[awscreo]

FYI, Sigma lenses with DG are full frame compatible, lenses with DC in the name are for crop sensors only

Thanks, simplifies things) probably should've looked into lens markings earlier

[beholder3]

Lets not forget that UWA lenses were super expensive.

A Pentax 500mm F4.5 in 1976 cost $975, while the 15/3.5 cost $850, so relatively close.

[awscreo]

Lets not forget that UWA lenses were super expensive.

A Pentax 500mm F4.5 in 1976 cost $975, while the 15/3.5 cost $850, so relatively close.

Also I hear they were not very popular before, and only picked up popularity in digital era?

---------- Post added 10-19-16 at 08:32 AM ----------

So far I found a tokina 19-35 3.5-4.5 in great condition for 138$ and a Tokina 20-35 2.8 for around 370$. Wondering if the faster aperture is worth the extra $200+.

[beholder3]

So far I found a tokina 19-35 3.5-4.5 in great condition for 138$ and a Tokina 20-35 2.8 for around 370$. Wondering if the faster aperture is worth the extra $200+.

Not if wide open the corners are mushy as hell. And that is quite common for film lenses. They need heavy stopping down anyway.

[UncleVanya]

Not if wide open the corners are mushy as hell. And that is quite common for film lenses. They need heavy stopping down anyway.

Film UWA's fall into this category generally - but the problem should be considered common for all film lens focal lengths, that's a bit of an overstatement if that's what you meant. For example finding a 50mm prime that's that soft is difficult, as is finding a 135mm prime that soft.

[awscreo]

Not if wide open the corners are mushy as hell. And that is quite common for film lenses. They need heavy stopping down anyway.

Do you mean the 19-35 is not worth it, or the 20-35 2.8? As I said, I won't be using this lens wide open much, I need it for one particular shoot (interior for our small business), and for general landscape work (not astro, I'd probably get a separate lens for that later on)

[Miguel]

I've been considering the 15-30mm. I'm sure the optics are excellent. It just seems too heavy. I'm also a Canon shooter and intentionally bypassed the Tamron version for the excellent and lightweight Canon L 16-35mm f4. If I'm carrying more than one lens, then weight starts to matter. For the K-1 I was able to somehow locate an excellent FA20mm f2.8.

Beach at Point Robinson


K-1, FA 20 @ f8, 1/500, ISO 200


Point Robinson Lighthouse



K-1, FA 20 @ f8, 1/180, ISO 200

M

[pres589]

The FA20 shots that I've seen from the K-1 really impress me. I'd be on the search for that lens hard if I went full frame.

[awscreo]

I've been considering the 15-30mm. I'm sure the optics are excellent. It just seems too heavy. I'm also a Canon shooter and intentionally bypassed the Tamron version for the excellent and lightweight Canon L 16-35mm f4. If I'm carrying more than one lens, then weight starts to matter. For the K-1 I was able to somehow locate an excellent FA20mm f2.8.

Beach at Point Robinson


K-1, FA 20 @ f8, 1/500, ISO 200


Point Robinson Lighthouse



K-1, FA 20 @ f8, 1/180, ISO 200

M

Looks like an awesome lens, user reviews are very positive across the board. I'll consider it, but maybe at this price point I can look at something more flexible. Also, I just got a new tamron 70-200 lens, wife will not be happy if I buy another lens in that price range

[Fenwoodian]

The FA 20 is indeed an excellent lens. I've owned it and used it on my K3II camera.

However, if price is not a consideration and you demand the ultimate in IQ, consider purchasing the highly regarded Zeiss 21/2.8 lens in the Nikon mount (ZF) and then convert it to the Pentax K mount using a Leitax adapter. I did this and am pleased with the results.

[Miguel]

I had used the Tamron 17-35 f2.8-4 for years. It's imperfect, but light & relatively small. Cheap too.

M

[awscreo]

No one used the tokina 19-35? Would really like someone's opinion on it comboed with k-1. If it's a good combo I'd grab that for my landscape and interior stuff)

[pres589]

That lens is discussed here; Tokina AF 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 (193) Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Seems alright but nothing to rave about.

[awscreo]

That lens is discussed here; Tokina AF 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 (193) Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Seems alright but nothing to rave about.

I've read through those reviews, but last one was from 2014, so no one tried it with k-1 yet i guess.

---------- Post added 10-19-16 at 05:03 PM ----------

The FA 20 is indeed an excellent lens. I've owned it and used it on my K3II camera.

However, if price is not a consideration and you demand the ultimate in IQ, consider purchasing the highly regarded Zeiss 21/2.8 lens in the Nikon mount (ZF) and then convert it to the Pentax K mount using a Leitax adapter. I did this and am pleased with the results.

Doubt I can fit the Zeiss in my budget right now, not after purchasing k-1 and two new lenses (albeit good valued lenses, not the premium ones).

[Douglas_of_Sweden]

The once I have are

Super Takumar 20mm f4.5

SMC Pentax 18mm f3.5

SMC Pentax-M 20mm f4

Cosina MC 20mm f3.8 (with A contacts)

SMC Penrax-F 17-28mm f3.5-4.5 fisheye

SMC Penrax-FA 20-35mm f4 AL GC

SMC Pentax-FAJ 18-35mm f4-5.6

Sigma 20mm f1.8 EX AL

I haven't tried the Takumar much on the K-1. But the others I can say something about.

The K 18/3.5 is a fantastic lens that still.holds up on digital full frame. Of course wide open the center is sharper than the corners, but close down 2 steps and it us sharp all over.

The M 20/4 is not as good as the 18mm, but much more compact. Corners does OK closed down.

The Cosina was my low budget solution to not being able to afford the A20/2.8 about 1990. It is surpricingly good for the money and also well built (full metal, unlike the Cosina A24 and 28mm). I think it is the same sold as Vivitar 21/3.8 with A-contact. I don't know if the Cosina 20mm without A contacs is the same optics.

The 17-28mm FE is a lens everyone should get to the K-1 and just as fun and usefull on full frame as the DA10-17 FE is on the cropped cameras. But it is a fisheye, so perhaps not what you want now.

FA 20-35mm f4 is a very attractive wide angle lens that I like for street shooting on the K-1. Closed to f8 it is hard to separate shots from the FA*24mm and FA35mm. Some light vignetting at 20mm.

FAJ 18-35mm. Not as good as the FA20-35mm (but of course a bit wider). Very plastic. Inexpensive. But for the money a good lens. Some vignetting at 18-20mm.

The Sigma 20/1.8 is a really good lens. I've used it a lot for labdscape on the K-1 and is very happy with the results. Only drawback is that it is big and heavy.

The Cosina 20mm or FAJ17-28mm might serve as inexpensive preliminary solution while you save up for the new 15-30mm?