The Cheap Film-Era Wide Angle Zoom Lenses Club!

ChristianRock · 10-09-2014, 12:48 PM

Who said there are no cheap wide angle options?? There's 19-35 lenses, 18-35s, 17-35s, 20-35s, 17-28s, all sorts of lenses under 200 dollars that can still give great results on digital, despite their limiting range! In fact, after I got my Tokina 19-35, I don't ever use my kit lens anymore. The difference in IQ is too big to be ignored! The colors are great, the wide-to-normal ratio is perfect for walking around and street pictures, the lens isn't overly big (even if it does have a big filter thread at 77mm), is solidly built, the AF is fast - what's not to like?

The market for them might not exist anymore, and they might be less and less used due to lenses with 3x, 4x and even greater ranges, but here's to these cool tools for anyone who (like me) is on a tight budget yet still wants to be able to take nice looking pictures!

stevebrot · 10-09-2014, 01:23 PM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

In fact, after I got my Tokina 19-35, I don't ever use my kit lens anymore. The difference in IQ is too big to be ignored!

So true. I bought that lens for my daughter in preference over the DA 18-55. That being said, the bulk has been an issue for her and I have been tempted to gift her my DA 18-55.

Steve

ChristianRock · 10-09-2014, 01:26 PM

It's not that much bigger, except for the front element, but I agree that it is quite a bit heavier.

Still, it became my most used lens, especially when I'm traveling.

Dartmoor Dave · 10-09-2014, 01:38 PM - **2 Likes**

It's a great idea for a lens club, with some wonderful examples from the Tokina to start out with. Many film era wide angle lenses are much better than their reputation suggests, and this is a great chance to give them back some pride. Here are a few from earlier this year with the Pentax M 24-35mm/3.5 on Velvia 100 with a K1000. It's one of the most under-rated lenses around, and it gives excellent results on digital as well as film.

ChristianRock · 10-09-2014, 02:42 PM

Great examples, Dartmoor Dave!

I keep telling myself I need to use the Tokina 19-35 on film, but I haven't yet. Now in the fall, I have no excuse! I bet the fall colors will look great with some Ektar. I can't wait for fall to actually start here in Georgia...

wombat2go · 10-09-2014, 03:01 PM

Pentax MX with the Samyang MC Auto Zoom 1:4.0~4.5 18~28mm
https://app.box.com/s/unyl4jvhmht1d74muktt

Camera photo below from a raw of the Pentax K-01 and the SMC Pentax 1:3.5 28mm,
in strong evening sun light with the histogram hitting both limits.

formercanuck · 10-09-2014, 05:34 PM

I have an old(er) Sigma mini-wide II 28mm f/2.8. 28mm works nicely for me. A little wider would be nice - (21mm ltd?).

jimr-pdx · 10-09-2014, 08:19 PM

Apparently I've gone and picked up a copy of the Original wide zoom, the Sigma 21-35 f/3.5-4.2 one-touch. I'm planning to use it as a video lens since it can be set& forget at f/8 and maybe 10' focus

Color and contrast are good, but the metering system went too blue with WB under the sunny skies. Curious! Here's an edge distortion check, really not bad at all - but the corner of the roof should be white.

The lens performs quite well, but oh my the flare is .. really something

Artistic, that's the word!

A good investment of $50

nass_43 · 10-10-2014, 01:34 AM

Do you consider Pentax FA 20-35 f/4 as cheap ?
It goes for quite a lot new for the moment..... and a lot less second hand

But an excellent lens indeed. It really shines on the MX !

ChristianRock · 10-10-2014, 05:46 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by formercanuck

I have an old(er) Sigma mini-wide II 28mm f/2.8. 28mm works nicely for me. A little wider would be nice - (21mm ltd?).

There's a 28mm prime lens club thread in the Lens Clubs forum. You should check it out! This one here is for zooms.

Originally posted by nass_43

Do you consider Pentax FA 20-35 f/4 as cheap ?
It goes for quite a lot new for the moment..... and a lot less second hand

But an excellent lens indeed. It really shines on the MX !

No, I don't think it qualifies as cheap, probably never did. It's beyond my reach, that's for sure, otherwise I'd grab one

If you have one - I think that lens deserves its own club by itself! It's a fantastic lens, I'd love to get one some day.

Here's one more from the Tokina. Absolutely no sharpening applied - I felt sharpening took away from the almost 3D feel of the picture.

To me it's worth way more than the 90 dollars that I paid for it

**Digitalis** · 10-12-2014, 03:02 AM

Two from the Sigma 15-30mm f/4.5-5.6 EX. This lens is old - there isn't any Lightroom lens profile for it. This lens has a rear gel filter holder which has been really fun to work with when I have been shooting with film.

ChristianRock · 10-13-2014, 07:59 AM

Great pics from this 15-35 Sigma that I didn't even know existed, Digitalis

Keep them coming!

**Digitalis** · 10-13-2014, 11:22 PM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Great pics from this 15-35 Sigma that I didn't even know existed, Digitalis

Thanks - the Sigma is actually a 15-30mm lens ( I corrected that typo) it is a really fun lens that is surprisingly good on full frame.

From the left : Pentax 24mm f/2.8 / Pentax SMCP-FA31mm f/1.8 Limited / Sigma 15-30mm f/4.5-5.6 / Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 ART

ChristianRock · 11-03-2014, 09:55 AM

A couple more from the Tokina 19-35 (ok, 3).

