Around 20mm: Best option?

deudeu · 07-16-2008, 04:56 PM

Hello,

I am living here in Canada at the moment, but not for long. So I have a limited time to indulge in LBA before I go back to Europe and its annoying prices.

Anyways, there i think that before I leave, I am going to purchase two more lenses, and then I will be satisfied.

One of those is going to be in the 20mm zone but I can't figure out what to buy.
After a bit of research, here are the few options I found:

DA 21mm limited: obviously a highly reviewed lens. But since the size doesn't matter that much to me, can i find better?

A 20mm f2.8: This one seams almost impossible to find which makes me want it even more. I don't care if it is MF only as long as the image quality is up there.

FA 20mm f2.8: The pictures I have seen seam quite nice, but photozone is not impressed.

Sigma 10-20: Sounds like a good idea! the owners of this lens are all impressed and from the pictures I have seen, looks like a keeper. But how would the IQ compare to a prime?

Right now, I think that the SMC A would be my first choice, because of the pictures I have seen, the fact that it is a FF lens, and the speed.

But what would you recommend?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Rico · 07-16-2008, 05:20 PM

Deudeu

I don't have any of these 20's but I do have an SMC M 20 f4. This is a great little lens if you can find one. If I didn't find mine I would have probably went with the DA 21 Ltd. If you are prone to using autofocus the quickshift feature of the DA Ltd's is invaluable.

kenyee · 07-16-2008, 05:55 PM

The Sigma 10-20's edges aren't that sharp compared to a prime (though this is mostly at the 10mm end). That said, it's a fun lens if you like playing w/ perspective distortion...

k100d · 07-16-2008, 06:06 PM

how about the DA 12-24 or the DA16-45

Alfisti · 07-16-2008, 07:03 PM

You have GOBS of options. The 21 is really no better than a lot of the zooms at 21 as they are in their sweet spot, however i own it simply because when i carry a serious long lens the 21 is invaluable in it's compactness.

For zooms, my god ......

18-55 (3.5-5.6)
12-24 f/4
16-45 f/4
17-70 f/4
16-50 f/2.8
Sigma 17-70 (2.8 - 4)
Sigma 10-20

deudeu · 07-18-2008, 02:25 PM

Originally posted by Alfisti

You have GOBS of options. The 21 is really no better than a lot of the zooms at 21 as they are in their sweet spot, however i own it simply because when i carry a serious long lens the 21 is invaluable in it's compactness.

For zooms, my god ......

18-55 (3.5-5.6)
12-24 f/4
16-45 f/4
17-70 f/4
16-50 f/2.8
Sigma 17-70 (2.8 - 4)
Sigma 10-20

And how about the sigma 12-24?

philbaum · 07-18-2008, 02:56 PM

The Sigma 10-20 offers a lot more creativity opportunities. I also have the DA-21 which i like for compactness but if it was a choice of one or the other, the Sigma would win hands down (what does that mean anyway)

This was taken in darkish post office dating from the 1890'3, which is about as old as anything we have on the west coast of the US :-)

Taken at 13mm, 1/45sec, F5.6, 400 iso with K10D

I know you'll enjoy whatever you pick, Phil

ryan s · 07-18-2008, 04:31 PM

Zeiss Flektogon 20mm in f/2.8 flavor?

**rparmar** · 07-19-2008, 02:35 AM

Originally posted by philbaum

the Sigma would win hands down (what does that mean anyway)

Try here for the origin.

**NaClH2O** · 07-19-2008, 04:42 AM

I would go with either the Pentax FA 20mm F2.8 or the FA 20-35mm F4. Both are relatively small and light (well compared to the Sigma 17-70 anyway) have good bokeh and are quite sharp. I have to say that the 20mm F2.8 is probably the "smoothest" (don't know how else to describe it) lens I own. And the 20-35 is the almost perfect "garden" lens. I own both lenses and the Sigma 17-70 and from my perspective, the two Pentaxes are better lenses.

NaCl(that's not to say that the Sigma is a bad lens. It is an excellent zoom)H2O

Peter Zack · 07-19-2008, 05:01 AM

I'd agree with Salty. The FA20mm is an excellent lens. I may be wrong but often the A version and the follow up FA (or F) version is the same optically with upgraded electronics and AF. I willing to bet the "A" version is the same as the FA.

