Small Zoom Lenses

jk333 · 11-10-2014, 05:44 AM

What are people's favorite small zoom lenses? The most obvious are the Pentax 35-70 F/3.5-4.5 and Pentax 20-40, how do they compare in size, weight? Are there other small zoom lenses that people like to use?

What about a zoom lens that when locked is small? I've heard that the 35-70 is 2", are there any other lenses this small?

flaviopetrone · 11-10-2014, 06:08 AM

I have got a Pentax F 35-80 and it is very small and light, but not a very great quality lens.

mixberry · 11-10-2014, 06:09 AM

yup pentax F 35-70, i thinks the smallest zoom lens and cheaper than 20-40 and 35-70 have macro feature that helps a lot, and that lens also fast enough and a good lens to handle noise than 18-55

asp1880 · 11-10-2014, 06:11 AM

The DA 16-45 is also quite compact and well regarded optically. I don't have personal experience with that one, though.

Regards,
--Anders.

Macario · 11-10-2014, 06:15 AM

Originally posted by asp1880

The DA 16-45 is also quite compact and well regarded optically. I don't have personal experience with that one, though.

Regards,
--Anders.

The DA16-25 is huge compared to the 20-40 or the 35-70 and or 35-80.

jk333 · 11-10-2014, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by mixberry

yup pentax F 35-70, i thinks the smallest zoom lens and cheaper than 20-40 and 35-70 have macro feature that helps a lot, and that lens also fast enough and a good lens to handle noise than 18-55

What do you mean by handle noise? I'm picking my copy up tomorrow but I've heard that it is pretty good optically, especially stopped down to f/5.6. I've also heard that it is small; I guess I will see tomorrow!

Originally posted by Macario

The DA16-25 is huge compared to the 20-40 or the 35-70 and or 35-80.

So that's the question, the 16-45 is comparatively huge, huh? That was what I thought, compared to the smaller zooms. But are there any zooms that are small at their widest setting? For example a 28-90 or something.
The 35-70 is great because of the size, a 35-80 doesn't really add that much. The problem with the 35-70 isn't the size or image quality (from reviews) but the wide end; if it were a 28-60 or 25-50, it'd be better. Really, the 20-40 with the K-01 makes a lot of sense; it's a shame they didn't come out at the same time.

Even the 20-40 is bigger than the 35-70 though, correct? A 18-36 f/4 that was smaller may have been better. Most people are fixated by low f/stops though.

Marktax · 11-10-2014, 07:00 AM

20-40 is all metal but surprisingly light in weight. It's a short range, but a surprising amount of shots are right in there. The 20mm end is nearly 28mm eq., and with the K-3's 24mp sensor, crop-in's effectively extend the 40mm end a good deal.

Anthen · 11-10-2014, 07:01 AM

Originally posted by jk333

So that's the question, the 16-45 is comparatively huge, huh?

I think after seeing those Sigma primes and zooms... most Pentax zoom lenses seem small in comparison

Mr Bassie · 11-10-2014, 07:30 AM

The Tokina SD 70-210mm F4.0-5.6 is a pretty compact zoom lens. Smallest 70-210 I have ever seen, not sure if there is anything smaller or not. It is manual focus and pretty good quality.

reeftool · 11-10-2014, 07:44 AM

Originally posted by jk333

What do you mean by handle noise? I'm picking my copy up tomorrow but I've heard that it is pretty good optically, especially stopped down to f/5.6. I've also heard that it is small; I guess I will see tomorrow!

Noise isn't caused by a lens but by the camera's sensor. The higher the ISO setting, the more noise. What he is probably mentioning is the aperture range of the F 35-70 is f/3.5-4.5 and the 18-55 kit is f/3.5-5.6 which makes the F a little bit faster on the long end. The difference is minor and in the real world probably not enough to cause you to bump your ISO up. Noise increases when you raise your ISO and 90% of the time, you would be using the same ISO for either lens as the difference is 1/2 stop and only on the long end. From my experience, the F 35-70 is a little sharper wide open and has a very pleasing bokeh. The lens isn't as handy as a walk around on a digital body but it's a good lens and because it's relatively inexpensive, a lot of people will recommend it. It's much noticeably smaller then the 18-55.

