[csandeep]

Hello Pentaxians
Im jumping head first into Pentax world! I have pre-ordered a Pentax K-1II (and also in the process of selling off my Canon gear to recoup some cost). I got caught up in the moment and along with the pre-order, without much research, I'm also purchasing a Pentax D-FA 15-30mm lens.

After some careful research (aka reading this forum) I'm having second thoughts about the choice of lens as it seems heavy to carry around (mounted on the already heavy camera).

Since then I discovered the Pentax 31mm Ltd lens. Im now sitting on the fence between keeping my originally choice of 15-30mm lens or going in with the 31mm ltd lens.

I intend to take photos of my daughter (mostly indoors), her artwork (she's 4 yrs) and maybe some street photos.

I need your suggestion in choosing between the two lenses.

[BullsOnParade81]

It is convenient having the zoom and going ultra wide especially when space is limited as it may be indoors for you. I own the 15-30mm and it is a beast of a lens. Also it uses a 150mm filter system that adds even more size to it. I find that it takes up a lot of space in my bag, as well I have to bring an additional messenger bag for the filter system and accompanying filters. Having said all that it is my favorite lens and the one that I make sure I always bring with me.

[grispie]

I intend to take photos of my daughter (mostly indoors), her artwork (she's 4 yrs) and maybe some street photos.

imo fa31... see no need for ultrawide here(?)

[steve_k]

Both Lenses are great. I feel that they are better used for landscape photography especially on FF. I think you might be better served by the range of the D FA 24-70 for what you want to shoot or maybe even the D FA 28-105 if weight is a concern. For taking pictures of your daughter I just think that the 15-30 or FA 31 are just a bit too wide. But that's only my opinion.

[phoebus]

Very different lenses for very different uses...

DFA 15-30 2.8 big, heavy, much wider view, weather resistant, near silent focus: perfect high quality landscape lens, but I would struggle to see its use for portraits..
FA 31 ltd 1.8 small, light, wide view: great rendering and build quality, but not WR, noisy AF and still a bit wide for portraits.

Maybe consider FA 77 ltd 1.8 : all the good/bad points of a ltd lens, but gets you some distance from your subject.

Disclosure - I have 15-30 and 77 ... love them both!

[pschlute]

The 15-30 is a terrific lens, but not a "walkabout" one. The 31mm Ltd is a much lighter lens and has special qualities in its own right. As a street lens it is ideal.

For portrait work/kids candids the 15-30 is not going to give you advantages over the 31mm. Indeed the 31 is a bit on the wide side for portraits (perspective).

Ideally i would suggest you get both, but realise it is your wallet not mine.

As an alternatve you could match the 15-30 with a FA 50mm 1.4 or 1.7. These can be picked up on ebay and elsewhere at a very decent price and could be used as a street lens/portrait lens.

[jatrax]

DFA 15-30 is a very good lens, but not ideal for your stated purposes. I would consider it a special purpose lens for landscape or ultra-wide angle photography. Not something I would use for pictures of the children or art.

I would suggest something a little more general purpose as your first lens, neither the 15-30 or the 31mm. Both are good, both are special purpose lenses.

Instead consider getting either the DFA 24-70 or the DFA 28-105. For a first lens with your stated purpose I would go with the DFA 28-105 and perhaps add a fast 50mm like the FA 50 f/1.4 or the DA 50 f/1.8. You will have a more versatile kit and likely be spending less money.

[Adam]

Another option would be to start out with a walkaround zoom lens, such as the 28-105 (if you value compactness) or 24-70mm. Then, you'll get to observe your most common focal length(s), and also see if there's a need to go wider

[blackcloudbrew]

for the stated purpose, the FA 31 would be the choice. The DFA 15-30 is such a different lens and IMHO would not be the lens for the purpose stated. Might even consider the FA 43 limited too. Cheaper.

[C_Jones]

As was said, the 24-70 would cover a useful range (wide and medium), and it would give you an idea of what other extremes you may need. The weight of the lenses can actually provide stability preference for some users.

[DeadJohn]

...I intend to take photos of my daughter (mostly indoors), her artwork (she's 4 yrs) and maybe some street photos...

IMO the 15-30 and FA 31 are at the wide end of what you want. With the 15-30 you might always use it at 30mm for those photos.

Add me to the list of people suggesting the 28-105 or 24-70 as the first lens to go with a K-1. Both lenses have a versatile zoom range. The 28-105 benefits include compactness and cost. The 24-70 offers f2.8 in very low light and for thin depth of field.

[wstruth]

Hello Pentaxians
Im jumping head first into Pentax world! I have pre-ordered a Pentax K-1II (and also in the process of selling off my Canon gear to recoup some cost). I got caught up in the moment and along with the pre-order, without much research, I'm also purchasing a Pentax D-FA 15-30mm lens.

After some careful research (aka reading this forum) I'm having second thoughts about the choice of lens as it seems heavy to carry around (mounted on the already heavy camera).

Since then I discovered the Pentax 31mm Ltd lens. Im now sitting on the fence between keeping my originally choice of 15-30mm lens or going in with the 31mm ltd lens.

I intend to take photos of my daughter (mostly indoors), her artwork (she's 4 yrs) and maybe some street photos.

I need your suggestion in choosing between the two lenses.

I have them both and really like them both. Actually iv'e been liking the 15-30 a bit more lately because of the zoom range combined with the high quality images I get from it. But and as per your options and intended uses noted above, I would suggest the 31 limited, though the 43 limited is much smaller and lighter and one could make a good argument for using it in street photography.

Honestly I would suggest the one of the 2 zooms others have suggested and a fast prime: either the 31 or the 43 limited. You would get a more versatile kit and more telephoto for when you want it, as well as fast prime for those indoor shots. I have the 28-104 and the three limiteds and for my use this is a really good kit along with the 15-30.

[clickclick]

You mention you are selling off your Canon gear. Where you shooting a crop body or a full frame body? It occurs to me if you were using crop, you might not realize how wide the field of view will be with these lenses on full frame. I have them both, and they are fantastic, but not what I would use for portrait. The 15-30 is great for architecture and landscapes - you feel like you can walk into the scene with it at the wider end, but not a portrait lens. I also have the 24-70, and that's a fantastic all around lens. It's fun to spend other people's money, so I'd suggest keeping the 15-30 you have on order if you think you are going to do landscape etc., and then grab a 24-70 or a 28-105, or a prime or two as mentioned. I love the 43 limited, and I'm drooling for a 77 limited. When, not if.

[LFLee]

you will be getting photos that you like to keep with 31mm. The 15-30mm is generally too wide (gopro like wide) for the things you listed.

[csandeep]

Thank you all! As a newcomer to this forum, really thankful for the thoughtful response. I'll research 24-70 before deciding. Also you are right I have only used a APS-C sensor cameras so really didn't expect 15mm to be super wide on FF.