Pentax Primes vs Fuji

Lev · 08-25-2017, 09:43 AM

Searching for some fast WR prime lenses currently available on market, I'm looking now at the Fuji primes, Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR Lens for instance, I think it's a great WR lens. Unfortunately I can't find something similar for Pentax system, or I might be wrong? Switching to Fuji is not an option as I like every single piece of Pentax system, I just fell in love, but at the same time, can't afford another but expensive body for this. Another disadvantage is that Fuji has no IBIS. Having prime lenses on stabilized body is a huge difference. I'm not even saying about astrotracing, pixel shift etc etc... So how do you think guys?

enoeske · 08-25-2017, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by Lev

Searching for some fast WR prime lenses currently available on market, I'm looking now at the Fuji primes, Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR Lens for instance, I think it's a great WR lens. Unfortunately I can't find something similar for Pentax system, or I might be wrong? Switching to Fuji is not an option as I like every single piece of Pentax system, I just fell in love, but at the same time, can't afford another but expensive body for this. Another disadvantage is that Fuji has no IBIS. Having prime lenses on stabilized body is a huge difference. I'm not even saying about astrotracing, pixel shift etc etc... So how do you think guys?

There's no doubt that Fuji is pumping out some amazing lenses. Pentax has several primes on the roadmap, but no sign of them releasing soon. I'm not a fan of the Fuji bodies (at least last time I used a x pro) and the x-trans sensor has issues with many post processing programs. Fuji doesn't have full frame, (though now they have MF), and the lenses are as expensive as typicall quality full frame lenses from Pentax. Sure, the body is smaller, but the lenses aren't, so you aren't really saving space or weight. But they do have great retro styling, if that's what makes a difference for you.

zapp · 08-25-2017, 10:03 AM

While expecting a couple large aperture D-FA fullframe prime lenses, I would not expect such thing from Pentax for APS-C format. Pentax is known for small, lightweight primes in APS-C, not for super large aperture. Lens focus currently appears to be towards FF lenses. Large aperture lenses for smaller than FF can be found from Fuji as well as Olymppus.

cali92rs · 08-25-2017, 10:13 AM - **2 Likes**

Unfortunately, these are the compromises you have to make. No one system is perfect. If I had my choice, I would want a Pentax body with Fuji lenses....but that aint happening lol.
You just have invest in a system that checks MOST of your boxes.

Lev · 08-25-2017, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by enoeske

There's no doubt that Fuji is pumping out some amazing lenses. Pentax has several primes on the roadmap, but no sign of them releasing soon. I'm not a fan of the Fuji bodies (at least last time I used a x pro) and the x-trans sensor has issues with many post processing programs. Fuji doesn't have full frame, (though now they have MF), and the lenses are as expensive as typicall quality full frame lenses from Pentax. Sure, the body is smaller, but the lenses aren't, so you aren't really saving space or weight. But they do have great retro styling, if that's what makes a difference for you.

no I'm not concerned about the body size, more about IBIS etc. on top of that I think that the Pentax body is much better built. Has more features I like and so on.

**Rondec** · 08-25-2017, 10:22 AM

Fuji has a really nice set of lenses. They are APS-C specific and are a little on the expensive side. On the other hand, Pentax really doesn't have many sealed primes -- the DA *55, DFA100 macro, DA *200, DA *300, and DA 560 are the ones that come to mind right now.

I will say that for ultra wide angle, I don't really fine auto focus to be really necessary as it is pretty easy to do hyperfocal focusing. Not sure what application you are needing fast aperture wide angle, but Samyang is probably one of the better options and pretty reasonably priced.

Lev · 08-25-2017, 10:24 AM

Originally posted by dcshooter

Lenses with specs similar to this are really only suitable for a mirrorless system, since they take advantage of the decreased register distance to go so wide and fast without getting enormous. It's similar to how you'd see standard 1.2s on Leicas and Canon clone RFs that were smaller than an f/2 on a contemporary SLR. As enoeske mentions, there is no Fuji Full Frame, and even if there were, the Fuji lenses being released wouldn't work on it, since they are designed around the APS-C sensor size.

