Primes and Zooms... where do Pentaxians stand in 2018?

ChristianRock · 06-06-2018, 09:39 AM

Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd

I'm sure he broke out his 24-70 & 70-210 combo. Maybe he hugged them with a sigh of relief. I was merely commenting on his
preamble suggesting such a notion was 'mad'.

The article says he favors a combination of a 35mm prime and a 70-200 zoom for his photography work.

**gofour3** · 06-06-2018, 10:06 AM

I'd pick a prime because of its better handling and faster speed.

FA43/1.9 for 35mm format
67 75/2.8AL for 6x7 format

Phil.

angerdan · 06-06-2018, 10:44 AM

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**Crooski** · 06-06-2018, 11:38 AM

Definitively a zoom lens 60-250mm

jddwoods · 06-06-2018, 01:46 PM - **1 Like**

It's a hard choice, my sentimental favorites are the DA 21 and 40 Limiteds, but this post is one lens, so for me it is between my two zoom favorites the HD DA 16-85 and HD DA 55-300 PLM between those two I have to go with the DA 16-85 if I could only live with one lens. My reasons for this choice:
Excellent image quality for a zoom
Reasonably fast, reliable & quiet autofocus
Covers wideangle to moderate telephoto
Weather resistant.
compatible with both my K-5 and K-3 bodies.
The PLM misses on two counts, compatibility with the K-5 and it does not cover wide angle, These are not two negatives but two reasons why it can't be an only lens for me. Fortunately for me it is not an only lens.
If I considered this question to include lenses that I do not have I would also consider the DA 20-40 Limited zoom and the DA 18-135 as only lens candidates.

**Scorpio71GR** · 06-06-2018, 03:21 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by From1980

.We addressed this issue very frequently when I worked in a camera store more than 30 years ago. There was definitely a noticeable and measureable difference between most primes and most zooms then. However either type could be equally as good depending what type of photo was needed and what the output would be used for. Lots of casual snapshooters were never going to demand any more from their optics than simple lighting and small prints from color negative film. Most of our customers were well served by using the type of kit zoom that was becoming common then. For the people doing more serious amateur or professional photograpy and expecting bigger enlargements or slide projection the comparison was not rhetoric.

By the 1980's the high end zooms had caught up with the high end primes, by the 1990's they were virtually the same. Now days you can not tell the difference. It is unfortunate that unscrupulous camera stores feel the need to insist people need to buy numerous expensive primes rather than a few professional level zooms. When you sell a photograph no one cares what lens you took it with.

**twilhelm** · 06-06-2018, 04:55 PM

I had to plead the 5th on this one. If I’m shooting apsc, most of the time I have my DA 20-40 attached. If it’s the K-1, then it’s likely an FA limited. If it’s film, the 31.

normhead · 06-06-2018, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by twilhelm

I had to plead the 5th on this one. If I’m shooting apsc, most of the time I have my DA 20-40 attached. If it’s the K-1, then it’s likely an FA limited. If it’s film, the 31.

All this confusion caused by to many cameras.

**twilhelm** · 06-06-2018, 06:50 PM

Originally posted by normhead

All this confusion caused by to many cameras.

You know my pain!

tvdtvdtvd · 06-06-2018, 07:29 PM

Originally posted by Scorpio71GR

by the 1990's they were virtually the same. Now days you can not tell the difference. It is unfortunate that unscrupulous camera stores feel the need to insist people need to buy numerous expensive primes rather than a few professional level zooms.

How have I missed all the pancake super zooms out there? Drat those camera sales people; my DA15 has been
such a waste.

**GUB** · 06-06-2018, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by Scorpio71GR

By the 1980's the high end zooms had caught up with the high end primes, by the 1990's they were virtually the same. Now days you can not tell the difference. It is unfortunate that unscrupulous camera stores feel the need to insist people need to buy numerous expensive primes rather than a few professional level zooms. When you sell a photograph no one cares what lens you took it with.

If that were the case then in this computer designed era we would now have 15 - 500s to play with.

ZombieArmy · 06-06-2018, 08:49 PM

My zooms see next to no use, so I'd probably pick a prime. Out of the primes I own it'd be the FA 43. If it could be a prime I plan to own it'd be the Samyang 135 as I feel 135 is the most utilitarian focal length for what I do.

**Scorpio71GR** · 06-07-2018, 03:00 AM

Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd

How have I missed all the pancake super zooms out there? Drat those camera sales people; my DA15 has been
such a waste.

I actually own the DA15 and I do like it alot. But that was not my point at all. Different lenses for different people. Some people prefer primes, others prefer zooms. Both are good when comparing the same focal lengths. You show me a wedding photographer that shows up with a 135 prime rather than a 70-200 2.8 zoom.

**Scorpio71GR** · 06-07-2018, 03:02 AM

Originally posted by GUB

If that were the case then in this computer designed era we would now have 15 - 500s to play with.

I really can not even reply, but if you need to know what a professional level zoom is go check out the 60-250 or the DFA*70-200.

**GUB** · 06-07-2018, 03:44 AM

Originally posted by Scorpio71GR

I really can not even reply, but if you need to know what a professional level zoom is go check out the 60-250 or the DFA*70-200.

My point was that if zoom lenses were that good in the 1990s then they have had 25 years to evolve them even further as in like more zoomy but in reality they have just put that energy into closing the gap with primes.

