Lenses for a Balloon Festival?

skierd · 08-29-2017, 02:09 PM

I ordered the Sigma 10-20 f3.5 today from B&H. Thanks for the advice!

NZ_Ross - Maybe I'll see you there! I suspect I'll be using the new-to-me 10-20 and the 50-135 most of the time.

**NZ_Ross** · 08-30-2017, 12:29 AM

Originally posted by skierd

NZ_Ross - Maybe I'll see you there! I suspect I'll be using the new-to-me 10-20 and the 50-135 most of the time.

We will certainly be there, confirmed all the flights today.

I am still deciding what lenses I will bring, but definitely the 20-40, DA*55 and 55-300. Given the DA*55 is f1.4 I am thinking it will be the go to lens for the after dark and early morning stuff.

abruzzi · 08-30-2017, 11:13 AM

It's a bit out of the way, but I expect that you could also take some nice photos with a long lens from Sandia Peak looking down on the balloon fiesta. There is a tram on the north end of town that will get you there quicker than driving around the back of the mountain range.

gm4life · 09-03-2017, 05:34 AM

Originally posted by skierd

Its looking like when we go visit the family in New Mexico in October we'll be going to Albuquerque for the ballon fiesta. I know I'm bringing my K-30, unless it gets replaced by then, and my 20-40 and 50-135.

Will my 20-40 be wide enough? Or should I look in to getting a 15ltd,14 2.8, or 10-17 fisheye to really be able to capture the balloons? Of those three, which would you suggest? Or something else? I don't really have plans on going to the K1 so FF compatibility isn't a real concern. I'll also be using these for the northern lights at least too this winter so I'm fine with buying a lens.

This is a good question... Currently I am in South Dakota and have my KP with me as I gave my K3II a break. I have the 20-40 glued to my KP, I did take the 15 Limited but have really only put it on a few times. Yes it is wider but at 20mm I am finding it pretty good for most wide angle work. I would say you certainly don't need it BUT is nice to have on this trip. YMMV

**pres589** · 09-04-2017, 12:11 PM

You know what might make sense? Renting a lens to get a feel for it for this balloon event in October that skierd has mentioned. Good way to get a feel for the thing without spending the money. That's how I figured out the DA 15 was something I should buy for myself.

The DA 10-17 FE or similar might be great for that as well. A Sigma 8-16 seems like a top choice but they're not available new in k-mount at this point save for left overs and I don't know if anyone is renting them out thees days.

skierd · 09-04-2017, 01:09 PM

Yeah, I could have rented for the week I'll be in New Mexico, but the cost of renting would be nearly 25% of the cost of the lens by the time I factored in insurance and shipping. I'll lose less than that reselling if I decide I don't like the 10-20 f3.5 after a few months, and I get to try to use it for the northern lights before and after.

**pres589** · 09-04-2017, 01:15 PM

Ha, oh wait, I missed some connections here. Tell us how that 10-20 does in your hands at the balloon festival! A 10-20 zoom seems like a good compromise in coverage.

reeftool · 09-04-2017, 02:32 PM

I have photographed the Adirondack Balloon Festival for several years. My 2 most used lenses? The DA 10-17 is my favorite. When they begin to inflate the balloons and everybody is backing up, I walk forward and shoot away with no people in front of me. Second choice is the DA15 Limited but to be honest, I prefer the fisheye for balloons. The curvature of the lens works very well with balloons.

This shot goes way back to 2010 and the very first Single in September challenge, with the DA 10-17 and K10D.

**NZ_Ross** · 09-04-2017, 03:46 PM

Originally posted by reeftool

Second choice is the DA15 Limited but to be honest, I prefer the fisheye for balloons. The curvature of the lens works very well with balloons.

Very helpful info thanks - I will make sure I bring my DA15mmm along with my 20-40.

reeftool · 09-04-2017, 04:10 PM

Ballons are very large and balloon festivals draw huge crowds of people. There are lots of cameras and most have 18-55 kit lenses and other similar zooms. Ultra wide lenses are a big benefit because it puts you closer and in front of most of the crowd to get your shot. A few years ago, I was hanging out with a Nikon guy who also was shooting with a fisheye prime. We had a lot of fun listening to the "what the #$@$ are those guys doing?" from the peanut gallery.

danielchtong · 09-05-2017, 03:45 AM

Originally posted by reeftool

Ballons are very large and balloon festivals draw huge crowds of people. There are lots of cameras and most have 18-55 kit lenses and other similar zooms. Ultra wide lenses are a big benefit because it puts you closer and in front of most of the crowd to get your shot. A few years ago, I was hanging out with a Nikon guy who also was shooting with a fisheye prime. We had a lot of fun listening to the "what the #$@$ are those guys doing?" from the peanut gallery.

