Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
01-20-2015, 01:07 PM - 1 Like   #31
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
UncleVanya's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 28,168
The DA 35mm f/2.4 plastic fantastic is another option. The lens is lightweight and offers a wider perspective that should be good for indoors. Not as fast or quiet as the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 but also likely cheaper if that matters.

01-20-2015, 01:09 PM   #32
New Member




Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 24
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
My Dad and I did a shoot out at 70mm between the DA 18-135 and the DA 70 and found that at 70mm it was really hard to see the difference between the lenses in casual shots that were not wide open on the DA 70. The trick is that you can't get the wide open bokeh with the 18-135 at 70mm and blur the background as completely. In our case the background was so detail free (white wall) that it didn't distract. Also our pictures were made with flash which eliminated some additional variables.

That said, the DA 70 is a very nice lens and does a great job with portraits, but it's a lot more money than the DA 18-135 in practical used pricing. The DA 70 is likely to produce more pleasing bokeh and render portraits a little better. The DA 70 is also quite a bit faster than the 18-135 in terms of light gathering. The DA 70 is a screw drive lens which isn't very silent, the DA 18-135 uses the DC motor which isn't as silent as SDM but is close. The DA 18-135 also gives you the ability to take shots from farther away which reduces the chance he gets distracted - at least by you!
Good point. I thought about it too, but I am planning to save up for 50-135mm and get primes for any below 50mm. Just a novice plan
01-20-2015, 01:10 PM - 1 Like   #33
Junior Member




Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Saint Malo
Posts: 33
i made the road sigma 30 + pentax 50 1.7 with my k30: the sigma is really silent and fast, the 30mm and 1.4 helps a lot indoor in low light and night shots.
If low light is not that much of a concern, i would seriously considere the 18 135 wr to replace the 18 55, both more versatile and sharper (also quite silent and fast) and usable both indoor under decent light, and outside.
Keep in mind the k30 itself is mechanicaly fairly loud, dont be disappointed about it.
01-20-2015, 01:17 PM   #34
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
UncleVanya's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 28,168
QuoteOriginally posted by pingu Quote
Good point. I thought about it too, but I am planning to save up for 50-135mm and get primes for any below 50mm. Just a novice plan
There is nothing wrong with this plan. Just remember there are no WR primes except for the da* 55 so you may want to hang on to the 18-55 or save up for the 20-30 Limited zoom which is WR if that appeals to you and the 55 isn't on your short list.

Personally zooms seem better to me when working with kids since you can change framing quickly - the kids aren't going to wait while you pull the 50 off and put the 21 on. The DA 16-50 is the logical zoom for indoor use that compliments the DA* 50-135...

TOO many choices I know.


Last edited by UncleVanya; 01-22-2015 at 07:48 AM.
01-20-2015, 01:20 PM   #35
Pentaxian
ChristianRock's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: People's Republic of America
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 9,895
QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
A very reasonable suggestion. However wasn't the 30mm Sigma the one that like the 1.8 18-35mm has had focus issues?
Apparently the focus problems happen only if you use multiple AF points. if you select your focus point or use center AF it's not an issue. And people have also reported that they didn't have problems with the AF (in the reviews section).
01-20-2015, 01:29 PM   #36
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
UncleVanya's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 28,168
QuoteOriginally posted by ChristianRock Quote
Apparently the focus problems happen only if you use multiple AF points. if you select your focus point or use center AF it's not an issue. And people have also reported that they didn't have problems with the AF (in the reviews section).
Great to hear. That's a sweet lens from what I can tell.
01-20-2015, 01:59 PM   #37
Junior Member




Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Saint Malo
Posts: 33
Well sigma 18 35 should be handy on low light indoor kids.. no af issues on selected af point with 30mm, i havent really tried auto select af.

01-21-2015, 11:01 AM   #38
New Member




Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 24
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by zitounae Quote
Well sigma 18 35 should be handy on low light indoor kids.. no af issues on selected af point with 30mm, i havent really tried auto select af.
I was thinking Sigma 30mm 1.4($500) until the point you brought up Sigma 18-35 mm F1.8 ($800)

is it worth shelling out $300 more for 18-35 or spend $300+ for another lens in 10-20mm range?

Sigma 18-35 mm F1.8 = $800
Sigma 30mm 1.4($500) + Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 ($400)=$900
01-21-2015, 11:35 AM - 1 Like   #39
Junior Member




Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Saint Malo
Posts: 33
Had a 6 months brainstorming about sigma 30 vs 18 35... getting the 18-35 you would miss the uga of 10mm between your choices, if you are into it
The pros of the sigma zoom is that its very sharp and pretty fast on the whole range. The downside would be that the range is small, the lense is quite heavy, and the autofocus not that top notch accurate nor fast as i have seen (not at the lvl of IQ i mean)
01-21-2015, 11:52 AM   #40
Pentaxian
ChristianRock's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: People's Republic of America
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 9,895
QuoteOriginally posted by pingu Quote
I was thinking Sigma 30mm 1.4($500) until the point you brought up Sigma 18-35 mm F1.8 ($800)

is it worth shelling out $300 more for 18-35 or spend $300+ for another lens in 10-20mm range?