ChristianRock · 11-13-2014, 02:43 PM

And here the Tokina strikes again.

10-09-2014, 12:48 PM	#1
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	The Cheap Film-Era Wide Angle Zoom Lenses Club! Who said there are no cheap wide angle options?? There's 19-35 lenses, 18-35s, 17-35s, 20-35s, 17-28s, all sorts of lenses under 200 dollars that can still give great results on digital, despite their limiting range! In fact, after I got my Tokina 19-35, I don't ever use my kit lens anymore. The difference in IQ is too big to be ignored! The colors are great, the wide-to-normal ratio is perfect for walking around and street pictures, the lens isn't overly big (even if it does have a big filter thread at 77mm), is solidly built, the AF is fast - what's not to like? The market for them might not exist anymore, and they might be less and less used due to lenses with 3x, 4x and even greater ranges, but here's to these cool tools for anyone who (like me) is on a tight budget yet still wants to be able to take nice looking pictures!

10-12-2014, 03:02 AM	#11
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Two from the Sigma 15-30mm f/4.5-5.6 EX. This lens is old - there isn't any Lightroom lens profile for it. This lens has a rear gel filter holder which has been really fun to work with when I have been shooting with film. Last edited by Digitalis; 10-13-2014 at 11:20 PM.

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10-09-2014, 01:23 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by ChristianRock In fact, after I got my Tokina 19-35, I don't ever use my kit lens anymore. The difference in IQ is too big to be ignored! So true. I bought that lens for my daughter in preference over the DA 18-55. That being said, the bulk has been an issue for her and I have been tempted to gift her my DA 18-55. Steve

10-09-2014, 01:26 PM	#3
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	It's not that much bigger, except for the front element, but I agree that it is quite a bit heavier. Still, it became my most used lens, especially when I'm traveling.

10-09-2014, 01:38 PM - 2 Likes	#4
Dartmoor Dave Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dartmoor, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,888	It's a great idea for a lens club, with some wonderful examples from the Tokina to start out with. Many film era wide angle lenses are much better than their reputation suggests, and this is a great chance to give them back some pride. Here are a few from earlier this year with the Pentax M 24-35mm/3.5 on Velvia 100 with a K1000. It's one of the most under-rated lenses around, and it gives excellent results on digital as well as film.

10-09-2014, 02:42 PM	#5
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Great examples, Dartmoor Dave! I keep telling myself I need to use the Tokina 19-35 on film, but I haven't yet. Now in the fall, I have no excuse! I bet the fall colors will look great with some Ektar. I can't wait for fall to actually start here in Georgia...

10-09-2014, 05:34 PM	#7
formercanuck Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SoCal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 518	I have an old(er) Sigma mini-wide II 28mm f/2.8. 28mm works nicely for me. A little wider would be nice - (21mm ltd?).

10-09-2014, 08:19 PM	#8
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	Apparently I've gone and picked up a copy of the Original wide zoom, the Sigma 21-35 f/3.5-4.2 one-touch. I'm planning to use it as a video lens since it can be set& forget at f/8 and maybe 10' focus Color and contrast are good, but the metering system went too blue with WB under the sunny skies. Curious! Here's an edge distortion check, really not bad at all - but the corner of the roof should be white. The lens performs quite well, but oh my the flare is .. really something Artistic, that's the word! A good investment of $50

10-10-2014, 01:34 AM	#9
nass_43 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 39	Do you consider Pentax FA 20-35 f/4 as cheap ? It goes for quite a lot new for the moment..... and a lot less second hand But an excellent lens indeed. It really shines on the MX !

10-10-2014, 05:46 AM - 1 Like	#10
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by formercanuck I have an old(er) Sigma mini-wide II 28mm f/2.8. 28mm works nicely for me. A little wider would be nice - (21mm ltd?). There's a 28mm prime lens club thread in the Lens Clubs forum. You should check it out! This one here is for zooms. Originally posted by nass_43 Do you consider Pentax FA 20-35 f/4 as cheap ? It goes for quite a lot new for the moment..... and a lot less second hand But an excellent lens indeed. It really shines on the MX ! No, I don't think it qualifies as cheap, probably never did. It's beyond my reach, that's for sure, otherwise I'd grab one If you have one - I think that lens deserves its own club by itself! It's a fantastic lens, I'd love to get one some day. Here's one more from the Tokina. Absolutely no sharpening applied - I felt sharpening took away from the almost 3D feel of the picture. To me it's worth way more than the 90 dollars that I paid for it

10-13-2014, 07:59 AM	#12
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Great pics from this 15-35 Sigma that I didn't even know existed, Digitalis Keep them coming!

10-13-2014, 11:22 PM	#13
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by ChristianRock Great pics from this 15-35 Sigma that I didn't even know existed, Digitalis Thanks - the Sigma is actually a 15-30mm lens ( I corrected that typo) it is a really fun lens that is surprisingly good on full frame. From the left : Pentax 24mm f/2.8 / Pentax SMCP-FA31mm f/1.8 Limited / Sigma 15-30mm f/4.5-5.6 / Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 ART

11-03-2014, 09:55 AM	#14
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	A couple more from the Tokina 19-35 (ok, 3).

11-13-2014, 02:43 PM	#15
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	And here the Tokina strikes again.