If you are using Pentax FF, the equivalent FOV would be a 24mm lens. There are offerings form Samyang (1.4) and Sigma (1.8) and Pentax (FA* f/2) in this length and within 1 stop max aperture, but none are WR, and each has other limitations. The closest you are going to get with an APS-C body in K is the 16mm f/2 Samyang, which is MF and not WR.

ok so you are saying that it's not physically possible? not even hope to see something in future right? )

---------- Post added 08-25-17 at 10:28 AM ----------

Originally posted by cali92rs

Unfortunately, these are the compromises you have to make. No one system is perfect. If I had my choice, I would want a Pentax body with Fuji lenses....but that aint happening lol.
You just have invest in a system that checks MOST of your boxes.

lol I was thinking just same thing!! ))) ok, why aren't we seeing limiteds with WR so long time? not a wide angle right? isn't that possible with 31mm for example?

stevebrot · 08-25-2017, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by Lev

Unfortunately I can't find something similar for Pentax system, or I might be wrong?

You are correct. There is no comparable WR lens for K-mount. What are you planning on photographing that requires both a wide field of view (84 degrees diagonal on APS-C) and wide aperture?

Steve

Na Horuk · 08-25-2017, 10:41 AM

Fuji has some really nice primes, true. And yes, it is slightly expensive and Fuji has its own cons. Lack of WR primes has been a complain against Pentax for a while.
The lens roadmap indicates we will have some more primes in the following year or two, though.

People already wrote a list of WR primes. I think one of the Irix lenses is WR as well. Ultra wide prime

cali92rs · 08-25-2017, 10:54 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

You are correct. There is no comparable WR lens for K-mount. What are you planning on photographing that requires both a wide field of view (84 degrees diagonal on APS-C) and wide aperture?

Steve

I don't want to answer for the OP, but for me personally, I was in a fancy, very dim bar this weekend where the waiter makes your drinks table side. A 16 or 23mm f1.4 would've been very handy. Indoors, poorly lit environment where things move....SR/IS does not help you much there.

Lev · 08-25-2017, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

You are correct. There is no comparable WR lens for K-mount. What are you planning on photographing that requires both a wide field of view (84 degrees diagonal on APS-C) and wide aperture?

Steve

well, I wouldn't say that I have a direct requirement to be able to go out and shoot exactly 16mm angle, 1.4 wide and WR. Having current lenses I'm seriously thinking to get a prime which will have shallow depth of field and will give me possibilities to shoot in low light. On top of that, I'm somehow used to have WR lenses, so I hope that my next choice will be exactly WR. Looking around I just came to Fuji lenses that covers all these features. of course I thought why I can't get something similar for Pentax. I hope that some time in future I'll see WR version of amigos by the way.

---------- Post added 08-25-17 at 11:15 AM ----------

Originally posted by cali92rs

I don't want to answer for the OP, but for me personally, I was in a fancy, very dim bar this weekend where the waiter makes your drinks table side. A 16 or 23mm f1.4 would've been very handy. Indoors, poorly lit environment where things move....SR/IS does not help you much there.

You have just wrote my thoughts man

---------- Post added 08-25-17 at 11:22 AM ----------

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Fuji has some really nice primes, true. And yes, it is slightly expensive and Fuji has its own cons. Lack of WR primes has been a complain against Pentax for a while.
The lens roadmap indicates we will have some more primes in the following year or two, though.

People already wrote a list of WR primes. I think one of the Irix lenses is WR as well. Ultra wide prime

I hope so too. thanks for the link

victormeldrew · 08-25-2017, 11:27 AM

The widest Pentax prime with WR is the DA* 55mm - so not wide at all, more telephoto on APSC. In fact the whole range, WR or otherwise, is fairly sparse at the wide end.

But have a think whether you truly need WR as there are some nice 3rd party lenses around the 15mm mark, as well as the Pentax limited.

**Rondec** · 08-25-2017, 11:53 AM

The irix 15mm is f2.4 and does have a weather sealed version. It is also a full frame lens, so could be used on the K-1 as well.

I'm not a master of lens design, but my understanding is that lenses for a mount will be smallest when their focal length is closest to the registration distance. That is why the DA 40 is so small for the K mount and why Fuji and Sony can make 17/18mm lenses that are so small. When you get to telephoto lenses, mirrorless lenses will be a little bigger than their SLR counterparts.

