Trip to Europe - which lens to purchase

Heebie · 05-16-2017, 04:41 PM

I used to have a Sigma 10-20mm, and it was really, really nice. (I only sold it because I got a K-1, and I want to move to all full-frame glass... loved that lens.)

**Lowell Goudge** · 05-16-2017, 04:49 PM - **1 Like**

Take the 18-135 and the 10-20 unless you are doing wildlife that is enough and you will appreciate the 10-20 in cities

hcc · 05-16-2017, 05:44 PM - **1 Like**

I was in Europe 6 months ago. I had three lenses:
Pentax DA15mm f4 Ltd
Voigtlander Nokton 58m f1.4
Pentax FA77mm f1.8 Ltd

I did not need anything much longer and these three primes worked well. (I love to shoot primes.)

The DA15mm was great for wide angle. It will work wonder at Versailles and in the cities.
The FA77mm is a great medium tele. Fast in low light. Superb for portrait.
The VL58mm is the ace of trumps.Great IQ. Excellent in poor lights (fogg, smoke, smogg). Very good in low light.

I know that zoom lenses are more convenient, but I value very highly the IQ of my lenses. These 'three musketeers' worked wonder in Europe last winter for me.

Hope that the comment may help.

lesmore49 · 05-16-2017, 06:25 PM

I've had a Pentax 12-24 for about 6 years. It's a great lens. Pop Photo rated it as the best of the ultra wides back then. It's a few bucks, but what a wide angle.

dstar · 05-16-2017, 06:26 PM

I just return from short vacation from oversea
Just little different consideration
Take with you for your camera good quality /strong/ camera bag
2. less expense lenses from your collection
Just my own experience

**ramseybuckeye** · 05-16-2017, 07:14 PM

I have not been to Europe but my Tamron 10-24 has twice and my son used it a lot. However I would possibly choose the Sigma if I bought again because the Tamron is very prone to flare. But then the Tamron does use 77mm filters as do three other lenses I own, where the Sigma uses a larger one. I also have the HD DA 15 which I would prefer to take, and it's tiny. Also consider a small sturdy tripod and remote for night shooting, if you can't take that take a beanbag. Have fun.

grispie · 05-17-2017, 12:40 AM

Originally posted by Pentax Syntax

The Pentax DA 14 2.8 is fast and wide. Under-rated lens and will match your needs well and mesh with the 18-135. Not useable on FF but if that's not in your future, the DA 14 is a winner.

I tend to agree, the pics i have seen from this lens are really good. I don't have it myself but i have used it. it's fast and 14mm (vs 15, the 1mm does make a difference). I always wanted to go wider than 15. I have the 12-24 now. Stellar lens.
Also think a bit further than this trip only.

schnitzer79 · 05-17-2017, 01:40 AM - **2 Likes**

Have done trips around Europe in the past with a relatively light bag. Had my K-50 back then and took with me the following lenses :

18-135 for walkaround
55-300 just in case I needed a telephoto
DA 15mm for landscape shots
DA 35mm f2.4 for indoor and low light shots

80% of my shots were with the 18-135, the other 15% with the DA15mm. The rest were with the DA35mm and 55-300.

You definitely need WR because in England/Scotland it will be raining a lot.

If I were to do it again with my current lineup, I would only take the 18-135 and DA15mm. My 17-50 f2.8 might come in useful for indoor shots, but isnt exactly light. Would probably end up taking that as well and hardly using it

Trust me, you will need a light bag. Your shoulders with thank you

Theov39 · 05-17-2017, 02:14 AM

My vote goes to the 15 DA. That gives you a perspective of 22 mm which is great for inside cathedrals and other historical buildings. The fast speed is also a bonus in those kind of places which are usually pretty dark. It's relatively compact too. The Pentax 12-24 is a great lens but at the longer end there is a significant overlap with your 18-135 and it's a heavy lens to carry around.

Igor123 · 05-17-2017, 02:52 AM - **1 Like**

++ for the 12-24. Although a bit pricey, as it's basically a stack of primes when it comes to sharpness, curvature, vignetting, abberations, even beating the 14/15mm in more than a couple of areas (have a look at photozone.de, sure old tests, but well performed and many of wide the lenses in question are represented). The only downside is a little larger and perhaps not quite as good flare resistance as a prime, but it's not bad either and not huge. It has allowed me to sell any other lens in that range and I haven't looked back at that range for 5 years now, (I now only own 12-24, F50 1.7, Tammy 70-200 2.8, F*300, A400 and have no problems with range as I see it...the 12-24 is sharp enough to crop a bit if ~35 is needed, but not worth switching lenses for, or at least I think so).

