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05-05-2017, 10:47 AM   #1
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Should I get the Pentax D FA F2.8ED SDM WR 15-30mm f/2.8

Should I get the Pentax D FA F2.8ED SDM WR 15-30mm f/2.8 since I have for my K-1 the Pentax D FA F2.8ED SDM WR 24-70mm f/2.8. I love the 24-70mm, it has been everything I thought it would be and in some cases more. I guess I need a push to spend over 1300 for the 15-30mm f/2.8 although it has great reviews. I love landscape but I also find myself in tight spots on occasion and wish I had a wider lens. Talk to me if you would, say what you want and give me some pros and cons. I know this will take some time but I have found this forum to be very helpful. I also own the K3II which I use three lens on. Thank you for any impute

05-05-2017, 12:24 PM   #2
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No regrets so far

I was in the same situation as you months ago and I researched FF WA lenses for quite a while. I ended up buying the D FA 15-30 and I am not disappointed. There have been a few hikes where I've left the 15-30 behind due to size and weight, but only when I don't anticipate wanting to shoot very wide shots. My back-up WA is the Sigma 8-16 but it's only FF at 16. There are very few UWA alternatives especially if you like to use a zoom. For a while I thought I would buy an old, non-zoom used lens from the film era like a 20 mm, but the wide ones are very rare and you may not get one in good condition. Good luck with your decision!
05-05-2017, 12:59 PM   #3
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I couldn't justify the price for my "needs" so I've bought the Samyang 14mm f2.8. It's manual focus, but with that ultra wide angle, manual focus is fine.

I still would like the 15-30 though.....
05-05-2017, 01:04 PM   #4
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Of course you should get it. Why on earth would you not?

05-05-2017, 01:24 PM   #5
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If you want to go wider than 24mm on your K1, I don't see too many other options at this time other than the MF Samyang primes. There are lots of great ultra wide options for your K3ll. The question you want to ask yourself is whether you want to keep investing in APS-C. If size and weight aren't an issue and you really want to shoot FF, you might as well get the 15-30. You could POSSIBLY get a UW zoom for your K3ll and get some use FF on the K1 stopped down but that would be an unreliable compromise at best and still a pretty expensive investment The K1 is not the camera to own if you're on a tight budget.
05-05-2017, 01:28 PM   #6
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Thank you guys, and I appreciate the comments. I think I will just spend the 1367.00 and get the 15-30mm because I love the K-1 and the outstanding performance I get with the 24-70mm. Getting the 15-30mm will up my game and only improve what I do. Thanks for the push
05-05-2017, 02:07 PM   #7
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It's big but great!

05-05-2017, 02:08 PM   #8
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Well, especially if you will shoot in low light and the f/2.8 will be very useful. This is a very highly-rated lens. 15mm is a very wide angle for a FF body.

Otherwise, for a much cheaper alternative, you might be able to find an excellent used Tokina 20-35mm ATX AF pro f/2.8, or a Tokina 20-35mm ATX AF f/3.5-4.5 (metal-body, actually tested at 19-35mm and which I already have), or the plastic but still well-made version- Tokina 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 all taking 77mm filters. An earlier version taking 72mm filters had vignetting problems. I've had no complaints using my Tokina lens with 35mm film shooting, getting high quality results.
05-05-2017, 02:29 PM   #9
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Very nice lens. I'm very happy with the images it gives me. It's size, in particular its width, make it a pain to pack though. Especially if you're also packing the 24-70, you may think twice about throwing this monster in the bag. If you're not going to carry it, there's not much point buying it.
05-05-2017, 03:04 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by mhsp1948 Quote
Thank you guys, and I appreciate the comments. I think I will just spend the 1367.00 and get the 15-30mm because I love the K-1 and the outstanding performance I get with the 24-70mm. Getting the 15-30mm will up my game and only improve what I do. Thanks for the push
If you have the money, I would not hesitate getting the 15-30mm. It serves a different mission than the 24-70mm in my opinion.
05-05-2017, 03:53 PM - 1 Like   #11
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You won't regret it.

It's a superb lens - versatile range, sharp, distortion free and weather resistant. My FA20 and FA*24 are feeling rather neglected these days.
05-05-2017, 04:51 PM   #12
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Yes, plan on getting it Monday or Tuesday of this coming week
05-05-2017, 05:28 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sandy Hancock Quote
You won't regret it.

It's a superb lens - versatile range, sharp, distortion free and weather resistant. My FA20 and FA*24 are feeling rather neglected these days.
Sorry for moving a little off-topic, but can you comment on the IQ of the FA 20 versus the 15-30? I'm still a little tempted by the FA 20 if I ever find one available due to the relatively small size and weight and the reviews. I'm guessing the 15-30 is superior or your primes would not feel so neglected.
05-05-2017, 06:37 PM   #14
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It will be coming in on Friday May 12th can't wait
05-05-2017, 07:56 PM - 1 Like   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by dave2k Quote
Can you comment on the IQ of the FA 20 versus the 15-30?
The FA20 is a stellar little lens. The resolving power isn't quite as great as the DFA15-20 @ 20mm, but it still holds up very well on the K-1. Of course, it has the advantage of being tiny, and taking 67mm filters (as does the FA*24), so I can't quite bring myself to part with either

I used both primes recently for "Single In" challenges. Here's the album for the FA20, and the FA*24
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