Lev · 08-25-2017, 11:53 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by victormeldrew

The widest Pentax prime with WR is the DA* 55mm - so not wide at all, more telephoto on APSC. In fact the whole range, WR or otherwise, is fairly sparse at the wide end.

But have a think whether you truly need WR as there are some nice 3rd party lenses around the 15mm mark, as well as the Pentax limited.

well it would be just great

IRIX 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone Lens for Pentax K?

---------- Post added 08-25-17 at 11:58 AM ----------

Originally posted by Rondec

The irix 15mm is f2.4 and does have a weather sealed version. It is also a full frame lens, so could be used on the K-1 as well.

I'm not a master of lens design, but my understanding is that lenses for a mount will be smallest when their focal length is closest to the registration distance. That is why the DA 40 is so small for the K mount and why Fuji and Sony can make 17/18mm lenses that are so small. When you get to telephoto lenses, mirrorless lenses will be a little bigger than their SLR counterparts.

yes Rondec, I was also thinking about this lens, thanks. so if Irix is able to make 15 2.4 for K mount, I just wonder why Pentax can't or don't?

victormeldrew · 08-25-2017, 12:01 PM

The Irix 15mm Blackstone seems to be a great lens. I was put off originally by some reports of infinity focus issues but according to IRIX this has now been resolved and (if so) it looks like a good option - there is a distinct shortage of reviews here though. I went for the Samyang 16mm in the end as it is pretty well regarded and the WR was not so important...plus it was a considerable price difference.

08-25-2017, 09:43 AM	#1
Lev Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Posts: 1,197	Pentax Primes vs Fuji Searching for some fast WR prime lenses currently available on market, I'm looking now at the Fuji primes, Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR Lens for instance, I think it's a great WR lens. Unfortunately I can't find something similar for Pentax system, or I might be wrong? Switching to Fuji is not an option as I like every single piece of Pentax system, I just fell in love, but at the same time, can't afford another but expensive body for this. Another disadvantage is that Fuji has no IBIS. Having prime lenses on stabilized body is a huge difference. I'm not even saying about astrotracing, pixel shift etc etc... So how do you think guys?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K-5 vs MZ-S vs LX vs PZ-1p vs ist*D vs K10D vs K20D vs K-7 vs.......	Steelski	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	2	06-28-2017 04:59 PM
Fuji X-T2 purple veil/grid problem - will Fuji recall all the faulty units?	beholder3	Photographic Industry and Professionals	3	12-08-2016 08:38 AM
From fuji x10 to fuji x20	Fatmonk	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	8	01-06-2014 10:13 PM
Enthusiast vs Prosumer vs Semi Pro vs Pro vs APSC vs Full Frame	mickyd	Pentax DSLR Discussion	10	11-12-2013 07:14 PM
For Sale - Sold: smc Pentax M Primes, S-M-C Primes, THE Series 1 70~210 Zoom, Viv MFTC and more	monochrome	Sold Items	33	02-13-2009 01:29 PM

08-25-2017, 09:52 AM	#2
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	Originally posted by Lev Searching for some fast WR prime lenses currently available on market, I'm looking now at the Fuji primes, Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR Lens for instance, I think it's a great WR lens. Unfortunately I can't find something similar for Pentax system, or I might be wrong? Switching to Fuji is not an option as I like every single piece of Pentax system, I just fell in love, but at the same time, can't afford another but expensive body for this. Another disadvantage is that Fuji has no IBIS. Having prime lenses on stabilized body is a huge difference. I'm not even saying about astrotracing, pixel shift etc etc... So how do you think guys? There's no doubt that Fuji is pumping out some amazing lenses. Pentax has several primes on the roadmap, but no sign of them releasing soon. I'm not a fan of the Fuji bodies (at least last time I used a x pro) and the x-trans sensor has issues with many post processing programs. Fuji doesn't have full frame, (though now they have MF), and the lenses are as expensive as typicall quality full frame lenses from Pentax. Sure, the body is smaller, but the lenses aren't, so you aren't really saving space or weight. But they do have great retro styling, if that's what makes a difference for you.