I second that. Even though I did not attend a balloon festival, I participated in a kite festival with a fisheye lens (16mm Zenitar)

---------- Post added 09-05-2017 at 07:03 AM ----------

I defished this image after taking it with a fisheye. Large balloon isn't too much different from large kite

skierd · 10-15-2017, 07:15 PM

We ended up going on Friday night and Sunday morning, what a cool event! The 10-20 was indispensable; I used it and my Super Takumar 55mm f1.8 and they were a perfect pairing. I probably could have made the 15mm limited work most of the time (I'll know better once I do my edits) but I'm happy with the flexibility of the zoom. The reach and speed of the 55 was just enough too so my 50-135 just stayed in the bag Friday and in the hotel Sunday.

**NZ_Ross** · 10-17-2017, 11:24 AM - **1 Like**

Interestingly, I ended up using a very similar selection of lenses. During the mornings with balloons flying over, and on the freeway driving to work the DA55-300 worked very well.

We went to the early morning launch Friday morning, and got there before dawn - the DA*55/1.4 did a very good job in those conditions.

I swapped out to the DA20-40 limited once there was enough light.

Superb event, and I took a huge amount of images, many of which I still need to process.

skierd · 11-02-2017, 11:06 PM - **1 Like**

I'm still processing too, but here's a few from the fiesta with the 10-20

And the 55 Tak

**NZ_Ross** · 11-03-2017, 01:14 AM

Originally posted by skierd

NZ_Ross - Maybe I'll see you there! I suspect I'll be using the new-to-me 10-20 and the 50-135 most of the time.

I kept my eyes open on Friday morning when we were down at the launch, but never saw another Pentax...lots of cameras though

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
2014 Great Falls Balloon Festival; Lewiston, Maine	Sagitta	Monthly Photo Contests	4	02-11-2017 06:21 AM
Travel 2014 Great Falls Balloon Festival (Part 1)	Sagitta	Post Your Photos!	2	08-19-2014 09:56 PM
Best lens focal length(s) for Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival?	GlennG	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	05-18-2014 07:30 PM
Sports 33rd International Balloon Festival of Château-d'Oex	tcom	Post Your Photos!	8	01-26-2011 07:41 AM
Misc Colorado springs Balloon Festival	skinja	Post Your Photos!	5	09-13-2010 10:39 AM

08-29-2017, 02:09 PM	#16
skierd Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fairbanks, AK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,472 Original Poster	I ordered the Sigma 10-20 f3.5 today from B&H. Thanks for the advice! NZ_Ross - Maybe I'll see you there! I suspect I'll be using the new-to-me 10-20 and the 50-135 most of the time.

08-30-2017, 12:29 AM	#17
NZ_Ross Kiwi Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Timaru Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,225	Originally posted by skierd NZ_Ross - Maybe I'll see you there! I suspect I'll be using the new-to-me 10-20 and the 50-135 most of the time. We will certainly be there, confirmed all the flights today. I am still deciding what lenses I will bring, but definitely the 20-40, DA55 and 55-300. Given the DA55 is f1.4 I am thinking it will be the go to lens for the after dark and early morning stuff.

08-30-2017, 11:13 AM	#18
abruzzi Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New Mexico Posts: 788	It's a bit out of the way, but I expect that you could also take some nice photos with a long lens from Sandia Peak looking down on the balloon fiesta. There is a tram on the north end of town that will get you there quicker than driving around the back of the mountain range.

09-03-2017, 05:34 AM	#19
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	Originally posted by skierd Its looking like when we go visit the family in New Mexico in October we'll be going to Albuquerque for the ballon fiesta. I know I'm bringing my K-30, unless it gets replaced by then, and my 20-40 and 50-135. Will my 20-40 be wide enough? Or should I look in to getting a 15ltd,14 2.8, or 10-17 fisheye to really be able to capture the balloons? Of those three, which would you suggest? Or something else? I don't really have plans on going to the K1 so FF compatibility isn't a real concern. I'll also be using these for the northern lights at least too this winter so I'm fine with buying a lens. This is a good question... Currently I am in South Dakota and have my KP with me as I gave my K3II a break. I have the 20-40 glued to my KP, I did take the 15 Limited but have really only put it on a few times. Yes it is wider but at 20mm I am finding it pretty good for most wide angle work. I would say you certainly don't need it BUT is nice to have on this trip. YMMV

09-04-2017, 12:11 PM	#20
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	You know what might make sense? Renting a lens to get a feel for it for this balloon event in October that skierd has mentioned. Good way to get a feel for the thing without spending the money. That's how I figured out the DA 15 was something I should buy for myself. The DA 10-17 FE or similar might be great for that as well. A Sigma 8-16 seems like a top choice but they're not available new in k-mount at this point save for left overs and I don't know if anyone is renting them out thees days.

