor both in sunny and grey (incl. rainy) weather conditions. It works well in the museum although I had to push up the ISO (not the best idea on a K-7).

Great shot!

Love the DA 15.

hcc · 12-28-2013, 07:32 PM

I may add that I would have liked to have 2 bodies because changing/swapping lenses is a nightmare in a crowdy/dusty environment. Nonetheless I value primes and I believe in primes over zoom for most shots that I took.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

NickLarsson · 12-29-2013, 10:18 AM

That 2nd shot is stunning indeed, congrats

My favorite lens in Paris is the DA21, especially for street photography, but the DA15 is close (and the FA43 for low-light shots).

I hope you enjoyed your short stay here

Na Horuk · 12-29-2013, 10:29 AM

You posted some great photos there. I really like the light quality and how it casts the shadows.

**Kerrowdown** · 12-29-2013, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by tclausen

wonderful 135mm, not some museum piece

I still use mine daily, but I am the museum piece and my lens is fairly old too.

tclausen · 12-29-2013, 04:38 PM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

I still use mine daily, but I am the museum piece and my lens is fairly old too.

"no comments", the Kerrowdown...no comments...

wkraus · 12-30-2013, 01:53 AM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

I still use mine daily, but I am the museum piece and my lens is fairly old too.

If you are talking about the Pentax-A* 135mm f/1.8, I'd take it any day (provided I can afford it). Otherwise, the compact DA 135mm f/2.4 with Apo correction would be really nice too.

**Kerrowdown** · 12-30-2013, 02:47 PM

Originally posted by wkraus

If you are talking about the Pentax-A* 135mm f/1.8

Yes I was, this lens has a name like many of mine do and hers is "Lady Luck" but this is not modern enough for Mr tclausen.

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12-27-2013, 11:53 PM	#2
calculator01 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 817	Fantastic shots. Interesting to read about the eternal prime versus zoom debate. I think the 15,31,77 would be all one needs... Or the 18-135. Or the 12-24. Or the 16-50. Or the 21,43,100. Etc...

12-28-2013, 02:54 AM	#3
abacus07 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Taiwan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,075	My standard kit is the 15/40/DFA100WR and it can do just about everything. I do miss the 28mm focal length like you mention with wanting your FA31. And there isn't a true portrait lens although the DA40 does pretty well and I could always swap in a fast fifty. But the DA15 is almost essential for a prime lover.

12-28-2013, 03:13 AM	#4
tclausen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,397	Very nice photos. I especially like that you by the 15mm bring context to your top-of-the-tower shots. Nicely done. I agree with the 31+15mm partnership being good for cities and such, but also always advise (if there's room in the bag) to keep one longer lens at hand, mostly for a detail of a building, or such. I have lately leaned to schlepping along the 100/2.8, for it's macro capabilities, but the 70mm Ltd is hard to beat for compactness in this game.

12-28-2013, 05:12 AM	#5
wkraus Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Near Vienna, Austria Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,059	Originally posted by tclausen Very nice photos. I especially like that you by the 15mm bring context to your top-of-the-tower shots. Nicely done. I agree with the 31+15mm partnership being good for cities and such, but also always advise (if there's room in the bag) to keep one longer lens at hand, mostly for a detail of a building, or such. I have lately leaned to schlepping along the 100/2.8, for it's macro capabilities, but the 70mm Ltd is hard to beat for compactness in this game. Great pics! I love the second one, wonderful light. I always have the 21mm and 70mm Limiteds in my bag. They usually sit on top of each other, with a foam pad in between, inside a Sigg nylon isolation pouch (made for water bottles). This way they take no more space than a standard zoom lens. The rest of the kit varies. I grew up on prime lenses to go with my film SLRs. For many years my standard film combo was 28mm, 50mm, 100mm and 200mm. To replicate this in APS-C digital in a portable manner, I miss a compact 135mm lens with a Limited IQ level (the FA 135mm f/2.8 would probably qualify, but I don't have one). I usually take the Voigtlander Macro 125mm f/2.5, which is fantastic, but very heavy.