08-25-2017, 10:03 AM	#3
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,388	While expecting a couple large aperture D-FA fullframe prime lenses, I would not expect such thing from Pentax for APS-C format. Pentax is known for small, lightweight primes in APS-C, not for super large aperture. Lens focus currently appears to be towards FF lenses. Large aperture lenses for smaller than FF can be found from Fuji as well as Olymppus.

08-25-2017, 10:13 AM - 2 Likes	#4
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Unfortunately, these are the compromises you have to make. No one system is perfect. If I had my choice, I would want a Pentax body with Fuji lenses....but that aint happening lol. You just have invest in a system that checks MOST of your boxes.

08-25-2017, 10:15 AM	#5
Lev Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Posts: 1,197 Original Poster	Originally posted by enoeske There's no doubt that Fuji is pumping out some amazing lenses. Pentax has several primes on the roadmap, but no sign of them releasing soon. I'm not a fan of the Fuji bodies (at least last time I used a x pro) and the x-trans sensor has issues with many post processing programs. Fuji doesn't have full frame, (though now they have MF), and the lenses are as expensive as typicall quality full frame lenses from Pentax. Sure, the body is smaller, but the lenses aren't, so you aren't really saving space or weight. But they do have great retro styling, if that's what makes a difference for you. no I'm not concerned about the body size, more about IBIS etc. on top of that I think that the Pentax body is much better built. Has more features I like and so on.

08-25-2017, 10:22 AM	#6
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Fuji has a really nice set of lenses. They are APS-C specific and are a little on the expensive side. On the other hand, Pentax really doesn't have many sealed primes -- the DA 55, DFA100 macro, DA 200, DA *300, and DA 560 are the ones that come to mind right now. I will say that for ultra wide angle, I don't really fine auto focus to be really necessary as it is pretty easy to do hyperfocal focusing. Not sure what application you are needing fast aperture wide angle, but Samyang is probably one of the better options and pretty reasonably priced.

08-25-2017, 10:24 AM	#7
Lev Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Posts: 1,197 Original Poster	Originally posted by dcshooter Lenses with specs similar to this are really only suitable for a mirrorless system, since they take advantage of the decreased register distance to go so wide and fast without getting enormous. It's similar to how you'd see standard 1.2s on Leicas and Canon clone RFs that were smaller than an f/2 on a contemporary SLR. As enoeske mentions, there is no Fuji Full Frame, and even if there were, the Fuji lenses being released wouldn't work on it, since they are designed around the APS-C sensor size. If you are using Pentax FF, the equivalent FOV would be a 24mm lens. There are offerings form Samyang (1.4) and Sigma (1.8) and Pentax (FA* f/2) in this length and within 1 stop max aperture, but none are WR, and each has other limitations. The closest you are going to get with an APS-C body in K is the 16mm f/2 Samyang, which is MF and not WR. ok so you are saying that it's not physically possible? not even hope to see something in future right? ) ---------- Post added 08-25-17 at 10:28 AM ---------- Originally posted by cali92rs Unfortunately, these are the compromises you have to make. No one system is perfect. If I had my choice, I would want a Pentax body with Fuji lenses....but that aint happening lol. You just have invest in a system that checks MOST of your boxes. lol I was thinking just same thing!! ))) ok, why aren't we seeing limiteds with WR so long time? not a wide angle right? isn't that possible with 31mm for example?

08-25-2017, 10:36 AM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Lev Unfortunately I can't find something similar for Pentax system, or I might be wrong? You are correct. There is no comparable WR lens for K-mount. What are you planning on photographing that requires both a wide field of view (84 degrees diagonal on APS-C) and wide aperture? Steve

08-25-2017, 10:41 AM	#9
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Fuji has some really nice primes, true. And yes, it is slightly expensive and Fuji has its own cons. Lack of WR primes has been a complain against Pentax for a while. The lens roadmap indicates we will have some more primes in the following year or two, though. People already wrote a list of WR primes. I think one of the Irix lenses is WR as well. Ultra wide prime

08-25-2017, 10:54 AM	#10
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by stevebrot You are correct. There is no comparable WR lens for K-mount. What are you planning on photographing that requires both a wide field of view (84 degrees diagonal on APS-C) and wide aperture? Steve I don't want to answer for the OP, but for me personally, I was in a fancy, very dim bar this weekend where the waiter makes your drinks table side. A 16 or 23mm f1.4 would've been very handy. Indoors, poorly lit environment where things move....SR/IS does not help you much there.

