DFA 24-70 or DFA 15-30 for the K-1?

noelpolar · 06-22-2016, 07:38 PM

Nobody in the know will be forthcoming. It's important to keep in mind that when developing and subsequently manufacturing a lens such as the 15-30 that many decisions are various stages of design and manufacturing are taken. These would be taken in line with the envisaged product brief...... and could cover a multitude of things such as acceptable tolerances, coatings, lens materials etc. It's perfectly feasable that Pentax had some input into their version that Tamron manufactured for them.

D1N0 · 06-23-2016, 04:48 AM

Yeah Salesmen

Pentax probably expects to sell less of the 15-30 than the 24-70, so they need to ask a higher price because it buys less lenses from Tamron, so adaptation costs are relatively higher.

**Hattifnatt** · 07-05-2016, 06:45 AM

After thinking about it for so many days I still haven't made a decision. I was leaning towards 24-70, but I found myself shooting straight into the sun quite a lot so I'm worried about flair resistance. I also have the possibility to buy a Pentax FA* 24mm in like-new condition for 490 $... do you think it's a good deal? that lens seem to have quite good flare resistance and interesting starburst. I don't mind it's not sharp wide-open as I will use it stopped down to f/8-f/11 most of time anyway.

cali92rs · 07-11-2016, 03:37 PM

Well, I will throw in my 2 cents.
I had the same choice as you did, and I went with the 15-30mm.
I just took a trip to NYC and i would say about 75% of my shots were taken with it. I also took the 43mm, 77mm and 135mm. I could've left the 43 and 77mm at home to be honest and still have been satisfied (but they are small enough that you can stick them in your pocket while walking around so there is no harm in bringing them along).

Buuuuut, that is me. If 75% of the pics that you take are within the 35-70mm range, it would not make much sense to get the 15-30mm.

PhilRich · 07-11-2016, 07:07 PM

I went with the 24-70 since a lot of the pictures I take are of people. This range covers the groups as well as close in shots. I probably will go for a dedicated wide angle prime lens for anything wider later on.

**Hattifnatt** · 07-14-2016, 01:57 PM

Which one do you think it would be better at 24 mm, stopped down?

FantasticMrFox · 08-20-2016, 01:52 AM

OP, these are two completely different lenses. One is an UWA, the other is a standard zoom. They hardly overlap.

That's not really a decision anyone can help you with, you have to know which focal length you want.

Last edited by FantasticMrFox; 09-20-2016 at 05:25 AM.

carolina_sky · 08-21-2016, 10:29 AM

I have both and I find I am using the 24-70 about 90%+ of the time. For landscapes, I use 24-70 probably 70% vs 20% for 15-30 and 10% for longer (150-450). The 24-70 is certainly more versatile since you can use it for a walk around (heavy one) and for people portraits, etc. On the other hand, the sunstar and flare resistance of 15-30 is better and I would give the 15-30 the edge in sharpness when stopped down, however, the 24-70 is no slouch and difference is not huge.

Kaisas · 09-20-2016, 01:01 AM

I just purchased pentax d fa 24-70 like couple weeks ago. I tested outside and indoors with my k1. I tried to take photo with different modes different settings but I m not happy with the results or I don't know how to use it...
I mean I wasn't so satisfied with the results..pictures are ok but not why I expect..
Anyone has similar issue???

Adam · 09-20-2016, 01:02 AM

Originally posted by Kaisas

I just purchased pentax d fa 24-70 like couple weeks ago. I tested outside and indoors with my k1. I tried to take photo with different modes different settings but I m not happy with the results or I don't know how to use it...
I mean I wasn't so satisfied with the results..pictures are ok but not why I expect..
Anyone has similar issue???

I'd recommend posting some samples you're unhappy with in a separate thread. Could be a question of technique, settings, or even a faulty lens.