Sigma 18-35 mm F1.8 = $800
Sigma 30mm 1.4($500) + Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 ($400)=$900
Personally, I would think the 30mm 1.4 + 10-20mm is a better option. Both are great lenses for their specific purposes (10-20 is sharp edge to edge for landscapes and citiscapes, 30 1.4 is super sharp in the center, great bokeh, 3D looking, for isolating subjects).

But you know what your needs are and what kind of flexibility you need - more range and better low light, or a single (big) lens that stays on the camera? Up to you to decide

If you are in that price range, by the way, don't discount the Pentax 20-40mm DA Limited. In my humble opinion it produces stunning images, much smaller than the Sigma 18-35, is WR and can be found quite discounted these days. It's my dream lens nowadays.
01-21-2015, 05:45 PM   #41
New Member




Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 24
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by zitounae Quote
Had a 6 months brainstorming about sigma 30 vs 18 35... getting the 18-35 you would miss the uga of 10mm between your choices, if you are into it
The pros of the sigma zoom is that its very sharp and pretty fast on the whole range. The downside would be that the range is small, the lense is quite heavy, and the autofocus not that top notch accurate nor fast as i have seen (not at the lvl of IQ i mean)
Having made the decision are you happy? I can't wait fo 6 months as my 6 month old will turn an year :P .

One user commented on 18-35 - "You get eighteen f1.8 primes (from 18 to 35mm) in one lens" . Not so sure as it looks all primes are piled together. Darn thing is so big & heavy.

Still thinking..

---------- Post added 01-21-15 at 05:46 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by ChristianRock Quote
Personally, I would think the 30mm 1.4 + 10-20mm is a better option. Both are great lenses for their specific purposes (10-20 is sharp edge to edge for landscapes and citiscapes, 30 1.4 is super sharp in the center, great bokeh, 3D looking, for isolating subjects).

But you know what your needs are and what kind of flexibility you need - more range and better low light, or a single (big) lens that stays on the camera? Up to you to decide

If you are in that price range, by the way, don't discount the Pentax 20-40mm DA Limited. In my humble opinion it produces stunning images, much smaller than the Sigma 18-35, is WR and can be found quite discounted these days. It's my dream lens nowadays.
How is the image quality & AF of Pentax 20-40mm DA Limited compared to the other two sigmas?
01-21-2015, 10:10 PM   #42
New Member




Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 24
Original Poster
Pentax 20-40mm DA Limited Review says it is not ideal for low light
01-22-2015, 01:10 AM - 1 Like   #43
Veteran Member




Join Date: Nov 2012
Photos: Albums
Posts: 963
QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
Just remember there are no WR primes...
There's one, and an outstanding one at that: DA*55
01-22-2015, 07:46 AM   #44
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
UncleVanya's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 28,168
QuoteOriginally posted by drypenn Quote
There's one, and an outstanding one at that: DA*55
I Was thinking about limited lenses and not primes. Dang brain failed me. Lol. Absolutely accurate info on your part - thanks for catching the misstatement. I edited my original for future readers.
01-22-2015, 07:56 AM   #45
Veteran Member




Join Date: Nov 2012
Photos: Albums
Posts: 963
QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
I Was thinking about limited lenses and not primes. Dang brain failed me. Lol. Absolutely accurate info on your part - thanks for catching the misstatement. I edited my original for future readers.
Then, you're absolutely correct if you intended to type "limited"

But, I've always wondered why Pentax did not name the DFA 100 WR macro a "Limited". The build is obviously "Limited". It is probably one of, if not, the sharpest lens in current Pentax line up. If Pentax made it a "Limited", then it would have been the first WR prime
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
50mm, auto, baby :p, da, edge, focus, k-30, k-50, k-mount, kit, lens, months, pentax, pentax k30, pentax k50, pentax lens, pics, primes, range, sigma, silent, slr lens
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Looking for recommendation on a budget ~24mm prime lens Zen4Life Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 19 12-18-2013 09:53 AM
Got a Pentax ME, have a K-30. I'm thinking FA lenses for both but don't know Bootleg Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 8 12-03-2013 05:22 PM
Have K20d, looking to upgrade. K5 or K-50? mishmatta Pentax DSLR Discussion 15 08-26-2013 12:00 PM
Fast prime lens (35/40/50mm) for Pentax K-30 sena Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 17 10-10-2012 10:12 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:44 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top