**MJSfoto1956** · 11-10-2014, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by Macario

The DA16-25 is huge compared to the 20-40 or the 35-70 and or 35-80.

I think "huge" is a bit of a stretch.

Here is the 16-45mm in an OpTech USA 2.5" deep accesory case along with other Pentax lenses for comparison. I find it to be a great little lens.

YMMV

Michael

bassek · 11-10-2014, 08:50 AM

In addition to the previous the F24-50is small. As is the F70-210. The DAL 18-55 is light...

Seb

northcoastgreg · 11-10-2014, 10:17 AM

After the DA 20-40, the best of Pentax's small zooms may be the FA 20-35 f4, which weighs only 245 grams and is only 7 cm in length.

**dadipentak** · 11-10-2014, 11:10 AM

A 24-50/4

ChristianRock · 11-10-2014, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by MJSfoto1956

I think "huge" is a bit of a stretch.

Here is the 16-45mm in an OpTech USA 2.5" deep accesory case along with other Pentax lenses for comparison. I find it to be a great little lens.

YMMV

Michael

Your signature doesn't show that lens anymore, did you sell it because it didn't compare well to your Limiteds?

Regarding small zooms - a few kit lenses from the film era are quite small, but they're usually slow, and a lot of times the quality isn't there. Though a lot of old Pentax lenses can be quite useful in the right hands - I've seen some very good shots from the F 35-105 and the F 35-135, for example, and they're compact as far as zoom lenses go (not like the 35-70 which is small as a prime).

11-10-2014, 05:44 AM	#1
jk333 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: bev Posts: 181	Small Zoom Lenses What are people's favorite small zoom lenses? The most obvious are the Pentax 35-70 F/3.5-4.5 and Pentax 20-40, how do they compare in size, weight? Are there other small zoom lenses that people like to use? What about a zoom lens that when locked is small? I've heard that the 35-70 is 2", are there any other lenses this small?

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11-10-2014, 06:08 AM	#2
flaviopetrone Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Reggio Emilia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,153	I have got a Pentax F 35-80 and it is very small and light, but not a very great quality lens.

11-10-2014, 06:09 AM	#3
mixberry Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: West Java, Indonesia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 144	yup pentax F 35-70, i thinks the smallest zoom lens and cheaper than 20-40 and 35-70 have macro feature that helps a lot, and that lens also fast enough and a good lens to handle noise than 18-55

11-10-2014, 06:11 AM	#4
asp1880 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lyngby, Copenhagen Photos: Albums Posts: 742	The DA 16-45 is also quite compact and well regarded optically. I don't have personal experience with that one, though. Regards, --Anders.

11-10-2014, 06:15 AM	#5
Macario Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Hoek van Holland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,393	Originally posted by asp1880 The DA 16-45 is also quite compact and well regarded optically. I don't have personal experience with that one, though. Regards, --Anders. The DA16-25 is huge compared to the 20-40 or the 35-70 and or 35-80.

11-10-2014, 06:57 AM	#6
jk333 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: bev Posts: 181 Original Poster	Originally posted by mixberry yup pentax F 35-70, i thinks the smallest zoom lens and cheaper than 20-40 and 35-70 have macro feature that helps a lot, and that lens also fast enough and a good lens to handle noise than 18-55 What do you mean by handle noise? I'm picking my copy up tomorrow but I've heard that it is pretty good optically, especially stopped down to f/5.6. I've also heard that it is small; I guess I will see tomorrow! Originally posted by Macario The DA16-25 is huge compared to the 20-40 or the 35-70 and or 35-80. So that's the question, the 16-45 is comparatively huge, huh? That was what I thought, compared to the smaller zooms. But are there any zooms that are small at their widest setting? For example a 28-90 or something. The 35-70 is great because of the size, a 35-80 doesn't really add that much. The problem with the 35-70 isn't the size or image quality (from reviews) but the wide end; if it were a 28-60 or 25-50, it'd be better. Really, the 20-40 with the K-01 makes a lot of sense; it's a shame they didn't come out at the same time. Even the 20-40 is bigger than the 35-70 though, correct? A 18-36 f/4 that was smaller may have been better. Most people are fixated by low f/stops though.