As for overlap with 18-55, there's no comparison, forget about it, you can sell those =). (Joking aside, there is a large difference in IQ, but the 18-55 range is a useful one, and WR could be relevant (or is the k70 not WR?)). Not very familiar with the sigma 24, but perhaps even possible to sell that one if the 2.8 isn't a must to help finance.

You will get tired of changing lenses all the time when switching rooms, outdoors, etc, but with primes you will need to, or make framing comrpomises. Even indoors the rooms are very varying in size from the largest halls in Versailles, to the small rooms, and no - you can't zoom with your feet since you aren't allowed to go anywhere you please in the room, so I find it to be the best "combo" of prime and zoom. Also don't forget ceilings - there's sometimes more action up above than on the walls so you will want to capture that as well, so the extra 2-3mm will be useful. Sure, at F4 maybe a tad slower, but the K70 has great ISO capability so don't be afraid to bump the iso, it worked great for me with a K5 and the K70 I think may be at least on the same level in regards to ISO, or maybe even a bit better - after all it won't be action shots I guess, so I don't think you'll have any problems with enough light for pretty still shots anyway.

If looking at FF later on, it mostly covers the "1:1"-crop, or even FF above 20mm (compared to a ~13mm aps-c). (Making the even more expensive 15-30 not as neeccessary to buy directly, or even at all).

jddwoods · 05-17-2017, 03:29 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Theov39

My vote goes to the 15 DA. That gives you a perspective of 22 mm which is great for inside cathedrals and other historical buildings. The fast speed is also a bonus in those kind of places which are usually pretty dark. It's relatively compact too. The Pentax 12-24 is a great lens but at the longer end there is a significant overlap with your 18-135 and it's a heavy lens to carry around.

I agree and this is the best advice I have seen. If you will be on a cruise, remember the ports will be very crowded and you will not want to be carrying heavy gear among the crowded conditions you are likely to see. Consider the bag you will be carrying. A narrow satchel like the Domke F803 is easy to keep under your arm with the strap securely over your shoulder. The DA 15 is small and light and its max aperture of f4.0 is no problem inside buildings. I am very much OK with lugging around a big lens photographing birds in a wildlife refuge but in a city or tourist area, lighter is always better. I believe you will be very well equipped with DA 18-135 and a DA 15 Limited.

officiousbystander · 05-17-2017, 04:03 AM

Another vote for the DA15 here. With the K70 higher ISOs aren't going to hurt. The lens is tiny and great for interiors and narrow streets. I travelled for a month in Europe with just the DA15 and DA35 2.8 and didn't want for anything else.

noelpolar · 05-17-2017, 05:58 AM

mmm...have some fun..... 10-17 does cruise shipping..

bassek · 05-17-2017, 08:35 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by grispie

I tend to agree, the pics i have seen from this lens are really good. I don't have it myself but i have used it. it's fast and 14mm (vs 15, the 1mm does make a difference). I always wanted to go wider than 15. I have the 12-24 now. Stellar lens.
Also think a bit further than this trip only.

The DA14 really suffers in harsh sunlight, but it excels indoors like churches, museums etc with no flash allowed.
Switch back to your 18-135 outdoors.

Seb

**mgvh** · 05-17-2017, 08:53 AM

For my 'quick' kit, I had been using the 18-135 and the Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6. It works great, but the Sigma 10-20 is big, and mine is a bit soft at the wide end. So, as @noelpolar also notes, I got the DA 10-17 Fisheye. It's small. At 17mm there is little fisheye and is comparable to a 15mm field of view if you want to crop it down a bit. The fisheye is quite correctable from 14-17mm giving as much as a 12mm fov. Depending on subject and framing, sometimes fisheye isn't noticeable at all. (E.g. nature shots; not straight line architecture) And it's just a lot of fun and encourages me to be more creative.
It terms of field of view, the 18-135 and Sigma 10-20 compliment each other well.
With the 10-17, I really want to get the 16-85 with which it will pair well.
I do usually include another lens, either something really small (DA 21 or DA 40XS !) or fast (a fast 50) depending on the anticipated subjects.
Enjoy the trip!