Kaisas · 09-20-2016, 01:08 AM

[IMG]imgp3126[/IMG]

Kaisas · 09-20-2016, 01:14 AM

There you go.

astromenon · 10-25-2016, 08:03 AM

I think behind of these lenses is mr Jun Hirakawa

09-20-2016, 01:02 AM	#40
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by Kaisas I just purchased pentax d fa 24-70 like couple weeks ago. I tested outside and indoors with my k1. I tried to take photo with different modes different settings but I m not happy with the results or I don't know how to use it... I mean I wasn't so satisfied with the results..pictures are ok but not why I expect.. Anyone has similar issue??? I'd recommend posting some samples you're unhappy with in a separate thread. Could be a question of technique, settings, or even a faulty lens. 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:

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06-22-2016, 07:38 PM	#31
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	Nobody in the know will be forthcoming. It's important to keep in mind that when developing and subsequently manufacturing a lens such as the 15-30 that many decisions are various stages of design and manufacturing are taken. These would be taken in line with the envisaged product brief...... and could cover a multitude of things such as acceptable tolerances, coatings, lens materials etc. It's perfectly feasable that Pentax had some input into their version that Tamron manufactured for them.

06-23-2016, 04:48 AM	#32
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	Yeah Salesmen Pentax probably expects to sell less of the 15-30 than the 24-70, so they need to ask a higher price because it buys less lenses from Tamron, so adaptation costs are relatively higher.

07-05-2016, 06:45 AM	#33
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,625 Original Poster	After thinking about it for so many days I still haven't made a decision. I was leaning towards 24-70, but I found myself shooting straight into the sun quite a lot so I'm worried about flair resistance. I also have the possibility to buy a Pentax FA* 24mm in like-new condition for 490 $... do you think it's a good deal? that lens seem to have quite good flare resistance and interesting starburst. I don't mind it's not sharp wide-open as I will use it stopped down to f/8-f/11 most of time anyway.

07-11-2016, 03:37 PM	#34
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Well, I will throw in my 2 cents. I had the same choice as you did, and I went with the 15-30mm. I just took a trip to NYC and i would say about 75% of my shots were taken with it. I also took the 43mm, 77mm and 135mm. I could've left the 43 and 77mm at home to be honest and still have been satisfied (but they are small enough that you can stick them in your pocket while walking around so there is no harm in bringing them along). Buuuuut, that is me. If 75% of the pics that you take are within the 35-70mm range, it would not make much sense to get the 15-30mm.

07-11-2016, 07:07 PM	#35
PhilRich Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Western Washington Posts: 204	I went with the 24-70 since a lot of the pictures I take are of people. This range covers the groups as well as close in shots. I probably will go for a dedicated wide angle prime lens for anything wider later on.

07-14-2016, 01:57 PM	#36
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,625 Original Poster	Which one do you think it would be better at 24 mm, stopped down?

08-20-2016, 01:52 AM	#37
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	OP, these are two completely different lenses. One is an UWA, the other is a standard zoom. They hardly overlap. That's not really a decision anyone can help you with, you have to know which focal length you want. Last edited by FantasticMrFox; 09-20-2016 at 05:25 AM.

08-21-2016, 10:29 AM	#38
carolina_sky Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 156	I have both and I find I am using the 24-70 about 90%+ of the time. For landscapes, I use 24-70 probably 70% vs 20% for 15-30 and 10% for longer (150-450). The 24-70 is certainly more versatile since you can use it for a walk around (heavy one) and for people portraits, etc. On the other hand, the sunstar and flare resistance of 15-30 is better and I would give the 15-30 the edge in sharpness when stopped down, however, the 24-70 is no slouch and difference is not huge.

09-20-2016, 01:01 AM	#39
Kaisas Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 121	I just purchased pentax d fa 24-70 like couple weeks ago. I tested outside and indoors with my k1. I tried to take photo with different modes different settings but I m not happy with the results or I don't know how to use it... I mean I wasn't so satisfied with the results..pictures are ok but not why I expect.. Anyone has similar issue???

09-20-2016, 01:08 AM	#41
Kaisas Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 121	[IMG]imgp3126[/IMG]

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10-25-2016, 08:03 AM	#43
astromenon New Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2	I think behind of these lenses is mr Jun Hirakawa