11-10-2014, 07:00 AM	#7
Marktax Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Washington DC Photos: Albums Posts: 610	20-40 is all metal but surprisingly light in weight. It's a short range, but a surprising amount of shots are right in there. The 20mm end is nearly 28mm eq., and with the K-3's 24mp sensor, crop-in's effectively extend the 40mm end a good deal.

11-10-2014, 07:01 AM	#8
Anthen Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 79	Originally posted by jk333 So that's the question, the 16-45 is comparatively huge, huh? I think after seeing those Sigma primes and zooms... most Pentax zoom lenses seem small in comparison

11-10-2014, 07:30 AM	#9
Mr Bassie Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,258	The Tokina SD 70-210mm F4.0-5.6 is a pretty compact zoom lens. Smallest 70-210 I have ever seen, not sure if there is anything smaller or not. It is manual focus and pretty good quality.

11-10-2014, 07:44 AM	#10
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,552	Originally posted by jk333 What do you mean by handle noise? I'm picking my copy up tomorrow but I've heard that it is pretty good optically, especially stopped down to f/5.6. I've also heard that it is small; I guess I will see tomorrow! Noise isn't caused by a lens but by the camera's sensor. The higher the ISO setting, the more noise. What he is probably mentioning is the aperture range of the F 35-70 is f/3.5-4.5 and the 18-55 kit is f/3.5-5.6 which makes the F a little bit faster on the long end. The difference is minor and in the real world probably not enough to cause you to bump your ISO up. Noise increases when you raise your ISO and 90% of the time, you would be using the same ISO for either lens as the difference is 1/2 stop and only on the long end. From my experience, the F 35-70 is a little sharper wide open and has a very pleasing bokeh. The lens isn't as handy as a walk around on a digital body but it's a good lens and because it's relatively inexpensive, a lot of people will recommend it. It's much noticeably smaller then the 18-55.

11-10-2014, 08:24 AM	#11
MJSfoto1956 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Boston Posts: 1,305	Originally posted by Macario The DA16-25 is huge compared to the 20-40 or the 35-70 and or 35-80. I think "huge" is a bit of a stretch. Here is the 16-45mm in an OpTech USA 2.5" deep accesory case along with other Pentax lenses for comparison. I find it to be a great little lens. YMMV Michael

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11-10-2014, 08:50 AM	#12
bassek Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 706	In addition to the previous the F24-50is small. As is the F70-210. The DAL 18-55 is light... Seb

11-10-2014, 10:17 AM	#13
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,168	After the DA 20-40, the best of Pentax's small zooms may be the FA 20-35 f4, which weighs only 245 grams and is only 7 cm in length.

11-10-2014, 11:10 AM	#14
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	A 24-50/4

11-10-2014, 11:27 AM	#15
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Originally posted by MJSfoto1956 I think "huge" is a bit of a stretch. Here is the 16-45mm in an OpTech USA 2.5" deep accesory case along with other Pentax lenses for comparison. I find it to be a great little lens. YMMV Michael Your signature doesn't show that lens anymore, did you sell it because it didn't compare well to your Limiteds? Regarding small zooms - a few kit lenses from the film era are quite small, but they're usually slow, and a lot of times the quality isn't there. Though a lot of old Pentax lenses can be quite useful in the right hands - I've seen some very good shots from the F 35-105 and the F 35-135, for example, and they're compact as far as zoom lenses go (not like the 35-70 which is small as a prime).