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05-16-2017, 04:41 PM	#16
Heebie Forum Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Dublin, Ireland Photos: Albums Posts: 79	I used to have a Sigma 10-20mm, and it was really, really nice. (I only sold it because I got a K-1, and I want to move to all full-frame glass... loved that lens.)

05-16-2017, 04:49 PM - 1 Like	#17
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Take the 18-135 and the 10-20 unless you are doing wildlife that is enough and you will appreciate the 10-20 in cities

05-16-2017, 05:44 PM - 1 Like	#18
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	I was in Europe 6 months ago. I had three lenses: Pentax DA15mm f4 Ltd Voigtlander Nokton 58m f1.4 Pentax FA77mm f1.8 Ltd I did not need anything much longer and these three primes worked well. (I love to shoot primes.) The DA15mm was great for wide angle. It will work wonder at Versailles and in the cities. The FA77mm is a great medium tele. Fast in low light. Superb for portrait. The VL58mm is the ace of trumps.Great IQ. Excellent in poor lights (fogg, smoke, smogg). Very good in low light. I know that zoom lenses are more convenient, but I value very highly the IQ of my lenses. These 'three musketeers' worked wonder in Europe last winter for me. Hope that the comment may help.

05-16-2017, 06:25 PM	#19
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,350	I've had a Pentax 12-24 for about 6 years. It's a great lens. Pop Photo rated it as the best of the ultra wides back then. It's a few bucks, but what a wide angle.

05-16-2017, 06:26 PM	#20
dstar Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 475	I just return from short vacation from oversea Just little different consideration Take with you for your camera good quality /strong/ camera bag 2. less expense lenses from your collection Just my own experience

05-16-2017, 07:14 PM	#21
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	I have not been to Europe but my Tamron 10-24 has twice and my son used it a lot. However I would possibly choose the Sigma if I bought again because the Tamron is very prone to flare. But then the Tamron does use 77mm filters as do three other lenses I own, where the Sigma uses a larger one. I also have the HD DA 15 which I would prefer to take, and it's tiny. Also consider a small sturdy tripod and remote for night shooting, if you can't take that take a beanbag. Have fun.

05-17-2017, 12:40 AM	#22
grispie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,199	Originally posted by Pentax Syntax The Pentax DA 14 2.8 is fast and wide. Under-rated lens and will match your needs well and mesh with the 18-135. Not useable on FF but if that's not in your future, the DA 14 is a winner. I tend to agree, the pics i have seen from this lens are really good. I don't have it myself but i have used it. it's fast and 14mm (vs 15, the 1mm does make a difference). I always wanted to go wider than 15. I have the 12-24 now. Stellar lens. Also think a bit further than this trip only.

05-17-2017, 01:40 AM - 2 Likes	#23
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	Have done trips around Europe in the past with a relatively light bag. Had my K-50 back then and took with me the following lenses : 18-135 for walkaround 55-300 just in case I needed a telephoto DA 15mm for landscape shots DA 35mm f2.4 for indoor and low light shots 80% of my shots were with the 18-135, the other 15% with the DA15mm. The rest were with the DA35mm and 55-300. You definitely need WR because in England/Scotland it will be raining a lot. If I were to do it again with my current lineup, I would only take the 18-135 and DA15mm. My 17-50 f2.8 might come in useful for indoor shots, but isnt exactly light. Would probably end up taking that as well and hardly using it Trust me, you will need a light bag. Your shoulders with thank you

05-17-2017, 02:14 AM	#24
Theov39 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sydney Posts: 594	My vote goes to the 15 DA. That gives you a perspective of 22 mm which is great for inside cathedrals and other historical buildings. The fast speed is also a bonus in those kind of places which are usually pretty dark. It's relatively compact too. The Pentax 12-24 is a great lens but at the longer end there is a significant overlap with your 18-135 and it's a heavy lens to carry around.

