Which lens to keep?

innershell · 09-08-2008, 10:10 PM

I have the popular Pentax FA50mm f1.4 and the new Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 lens. I love the 50mm because of the f1.4, but I find myself backing into kitchen appliances, tables, or other people because it is not wide enough when I need it to be. Hence the Tamron zoom lens. It covers the range effortlessly, but it is only an f2.8 lens which didn't work so good at the last bday party without popup flash.

Which lens should I keep? I'm leaning towards the Tamron. But I cannot justify ridding such an inexpensive, but good IQ lens (the Pentax).

mhertel · 09-08-2008, 10:17 PM

keep them both.. problem solved

sychen · 09-08-2008, 10:17 PM

This probably doesn't help but, keep both.
They do different jobs... so no reason to get rid of either from a photography point of view.

Regarsd
Shang

AlpenTak · 09-08-2008, 10:21 PM

You obviously have a use for the zoom so you could keep it, it fits your wider style.

Or... you could always get a wider prime to stop yourself backing in to tables and maybe even ditch the zoom.

Then again you could keep the zoom, get rid of the FA50 and get a cheaper manual 50 for the odd time you need it.

But I would keep both if possible.

lbam · 09-08-2008, 10:22 PM

Yes, keep them both, sell the dog.

mithrandir · 09-09-2008, 06:31 AM

You could get a Raynox wide angle adaptor for the f/1.4 and get more interior shots.

heatherslightbox · 09-09-2008, 07:07 AM

Keep both lenses--even if the 50 isn't wide enough for some situations, it still works for other situations (like when you do have room to back up). To address the lack of light indoors, get a decent flash and use it with the 17-50.

HTH,
Heather

Nesster · 09-09-2008, 07:07 AM

shoot higher ISO with the zoom, and get rid of the tables and chairs so you can use the 50. But don't sell it! you'll be glad later

innershell · 09-09-2008, 07:12 AM

Originally posted by mithrandir

You could get a Raynox wide angle adaptor for the f/1.4 and get more interior shots.

Now this is news to me. How wide can I get with the wide angle adaptor? As you can see from my sig, wide is not my problem, but if I can go down to 14-12-10 ... that would give me a whole new option that I never had before.

innershell · 09-09-2008, 07:14 AM

Originally posted by Nesster

But don't sell it! you'll be glad later

That's what I'm afraid of. I love the lens the few times I've had to use it. But it saddens me to sell this for $180-ish now when I paid over $300 for it when it was new and barely known.

tybeck · 09-09-2008, 07:27 AM

Keep both and stand on the table or appliance to get a wider view. Don't stand on the people though, they will usually complain.

09-08-2008, 10:10 PM	#1
innershell Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 408	Which lens to keep? I have the popular Pentax FA50mm f1.4 and the new Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 lens. I love the 50mm because of the f1.4, but I find myself backing into kitchen appliances, tables, or other people because it is not wide enough when I need it to be. Hence the Tamron zoom lens. It covers the range effortlessly, but it is only an f2.8 lens which didn't work so good at the last bday party without popup flash. Which lens should I keep? I'm leaning towards the Tamron. But I cannot justify ridding such an inexpensive, but good IQ lens (the Pentax).

09-08-2008, 10:17 PM	#2
mhertel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Vernon, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 274	keep them both.. problem solved

09-08-2008, 10:17 PM	#3
sychen Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 120	This probably doesn't help but, keep both. They do different jobs... so no reason to get rid of either from a photography point of view. Regarsd Shang

09-08-2008, 10:21 PM	#4
AlpenTak Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 106	You obviously have a use for the zoom so you could keep it, it fits your wider style. Or... you could always get a wider prime to stop yourself backing in to tables and maybe even ditch the zoom. Then again you could keep the zoom, get rid of the FA50 and get a cheaper manual 50 for the odd time you need it. But I would keep both if possible.

09-08-2008, 10:22 PM	#5
lbam Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 442	Yes, keep them both, sell the dog.

09-09-2008, 06:31 AM	#6
mithrandir Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,895	You could get a Raynox wide angle adaptor for the f/1.4 and get more interior shots.

09-09-2008, 07:07 AM	#7
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	Keep both lenses--even if the 50 isn't wide enough for some situations, it still works for other situations (like when you do have room to back up). To address the lack of light indoors, get a decent flash and use it with the 17-50. HTH, Heather

09-09-2008, 07:07 AM	#8
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	shoot higher ISO with the zoom, and get rid of the tables and chairs so you can use the 50. But don't sell it! you'll be glad later

09-09-2008, 07:12 AM	#9
innershell Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 408 Original Poster	Originally posted by mithrandir You could get a Raynox wide angle adaptor for the f/1.4 and get more interior shots. Now this is news to me. How wide can I get with the wide angle adaptor? As you can see from my sig, wide is not my problem, but if I can go down to 14-12-10 ... that would give me a whole new option that I never had before.

09-09-2008, 07:14 AM	#10
innershell Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 408 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nesster But don't sell it! you'll be glad later That's what I'm afraid of. I love the lens the few times I've had to use it. But it saddens me to sell this for $180-ish now when I paid over $300 for it when it was new and barely known.

09-09-2008, 07:27 AM	#11
tybeck Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 452	Keep both and stand on the table or appliance to get a wider view. Don't stand on the people though, they will usually complain.