OK, which lens should I get next?

kshapero · 01-01-2015, 09:15 PM

Got the 20-40 walk around which I really like.
Looking for a wide angle : 15mm? 21mm?
And a telephoto: 100mm? 50-300mm?

**NZ_Ross** · 01-01-2015, 09:18 PM

Wide - 15, as you already have 21 covered with the zoom. The 15 is also a stunning little lens.

Telephoto - I have been surprised by how much and how consistently i use my 55-300. It is a versatile lens. It seems sharpest at f11-f13, if that suits your shooting style.

Docrwm · 01-01-2015, 09:19 PM

All you have is the 20-40?

Adam · 01-01-2015, 09:31 PM

Originally posted by kshapero

Got the 20-40 walk around which I really like.
Looking for a wide angle : 15mm? 21mm?
And a telephoto: 100mm? 50-300mm?

The 15mm is a great lens, as is the FA 77mm ("greatest Pentax lens of all time"). The DFA 100mm is also a good choice if you want to shoot macros.

Adam
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SpecialK · 01-01-2015, 09:41 PM

Wide angle - the 12-24. Versatile, high IQ. Most of the "bulk" is the hood :-) The 10-17 is fun but perhaps not for everyone.

A 90/100/105 macro can double as a medium fast telephoto.

55-300 is the best bang for the buck in that range. The 50-200 may have a tad less IQ but is pretty good, and compact.

**filoxophy** · 01-01-2015, 10:17 PM

Originally posted by kshapero

Got the 20-40 walk around which I really like.
Looking for a wide angle : 15mm? 21mm?
And a telephoto: 100mm? 50-300mm?

Can't argue with the advice to get a 15 based on your 20-40, but I can personally vouch that the 21 is tiny, sharp, and takes great closeups. I briefly owned a 55-300 and it was useful for vacation wildlife photos and offered satisfactory performance, but doesn't really suit my day-to-day shooting style.

But you've been a PF member for 7 years and already have a ~$1,000 lens...I feel like you might know more about what you like/need/already have than you've revealed in the question!

6BQ5 · 01-01-2015, 10:39 PM

Originally posted by filoxophy

But you've been a PF member for 7 years and already have a ~$1,000 lens...I feel like you might know more about what you like/need/already have than you've revealed in the question!

I think it's a good natured trick. He wants us to surprise him with an idea he hasn't already come up!

**beachgardener** · 01-01-2015, 10:48 PM

yeah the 15 and 100 macro sounds great

**c.a.m** · 01-01-2015, 11:35 PM

DA 15 Ltd and DA* 300.

hcc · 01-01-2015, 11:48 PM - **1 Like**

What do you shoot? This is important, and will set your lens needs.

Adam gave you excellent suggestions with the DA15mm and FA77mm. Both are at each end of the DA20-40mm range.I have these two primes and they are truly outstanding IMHO.

Would you need longer reach? The DA*300mm f4 (or the older FA*300mm f4.5) could add nicely also. The FA*300mm is older but it is slightly smaller and lighter.

To sum up:
1. DA15mm
2. FA77mm f1.8
3. DA*300mm f4.5 (or FA*300mm f4.5)

My 5 cents....

DSims · 01-02-2015, 12:53 AM

Originally posted by hcc

What do you shoot? This is important, and will set your lens needs.

Adam gave you excellent suggestions with the DA15mm and FA77mm. Both are at each end of the DA20-40mm range.I have these two primes and they are truly outstanding IMHO.

Would you need longer reach? The DA*300mm f4 (or the older FA*300mm f4.5) could add nicely also. The FA*300mm is older but it is slightly smaller and lighter.

To sum up:
1. DA15mm
2. FA77mm f1.8
3. DA*300mm f4.5 (or FA*300mm f4.5)

My 5 cents....

Agreed. These (including the D FA 100 WR macro Adam mentioned) will all give you about the nicest photos you can get for your money. And add the DA*50-135 to this list as well. The DA55-300 is very good for the money, but it doesn't deliver especially thrilling images from 135mm to 300mm, and while it's pretty good at 135mm and wider, it's beat handily by the DA*50-135 between 55 and 135mm!

AquaDome · 01-02-2015, 01:22 AM

DA12-24 or Sigma 10-20.

kh1234567890 · 01-02-2015, 05:22 AM

Originally posted by kshapero

Got the 20-40 walk around which I really like.
Looking for a wide angle : 15mm? 21mm?
And a telephoto: 100mm? 50-300mm?

You'll soon get bored with the DA15. Get the DA70 Ltd.

**Scorpio71GR** · 01-02-2015, 05:34 AM

I have the HD 55-300 WR. I use mainly for wildlife shots. As was said earlier, it is not very sharp from 100-300 unless stopped down. I shoot with a tripod and use a K3 so this not a problem for me with the K3's excellent I SO range. Theven main advantage of this lens is the weather sealing.

Conqueror · 01-02-2015, 06:06 AM

Originally posted by kshapero

Got the 20-40 walk around which I really like.
Looking for a wide angle : 15mm? 21mm?
And a telephoto: 100mm? 50-300mm?