My second choice would be the Sigma 12-24. Having both, I tended to use the Sigma more just due to the flexiblity and when low light (without a tripod) wasn't a consideration, the Sigma got the job. Sharp and a very good lens even though it's big and heavy. I'd like to try the 20-35 but you might have a better chance winning the lotto before finding one of these.

gokenin · 07-19-2008, 08:20 AM

I have been looking at this lens as well but have not been willing to pull the trigger do to cost but there is one listed in the marketplace https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographer-s-marketplace/31911-fa-20-35...itar-16mm.html
dont know if its still aval but if your looking for it give it a shot

07-16-2008, 04:56 PM	#1
deudeu Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Paris Posts: 222	Around 20mm: Best option? Hello, I am living here in Canada at the moment, but not for long. So I have a limited time to indulge in LBA before I go back to Europe and its annoying prices. Anyways, there i think that before I leave, I am going to purchase two more lenses, and then I will be satisfied. One of those is going to be in the 20mm zone but I can't figure out what to buy. After a bit of research, here are the few options I found: DA 21mm limited: obviously a highly reviewed lens. But since the size doesn't matter that much to me, can i find better? A 20mm f2.8: This one seams almost impossible to find which makes me want it even more. I don't care if it is MF only as long as the image quality is up there. FA 20mm f2.8: The pictures I have seen seam quite nice, but photozone is not impressed. Sigma 10-20: Sounds like a good idea! the owners of this lens are all impressed and from the pictures I have seen, looks like a keeper. But how would the IQ compare to a prime? Right now, I think that the SMC A would be my first choice, because of the pictures I have seen, the fact that it is a FF lens, and the speed. But what would you recommend? Thank you in advance for your help!

07-18-2008, 02:56 PM	#7
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Buy Sigma 10-20 The Sigma 10-20 offers a lot more creativity opportunities. I also have the DA-21 which i like for compactness but if it was a choice of one or the other, the Sigma would win hands down (what does that mean anyway) This was taken in darkish post office dating from the 1890'3, which is about as old as anything we have on the west coast of the US :-) Taken at 13mm, 1/45sec, F5.6, 400 iso with K10D I know you'll enjoy whatever you pick, Phil

07-19-2008, 08:20 AM	#12
gokenin Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lowell,ma Posts: 1,899	fa20-35 I have been looking at this lens as well but have not been willing to pull the trigger do to cost but there is one listed in the marketplace https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographer-s-marketplace/31911-fa-20-35...itar-16mm.html dont know if its still aval but if your looking for it give it a shot

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07-16-2008, 05:20 PM	#2
Rico Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,205	Deudeu I don't have any of these 20's but I do have an SMC M 20 f4. This is a great little lens if you can find one. If I didn't find mine I would have probably went with the DA 21 Ltd. If you are prone to using autofocus the quickshift feature of the DA Ltd's is invaluable.

07-16-2008, 05:55 PM	#3
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	The Sigma 10-20's edges aren't that sharp compared to a prime (though this is mostly at the 10mm end). That said, it's a fun lens if you like playing w/ perspective distortion...

07-16-2008, 06:06 PM	#4
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	how about the DA 12-24 or the DA16-45

07-16-2008, 07:03 PM	#5
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	You have GOBS of options. The 21 is really no better than a lot of the zooms at 21 as they are in their sweet spot, however i own it simply because when i carry a serious long lens the 21 is invaluable in it's compactness. For zooms, my god ...... 18-55 (3.5-5.6) 12-24 f/4 16-45 f/4 17-70 f/4 16-50 f/2.8 Sigma 17-70 (2.8 - 4) Sigma 10-20

07-18-2008, 02:25 PM	#6
deudeu Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Paris Posts: 222 Original Poster	Originally posted by Alfisti You have GOBS of options. The 21 is really no better than a lot of the zooms at 21 as they are in their sweet spot, however i own it simply because when i carry a serious long lens the 21 is invaluable in it's compactness. For zooms, my god ...... 18-55 (3.5-5.6) 12-24 f/4 16-45 f/4 17-70 f/4 16-50 f/2.8 Sigma 17-70 (2.8 - 4) Sigma 10-20 And how about the sigma 12-24?

07-18-2008, 04:31 PM	#8
ryan s Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,383	Zeiss Flektogon 20mm in f/2.8 flavor?

07-19-2008, 02:35 AM	#9
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	Originally posted by philbaum the Sigma would win hands down (what does that mean anyway) Try here for the origin.

07-19-2008, 04:42 AM	#10
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	I would go with either the Pentax FA 20mm F2.8 or the FA 20-35mm F4. Both are relatively small and light (well compared to the Sigma 17-70 anyway) have good bokeh and are quite sharp. I have to say that the 20mm F2.8 is probably the "smoothest" (don't know how else to describe it) lens I own. And the 20-35 is the almost perfect "garden" lens. I own both lenses and the Sigma 17-70 and from my perspective, the two Pentaxes are better lenses. NaCl(that's not to say that the Sigma is a bad lens. It is an excellent zoom)H2O

07-19-2008, 05:01 AM	#11
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	I'd agree with Salty. The FA20mm is an excellent lens. I may be wrong but often the A version and the follow up FA (or F) version is the same optically with upgraded electronics and AF. I willing to bet the "A" version is the same as the FA. My second choice would be the Sigma 12-24. Having both, I tended to use the Sigma more just due to the flexiblity and when low light (without a tripod) wasn't a consideration, the Sigma got the job. Sharp and a very good lens even though it's big and heavy. I'd like to try the 20-35 but you might have a better chance winning the lotto before finding one of these.