[hoopsontoast]

Hi all,

I will be looking for a walk-around lens that will complement my two current primes, the DA14 and recent purchase of a Voigtlander 90mm APO for my K-01.

I plan on getting a fast ~50mm at some point (Voigtlander 58mm most likely) but I want something that is relatively light, compact and SHARP as a walk around lens first.

I have owned a FA 20-35mm f4 lens previously when I had a K-7 a year or so back but sold it along with the FA43/K-7 combo as I went over to a Sigma SD15. On the Sigma I tried a number of lenses, including a Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 EX and 28-70mm f2.8 EX but quickly sold them on due to their size and weight (~700g/each).

I also tried the kit Sigma 18-125mm but its was pretty dreadful in build and sharpness..

Now, I will be looking to get something to bridge the gap between ~28mm and ~50mm (equivalent) and the FA 20-35mm seems the best way to go.

I liked the FA20-35 as it was very light although with sturdy but very plastic build. It was also very sharp but had quite a lot of distortion on the wide end.

The obvious newer competitor is the DA16-45mm but it seems a lot bigger, bit heavier and not as well rated on the reviews.
The Sigma options like the 17-50mm f2.8 are also bigger and almost twice the weight.

Unless I am missing something, I cant find any options that are as compact, light and sharp as the FA20-35 without going for separate primes (DA21, DA35 etc). Its also getting hard to find the FA20-35 these days too.

Oh budget would be up to £300, the newer 20-40mm Limited is way out of budget.

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Last edited by hoopsontoast; 06-27-2014 at 05:42 AM.

[TER-OR]

The 16-45 is a pretty good lens, but it can be a little fragile. Optics and focus are both good, and it's inexpensive. There's a bit of a barrel distortion at the wide end, but 16mm is pretty wide - wider than you might think. If you want a short zoom, it's affordable. I don't use mine much anymore since I got the 18-135, but will use it if I know I'm indoors all day when that focal range is useful.

The other options are the various 17-50 to 17-70s out there, though they might be out of your price range.

[Na Horuk]

The DA* 16-50mm fits there, but some people don't like it, and its not exactly a budget lens. At least the SDM issues are supposed to be fixed in newer copies of this lens. The new DA 20-40mm limited seems to have very nice rendering, but its a bit expensive for the focal length and aperture it offers. The DA 16-45mm and FA 20-35mm have been discontinued, though they were both well liked in their time. Currently Pentax is really lacking primes between 21mm and 31mm. I have a 14mm and 35mm prime, and the gap between is bit too big. So I was thinking about the FA 20-35mm as well, but it is difficult to find at a reasonable price over here. I heard its easier to import from Japan, because it was discontinued there much later. At least there are third party options like the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 on the less expensive end (but still good optically), and the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 on the more expensive end.

[lesmore49]

I like my 16-45, but I've got a new lens...my Pentax 18-135. Yes, the zoom range is more at the top end than you might want...but I'm impressed with the pix and it's also WR.

[schnitzer79]

for under 500g and the price you want theres also the sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 which is a decent lens and also the tamron 17-50 f2.8 as mentioned above which is much lighter than the sigma 17-50 f2.8
theres also the tokina 19-35 f3.5-f4.5.

another pentax option worth mentioning is the smc F 24-50 f4

since im not a big fan of tamrons, my option would be either the sigma 17-70 or would go for a prime instead. either the DA 35mm f2.4 (or FA 35mm F2) or the DA 40mm f2.8 ltd. super compact

[southlander]

I bought a secondhand FA20-35 late last year, Korean EBay seller from memory. I rather liked its rendering and certainly was sharp stopped down a bit. Nice and light - very similar to 18-55 in this respect.

Need to use it more!

[nater]

theres also the tokina 19-35 f3.5-f4.5.

This is a good lens. Full frame, so no vignetting on APS-C. 77mm non-rotating filter thread. Solid plastic and metal build. Make sure you get one with the hood. I've had one for a few years, and will only be letting if go because I managed to get a good deal on a Sigma 12-24mm recently.

[lytrytyr]

I will be looking for a walk-around lens that will complement my two current primes, the DA14 and recent purchase of a Voigtlander 90mm APO for my K-01.

I plan on getting a fast ~50mm at some point (Voigtlander 58mm most likely) but I want something that is relatively light, compact and SHARP as a walk around lens first.

Oh budget would be up to £300, the newer 20-40mm Limited is way out of budget.

The Tamron 17-50/2.8 is certainly sharp,
and CDAF on the K-01 works very well with it.

It should be within your budget, either new or lightly used.

However, based on my experience with both lenses,
I think it will take a DA 20-40 to match the rendering of your Apo-Lanthar!

[RonHendriks1966]

With the 14mm and 90mm you can also go back to the FA43mm or the DA40mm Ltd lens, since they are somewhat in the middle.

[pacerr]

Tamron options:

SP AF 17-35/ 2.8-4 Tamron SP AF 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical [IF]

SP AF 28-75/2.8 Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 AF XR Di LD Macro SP

[bassek]

I was lucky to find a used (now discontinued) Sigma EX 15-30, there was also the Sigma 20-40 which is also highly regarded.
You could find the Tamron SP 17-35 new.

Seb

[johnha]

I have the FA20-35/4 and the DA17-70/4, the 20-35 only gets used when I'm shooting film as the 17-70 is much more versatile (and only slightly larger) on APS-C. If I want a more compact option on APS-C I just use an FA28/2.8 (I don't have a DA21 which might be the other option).

[jimr-pdx]

How about something a little fishy... the F 17-28 3.5-4.5 fisheye? I have the smc 17fe and it's quite fun.

[jegr]

I can say for Tamron 17-35 that it is a very nice lens with good IQ that can be found for little money.

[hoopsontoast]

Thanks chaps, the Tamron 17-35 looks ideal, and good value as one has recently gone for under £150 where as the FA20-35 still goes for £300 these days.