08-25-2017, 11:10 AM	#11
Lev Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Posts: 1,197 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot You are correct. There is no comparable WR lens for K-mount. What are you planning on photographing that requires both a wide field of view (84 degrees diagonal on APS-C) and wide aperture? Steve well, I wouldn't say that I have a direct requirement to be able to go out and shoot exactly 16mm angle, 1.4 wide and WR. Having current lenses I'm seriously thinking to get a prime which will have shallow depth of field and will give me possibilities to shoot in low light. On top of that, I'm somehow used to have WR lenses, so I hope that my next choice will be exactly WR. Looking around I just came to Fuji lenses that covers all these features. of course I thought why I can't get something similar for Pentax. I hope that some time in future I'll see WR version of amigos by the way. ---------- Post added 08-25-17 at 11:15 AM ---------- Originally posted by cali92rs I don't want to answer for the OP, but for me personally, I was in a fancy, very dim bar this weekend where the waiter makes your drinks table side. A 16 or 23mm f1.4 would've been very handy. Indoors, poorly lit environment where things move....SR/IS does not help you much there. You have just wrote my thoughts man ---------- Post added 08-25-17 at 11:22 AM ---------- Originally posted by Na Horuk Fuji has some really nice primes, true. And yes, it is slightly expensive and Fuji has its own cons. Lack of WR primes has been a complain against Pentax for a while. The lens roadmap indicates we will have some more primes in the following year or two, though. People already wrote a list of WR primes. I think one of the Irix lenses is WR as well. Ultra wide prime I hope so too. thanks for the link

08-25-2017, 11:27 AM	#12
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	The widest Pentax prime with WR is the DA* 55mm - so not wide at all, more telephoto on APSC. In fact the whole range, WR or otherwise, is fairly sparse at the wide end. But have a think whether you truly need WR as there are some nice 3rd party lenses around the 15mm mark, as well as the Pentax limited.

08-25-2017, 11:53 AM	#13
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	The irix 15mm is f2.4 and does have a weather sealed version. It is also a full frame lens, so could be used on the K-1 as well. I'm not a master of lens design, but my understanding is that lenses for a mount will be smallest when their focal length is closest to the registration distance. That is why the DA 40 is so small for the K mount and why Fuji and Sony can make 17/18mm lenses that are so small. When you get to telephoto lenses, mirrorless lenses will be a little bigger than their SLR counterparts.

08-25-2017, 11:53 AM - 1 Like	#14
Lev Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Posts: 1,197 Original Poster	Originally posted by victormeldrew The widest Pentax prime with WR is the DA* 55mm - so not wide at all, more telephoto on APSC. In fact the whole range, WR or otherwise, is fairly sparse at the wide end. But have a think whether you truly need WR as there are some nice 3rd party lenses around the 15mm mark, as well as the Pentax limited. well it would be just great IRIX 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone Lens for Pentax K? ---------- Post added 08-25-17 at 11:58 AM ---------- Originally posted by Rondec The irix 15mm is f2.4 and does have a weather sealed version. It is also a full frame lens, so could be used on the K-1 as well. I'm not a master of lens design, but my understanding is that lenses for a mount will be smallest when their focal length is closest to the registration distance. That is why the DA 40 is so small for the K mount and why Fuji and Sony can make 17/18mm lenses that are so small. When you get to telephoto lenses, mirrorless lenses will be a little bigger than their SLR counterparts. yes Rondec, I was also thinking about this lens, thanks. so if Irix is able to make 15 2.4 for K mount, I just wonder why Pentax can't or don't?

08-25-2017, 12:01 PM	#15
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	The Irix 15mm Blackstone seems to be a great lens. I was put off originally by some reports of infinity focus issues but according to IRIX this has now been resolved and (if so) it looks like a good option - there is a distinct shortage of reviews here though. I went for the Samyang 16mm in the end as it is pretty well regarded and the WR was not so important...plus it was a considerable price difference.