View Poll Results: If you could only have one lens today, would it be a prime or a zoom?
It would be a prime lens	63	40.65%
It would be a zoom lens	79	50.97%
I plead the fifth! (for non-americans that means "I couldn't possibly answer!")	13	8.39%
Voters: 155. You may not vote on this poll

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06-06-2018, 09:39 AM	#106
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd I'm sure he broke out his 24-70 & 70-210 combo. Maybe he hugged them with a sigh of relief. I was merely commenting on his preamble suggesting such a notion was 'mad'. The article says he favors a combination of a 35mm prime and a 70-200 zoom for his photography work.

06-06-2018, 10:06 AM	#107
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	I'd pick a prime because of its better handling and faster speed. FA43/1.9 for 35mm format 67 75/2.8AL for 6x7 format Phil.

06-06-2018, 10:44 AM	#108
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	Zoom survey lens list input collection - PentaxForums.com Pentax prime lens wishlist survey 2018 - PentaxForums.com murvey.com/report?5a6c5e956987a5df048fa8db&key=KdUnW

06-06-2018, 11:38 AM	#109
Crooski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rozenburg , Zuid-Holland Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,681	Definitively a zoom lens 60-250mm

06-06-2018, 01:46 PM - 1 Like	#110
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	It's a hard choice, my sentimental favorites are the DA 21 and 40 Limiteds, but this post is one lens, so for me it is between my two zoom favorites the HD DA 16-85 and HD DA 55-300 PLM between those two I have to go with the DA 16-85 if I could only live with one lens. My reasons for this choice: Excellent image quality for a zoom Reasonably fast, reliable & quiet autofocus Covers wideangle to moderate telephoto Weather resistant. compatible with both my K-5 and K-3 bodies. The PLM misses on two counts, compatibility with the K-5 and it does not cover wide angle, These are not two negatives but two reasons why it can't be an only lens for me. Fortunately for me it is not an only lens. If I considered this question to include lenses that I do not have I would also consider the DA 20-40 Limited zoom and the DA 18-135 as only lens candidates.

06-06-2018, 03:21 PM - 1 Like	#111
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,005	Originally posted by From1980 .We addressed this issue very frequently when I worked in a camera store more than 30 years ago. There was definitely a noticeable and measureable difference between most primes and most zooms then. However either type could be equally as good depending what type of photo was needed and what the output would be used for. Lots of casual snapshooters were never going to demand any more from their optics than simple lighting and small prints from color negative film. Most of our customers were well served by using the type of kit zoom that was becoming common then. For the people doing more serious amateur or professional photograpy and expecting bigger enlargements or slide projection the comparison was not rhetoric. By the 1980's the high end zooms had caught up with the high end primes, by the 1990's they were virtually the same. Now days you can not tell the difference. It is unfortunate that unscrupulous camera stores feel the need to insist people need to buy numerous expensive primes rather than a few professional level zooms. When you sell a photograph no one cares what lens you took it with.

06-06-2018, 04:55 PM	#112
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	I had to plead the 5th on this one. If I’m shooting apsc, most of the time I have my DA 20-40 attached. If it’s the K-1, then it’s likely an FA limited. If it’s film, the 31.

06-06-2018, 06:31 PM	#113
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by twilhelm I had to plead the 5th on this one. If I’m shooting apsc, most of the time I have my DA 20-40 attached. If it’s the K-1, then it’s likely an FA limited. If it’s film, the 31. All this confusion caused by to many cameras.

06-06-2018, 06:50 PM	#114
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	Originally posted by normhead All this confusion caused by to many cameras. You know my pain!

06-06-2018, 07:29 PM	#115
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	Originally posted by Scorpio71GR by the 1990's they were virtually the same. Now days you can not tell the difference. It is unfortunate that unscrupulous camera stores feel the need to insist people need to buy numerous expensive primes rather than a few professional level zooms. How have I missed all the pancake super zooms out there? Drat those camera sales people; my DA15 has been such a waste.

06-06-2018, 08:31 PM	#116
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760	Originally posted by Scorpio71GR By the 1980's the high end zooms had caught up with the high end primes, by the 1990's they were virtually the same. Now days you can not tell the difference. It is unfortunate that unscrupulous camera stores feel the need to insist people need to buy numerous expensive primes rather than a few professional level zooms. When you sell a photograph no one cares what lens you took it with. If that were the case then in this computer designed era we would now have 15 - 500s to play with.

06-06-2018, 08:49 PM	#117
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	My zooms see next to no use, so I'd probably pick a prime. Out of the primes I own it'd be the FA 43. If it could be a prime I plan to own it'd be the Samyang 135 as I feel 135 is the most utilitarian focal length for what I do.

06-07-2018, 03:00 AM	#118
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,005	Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd How have I missed all the pancake super zooms out there? Drat those camera sales people; my DA15 has been such a waste. I actually own the DA15 and I do like it alot. But that was not my point at all. Different lenses for different people. Some people prefer primes, others prefer zooms. Both are good when comparing the same focal lengths. You show me a wedding photographer that shows up with a 135 prime rather than a 70-200 2.8 zoom.

06-07-2018, 03:02 AM	#119
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,005	Originally posted by GUB If that were the case then in this computer designed era we would now have 15 - 500s to play with. I really can not even reply, but if you need to know what a professional level zoom is go check out the 60-250 or the DFA*70-200.

06-07-2018, 03:44 AM	#120
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760	Originally posted by Scorpio71GR I really can not even reply, but if you need to know what a professional level zoom is go check out the 60-250 or the DFA*70-200. My point was that if zoom lenses were that good in the 1990s then they have had 25 years to evolve them even further as in like more zoomy but in reality they have just put that energy into closing the gap with primes.