Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version 7 Likes Search this Thread
07-04-2016, 05:46 AM   #1
Forum Member
Rayn's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Zagreb
Posts: 73
Best budget options for a prime 30-35mm f1.2-1.8 AF lens for Pentax APS-C?

I'm looking for a budget (under 200$) 30-35mm f1.2-f1.8 AF (no MF leses) lens for My K-3II.
I've got the f2.8 zooms covered, but when it comes to low light, none of them are ideal. I've been looking at the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 which would be amazing, but besides the AF issues and the weight, it's extremely expensive. The 35mm f2.4 is nice, but not fast enough. And the 50mm f1.8 is not wide enough for everyday use (for me, anyway).
That leaves some sigma/tamron primes and perhaps some older pentax primes.
What would you recommend?

07-04-2016, 05:50 AM - 1 Like   #2
Pentaxian
D1N0's Avatar

Join Date: May 2012
Location: ---
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 6,802
Well there is the FA 35mm F2 the Sigma 35mm F1.4 and the FA 31mm F1.8 Ltd. And only for aps-c the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art
07-04-2016, 05:50 AM   #3
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Newcastle
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 1,954
Hmmmm I wish you the best. Fast AF glass cheap? Sign me up!
07-04-2016, 05:57 AM   #4
Veteran Member
Blacknight659's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2013
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 731
Not saying it isn't out there, but your budget is very low for a fast prime with AF. When I saw your post I was ready for my standard answer... (DA 35 2.4) The only options I see for you are the MF Samyang lenses. The fast 35mm and under lenses are expensive and your only option would be to find a used deal somewhere.

Probably the cheapest you will get is a Sigma 30mm 1.4 lens. You will have to find this used as well. If not this, you may need to consider what you are really needing, AF or Fast aperture.

07-04-2016, 06:00 AM   #5
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Digitalis's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 11,695
QuoteOriginally posted by Rayn Quote
I'm looking for a budget (under 200$) 30-35mm f1.2-f1.8 AF
Such lenses do exist however, not at a sub-200 dollar price point. Even the cheap (but optically decent) Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G is well over $200 new.
07-04-2016, 06:01 AM   #6
Pentaxian




Join Date: Mar 2015
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 6,381
QuoteOriginally posted by Rayn Quote
I'm looking for a budget (under 200$) 30-35mm f1.2-f1.8 AF (no MF leses) lens for My K-3II.
I'm really not sure that's going to happen, at least not in the autofocus world and definitely not new. You might be waiting for a while on that one. Stranger things have happened, though - I've seen at least one example of someone picking up a coveted 50mm f/1.2 lens on E-bay for under $100, but that sort of luck is rare.
07-04-2016, 06:03 AM - 1 Like   #7
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Digitalis's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 11,695
QuoteOriginally posted by Blacknight659 Quote
the cheapest you will get is a Sigma 30mm 1.4 lens.
And there is a good reason that lens is cheap on the second hand market: optically that lens is only sharp in the center - and soft everywhere else....at all apertures. Not much difference from a lensbaby.

07-04-2016, 06:10 AM   #8
Senior Member
BullsOnParade81's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tampa Florida
Posts: 287
There is a sigma 30mm f1.4 for sale in marketplace for a little over your budget. It's $250 but maybe try to negotiate a lower price.
07-04-2016, 06:15 AM   #9
Pentaxian
normhead's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Near Algonquin Park
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 40,451
We can also show you where to get a 600-1200mm lens for $225.
07-04-2016, 06:16 AM   #10
Pentaxian
D1N0's Avatar

Join Date: May 2012
Location: ---
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 6,802
For Canon en Nikon there is a cheap Youngnuo 35mm F2 €129 in The Netherlands. But the best budget lens you will get is the DA 35mm F2.4
07-04-2016, 06:30 AM   #11
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Frankfurt am Main
Posts: 1,241
For all options, no matter whether AF or MF, you should carefully read all available user revues. Many of these are quite soft fully open.

Depending on what you will use it for, this could mean you would not gain much compared with the 2.4/35. You may have to close the aperture to at least 2.8 to get really sharp pictures. And even then maybe only in the center.
07-04-2016, 06:32 AM   #12
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Newcastle
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 1,954
perhaps this should be looked at in a slightly different light. Perhaps the best option is the 35/2.8 macro but use ISO 200-400 to get access to low light. Very sharp lens that perhaps offers what you are after from a low light on a budget veiw point.
07-04-2016, 06:48 AM   #13
Veteran Member
Na Horuk's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Slovenia, probably
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 11,186
QuoteOriginally posted by D1N0 Quote
Well there is the FA 35mm F2 the Sigma 35mm F1.4 and the FA 31mm F1.8 Ltd. And only for aps-c the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art
These are your options, and none are under $200. Even the super affordable, plastic fantastic DA 35mm, with only f2.4 is not far from $200 brand new.
OP is asking for a unicorn. IF anyone finds an AF lens around 30mm, faster than f1.8 and under the $200 mark, I'm buying a couple... and Im sure 90% of other Pentax users will be waiting in line, as well.
A used old version (not Art) of Sigma 30mm f1.4 might come closest in terms of fitting all of the criteria. If you can live with the triangular bokeh highlights

One option to consider is the Samyang 35mm f1.4 - fast, big, not super expensive. But it has no AF. Kerlee will soon start selling the 35mm f1.2, not super expensive, but again, only MF. And both of these are big lenses.
Basically, these are your only options, the ones mentioned in the quoted text, and in the previous paragraph. None of them fit all of the criteria, but they fit at least some. Good luck.

Last edited by Na Horuk; 07-04-2016 at 06:56 AM.
07-04-2016, 07:01 AM - 3 Likes   #14
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
boriscleto's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: North Syracuse, NY
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 16,477
Write a note and leave it under your pillow at night. Maybe the lens fairy will leave one while you sleep.
07-04-2016, 08:01 AM - 1 Like   #15
Pentaxian
Kozlok's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Albuquerque
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,148
I know Digitalis hates the Sigma 30/1.4, but I like mine. It's practically useless for landscapes at any aperture, but quite nice for taking pictures of "things", near the center of the frame, and having the background nicely washed out. It's my go-to for indoors family gatherings.
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!
30-35mm f1.2-1.8 af, 30mm, af, budget options, f/1.8, f1.2-1.8 af lens, f1.8, k-mount, lens, lens for pentax, lenses, pentax, pentax lens, plastic, primes, sigma, sigma 18-35mm f/1.8, slr lens

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Best 50mm fast prime (30-35mm on a K-3) lens aldorp Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 27 08-06-2015 09:27 PM
New Ricoh patent for a 16mm/2.8 lens designed for APS-C MILC NickLarsson Pentax News and Rumors 5 01-17-2014 09:05 PM
Best 50mm prime for my k-30 (on a budget) krissow Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 31 12-05-2013 09:44 PM
Perhaps best 35mm lens for the APS-C there is Uluru Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 61 09-21-2013 02:28 AM
Best Prime/Standard Lens for K7 (28mm to 35mm) - (f1.8 to f2.8) brosen Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 74 10-16-2009 02:54 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:14 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