12-28-2013, 03:42 PM	#6
formercanuck Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SoCal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 518	Great shots. I think I'd begin to feel claustrophobic living there... looks like +5 story buildings go on forever.

12-28-2013, 03:59 PM - 1 Like	#7
tclausen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,397	Originally posted by wkraus Great pics! I love the second one, wonderful light. I always have the 21mm and 70mm Limiteds in my bag. They usually sit on top of each other, with a foam pad in between, inside a Sigg nylon isolation pouch (made for water bottles). This way they take no more space than a standard zoom lens. The rest of the kit varies. I grew up on prime lenses to go with my film SLRs. For many years my standard film combo was 28mm, 50mm, 100mm and 200mm. To replicate this in APS-C digital in a portable manner, I miss a compact 135mm lens with a Limited IQ level (the FA 135mm f/2.8 would probably qualify, but I don't have one). I usually take the Voigtlander Macro 125mm f/2.5, which is fantastic, but very heavy. Ahh, spiritual brothers...I've lamented the lack of a Pentax 135/2 Limited for a long time. Before the usual suspects jump in with "but Pentax made a wonderful M-something 135mm lens in the last millennia" (!), I mean a current, AF, Ltd, SMC or HD, new, wonderful 135mm, not some museum piece (There, did I manage to get on the ignore-list of half of PF yet?)

12-28-2013, 04:54 PM	#8
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	Originally posted by hcc I recently visited Paris (rapidly unfortunately) with my wife. We did the Eiffel Tower, Le Louvre plus some sightseeing in the streets. We had a K-7 and K-01. My wife used the K-01 with the DA18-135mm. She was very happy and did not change lenses. I used the K-7 with the DA15mm Ltd and Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4. Let me share my limited experience. The surprise was the DA15mm in my opinion. The wide angle with little distortion was perfect for street photography but also for shots from the Eiffel tower summit (see below). The DA15mm Ltd was superb outdoor both in sunny and grey (incl. rainy) weather conditions. It works well in the museum although I had to push up the ISO (not the best idea on a K-7). Great shot! Love the DA 15.

12-28-2013, 07:32 PM	#9
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002 Original Poster	I may add that I would have liked to have 2 bodies because changing/swapping lenses is a nightmare in a crowdy/dusty environment. Nonetheless I value primes and I believe in primes over zoom for most shots that I took. Thanks everyone for your comments.

12-29-2013, 10:18 AM	#10
NickLarsson Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,390	That 2nd shot is stunning indeed, congrats My favorite lens in Paris is the DA21, especially for street photography, but the DA15 is close (and the FA43 for low-light shots). I hope you enjoyed your short stay here

12-29-2013, 10:29 AM	#11
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	You posted some great photos there. I really like the light quality and how it casts the shadows.

12-29-2013, 04:33 PM	#12
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	Originally posted by tclausen wonderful 135mm, not some museum piece I still use mine daily, but I am the museum piece and my lens is fairly old too.

12-29-2013, 04:38 PM	#13
tclausen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,397	Originally posted by kerrowdown I still use mine daily, but I am the museum piece and my lens is fairly old too. "no comments", the Kerrowdown...no comments...

12-30-2013, 01:53 AM	#14
wkraus Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Near Vienna, Austria Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,059	Originally posted by kerrowdown I still use mine daily, but I am the museum piece and my lens is fairly old too. If you are talking about the Pentax-A* 135mm f/1.8, I'd take it any day (provided I can afford it). Otherwise, the compact DA 135mm f/2.4 with Apo correction would be really nice too.

12-30-2013, 02:47 PM	#15
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	Originally posted by wkraus If you are talking about the Pentax-A* 135mm f/1.8 Yes I was, this lens has a name like many of mine do and hers is "Lady Luck" but this is not modern enough for Mr tclausen.