05-17-2017, 02:52 AM - 1 Like	#25
Igor123 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 183	++ for the 12-24. Although a bit pricey, as it's basically a stack of primes when it comes to sharpness, curvature, vignetting, abberations, even beating the 14/15mm in more than a couple of areas (have a look at photozone.de, sure old tests, but well performed and many of wide the lenses in question are represented). The only downside is a little larger and perhaps not quite as good flare resistance as a prime, but it's not bad either and not huge. It has allowed me to sell any other lens in that range and I haven't looked back at that range for 5 years now, (I now only own 12-24, F50 1.7, Tammy 70-200 2.8, F*300, A400 and have no problems with range as I see it...the 12-24 is sharp enough to crop a bit if ~35 is needed, but not worth switching lenses for, or at least I think so). As for overlap with 18-55, there's no comparison, forget about it, you can sell those =). (Joking aside, there is a large difference in IQ, but the 18-55 range is a useful one, and WR could be relevant (or is the k70 not WR?)). Not very familiar with the sigma 24, but perhaps even possible to sell that one if the 2.8 isn't a must to help finance. You will get tired of changing lenses all the time when switching rooms, outdoors, etc, but with primes you will need to, or make framing comrpomises. Even indoors the rooms are very varying in size from the largest halls in Versailles, to the small rooms, and no - you can't zoom with your feet since you aren't allowed to go anywhere you please in the room, so I find it to be the best "combo" of prime and zoom. Also don't forget ceilings - there's sometimes more action up above than on the walls so you will want to capture that as well, so the extra 2-3mm will be useful. Sure, at F4 maybe a tad slower, but the K70 has great ISO capability so don't be afraid to bump the iso, it worked great for me with a K5 and the K70 I think may be at least on the same level in regards to ISO, or maybe even a bit better - after all it won't be action shots I guess, so I don't think you'll have any problems with enough light for pretty still shots anyway. If looking at FF later on, it mostly covers the "1:1"-crop, or even FF above 20mm (compared to a ~13mm aps-c). (Making the even more expensive 15-30 not as neeccessary to buy directly, or even at all).

05-17-2017, 03:29 AM - 1 Like	#26
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	Originally posted by Theov39 My vote goes to the 15 DA. That gives you a perspective of 22 mm which is great for inside cathedrals and other historical buildings. The fast speed is also a bonus in those kind of places which are usually pretty dark. It's relatively compact too. The Pentax 12-24 is a great lens but at the longer end there is a significant overlap with your 18-135 and it's a heavy lens to carry around. I agree and this is the best advice I have seen. If you will be on a cruise, remember the ports will be very crowded and you will not want to be carrying heavy gear among the crowded conditions you are likely to see. Consider the bag you will be carrying. A narrow satchel like the Domke F803 is easy to keep under your arm with the strap securely over your shoulder. The DA 15 is small and light and its max aperture of f4.0 is no problem inside buildings. I am very much OK with lugging around a big lens photographing birds in a wildlife refuge but in a city or tourist area, lighter is always better. I believe you will be very well equipped with DA 18-135 and a DA 15 Limited.

05-17-2017, 04:03 AM	#27
officiousbystander Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 916	Another vote for the DA15 here. With the K70 higher ISOs aren't going to hurt. The lens is tiny and great for interiors and narrow streets. I travelled for a month in Europe with just the DA15 and DA35 2.8 and didn't want for anything else.

05-17-2017, 05:58 AM	#28
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	mmm...have some fun..... 10-17 does cruise shipping..

05-17-2017, 08:35 AM - 1 Like	#29
bassek Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 706	Originally posted by grispie I tend to agree, the pics i have seen from this lens are really good. I don't have it myself but i have used it. it's fast and 14mm (vs 15, the 1mm does make a difference). I always wanted to go wider than 15. I have the 12-24 now. Stellar lens. Also think a bit further than this trip only. The DA14 really suffers in harsh sunlight, but it excels indoors like churches, museums etc with no flash allowed. Switch back to your 18-135 outdoors. Seb

05-17-2017, 08:53 AM	#30
mgvh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,033	For my 'quick' kit, I had been using the 18-135 and the Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6. It works great, but the Sigma 10-20 is big, and mine is a bit soft at the wide end. So, as @noelpolar also notes, I got the DA 10-17 Fisheye. It's small. At 17mm there is little fisheye and is comparable to a 15mm field of view if you want to crop it down a bit. The fisheye is quite correctable from 14-17mm giving as much as a 12mm fov. Depending on subject and framing, sometimes fisheye isn't noticeable at all. (E.g. nature shots; not straight line architecture) And it's just a lot of fun and encourages me to be more creative. It terms of field of view, the 18-135 and Sigma 10-20 compliment each other well. With the 10-17, I really want to get the 16-85 with which it will pair well. I do usually include another lens, either something really small (DA 21 or DA 40XS !) or fast (a fast 50) depending on the anticipated subjects. Enjoy the trip!