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08-14-2015, 05:56 PM   #31
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I've shot a few weddings in the official role, and my favorite setup was an f2.8 standard zoom (18-50) and a 100 f2.8 macro. However at the time I didn't have my da limited primes and I've always felt that were I to do weddings again it would be a 21/70 combo as an ideal setup (of course with backup kit too). Especially with the current bodies you can get away with much lower light before the flashes come out.

Unfortunately there's not much in the 20mm range that is very fast. So you either need to think about going a little tighter or find ways around the slow speed of the 21mm. What bodies are you using?

I would think though you could make a 21/55 clmbo work well. You could probably get away with always using the 55 when you needed the speed and flash is not allowed.

It makes me want to shoot another wedding just to try out that combo!

Btw, I think investing in a good off camera flash setup capable of lighting up a whole room is something really considering. Many venues prefer and allow those setups instead of direct on camera flash. Just a thought.

08-14-2015, 11:52 PM   #32
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I tried the 21/70 combo and, for me, there's just too much of a gap. Hence the 20-40 purchase. I find out tomorrow if that purchase was worth it, meeting the bride tomorrow at 11am for getting ready shots, ceremony at 3:30pm.
08-15-2015, 07:21 AM   #33
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I've previously used 21/70mm combo a lot during a wedding (zoom ring on my Sigma 17-50 got stock back then and was sent for repairs) and it felt like I could cover an entire wedding with just those two.

My main grudge about the 70mm is the minimal focusing distance.

I think a fast focusing and silent 21mm f1.4 and 70mm f1.4 would be awesome. In such case I even think I'd stop using zooms.
08-15-2015, 07:59 AM   #34
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QuoteOriginally posted by Zafar Iqbal Quote
I've previously used 21/70mm combo a lot during a wedding (zoom ring on my Sigma 17-50 got stock back then and was sent for repairs) and it felt like I could cover an entire wedding with just those two.

My main grudge about the 70mm is the minimal focusing distance.

I think a fast focusing and silent 21mm f1.4 and 70mm f1.4 would be awesome. In such case I even think I'd stop using zooms.
Thinking outside the box a little, have you considered the Sigma 17-70 "C"? It's relatively fast for a variable zoom and has near-macro focusing ability.

08-15-2015, 11:57 AM   #35
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A 17-70 f2.8 would be a dream come true but a f2.8-4 is slow and does not interest me at all.

Even with my f1.8 lenses I find myself shooting at 1/80-1/100, f1.8 ISO 10000-12800: way beyond my comfort zone.

Anything smaller than 2.8 is slow in my book and the only reason I've been getting along with 21mm Ltd, is because of it's size and fast focusing. It's a super neat lens to work with as the small size allows me to "get right up to peoples faces" without them minding it.
08-15-2015, 03:54 PM   #36
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2 primes I'd probably go with is the FA 31 1.8 limited and the DA*55 1.4. With that said, the 20-40 limited is close in image quality to the 31 (although slower), and with the flexibility of covering 4 Pentax prime Focal Lengths, it might be worth a look. If you absolutely need 2.8 and if you want FL flexibility, perhaps the DA*16-50 coupled with the DA*50-135. But you said primes, so I revert back to my first sentence.

Last edited by dcpropilot; 08-15-2015 at 04:13 PM.
08-15-2015, 04:48 PM   #37
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I'm fully covered in zoom's from 10 to 200mm, so no issue there.

I previously had a look at the 31mm again and it's so overpriced, going at prices from 1785USD. I could afford it, but I'd rather use the Sigma 18-35 and use the money for something else instead.

DA* 55mm is currently the longer lens I'm most interested in however I'm reading about it's focusing not being fast and that it's even slower than screwdrive focusing - browsing though DA* 55 pics on flickr show very little action shot of the type that come close to my need. So I'm not entirely sure about this one

08-15-2015, 05:32 PM   #38
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If you're looking for fast focusing in a prime, perhaps the F 50 1.7 or the DA 40 2.8 limited. If you can find a used copy of the FA 31 though for a good price, I'd still consider it. IF you are looking for best IQ, the FA limiteds can't be beat IMO, they are slightly slower to focus but are accurate, the DA limiteds seem to have less focus throw (thereby faster focusing).

Last edited by dcpropilot; 08-15-2015 at 05:57 PM.
08-15-2015, 06:11 PM   #39
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Thanks. I can't find the F 50mm anywhere and the 43mm (not 40mm) looks interesting. It currently sells for around 1050USD and has gone down to below 590USD a number of times recently. I've set up notification on a site that keeps track of prices, and if it happens again, I'll buy it.
08-15-2015, 07:51 PM   #40
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QuoteOriginally posted by Zafar Iqbal Quote
I previously had a look at the 31mm again and it's so overpriced, going at prices from 1785USD. I could afford it, but I'd rather use the Sigma 18-35
The FA31 has significantly higher AF accuracy than the sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 - In my review I mentioned that, It is also full frame compatible - which is something to start thinking about with the new FF DSLR being announced. I'm not suggesting that you will get it right away, but sometime in the future you might switch to full frame.



the FA31 is also quite small compared to the sigma:
08-15-2015, 08:16 PM   #41
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Digitalis: You are absolutely correct - even though I haven't mentioned it, a FF lens is a plus as I defiantly see myself upgrading to FF body at some point.
08-15-2015, 10:16 PM   #42
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QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
Has anyone suggested this lens?
Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF Macro


I don't have it, have never shot it, but thought of it when your reading your requirements.
I have this lens and find it agreeably sharp wide open or near wide open. I use it as a flash free party lens, also for attempts at creative close ups using its great bokeh. And of course it is a FF lens, if that's of interest to you
08-15-2015, 11:21 PM   #43
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QuoteOriginally posted by Zafar Iqbal Quote
Digitalis: You are absolutely correct - even though I haven't mentioned it, a FF lens is a plus as I defiantly see myself upgrading to FF body at some point.
Then the 31 will be in the wide range you are looking. (20ish on crop)
08-16-2015, 12:25 AM   #44
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Perhaps the 40 xs pancake in place of the 50mm? A bit of an odd focal length but it might make for some interesting shots.
08-16-2015, 02:08 PM   #45
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I'm currently most interested in Sigma 24mm f1.8 and Pentax DA* 55mm f1.4.

Both Pentax 31mm and 77mm are praised lenses, but I find them to be too overpriced - I'd rather buy Pentax DA* 50-135 instead. I rarely go above 150mm on my 70-200 anyways.
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