How are you finding the 20-40mm?

01-01-2015, 09:15 PM	#1
kshapero Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Florida, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 437	OK, which lens should I get next? Got the 20-40 walk around which I really like. Looking for a wide angle : 15mm? 21mm? And a telephoto: 100mm? 50-300mm?

01-01-2015, 11:48 PM - 1 Like	#10
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,001	What do you shoot? This is important, and will set your lens needs. Adam gave you excellent suggestions with the DA15mm and FA77mm. Both are at each end of the DA20-40mm range.I have these two primes and they are truly outstanding IMHO. Would you need longer reach? The DA300mm f4 (or the older FA300mm f4.5) could add nicely also. The FA300mm is older but it is slightly smaller and lighter. To sum up: 1. DA15mm 2. FA77mm f1.8 3. DA300mm f4.5 (or FA300mm f4.5) My 5 cents.... Last edited by hcc; 01-02-2015 at 12:26 AM.*

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01-01-2015, 09:18 PM	#2
NZ_Ross Kiwi Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Timaru Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,225	Wide - 15, as you already have 21 covered with the zoom. The 15 is also a stunning little lens. Telephoto - I have been surprised by how much and how consistently i use my 55-300. It is a versatile lens. It seems sharpest at f11-f13, if that suits your shooting style.

01-01-2015, 09:19 PM	#3
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	All you have is the 20-40?

01-01-2015, 09:31 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by kshapero Got the 20-40 walk around which I really like. Looking for a wide angle : 15mm? 21mm? And a telephoto: 100mm? 50-300mm? The 15mm is a great lens, as is the FA 77mm ("greatest Pentax lens of all time"). The DFA 100mm is also a good choice if you want to shoot macros. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

01-01-2015, 09:41 PM	#5
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Wide angle - the 12-24. Versatile, high IQ. Most of the "bulk" is the hood :-) The 10-17 is fun but perhaps not for everyone. A 90/100/105 macro can double as a medium fast telephoto. 55-300 is the best bang for the buck in that range. The 50-200 may have a tad less IQ but is pretty good, and compact.

01-01-2015, 10:17 PM	#6
filoxophy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,132	Originally posted by kshapero Got the 20-40 walk around which I really like. Looking for a wide angle : 15mm? 21mm? And a telephoto: 100mm? 50-300mm? Can't argue with the advice to get a 15 based on your 20-40, but I can personally vouch that the 21 is tiny, sharp, and takes great closeups. I briefly owned a 55-300 and it was useful for vacation wildlife photos and offered satisfactory performance, but doesn't really suit my day-to-day shooting style. But you've been a PF member for 7 years and already have a ~$1,000 lens...I feel like you might know more about what you like/need/already have than you've revealed in the question!

01-01-2015, 10:39 PM	#7
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Originally posted by filoxophy But you've been a PF member for 7 years and already have a ~$1,000 lens...I feel like you might know more about what you like/need/already have than you've revealed in the question! I think it's a good natured trick. He wants us to surprise him with an idea he hasn't already come up!

01-01-2015, 10:48 PM	#8
beachgardener Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,842	yeah the 15 and 100 macro sounds great

01-01-2015, 11:35 PM	#9
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,188	DA 15 Ltd and DA* 300.

01-02-2015, 12:53 AM	#11
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by hcc What do you shoot? This is important, and will set your lens needs. Adam gave you excellent suggestions with the DA15mm and FA77mm. Both are at each end of the DA20-40mm range.I have these two primes and they are truly outstanding IMHO. Would you need longer reach? The DA300mm f4 (or the older FA300mm f4.5) could add nicely also. The FA300mm is older but it is slightly smaller and lighter. To sum up: 1. DA15mm 2. FA77mm f1.8 3. DA300mm f4.5 (or FA300mm f4.5) My 5 cents.... Agreed. These (including the D FA 100 WR macro Adam mentioned) will all give you about the nicest photos you can get for your money. And add the DA50-135 to this list as well. The DA55-300 is very good for the money, but it doesn't deliver especially thrilling images from 135mm to 300mm, and while it's pretty good at 135mm and wider, it's beat handily by the DA*50-135 between 55 and 135mm!

01-02-2015, 01:22 AM	#12
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	DA12-24 or Sigma 10-20.

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01-02-2015, 05:22 AM	#13
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by kshapero Got the 20-40 walk around which I really like. Looking for a wide angle : 15mm? 21mm? And a telephoto: 100mm? 50-300mm? You'll soon get bored with the DA15. Get the DA70 Ltd.

01-02-2015, 05:34 AM	#14
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,003	I have the HD 55-300 WR. I use mainly for wildlife shots. As was said earlier, it is not very sharp from 100-300 unless stopped down. I shoot with a tripod and use a K3 so this not a problem for me with the K3's excellent I SO range. Theven main advantage of this lens is the weather sealing.

01-02-2015, 06:06 AM	#15
Conqueror Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 440	Originally posted by kshapero Got the 20-40 walk around which I really like. Looking for a wide angle : 15mm? 21mm? And a telephoto: 100mm? 50-300mm? How are you finding the 20-40mm?