09-04-2017, 01:09 PM	#21
skierd Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fairbanks, AK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,472 Original Poster	Yeah, I could have rented for the week I'll be in New Mexico, but the cost of renting would be nearly 25% of the cost of the lens by the time I factored in insurance and shipping. I'll lose less than that reselling if I decide I don't like the 10-20 f3.5 after a few months, and I get to try to use it for the northern lights before and after.

09-04-2017, 01:15 PM	#22
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Ha, oh wait, I missed some connections here. Tell us how that 10-20 does in your hands at the balloon festival! A 10-20 zoom seems like a good compromise in coverage.

09-04-2017, 02:32 PM	#23
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	I have photographed the Adirondack Balloon Festival for several years. My 2 most used lenses? The DA 10-17 is my favorite. When they begin to inflate the balloons and everybody is backing up, I walk forward and shoot away with no people in front of me. Second choice is the DA15 Limited but to be honest, I prefer the fisheye for balloons. The curvature of the lens works very well with balloons. This shot goes way back to 2010 and the very first Single in September challenge, with the DA 10-17 and K10D.

09-04-2017, 03:46 PM	#24
NZ_Ross Kiwi Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Timaru Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,225	Originally posted by reeftool Second choice is the DA15 Limited but to be honest, I prefer the fisheye for balloons. The curvature of the lens works very well with balloons. Very helpful info thanks - I will make sure I bring my DA15mmm along with my 20-40.

09-04-2017, 04:10 PM	#25
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	Ballons are very large and balloon festivals draw huge crowds of people. There are lots of cameras and most have 18-55 kit lenses and other similar zooms. Ultra wide lenses are a big benefit because it puts you closer and in front of most of the crowd to get your shot. A few years ago, I was hanging out with a Nikon guy who also was shooting with a fisheye prime. We had a lot of fun listening to the "what the #$@$ are those guys doing?" from the peanut gallery.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

09-05-2017, 03:45 AM	#26
danielchtong Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 885	Originally posted by reeftool Ballons are very large and balloon festivals draw huge crowds of people. There are lots of cameras and most have 18-55 kit lenses and other similar zooms. Ultra wide lenses are a big benefit because it puts you closer and in front of most of the crowd to get your shot. A few years ago, I was hanging out with a Nikon guy who also was shooting with a fisheye prime. We had a lot of fun listening to the "what the #$@$ are those guys doing?" from the peanut gallery. I second that. Even though I did not attend a balloon festival, I participated in a kite festival with a fisheye lens (16mm Zenitar) ---------- Post added 09-05-2017 at 07:03 AM ---------- I defished this image after taking it with a fisheye. Large balloon isn't too much different from large kite

10-15-2017, 07:15 PM	#27
skierd Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fairbanks, AK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,472 Original Poster	We ended up going on Friday night and Sunday morning, what a cool event! The 10-20 was indispensable; I used it and my Super Takumar 55mm f1.8 and they were a perfect pairing. I probably could have made the 15mm limited work most of the time (I'll know better once I do my edits) but I'm happy with the flexibility of the zoom. The reach and speed of the 55 was just enough too so my 50-135 just stayed in the bag Friday and in the hotel Sunday.

10-17-2017, 11:24 AM - 1 Like	#28
NZ_Ross Kiwi Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Timaru Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,225	Interestingly, I ended up using a very similar selection of lenses. During the mornings with balloons flying over, and on the freeway driving to work the DA55-300 worked very well. We went to the early morning launch Friday morning, and got there before dawn - the DA*55/1.4 did a very good job in those conditions. I swapped out to the DA20-40 limited once there was enough light. Superb event, and I took a huge amount of images, many of which I still need to process.

11-02-2017, 11:06 PM - 1 Like	#29
skierd Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fairbanks, AK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,472 Original Poster	I'm still processing too, but here's a few from the fiesta with the 10-20 And the 55 Tak

11-03-2017, 01:14 AM	#30
NZ_Ross Kiwi Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Timaru Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,225	Originally posted by skierd NZ_Ross - Maybe I'll see you there! I suspect I'll be using the new-to-me 10-20 and the 50-135 most of the time. I kept my eyes open on Friday morning when we were down at the launch, but never saw another Pentax...lots of cameras though